RECREATION
Sunday, Nov. 18
Mystery Creature (Guided Walk)
On this guided nature tour, participants get to solve riddles to find a series of clues that add up to reveal the identity of a “mystery creature.” It sounds like fun, but I think a lot of kids (and adults) might be a little disappointed if the mystery creature doesn’t turn out to be a Velociraptor. For more info, email:
crdparks@crd.bc.ca. Francis/King Nature Centre, off Munn Rd. (Saanich). 1–2:30 p.m. Free.
saturday, Nov. 17 – Wednesday, Jan. 2
Lights & Animation in Centennial Square
Here’s an interesting Christmas-y thing that has me very intrigued — an interactive animation that will appear in Centennial Square throughout the holiday season on the back wall of the McPherson Theatre. You use your smartphone to interact with it. There’s also going to be a tree on the other side of the square that responds to sounds you make, like singing or playing an instrument. When I was a kid, this kind of high-tech stuff would have been totally fascinating. All I had was the RadioShack catalogue. Remember that awesome Christmas catalogue with all the high-tech toys? If that gives you warm, fuzzy feelings inside, then it’ll be worth your while to stop by Centennial Square with your iPhone and see how this animated thing actually works.
For more info, email: info@downtownvictoria.ca. Centennial Square. Free.
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
Saturday, Nov. 17
Quote-Along Classics: Airplane!
Have you seen Airplane!? If you haven’t, you ought to. It’s a legendary film that started a decades-long trend in goofy, slapstick comedy movies that includes the Naked Gun and Scary Movie series. And interestingly enough, the late comedy great Leslie Nielsen was in the majority of these movies. While a movie like Airplane! isn’t Oscar-worthy material by any means, it will have you laughing your ass off. There’s no better way to experience this movie than in a theatre full of people drinking cocktails (yes, cocktails will be available).
For more info, visit thevic.ca. Vic Theatre (808 Douglas St.). Doors at 7 p.m. $10 (advance tickets only). 19+.
Sunday, Nov. 18
Victoria Comic Book Expo
I’m not the biggest comic book fan out there, but like anyone born in the 20th century with nerdy inclinations, I definitely have a huge soft spot for ’em. I didn’t have the disposable income to become a solid collector when I was a kid (there is a huge collection of Archie comics at my parents’ home, however). So I never got too heavy into the ongoing dramas of the X-Men or Spider-Man; I just heard about them from other people. Anyway, there are a lot of cool comics out there. My favourite is Daniel Clowes’s Eightball series. Is all this comic book talk making you salivate? Well then, how can you not go to this?
For more info, visit: victoriacomicbookexpo.ca. Comfort Inn and Conference Centre (3020 Blanshard St.). 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free.
Sunday, Nov. 18
Vintage, Retro and Collectibles Show & Sale
If comic books aren’t quite your thing, but you’re still a nerd, then you’ll likely be drawn to this collectibles show out in Sidney. They’ve got all manner of exotic and retro collectibles, both local and from around the world. I’m sure looking through all this stuff will yield some cool finds, but value is really in the eye of the beholder. Personally, I’m always on the lookout for stuff from the ‘70s and ‘80s. Check this event out and try to resist the slippery slope of becoming a collector who ends up on an episode of Hoarders.
For more info, visit: josiejones.shawwebspace.ca. Contact David at 250-744-1807 or email dnlock@shaw.ca. Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave. (Sidney). 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. $3 (8:30 a.m. early bird tickets $20).
Sunday, Nov. 18
The Coup
Everyone can dig the grooves in hip hop, but some listeners may yearn for a bit more in the lyric department. If that happens to be how you feel about the genre, check out The Coup’s upcoming performance at Club 9One9 here in Victoria. Hailing from Oakland, California, The Coup mixes smart political commentary with solid beats. And they feature a full band, too; it’s hard to top that for a complete live sound. For more info, visit: atomiqueproductions.com. Club 9One9 (919 Douglas St.). Doors at 9 p.m. $7.80 (advance only).
LECTURES
Thursday, Nov. 15
Building on the Past
Do you fancy yourself an Indiana Jones of sorts? Well, here’s an upcoming event that may not feature any Lost Arks or Temples of Doom (and definitely not any Crystal Skulls . . . yuck), but will be fascinating nonetheless for any budding archaeologists. Brendan Burke, chair of UVic’s Department of Greek and Roman Studies, will be discussing the historical significance of some archaeological findings in Greece. Here’s something cool about the ancient Greeks I recently found out about: their architecture wasn’t white. It was actually painted all kinds of flamboyant, bright colours. Crazy, huh? I imagine it’s something you’d have to see for yourself; I feel like all the colours would have been either tacky or fabulous. For more info, email: bburke@uvic.ca. Clearihue Building Rm. A212 (UVic). 7:30 p.m. Free.
