Art
Free Play exhibit at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
If “please don’t touch the art” really leaves you chapped, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria has got something for you! Free Play is a hands-on exhibit that asks you to get interactive with art, games, games as art, and art as games — all tackling the big political, social, philosophical and other -ical questions of why we play games. Guided drop-in tours are offered if you appreciate a tutorial with your gaming, but you’re always welcome to go solo — joystick not required.
Ongoing until Aug 3
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss St.
Admission: Hours and rates available here
Community
Victoria Flea Market in Market Square
The ever-popular Victoria Flea Market makes its return to Market Square May 3, and continues every Sunday for the duration of the summer. If you’re new to Victoria, be sure to take a wander and check out the local vendors. Got something you want to sell? You can do that too. Oddly enough, there aren’t many fleas, as far as I know . . .
Opening May 3, open Sundays all summer, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Market Square, 560 Johnson St.
Vendor and table booking info at victoriafleamarket.com
Victoria Highland Games
If caber-tossing and bagpipes get you going, head down to Topaz Park May 16-18 for the 152nd Highland Games, a renowned display and celebration of Scottish and Celtic heritage and culture. Featuring a whisky school, musical performances, feats of strength, and sheep herding(!!!), there’s something for everyone. Don’t forget your kilts!
Saturday May 16–Monday May 18
Topaz Park, corner of Finlayson St. and Blanshard St.
Admission: Variable pricing; info found at victoriahighlandgames.com
Music
BYORN: Numero ZERO’s Bring Your Own Punk/Garage Record Night
Come to Logan’s Pub on the last Wednesday of May, but don’t forget your vinyl! Numero ZERO will be spinning your own punk/garage/”weirdo synth” from 8–10 p.m., and then he’ll play whatever he feels like! No cover, and $4.75 Pabst tall cans all night? Sounds like a helluva deal.
May 20, 8 p.m.
Logan’s Pub, 1821 Cook St.
Admission: No cover!
Riffs That Kill presents Atrous Leviathan, Titan’s Eve, Scimitar, and Ætherion
Herald the passing of May and the coming of June with an exercise in utmost brutality. Featuring the live debut of local act Ætherion, Victoria juggernauts Atrous Leviathan and Scimitar, and renowned mainland trashers Titan’s Eve, this will be a night to remember. Get to the Cambie, grab a beer, and throw yourself into the pit! \m/ \m/
May 30, 9:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
The Cambie Esquimalt, 856 Esquimalt Rd.
Admission: $10 advance tickets; general ticket sales info coming soon.
Theatre
Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre presents Macbeth
“By the pricking of my thumbs, / Something wicked this way comes.” Revisit your high school English class with this production of William Shakespeare’s renowned tragedy, Macbeth, at the Roxy on Quadra St. Adapted and produced by UVic theatre professor Brian Richmond and starring the impeccable talents of Phoenix alum Celine Stubel, the play is a tragic reminder of the folly in committing evil acts to further one’s aims. And make no mistake: There will be blood.
May 5-17
The Roxy, 2657 Quadra St.
Admission: $26–$42; tickets available at ticketrocket.org
Further details available at bluebridgetheatre.ca
Uno Fest at the Intrepid Theatre Club
Get your theatre fix at the Intrepid Theatre as Uno Fest kicks off with 6 Guitars and God is a Scottish Drag Queen II, both premiering May 8 and 9. But the fun doesn’t stop there: With shows continuing well into May, you’ll be sure to find something to check out, whether its the comedic stylings of Sharon Mahoney in The Lion, The Bitch and the Wardrobe, or the Monobrow Solo Slam XVII and XIV.
May 8–24; showtimes vary
The Intrepid Theatre Club (1609 Blanshard St.), Metro Studio Theatre (1411 Quadra St.)
Admission: Some shows pay-what-you-can; others at regular ticket price.
Further showtime and ticket details at intrepidtheatre.com/festivals/uno-fest
