VISUAL ARTS
Opening Friday, May 17
Wendy Hough Wall Drawings
A neat artist and UBC graduate will be in-residence at Open Space Gallery until June 10. Over the course of her tenure, she’ll create a large-scale drawing open for public veiwing. Interested folks can follow her creative process every step along the way — including, it seems, when she erases the drawing. This event is a visual installation and performance right in the program space. Attend the opening night May 17.
For more info, visit OpenSpace.ca.
Open Space (510 Fort St.), 7:30 p.m. FREE
All week, June 1–8
Visual Arts Faculty Exhibit
Seven UVic faculty members from the Visual Arts department will show their work in the Now Art exhibition. It’s right on campus, and is a great motivator to finally locate UVic’s Fine Arts quarter, if you haven’t already. (Hint: it’s sort of a diagonally opposite corner of campus from the SUB, if circles have corners.) These folks have created amazing art from old TVs, colourful lights, photographs, glass — you name it — in the past. So don’t miss your chance to check it out. Then you’ll know where Phoenix Theatre is, too!
For more info, visit FineArts.uvic.ca/visualarts/.
Visual Arts Building (3800 Finnerty Rd.), 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. weekends, FREE
LITERATURE
Saturday, May 11
Thirdspace Launch
The UVic Students’ Society Women’s Centre publishes an awesome anti-racist feminist zine. It’s the space for discussing questions like “Does feminism matter?” which is the title of this year’s issue. At the launch event, you can check out artists painting murals and playing concerts and, while you’re there, pick up your free copy to read all month long. I’ve always thought this publication was a handy size and earthy design — not to mention all the good stuff inside.
For more info, visit Thirdspace.ca.
Vancouver Island School of Art (2549 Quadra St.), 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. FREE
Sunday, June 2
Provincial Solidarities/Solidarités Provinciales
launch and labour history workshop
Skip the lazy Sunday for a Labour History Walking Tour, a meeting of minds and a book launch at Solstice Café. Learn and contribute to the discussion about social justice and B.C.’s working class. A lot of students may not be working stiffs yet, but we’re getting there. Why not be entertained and informed at this one-day workshop? Childcare is available free if you register before May 15.
For more info, visit cclh.ca.
Meet at Swan’s Hotel (506 Pandora Ave.), 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. $0–25
POETRY
Thursdays May 16 and 30
Victoria Slam Championship
Performers have been vamping up all season in hopes of scoring a slot on the five-poet Victoria Poetry Slam Team heading into the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. They get even more challenge and the audience gets extra entertainment now that there will be two events, both Semi-Finals and Finals, on two evenings this month. These can get pretty raw; so prepare to bear them bare — it won’t be a bore.
For more info, visit VictoriaPoetryProject.ca.
Victoria Event Centre (1415 Broad St.), doors at 7:30 p.m. $10
NATURE
Various, May 11 – June 1
Capital Regional District Parks Outings
Celebrate returning migratory birds on May 11 at Beaver Lake Road (9 a.m.), hop a 55 or 54 bus and explore intertidal creatures at Witty’s Lagoon on May 12 (10 a.m.) and take the 70 or 72 bus on June 1 for a Morning Mist Canoe Adventure at Elk Lake (8 a.m.). These events are hosted by naturalists who can tell you interesting things about the flora and fauna. Of course, you could also show up to some of the area’s lovely regional parks on your own, and maybe have a picnic.
For more info, visit CRD.bc.ca/parks.
Various start times and meeting places, $20 for canoe outing (pre-register)
FUNDRAISER
Tuesday, May 28
Concert for Literacy Victoria
It’s always kind of a shy moment for me when I admit I love country music. With this event, you don’t even have to. You just have to love literacy, and in exchange you get bluegrass, country and roots music, world-renowned harmonica jams and some comedy from a winner of the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour. All the proceeds go to helping adults with low literacy levels improve their reading, writing, computer and math skills.
For more info, visit literacyvictoria.ca.
Belfry Arts Centre (1291 Gladstone Ave.), doors at 6 p.m. $45 or $100
