Geek-chic burlesque, the season’s harvest of fresh hop beers, a month-long festival dedicated to soup (yes, you heard that right), and a presentation on Vancouver Island’s infamous cult leader Brother XII.
Cover illustration by Caitlin McDonagh.
Victoria & Saanich
Oct. 9 | Spoken Word for Social Change Workshop Whether you’re an aspiring Shane Koyczan or even a little curious about spoken word, this workshop is non-judgemental, accessible place to learn the ropes. Proceeds go towards supporting land defenders and Indigenous frontline resistance to fossil fuel expansion projects on unsurrendered lands and waters. Suggested donation is $10.
Oct. 10 | Nerdlesque Calling all Klingon warriors, hobbits and stormtroopers—this special edition of Wet Coast Burlesque is going to be a nerd-tacular evening you won’t find anywhere else. We can’t wait to see how the bespectacled dancers will combine nipple tassels with pocket protectors, fishnets and sensible long shorts. A fun 19-plus event to hit with your friends at the Victoria Event Centre. General admission tickets are $22 a pop.
Oct. 12 | Fresh to Death: Victoria’s Harvest Celebration of Fresh Hop Beers Forget pumpkins, fall’s best harvest is all about the fresh hops. For brewmasters, fall means first collecting, then experimenting with, fresh juicy hops (a.k.a. wet hopping). You and your IPA-loing pal can find more than 20 of these hoppy beers, along with your standard pumpkin beers and Oktoberfest lagers from all around B.C. at the harvest event for $30 a ticket.
Oct. 12 | Thanksliving No critters will be harmed in the making of this vegan community potluck: all dishes will be vegan but non-vegans are also welcome—bring a meat-free, non-dairy dish and purchase a $5 ticket to join this tasty foodie event.
Oct.13 | Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon If you’re going to strap on your sneaks to work off your holiday meal, surely a seaside jaunt around Victoria is the way to go. And if 42.195 kilometres doesn’t appeal to you, there are also half-marathon, 8-km Turkey Trot and kid-friendly options for whatever level of running you’re prepared to do. Registration for the big race starts at $130.
Oct.12 | “Fabulous Fungi” Guided Forest Walk Get your best puns ready for this “beyond the basics” intro to the mushrooms of Francis/King Regional Park with guest naturalist Kem Luther. This is an adults-only guided walk and no harvesting will take place (identification only). There isn’t “mush-room” as space is limited…so make sure to pre-register (and feel free to one up our pun skills).
Duncan
Oct. 9 | Wildwings Nature and Arts Festival 2019 This is a month-long festival filled with educational events and experiences about the Somenos Marsh and Cowichan Valley, but the main event is the Oct. 9 launch party and opening Art Exhibition reception. There will be 35 to 40 community nature artists hosted at Just Jakes Restaurant, home of the WildWings loft in downtown Duncan.
Oct. 7-25 | Dancing in Paint: Soleil Mannion This exhibition (which started end of September) puts the work of Soleil Mannion on display. She was born in the Netherlands, but spent her formative years studying in Vancouver Island, and it’s these dramatic local seascapes that you’ll see highlighted in her work. The show is free to see and is hosted at Imagine That! Artisans’ Designs.
Nanaimo
Oct.11 and 19 | The Nanaimo Museum Presents Brother XII If you’re anything like us, and the weird, eccentric and dark history of Nanaimo’s Brother XII cult has long been a fascination, you won’t want to miss this event. Or, if you’re nothing like us, but you are, in fact, looking for another history beyond the oft-repeated tale of the Nanaimo bar, we’d suggest putting this on your radar. Brother XII (a.k.a. The Devil of Decourcy Island) lured followers from around the world to a colony he established in Cedar, then later Decourcy Island, through the promise of salvation. This presentation charts his rise and fall, and the subsequent court cases, scandals and conspiracy theories that followed. Tickets are $10 and pre-registration is required. The Oct 11 event is already sold out, but there are still spaces available for the Oct 19 night.
Tofino
Oct. 11-13 | Mushrooms of the West Coast: A Weekend Field Course Pack your high socks, your tan khakis and that dusty copy of All That Rain Promises and More: A Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushroom that you picked up at the local thrift store—we’re going mushroom hunting. This is a three-day field course that will introduce you to the wild world of edible fungi, the essentials of collection and identification, and cooking. The course is $240 (this includes lunch on Saturday and Sunday), and it’s going to be way more fun than staying inside and watching Netflix.
Comox
Oct. 6-Nov. 3 | Farm Fresh Soup Fest A month-long festival dedicated to tasting soups, are you kidding? Participants get to taste and judge soups made with local farm-grown produce by local Cowichan Valley chefs. Last year’s event was such a success they’re bringing back this fundraiser benefiting Black Creek Community Association and Lush Valley Food Action Society. Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 at the door, and there will be speakers, live music, wine by the glass and boatloads of soup.
Know of an event or cool gathering that we missed? Email us at breakwater@gmail.com, or keep us in the loop on Instagram and Facebook.
