This week, transport yourself to new (art) horizons or at a Parisian-themed pop-up dinner on Salt Spring. Or, embrace the hygge of fall and hunker down at a winter beer fest, a harvest winemaker’s dinner, or in front of an easel after a day of Tofino storm watching.
Cover illustration by Caitlin McDonagh.
Victoria
Nov. 4-10 | Impulse Theatre’s Peek Fest There’s a lot to unpack in this event, but instead of trying to explain it, we suggest embracing the uncertainty and confusion—not knowing is half the fun. A hint: there will be creative workshops and sneak peeks (hence the name) from Victoria’s most exciting creative innovators and emerging artists. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
Nov. 6 | Karaoke at the Copper Owl Belting out tunes in a dark and cozy bar is always a good time, and at Copper Owl, you can make this a weekly occurrence. The song selection is robust and the drink specials reasonable. Find out more here (and while you’re there, take a peek at their upcoming shows).
Nov. 7 | Unseen and Unheard, We Knew Her Name This Greater Victoria Public Library event is part of a series honouring missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ2S individuals that happens on the first Thursday of every month. There will be performances and speakers, followed by a dinner. Starts at 6 p.m.
Nov. 7 | Battle Pong A ping pong tournament of the wholesome kind? We’re intrigued. At this feel-good event, put on by local tech company RedBrick, you can grab a spectator ticket for $10 or if you prefer to get in on the action, enroll a team. There will be competition fuel in the form of food trucks, drinks and door prizes, and it’s all for a good cause: proceeds going to World Partnership Walk and the VIATEC Foundation.
November 8 | Winterbrau at Canoe Brewpub We’re entering the season of hygge, and even beer festivals are in on the cozy vibes. Canoe Brewpub’s 8th annual Winterbrau will feature a selection of B.C. breweries’ best winter beers (think hearty stouts and flavoured ales), plus free canapés and live music. This event takes place over two afternoons, with each day featuring a different line-up. Tickets ($68.25) and a list of participating breweries here.
Nov. 11 | Remembrance Day There are a series of events happening around Victoria on Remembrance Day: there’s the Annual Parade, the Remembrance Day Ceremony followed by a big band dance, a re-enactment at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site, and an evening light show with 20-minute photo shows at Burdett and Quadra.
Cowichan Valley
Nov. 8 | Harvest Winemaker’s Dinner Winemaker Dan Wright and chef Maartyn Hoogeveen are putting on a special harvest dinner over at Unsworth Vineyard. The five-course menu draws on seasonal flavours, reflected in dishes like pan roasted duck breast and bouillabaisse) and is paired to match Unsworth’s new releases. Tickets are $125 and must be purchased in advance.
Nov. 9 | Merridale Craft Spirit Festival Over at Merridale, the cidery’s 2nd annual craft spirit festival is taking place. Save the money you’d otherwise spend on a burger and a beer downtown and make it an evening of cocktails and canapes instead. Tasting tokens are $2 each, and your ticket includes a safe return bus ride (to Victoria, Westshore, Duncan, Cobble Hill and Shawnigan Lake) and souvenir tasting glass for your trophy shelf.
Parksville
Nov. 8-10 | First Nations Art Show and Cultural Festival Parksville’s first-annual festival Celebrating a Way of Life will showcase more than 50 First Nations artists, carvers, jewellers, crafters and fashion designers. There will be dancing and drumming from the Kwakiulth Nation, as well as performances from the Nuu Chah Nulth and Coast Salish Singers are also on the schedule (something the event organizers say many will never see again in their lifetime), and it’s all taking place at the Parksville Recreation Centre. Admission is $7.50 at the door and $5 for children 12 and under.
Salt Spring Island
Nov. 8 and 10 | Parisian Pop-Up and Natural Wines The latest pop-up at Francis Bread will see chef Kyle Roerick first serving up Parisian bistro-inspired snacks to pair with natural wines from Francis Bread’s favourite regions in France; then he’ll bookend the weekend on Sunday night with a Trinidadian-inspired menu in tribute to his late father.
Nov. 10-17 | Stormwatching Paint Workshop At this very west coast-inspired art event, lead artist and storm-watching tour leader Janice Mason Steeves will take you for a long walk along Cox Bay, then indoors to Long Beach Lodge Resort where you’ll translate your stormy experience into dreamy oil abstracts for above the fireplace.
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.
