Welcome to the Calendar listings. Theatre, dance, live music, nightspots and other performances appear in day-by-day listings, with family activities and ongoing exhibitions under "Events." To list an event, send details at least one week prior to publication. Post your event at timescolonist.com/events and click "Add your event."
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FRIDAY
DANCE
Lessons
- Argentine Tango. Beginners lesson 8 p.m., followed by Tango Pacifico Milonga at 9 p.m. Cost: $10/$8. Café Casablanca, 2524 Bridge St. Tel. 250-389-0222 or tangopacifico.com.
VBDS Ballroom Dance
- Open dance practice; singles and couples welcome at Les Passmore Centre, 286 Hampton Rd., 7-9: 30 p.m. First visit free. Tel. 250-721-5483. vbds.org.
Performance
- The Gift of Pandora's Box presented by Ballet Victoria at the Royal Theatre, tonight and Saturday 7: 30 p.m. with Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets starting at $24.75/ $15 children at rmts.bc.ca or 250-386-6121.
FUN FOR KIDS
Children's events
- Saturday through Thursday will be carried on the Family 4-1-1 page in Saturday's Times Colonist.
MUSIC
Folk, Roots, Blues
- Are We Family at the Bard & Banker Pub, 1022 Government St., 8 p.m. Tel. 250-953-9993; vicpubco.ca.
Jazz
- Bill Mulley at the piano, Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa, 45 Songhees Rd., 6-9 p.m. Tel. 250-360-2999.
- Los Gringos Locos at Vista 18, 740 Burdett Ave., 8-11 p.m. 250-382-9258.
- Chris Millington Trio at the Bengal Lounge, Fairmont Empress hotel, 8 p.m. Tel. 250-384-8111.
- Live Jazz, Pacific Lounge, Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville St., 8-11 p.m. hotelgrandpacific.com.
- Sean Fyfe Trio at Hermann's Jazz Club, 753 View St., 8 p.m. Cost: $10/$7. Tel. 250-388-9166; hermannsjazz.com
Pop and Rock
- Broken Strings at Canoe Brewpub, 450 Swift St., Cost: $5 after 9 p.m.; canoebrewpub.com
- T.G.I. Fridays at Carlton Club Cabaret, 900 Carlton Terrace, Esquimalt, 8 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3666.
- Karaoke with Stacie at Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans Unit 12, 753 View St., 8 p.m. anavets12@shaw.ca.
- SubDivision at the Castle Bar, 1900 Douglas St., 10 p.m. Cost: $5; thecastlebar.ca.
- Groove Kitchen at Swans Pub, 506 Pandora Ave. 9 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3310.
OUTDOORS
Walk, Run, Hike
- Ghost of Christmas Past Walking Tour: Friday and Saturday, 7: 30 p.m. and nightly, Dec. 27-31. Start at Visitor Info Centre, Government at Wharf St. Cost: $14/$12. Tel. 250-384-6698 or discoverthepast.com.
THEATRE
- Cinderella, presented by the Peninsula Players, traditional fun for all ages, today at 7: 30 p.m. and Saturday through Monday at 2 p.m. Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave. Tickets: $18/$15. Tel. 250-656-0275.
- Craigdarroch Castle presents A Christmas Carol, a one-man play by Jason Stevens at Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Cres., 7 p.m. Final event. Tickets: $20/$15. 250-592-5323.
- Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy at the Maritime Museum of B.C., Bastion Square, today and Saturday. Tickets: $20/$35. Details at 250-385-4222.
- The Gift of the Magi at Chemainus Theatre, today through Sunday at 9737 Chemainus Rd., Chemainus 1-800-565-7738. chemainustheatre.ca
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SATURDAY
DANCE
Performance
- The Gift of Pandora's Box. Performance at 7: 30 p.m. See Friday for details.
Social
- Argentine Tango at Barefoot Yoga Studio, Broad and Yates Streets, 911: 30 p.m. Class with Rene and Hilda, 8-9 p.m. Cost: $8/$10; tangovita.com.
MUSIC
Folk, Roots, Blues
- Broken Strings at the Bard & Banker Pub, 1022 Government St., 8 p.m. Tel. 250-953-9993. vicpubco.ca.
- The Deuces at The Upper Deck Lounge, No cover. 229 Gorge Rd. E, 8 p.m. Tel. 250-383-8212.
- Saturday Blues Jam with Summer and the Sinners at My Bar and Grill, Howard Johnson Hotel, 310 Gorge Rd. E., 3-7 p.m. mybarandgrill.ca.
Funk, Soul and R&B
- The Randy Tucker Band at Swiftsure Lounge, Days Inn on the Harbour, 427 Belleville St., 3-6 p.m. Tel. 250-389-0839.
Jazz
- Bill Mulley at the piano, Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa, 45 Songhees Rd., 6-9 p.m. Tel. 250-360-2999.
- Chris Millington with Brent Jarvis at the Bengal Lounge, Fairmont Empress hotel, 8 p.m. Tel. 250-384-8111.
- Los Gringos Locos at Vista 18, 740 Burdett Ave., 8-11 p.m. Tel. 250-382-9258.
- Stephen Brown and the Bastion Band at Ocean Island Cafe, 791 Pandora Ave., 8: 30-11: 30 p.m. oceanisland.com.
- Art of the Trio at Hermann's Jazz Club, 753 View St., 8 p.m. Tickets: $18/$15. 250-388-9166; hermannsjazz.com.
- Live Jazz, Pacific Lounge, Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville St., 8-11 p.m. hotelgrandpacific.com.
Pop and Rock
- Hummingbird Deluxe at Swans Pub, 506 Pandora Ave. 8: 30-11: 30 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3310.
- Are We Family at Canoe Brewpub, 450 Swift St., 9: 30 p.m. Cost: $5 after 9 p.m.; canoebrewpub.com.
- The Baley Legal Show with Kiana Brasset, Towers and Trees plus the Archers at Lucky Bar, 517 Yates St., 7-10: 30 p..m. Tickets: $12 at the door or $10 advance at Ditch Records.
- Saturday Slam at Carlton Club Cabaret, 900 Carlton Terrace, Esquimalt, 8 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3666.
- Karaoke with Stacie at My Bar and Grill in the Howard Johnson Hotel, 310 Gorge Rd East, 8: 30 p.m. mybarandgrill.ca.
OUTDOORS
Walk, Run, Hike
- Chinatown Walks: Explore Canada's oldest Chinatown. Meet outside Starbucks, corner of Fis-gard and Government, Saturday, 10: 30 a.m. Cost: $14. Tel. 250-384-6698 or discoverthepast.com.
- Juan de Fuca Pathfinders five/10 kilometre walk. Meet at Fairfield Community Centre, 1335 Thurlow Rd., 9: 30 a.m. for registration, 10 a.m. for walk. Tel. 250-478-7020.
- Outdoor Club: Hike Gorge Waterway to Cuthbert Holmes Park, loop. See ocv.ca for details.
THEATRE
- Cinderella. Performance 2 p.m. See Friday for details.
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SUNDAY
DANCE
Performance
- The Gift of Pandora's Box. Final performance at 2 p.m. See Friday for details.
MUSIC
Classical
- Cambodia Support Group (CSG) presents Chanthavouth Hy, tenor with Arne Sahlen, piano at St. Peter's Lakehill Anglican Church, 3939 St. Peter's Road (off Quadra, south of MacKenzie), 2: 30 p.m. By donation. 250-812-2433.
Country/Bluegrass
- The Moonshiners at Swans Pub, 506 Pandora Ave. 8: 30-11: 30 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3310.
- Open Country with Cliff Hanson at My Bar and Grill in the Howard Johnson Hotel, 310 Gorge Rd East, 3-7 p.m.; mybarandgrill.ca.
- Bluegrass Jam Night at Ocean Island Café Lounge, 791 Pandora Ave., 8 p.m. oceanisland.com.
Folk, Roots and Blues
- Electric Timber Co at the Bard & Banker Pub, 1022 Government St., 8 p.m. Tel. 250-953-9993. vicpubco.ca.
- Deb Rhymer Band at The Upper Deck, 229 Gorge Road E., 3-7 p.m. Tel. 250-383-8212.
- Rig-a-JIg perform at Victoria Folk Music Society's seasonal dance and potluck, 7: 30 p.m. at Norway House, 1110 Hillside Ave. Cost: $5. Tel. 250-475-1355 or victoriafolkmusic.ca.
- Jazz Dixieland Express Early New Year's Party at Hermann's Jazz Club, 753 View St. 4 p.m. Cost: $12. Tel. 250-388-9166; hermannsjazz.com.
OUTDOORS
- CRD Parks programs. Tel. 250-478-3344. crd.bc.ca/parks.
- Telling Tales, Walking Trails at Francis/King Regional Park, 10-11: 30 a.m. Find out how Raven tricked the Crow and where our Island chickadees came from and much more with a CRD Regional Parks' naturalist. Meet at Francis/King Nature Centre off Munn Rd., Children five years and up.
Walk, Run, Hike
- Weekly Bird Walk (for everyone). Every Sunday and Wednesday. 9-10: 30 a.m. Meet at the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary parking lot, 3873 Swan Lake Rd. Tel. 250-479-0211.
THEATRE
- Cinderella. Performance 2 p.m. See Friday for details.
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MONDAY
DANCE
- New Year's Eve dinner and dance with music by MC2 at Royal Canadian Legion, 411 Gorge Rd. E., 6: 30 p.m. dinner and dance. Tel. 250-384-5213 for tickets.
- New Year's Eve dinner and dance with Denny's Canned Music at White Eagle Polish Hall, 90 Dock St., James Bay. Bar opens at 7 p.m., dinner begins 7: 307: 45 p.m., dance from 9 p.m. Tickets by reservation only, $75 per person. Tel. 250-882-3797.
FILM
- Movie Monday: New Year's Eve: Cat Ballou screening at Eric Martin Pavilion, Fort Street, 6: 30 p.m. Parking on Lee Avenue (one-hour zone). Tel. 250-595-3542 or moviemonday.ca.
MUSIC
Folk, Roots, Blues
- Run for Cover at the Bard and Banker Pub, 1022 Government St., 8 p.m. Tel. 250-953-9993. vicpubco.ca.
Jazz
- Bill Mulley at the piano, Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa, 45 Songhees Rd., 6-8: 30 p.m. Tel. 250-360-2999.
- New Year's Eve Jazz Party at Hermann's Jazz Club, 753 View St. 4-8 p.m. Cost: $55/$50. 250-388-9166; hermannsjazz.com.
- New Year's Eve with Bill Mulley Quartet featuring Maudie VanKlaveren, vocals, at Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel and Marina, 146 Kingston St., 9 p.m.
- New Year's on the Vineyard at 2915 Cameron Taggart Rd. Dinner at 5: 30 p.m., $55, or at 8: 30 p.m., $90, or dessert buffet, $25. Live jazz 8: 45 p.m. Tel. 250-743-3667 or amuseonthevineyard.com.
- A Jazzy New Year's at Heron Rock Bistro, 4435 Simcoe St., 9 p.m. Music by Lust Life Jazz Trio. Reservations. heronrockbistro.ca
- Edie DaPonte and John MacArthur at Beacon Landing, 2537 Beacon Ave, Sidney, 7-10: 30 p.m. 250-656-2516.
Pop and Rock
- New Year's Eve with the Honeycrooner at Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa, 45 Songhees Rd., 9 p.m.-12: 30 a.m. Tel. 250-360-2999.
- Swamp Music Players Jam Night at Ocean Island Café, 791 Pandora Ave. 9 p.m. Tel. 250-385-1788.
- New Year's Eve in Space at Castle Bar, 1900 Douglas St., 10 p.m. Flight fare: $30 (Ditch Records) Gate: $35 includes champagne and snacks. thecastlebar.ca.
- New Years Eve with live music by the Adults and guest, Georgia Murray at Canoe Brewpub, 450 Swift St., 7 p.m. Cost: $50 plus tax. canoebrewpub.com.
- New Year's Eve with the Timebenders at Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney, doors at 7: 30 p.m. show at 8: 30 p.m. Tickets: $38, no minors. Tel. 250-656-0275 or marywinspear.ca.
- New Year's Eve Karaoke with Stacie at Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans Unit 12, 753 View St., 8 p.m. anavets12@shaw.ca.
- Rock Steady at Swans Pub, 506 Pandora Ave. 9 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3310.
- Winter Wonderland at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss St., 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Tickets: $60$80. codenye2013tc.eventbrite.com.
OUTDOORS
Walks and Runs
- WalkSmart Victoria. Morning walks for ladies, Monday to Friday, 8: 5011 a.m. Meet at Royal Oak McDonald's for registration. Tel. 250-479-4087 for details, walksmartvictoria @shaw.ca.
THEATRE
- Cinderella. Final performance 2 p.m. See Friday for details.
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TUESDAY
MUSIC
Classical
A Viennese New Year's by the Victoria Symphony with guest tenor Ken Lavigne at the Royal Theatre, 2: 30 p.m. Tickets: $45 and up. Tel. 250-386-6121.
Jazz
- Capital City Syncopators at Swans Pub, 506 Pandora Ave. 9 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3310.
Pop and Rock
- Karaoke with Stacie at My Bar and Grill in the Howard Johnson Hotel, 310 Gorge Rd East, 8 p.m. mybarandgrill.ca.
OUTDOORS
Walks and Runs
- Vic Y Volkssport five/10 kilometre walk. Meet at YM/YWCA, 851 Broughton St. Registration 11: 30 a.m., walk at noon. Tel. 250-3858519.
- Outdoor Club of Victoria: Hike Swan Lake and Christmas Hill or Mount Finlayson from Finlayson Arm Road. See ocv.ca for details.
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WEDNESDAY
AUTHOR
- New Year Open Mic at Oaklands. Sign up for a reading at Open Mic Night. Oaklands Community Centre, 2827 Belmont Ave., 7-9 p.m. victoriawriters.ca.
DANCE
- VBDS Ballroom Dance open dance practice; singles and couples welcome at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre, 3220 Cedar Hill Rd., 7: 45-10 p.m. First visit free. Tel. 250-721-5483. vbds.org.
MUSIC
Folk, Roots and Blues
- Open Mic Night at Ocean Island Café, 791 Pandora Ave. 9 p.m. Tel. 250-385-1788.
- Tyler Harvey at the Bard & Banker Pub, 1022 Government St., 8 p.m. Tel. 250-953-9993. vicpubco.ca.
- House Cats at Swans Pub, 506 Pandora Ave. 9 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3310.
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THURSDAY
MUSIC
Folk, Roots, Blues
- Tom and Matt at the Bard & Banker Pub, 1022 Government St., 8 p.m. Tel. 250-953-9993. vicpubco.ca.
Funk, Soul and R&B
- Momentum's R&B Show at Bartholomew's Bar, 777 Douglas St., 8: 30 -11: 30 p.m. Tel. 250-388-5111.
Jazz
- Gypsy Jazz Night featuring Chris Sartisohn & the Cold Cut Combo at Vista 18, 740 Burdett Ave., 8-11 p.m. 250-382-9258.
Pop and Rock
- The Adults at Canoe Brewpub, 450 Swift St., 9 p.m. Cost: $5 after 9 p.m.; canoebrewpub.com.
- Tom Lang Band at Swans Pub, 506 Pandora Ave. 9 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3310.
- Throwback Thursday at Carlton Club Cabaret, 900 Carlton Terrace, Esquimalt, 8 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3666.
- Music Bingo at My Bar and Grill, Howard Johnson Hotel, 310 Gorge Rd. E., 7-11 p.m. mybarandgrill.ca.
- Quiz Whiz: Trivia NIght at Ocean Island Café Lounge, 791 Pandora Ave., 9 p.m. Tel. 250-385-1788.
OUTDOORS
Walks and Runs
- Garden City Wanderers Meet at Henderson Recreation Centre, 2291 Cedar Hill Cross Road. Registration 5: 45 p.m., walk 6 p.m. Tel. 778-3500861.
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EVENTS
- B.C. Aviation Museum Kids' Fest, a fun filled educational event for children in Grade 6 and under. Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 1910 Norseman Rd., Sidney. Tel. 250-655-3300.
- Post-Christmas tour at Point Ellice House and Gardens National Historic Site, 2616 Pleasant St., Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: $6. 250-380-6506. pointellicehouse.ca.
- Christmas at Craigdarroch, 1050 Joan Crescent. 250-592-5323 or thecastle.ca.
- Friday: 11 a.m. Les Amusements de la Chambre; 1 p.m. Paper snowflakes; 3 p.m. Sweet Ginger; 7 p.m. A Christmas Carol.
- Saturday: 11a.m. Christie Morrison; 1 p.m. Holiday Cards; 3 p.m. Yuki Tampo-Hinton.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. Marian Schols; 1 p.m. Holiday Crowns; 3 p.m Kathy Stacey.
- Monday: Scottish Heritage Day (Hogmanay) 11 a.m.Celtic Reflections.
- 1 p.m. Holiday Crowns; 3 p.m. Cookeilidh.
- 26th Anniversary of the Magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens, to Jan. 6, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. butchartgardens.com
- Butchart Gardens Holiday Lights Tours, Daily at 4: 30 and 6: 30 p.m. to Jan. 5. 4: 30 p.m. tour includes Butterfly Gardens.Tel. 250-386-8652 or cvscruisevictoria.com
- Christmas Past and Present: Fairmont Empress Tour of the hotel with guide in period costume, Saturday at 11 a.m. Cost: $12. Meet in front of Fairmont Gift Store. Tel. 250-592-9255.
- Festival of Trees at the Fairmont Empress hotel, a collection of more than 50 decorated trees benefiting BC Children's Hospital. Daily to Jan. 4; fairmont.com/ empress-victoria.
- Bear Wear: Holiday teddies are back in the lobby of Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville St. daily to Thursday. A fundraiser for Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. Tel. 250-519-6935.
- Gingerbread Showcase at the Inn at Laurel Point. Vote for your favourite, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily to Tuesday.
- Helmcken House Old-fashioned Christmas at Royal B.C. Museum, 675 Belleville St., daily to Dec. 31, noon-4 p.m. royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
Christmas Tree Chipping:
- 14th Juan de Fuca Scouts at Luxton Fair Grounds, 1040 Marwood Ave., Saturday, Sunday and Jan. 5-6 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $5/pickup $10. Drop off Jan. 2-4, 8 a.m.-5: 30 p.m. at Race Rocks Auto, 1057B Marwood Ave. Tel. 250-589-7715.
- Braefoot Community Association at 1359 McKenzie Ave., Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Jan. 5-6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. braefoot.ca.
- Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph The Worker Council at 753 Burnside Rd. Saturday and Jan. 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.plus bottle drop off. Tel. 250-889-7453.
- Castaway Wanderers Rugby at Windsor Park, Oak Bay, beside the Rose Garden, Saturday through Tuesday and Jan. 5-6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.cwrugby.com.
- Reynolds Band Program tree recycling at Reynolds Second School parking lot, McKenzie and Borden, Saturday, Sunday, Jan. 5-6, 9: 30 a.m.-5 p.m. Donation.
New Year's Eve Celebration
- Monday at Panorama Recreation. Doors open 4: 45 p.m. Activities begin at 5 p.m. Gym activities 5-9 p.m. with arts crafts, movie screen, bouncy castle and more. Swimming, 5: 15-6: 45 p.m. and 7-8: 30 p.m. arena activites, 5-8: 45 p.m. skating, games, parent and child hockey. 6-9 p.m. Musical entertainment, 9 p.m. Fireworks at Kelset School. 9: 15 p.m. Happy New Year, end of events. Tickets: Advance: $11/$7/under 5 free. Door: $15/$11/under 5 free. Tel. 250-656-7271 or panoramarecreation.ca.
New Year's Day Polar Swims
- Elk Lake: 2 p.m. at Hamsterly Beach.
- Lockside Drive: noon, near Tulista Park, Sidney. Parksville Beach: noon.
New Year's Day
- At Oak Bay Recreation: 12: 30-1: 30 Community Walk with Mayor and Council; 1: 30-2: 30 p.m. Meet and greet Mayor and Council, 1-3 p.m. Fitness studio orientation, 1: 30-3 p.m. Skating and tennis; 23 p.m. Jazzercise; 3-5 p.m. Swimming; 3: 15-5: 15 p.m. Children's movies. Details recreation.oakbay.bc.org.
- New Year's Day free family swim, Tuesday at Saanich Commonwealth Place, 10 a.m.-noon. recreation.saanich.ca.
New Year's Day Levee
- 9 a.m.-10 a.m. HMCS Malahat, 20 Huron Street. Cmdr. Jim Sprang.
- 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Bay Street Armoury, 715 Bay St. The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) and 5th (B.C.) Field Artillery Regiment Lt.-Col. Scott Wisdahl.
- 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Government House, 1401 Rockland Avenue The Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of B.C.
- 10 a.m.-12 p.m. District of Sooke, Municipal Hall (Council Chambers), 2205 Otter Point Road Mayor Wendal Milne
- 10: 30 a.m.-12 p.m. Lieutenant-General E.C. Ashton Armoury, 724 Vanalman Avenue.
- 11 (Victoria) Service Company, 39 Service Battalion, 11 Victoria Field Ambulance, 39 Signal Regt (2 Sqn) and 12 Military Police Platoon. Lt.-Col. Kirk Jones.
- Noon-1: 30 p.m. City of Victoria Victoria City Hall (Antechamber), 1 Centennial Square Mayor Dean Fortin
- 1 p.m.-2: 30 p.m. Township of Esquimalt Municipal Hall (Council Chambers), 1229 Esquimalt Road Mayor Barbara Desjardins
- Note: Dress for Canadian Forces personnel is service dress with medals (1As). Recommended dress for civilians is business formal.
- The Maritime Museum of B.C., New Year's Levee, Bastion Square, Tuesday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission. mmbc.bc.ca.
- Royal B.C. Museum: Admission by Donation Week, Wednesday through Jan. 9 at 675 Belleville St.
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