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Explore: Aboriginal culture fest, Father’s Day, yoga day and more

The Aboriginal Cultural Festival will host 45 performances — including champion hoop-dancer Alex Wells — on the grounds of the Royal B.C. Museum this weekend.
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George (MeÕlas) Taylor and Augie Thomas perform at the opening of the Aboriginal Cultural Festival at the Royal B.C. Museum last year.

The Aboriginal Cultural Festival will host 45 performances — including champion hoop-dancer Alex Wells — on the grounds of the Royal B.C. Museum this weekend.

On Friday, there will be performances by the Coast Salish Nation (southern and eastern Vancouver Island). Saturday is a showcase for the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation (central and western Vancouver Island) with Sunday featuring the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation (north and eastern Vancouver Island).

Wells, a three-time world champion hoop dancer from the Lil’wat Nation, is the show-closing headliner all three days.

The festival will also feature an indigenous-arts marketplace and an outdoor dining area where visitors can sample and purchase clam chowder, fry-bread and barbecued salmon.

The event is created in partnership with Aboriginal Tourism B.C., the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, the Royal B.C. Museum, Butchart Gardens, Tourism Victoria and the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.

Last year, more than 15,000 people visited the festival. For more information, visit: aboriginalbc.com/yyj.

Aboriginal Fest Schedule:

Friday’s events:

11 a.m. — Thunderbird Park totem pole walk and big-house history

11:45 a.m. — Festival opening remarks and welcome

1 p.m. — Le-La-La Dancers

1:40 p.m. — Feature artist/guest speaker

2 p.m. — Tzinquaw Dancers

3 p.m. — Alex Wells

4 p.m. — Le-La-La Dancers

5 p.m. — Tzinquaw Dancers

6 p.m. — Alex Wells

Saturday’s events:

11 a.m. — Thunderbird Park totem pole walk and big-house history

12 noon — Lekwungen traditional dancers and Esquimalt singers and dancers

1 p.m. — Le-La-La Dancers

1:40 p.m. — Feature artist/guest speaker

2 p.m. — Nuu-chah-nulth Dance Group

3 p.m. — Youth performers: Next Generation

4 p.m. — Le-La-La Dancers

5 p.m. — Nuu-chah-nulth Dance Group

6 p.m. — Alex Wells

 

Sunday’s events:

11 a.m. — Thunderbird Park totem pole walk and big-house history

12 noon — Host nations: Lekwungen traditional dancers and Esquimalt singers and dancers

1 p.m. — Le-La-La Dancers

1:40 p.m. — Feature artist/guest speaker

2 p.m. — J.J. Lavallee and B.C. Métis Federation Jiggers

3 p.m. — Alex Wells

4 p.m. — Le-La-La Dancers

5 p.m. — J.J. Lavallee and B.C. Métis Federation Jiggers

6 p.m. — Alex Wells

 

Inner peace is alive and well in Victoria

 

While the Burrard Bridge yoga debacle disrupted the inner peace of Vancouverites last week, such is not the case here in Victoria.

Hundreds of yoga enthusiasts and newbies alike are expected to celebrate the International Day of Yoga on Sunday from 8-10 a.m. on the front lawn of the B.C. legislature. The free event, which includes talks and the opportunity to participate in a massive yoga session, is being presented by the International Day of Yoga’s Vancouver committee with support from the Consul General of India.

It begins with an opening ceremony at 8 a.m., followed by an official yoga class (bring your own yoga mat and bottled water).

To participate in the event June 21, you must register online at uniydcanada.com.

 

Get Dad hooked on fishing this Father’s Day weekend

A multitude of Father’s Day events are on tap this weekend, from a British car show in Beacon Hill Park to free golf at Henderson Recreation Centre.

If Dad is the outdoursy type, take him out for a free day of freshwater fishing on Saturday at the Malahat Outdoor Sports Centre. Similar events, all part of the 16th Annual Family Fishing Weekend, will be held over the weekend at Discovery Pier and Echo in Campbell River, Star Lake in Gold River, Fuller Lake in Chemainus, Fish and Game Pond in Courtenay, Mayo Lake in Cowichan, Bush Creek Hatchery in Ladysmith, Westwood Lake in Nanaimo, Village Bay Lake on Quadra Island and Shawnigan Lake.

At the Greater Victoria event, fishing will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the pond of the Malahat Outdoor Sports Centre at 700 Holker Pl., near Spectacle Lake Provincial Park.

Family Fishing Weekend, organized by the Family Fishing Society of B.C., offers free fishing around the province. The day of free fishing (no licences required) is viewed as a means to get more people hooked on fishing.

The society will be loaning out rods and tackle for free to those who don’t have gear. This year’s edition marks the 16th year of the family-friendly event.

For information, go to bcfamilyfishing.com.

 

Father’s Day events:

• Father’s Day Fundraiser at Carnarvon Park, Sunday, 6 p.m.-dusk with Vista 18 chef guest Garrett Schack. Tel. 250-893-1842.

• Father’s Day Free Swim

at Panorama Recreation, 1885 Forest Park Dr., Sunday, 9-10:30 a.m. crd.bc.ca/panorama

• Father’s Day in the pool at Saanich Commonwealth Place, 4636 Elk Lake Dr.,

1-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Dads swim for free accompanied by child. Tel. 250-475-7600.

• Father’s Day Ceilidh in the Park, Sunday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Cameron Bandshell, Beacon Hill Park. victoria.ca.

• British Car Show and Picnic, Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Beacon Hill Park.

• Father’s Day at Oak Bay Recreation Centre, Sunday.

• Dads Golf for Free at Henderson Recreation Centre, 9 a.m.-noon

• Father’s Day Skate at Oak Bay Recreation

Centre, 3-4:30 p.m. recreation.oakbay.ca.

 

Sunday’s a Jane Austen kind of day

Jane Austen has been dead for nearly 200 years, yet the influential English novelist must surely hold some kind of record as one of English literature’s longest-living spirits.

Austen lives on in stage, film and TV productions, including Becoming Jane, the 2007 biography that focused on her early life; several screen versions of her masterwork Pride and Prejudice; Ang Lee’s Sense and Sensibility; and Jane, the musical.

Austen-philes also looking for an excuse to dress up can indulge their passion by enjoying a Jane Austen Tea in an English country garden Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at Starling Lane Vineyard and Heritage Farm, 5271 Old West Saanich Rd.

Hats, gloves, parasols and other period costumes are encouraged at the seventh annual fundraiser for the Prospect Lake District Community Association.

Tickets, which are $25 for adults, $15 for kids five to 12 and free for kids five and under, include elegant sandwiches, sweets, punch and tea.

Tickets are available at Dig This in Oak Bay, Broadmead and Sidney; City Scribe in Brentwood Bay and Save-on-Gas at 5295 West Saanich Road.

For large-table reservations, call Jackie Wrinch at 250-479-4769.

Details at pldca.ca

Strawberries and wine just fine

The third annual Strawberries and Wine Festival takes places this Saturday and Sunday at 25 venues in the Saanich Peninsula.

Visitors can buy freshly picked strawberries (or pick their own) at farms. Wineries will offer samples of local wine paired with strawberry treats and restaurants will serve strawberry-themed delectables.

There’s also an electric bike tour of the Saanich Peninsula on Sunday.

To register, contact Steve at tidesgroup.com or 250-999-2997 or email infor@tidesgroup.com.

 

Have fun for free at the 20th FernFest 

It’s party time in Fernwood this weekend as FernFest marks its 20th anniversary with one day and two nights of free fun.

FernFest will take over the junction of Fernwood Road and Gladstone Avenue beginning Friday until 10 p.m. Saturday. Live performances by 15 local bands, including the New Souls, Bousada, Capital City Syncopators Trio and the New Groovement, top the entertainment card.

There is more than just music to this party. Artisans will sell their wares on Gladstone Avenue, while the Field of Dreams area on the grass of Vic High will feature a kids’ stage with yoga, dance, clowns and magicians. There is also a pancake breakfast, bike parade and seniors’ high tea.

FernFest runs Friday from 5-10 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. in Fernwood Square.

For information, phone 250-381-1552 or go to fernwoodnrg.ca.