CLASSICAL
What: Mozart and Martinis
Where: The Atrium, 800 Yates St.
When: Today, 6 p.m. (doors at 5:30)
Tickets: $40 at the Royal McPherson box office (250-386-6121) or rmts.bc.ca
Why: The perfect post-work aperitif is being offered tonight with a menu of martinis and Mozart, courtesy of the Victoria Symphony and conductor Giuseppe Pietraroia. Beethoven, Handel and Haydn are also on the menu for the introductory affair, which is designed to appeal to inexperienced symphonygoers who want some mixology with their music. The natural acoustics of the Atrium will add an extra layer of wow to this unique event.
INDIE ROCK
What: Wolf Parade
Where: Upstairs Cabaret, 15 Bastion Sq.
When: Saturday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m. (doors at 6:30)
Tickets: Sold out
Why: Fans will want to monitor social-media sites closely through the weekend as Wolf Parade has a much-anticipated — but sadly sold-out — show set for Saturday at Upstairs Cabaret. There’s new music coming Friday from Vancouver Island products Dan Boeckner, Spencer Krug and Arlen Thompson, which audiences are in line to hear during the trio’s hometown performance. For ultimate effect, make the trip to the Queen’s in Nanaimo on Friday, when the band’s fifth album, Thin Mind, is finally released to the world.
MOVIE MUSIC
What: Shaken, Not Stirred: Music From James Bond and Other Spies
Where: Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St.
When: Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.
Tickets: $33-$85 at the Royal McPherson box office (250-386-6121) or rmts.bc.ca
Why: Sean O’Loughlin, principal pops conductor for the Victoria Symphony, has a resumé that includes work with iconic film composer John Williams, so he’s the perfect maestro to lead the orchestra through a roundup of iconic movie themes with a 007 bent. From Russia with Love, Skyfall, Goldfinger and Thunderball will be included alongside theme music from Mission: Impossible and The Pink Panther franchises, which should give soloist David Curry plenty to sing about through two performances.
