DRACULA — A TRILOGY OF TERROR
Where: Phoenix Theatre, the University of Victoria
When: Friday, Jan. 5 (7 p.m.) and Sunday, Jan. 7 (2 p.m.)
Tickets: $10 from attheroxy.ca or in-person at the Phoenix Theatre — box office (250-721-8000)
Why: This workshop reading of Dracula gives theatre fans the opportunity to witness the genesis of a production during its incubation period. Created by UVic theatre professor Brian Richmond, the Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre co-founder, this epic made-in-Victoria adaptation of Bram Stoker’s gothic masterpiece spans three separate plays and is divided into seven episodes, capped by an epilogue. What’s more, Dracula — A Trilogy of Terror (which stars Christopher Mackie in the titular role) is written for 10 actors, with plenty of role-switching between human, animal and insect characters throughout. Consider us intrigued. Performances are set for 7 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
GOTH NITE II: RETURN OF THE BATS
Where: Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad St.
When: Saturday, Jan. 6, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $20 from universe.com (also available at the door)
Why: Fans of goth music have precious few opportunities to celebrate the genre these days, so the expectation is that the second instalment in this series could reach capacity Saturday night. A trio of local DJs (Mr. Zoth, Craig Huxtable, and Molly Pocket) will handle the track selection, pulling from a well of material rich with danceable post-punk, goth rock, deathrock, darkwave, and industrial songs. Goth Nite II is set to enliven one of the slower weeks on the 2024 concert calendar, so those looking to shake off the seasonal rust will have ample opportunity to do so here.
MOTORSPORTS SPECTACULAR
Where: Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard St.
When: Friday, Jan 5 (7 p.m.) and Saturday, Jan. 6 (1 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
Tickets: $15-$30 from the Save-on-Foods Memorial box office (250-220-7777) or selectyourtickets.com
Why: Monster Trucks (including Rockstar, Power Up, California Kid, Spitfire, and Identity Theft) will traverse every nook and cranny of the arena at this fan-friendly event, a perennial favourite for families in Greater Victoria. Which makes perfect sense, given that these 15,000-horsepower behemoths will tear up 600 lbs. of dirt trucked into the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre for three events this weekend. For a night (or afternoon) on the town, you could do much worse than this budget-priced bonanza.
