FUNK THE HALLS
With: The Funk Hunters, Smalltown DJs, Civillian (Friday) and Liinks (Saturday)
Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates St.
When: Dec. 2-3, 9 p.m.
Tickets: Sold out
Why: This popular Christmastime event is coming in hot, with many of the acts on the bill fresh from head-turning sets at Rifflandia in September. Victoria-Vancouver duo The Funk Hunters leads the way, and will absolutely knock this one out of the park; party-friendly performances have become the band’s forte in recent years. The event features support from Calgary’s Smalltown DJs on both nights, with Vancouver’s Civillian joining the fray on Friday and Victoria’s Liinks on the bill Saturday. Both nights are sold out, so you’re going to have call in a favour if to get in on the festive fun. It’ll be worth the effort.
LUMINOUS NIGHT
Where: Farquhar Auditorium, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd.
When: Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35 (adults) or $10 (students/income accessible) from the UVic Ticket Centre box office (250-721-8480) or tickets.uvic.ca
Why: A night of music by French composer Maurice Duruflé and Norway’s Ola Gjeilo highlight this expansive event by the Victoria Choral Society. Luminous Night will also feature soloists Jennifer Lang (mezzo soprano), Andy Erasmus (baritone), organist Mark McDonald and members of the Victoria Symphony, all under the direction of Brian Wismath. Works by British composer Edward Elgar and American favourite Samuel Barber round out the program, setting the stage for a luminous night, indeed.
WILLIAM PRINCE
With: Le Ren
Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates St.
When: Dec. 4, 8 p.m. (doors at 7)
Tickets: $37.86 (including taxes and fees) from admitone.com
Why: Winnipeg singer-songwriter William Prince had a summer to remember, where performances in the Vancouver Island area are concerned. He turned heads at Courtenay’s Vancouver Island Music Festival in July, followed by a show-stopping set at Victoria’s Harbour Blues ‘N Roots Festival in August — gigs that perfectly set the stage for his Capital Ballroom appearance this weekend. Prince has received three Juno Award nominations since 2017, and for good reason. He’s the real roots-rock deal, with one of the best voices in the business.
mdevlin@timescolonist.com
