LEWIS BLACK
Where: Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St.
When: Thursday, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $54.75-$94.50 from the Royal McPherson box office (250-386-6121) or rmts.bc.ca
Why: Here’s how you know time has not dulled the edges of acidic comedian Lewis Black: When he walks on stage at the outset of his new special, Thankfully, I Need You, he does so to the sounds of Metallica’s Enter Sandman. Black, 75, is still angry, which makes for great entertainment — expletive entertainment, mind you, but that is part of his appeal. The former Daily Show contributor has made outrage his stock in trade, and he barely takes his foot off the gas pedal when he performs live. If you’re looking for high brow, look somewhere else. But if you’re tired of screaming into the void over the state of the world, Black is your guy. No one has been more mad at humanity for longer.
ELMO WHIGGETT
Where: Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View St.
When: Thursday, 7 p.m. (doors at 5:30)
Tickets: $25 from hermannsjazz.com
Why: The legacy of Victoria jazz favourites Elmo Whiggett has found its way into various collectors’ circles, thanks to the rarity (and relative worth) of its 1978 recording, Autographed Copy. The jazz-funk therein is refreshingly au courant, and many members of the group from that era — including bassist Rick Blair, singer Barbara Fisher, drummer Andy Graffiti, saxophonist/flutist Gordon Clements, and multi-instrumentalist Tom Williamson — are re-assembling for the first time in years at Hermann’s Jazz Club tonight, with assistance from Karel Roessingh on keys. Highest recommendation.
BC CULTURE DAYS
Where: Various venues, including Fairfield Community Centre, The Dock — Centre for Social Impact, and Centennial Park
When: Sept. 22-Oct. 15
Admission: Free/Pay What You May
Why: A three-week provincewide event showcasing a diverse array of artistic voices, BC Culture Days includes several workshops close to home from a variety of artists from the Vancouver Island area, including Regan Shrumm (Victoria), Tlanextli Coyotl/Pablo Ochoa (Salt Spring Island), and Ann K Chou (Victoria). From lantern making instruction to participatory discussions centred on artistic practices and community building, the event offers a pastiche of possibilities for a vast cross-section of professional and amateur artists. There’s plenty to discover (much of which is free) on the schedule at culturedays.ca.
