Explore: Health Show, Chinese New Year Gala, Black and White dinner

Focus on wellness at two-day health show

The Victoria Health Show, a two-day event for health-conscious consumers, is coming to Saanich on Saturday and Sunday.

The exhibit is for anyone looking for the latest health products and services, those just beginning the journey of living a healthier lifestyle, and those in need of help with specific health issues.

The Victoria Health Show touts health products, services, experts, demonstrations, seminars, and food sampling, all under one roof.

You can even find ways and products to keep your home “clean and green, fresh and organized, harmonious and functional,” say the show’s organizers.

The health show takes place at Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Rd.

Hours on Saturday are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The single-day and weekend ticket prices range from $6 to $12, with discounts for seniors, students and military members.

Children under 12 are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased online.

Tickets purchased at the door are cash only.

The first 100 people through the door on Saturday will receive a goodie bag.

For more details, go to healthshows.com.

New Year Gala ushers in Year of Pig

Both modern and traditional performers will be featured Saturday at the 2019 Victoria Chinese New Year Gala.

The event is being held at the University of Victoria’s Farquhar Auditorium, starting at 7 p.m.

Organizers say it will be the largest Chinese New Year festival held in the region. Entertainment, including music, dance and comedy, will be provided by local individuals, groups and societies, as well as artists from other communities.

More than 1,000 spectators are expected.

The show is presented by the Victoria Chinese Community Association, a non-profit that works to promote cultural exchange and awareness.

Tickets are $15.

Chinese New Year officially begins Feb. 5, with 2019 being the Year of the Pig in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese animal zodiac.

Pigs are the last animal to come up in the cycle. They are said to have good personalities and to be blessed with good fortune.

Next year’s animal in the Chinese zodiac is the rat.

Learning Tour features music, story walk, exercise

There’s lots of free fun for the whole family this weekend at the Westshore Family Learning Tour organized by South Island Literacy.

Stop by the Victoria Conservatory of Music, 1314 Lakepoint Way, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for musical activities at the Instrument Petting Zoo.

Instructors will be available to answer questions about private or group lessons for children, teens or adults.

Get physical at the Langford YMCA, 1314 Lakepoint Way, where the whole family can practise basic movement skills and play interactive games from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Or take a 40-minute self-guided stroll and read an illustrated storybook along the way at the story walk in Garry Oak Grove at Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Start at the trail head in front of the library (the big rock). All ages are welcome.

Activities are also planned from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Juan de Fuca branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library.

For more information, go to southislandliteracy.com.

Black and White dinner to help heart program

Black and white is a great look.

And the Black and White charity gala dinner and dance will give you a chance to help the adult congenital heart program at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.

It’s a formal night where you can dress to impress and contribute to a good cause. The program benefits those who suffer from heart disease.

The dinner and dance, put on by the Joiner family, is being held Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, 411 Gorge Rd. East.

There’s a full cash bar, a three-course dinner buffet that begins at 6:30 p.m. and a presentation about the heart program. After, there’s dancing like there’s no tomorrow.

All proceeds go to the Pacific Adult Congenital Heart Program at St. Paul’s Hospital. Tickets start at $60. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Ocean Rain spring show features Chinese dancing

Ocean Rain Arts Academy is staging its Spring Festival Spectacular Show at Oak Bay High School’s theatre on Cadboro Bay Road on Saturday. The event starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $15 from eventbrite.ca.

The event will feature a variety of performances, showcasing traditional Chinese dancing from different parts of the country. Dancers will wear traditional costumes.

Ocean Rain’s own dancing-school students will be among the performers. The audience can expect other dancing styles, such as hip-hop and ballet.

A free pre-show event is also planned Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the high school.

Activities include lantern riddles, making dumplings, writing spring festival couplets, games, prizes, cosplay and a photo booth.

Ocean Rain Kids Art Auction will send proceeds to Big Brothers and Big Sisters.