Hop on down to the Buntacular Spectacular, a talent show on Thursday to support the rescue and eventual spaying/neutering of rabbits that have been living by the Helmcken overpass in View Royal.
This fundraiser has been organized by the Vancouver Island Vegan Association and Animal Alliance Environment Voters.
The night’s entertainment include violist Kenji Fuse from the Victoria Symphony, local band Pages From the Oak Tree, guitarist Mel Gantley and others.
Improv guru Dave Morris of Paper Street Theatre Co. and two professional dancers are also set to dazzle the audience.
Admission is $20, with proceeds to the View Royal Rabbit Rescue. Doors open at 7 and the event runs to 10:30 p.m. at the Victoria Multicultural Centre, 1415 Broad St. Advance tickets at Eventbrite.
For more information, go to vancouverislandvegan.com.
Songs and stories for South Africa project
Victoria-based singer-songwriter Michael Mitchell will perform his Canada is for Kids show on Friday.
Proceeds from the show will benefit an organic farming project, help feed the poor, and fund library books, athletic equipment, recreation programs, field trips and more in Mariannhill, South Africa.
The family-friendly concert celebrates Canada through songs and stories, with a guest appearance by St. Joseph’s Grade 3 student singers. Jo-Ann Roberts will be the event’s master of ceremonies.
Mitchell is a former songwriter and recording artist for Sesame Street and co-host of the CTV children’s program Storytime.
Tickets are $20 adults, $10 youth 18 and under. The show starts at 7 p.m. in the Dave Dunnett Theatre of Oak Bay High School, 2151 Cranmore Rd. (off Cadboro Bay Road).
Tickets available at St. Joseph the Worker Church or St. Joseph School offices, 785 and 758 Burnside Rd. West and online at Eventbrite.
For more information, go to stjosephtheworkerparish.com.
Fibre artists show off their work
The Fibres & Beyond group of artists are hosting Consider the Lilies XIV, a fibre-art show and sale, from Saturday until April 17.
The women’s art textile co-operative group was founded in 2002. The group of 11 specializes in surface design, fibre, fabric and mixed media. The works range in dimension, varying in scale from tiny soft sculptures to large wall pieces.
All sorts of materials are used to create whimsical, functional or decorative art: wool, silk, cotton, seaweed, recycled garments and even found items.
The show runs 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the old St. Mary’s Church, 4354 Metchosin Rd. (at Metchosin corners). For information, call 250-642-2058 or 250-642-4323. For more information, go to fibresandbeyond.com.
Sexy rock and roll show for Luke’s fund
Enjoy a night of sexy rock and roll at the SoulSonix Sexy Rock & Roll with the Motown Soul benefit concert on Friday.
The concert is a fundraiser in support of the local music scene that builds on the successful LukeFest benefit concert held in February.
It will be a night on the dance floor, gyrating to contemporary and classic Motown and soul, mixed with modern R&B and funk.
Band members include Steve Moyer (bass), Carrie Young (lead vocals), Adrian Chamberlain (keyboards), Paul McLellan (drums), Bill Pendray (sax) and Jazz Fouladianpour (guitar).
Luke Rachwalski was a local musician who died in a house fire in 2014. To honour his spirit and passion for music, his family established the Luke Rachwalski Memorial Fund to raise money for scholarships (Luke’s Gift) and songwriting workshops (Luke’s Legacy).
Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Doors open 6:30, performance starts at 8 p.m. at Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View St. Tickets are available at Lyle’s Place, 770 Yates St.
For more information, go to lukefest.ca/blog/2016soulsonixfundraiser.
Bring in your recyclable electronics
To celebrate the 26th anniversary of Earth Day, a local company will accept used electronics and other recyclable items at an Earth Day Collection Drive, Saturday, April 9, and Sunday, April 10.
For a third year, Island Return It Recycling Centre has partnered with CHEK News and Mayfair Shopping Centre to offer a drive-through style drop-off of approved recyclable products.
“The Earth should not be celebrated just one day a year,” said Sophy Roberge, public relations and marketing manager for Island Return-It. “This is an ongoing mindset. This is more than a business; to us it is a lifestyle.”
This event is meant to create a vibe for spring cleaning and make it more convenient for people to recycle.
People can drop off their electronics, power tools, small appliances, even Christmas lights and more for free, with staff on site to assist with unloading vehicles.
The event runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Mayfair Shopping Centre (of Finlayson and Blanshard streets). For more information and a full list of approved products, go to islandreturnit.com/recycling-event.
Earth Day is April 22.
Pick a volunteer activity at Sooke fair
The Sooke Region Volunteer Centre is hosting its fifth annual Sooke Region Volunteer Fair on Wednesday.
According to organizers, the region is known as the Volunteer Capital of Canada, with people helping out at committees, at fairs, at the food bank and in community gardens. People pitch in to prune trees, check on neighbours, campaign for candidates and apply for grants.
“We interview individuals to find out their passions, interests and availability,” said Trudy Vermass, a volunteer at the centre.
“Then we do our best to match them with the best candidates from the list of over 200 non-profit organizations, clubs and groups in the region. It’s more about good connections, not trying to fit a round peg in a square hole.”
More than 200 non-profit organizations from Beecher Bay to Port Renfrew will be represented at the fair. Positions are available with fire departments, search and rescue organizations, the Communities Health Network, Age Friendly Committee, the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra and diverse arts groups.
The event will take place in two segments: At noon for students and 5:30 to 7:30 for the public. The event takes place at Edward Milne Community School, 6218 Sooke Rd., Sooke.
For more information, or to book a volunteer opportunities interview call 250-642-6364, ext. 235, email [email protected] or go to sookeregionresources.com.
Friends raise money for cancer patient’s family
Friends and neighbours of a family dealing with cancer are appealing for help from the public as the disease takes its toll on the family’s finances.
Emma Smith was only nine years old when she was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer in 2012. She endured surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy, and the tumour shrank away after a year.
But two years after the first diagnosis, tumours were found on her spine, and another round of treatment has begun.
Her father left work to join his wife looking after their ailing daughter. Her parents have to monitor her 24 hours a day.
Despite trying to keep expenses down, with no income, the family has hit a financial crisis as bills pile up.
Supporters have banded together to ask for donations to meet today’s concerns, as well as starting efforts to address ongoing needs. Some are also trying to find a suitable job for Emma’s father.
Learn more about the Smith family and Emma at facebook.com/emmagracesmith2003. People can contact the Friends and Neighbours Team at [email protected]. Online donations accepted at gogetfunding.com/helpemma or at any bank to the Emma Smith Trust Fund: Transit #02720, Institution: 809, Account: 410371690.
United Way pitches in after fire at former inn
The United Way of Greater Victoria has provided $10,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to help displaced tenants recover from last week’s fire at a former Traveller’s Inn.
Red Cross volunteers will use funds to help the vulnerable tenants — many of them seniors or on disability — with clothing, food, medication, transportation, moving costs and other personal needs.
“United Way is here to support our community in times of need, providing immediate and short-term assistance while addressing long-term issues,” said Patricia Jelinski, CEO of United Way Greater Victoria.
“In a time of crisis, we are pleased to be able to step forward when our community needs us most and as a long-standing partner with Red Cross, we know that the vulnerable citizens impacted by the fire at Traveller’s Inn will receive the support they need to move forward.”
United Way unites the generosity of people to help those in need.
Following a disaster in Canada, Red Cross workers provide vital assistance for people’s basic needs. Red Cross assistance does not duplicate assistance provided through insurance, government or other agencies.
For more information, go to redcross.ca or uwgv.ca.
Sleeping Bag Tate gets an award
On Friday, the Blanket B.C. Society presented five-year old Victoria native Tate Parker with a special Community Service Award.
Known locally as Sleeping Bag Tate, the youngster took it upon himself to collect sleeping bags over the Christmas holidays, eventually collecting and distributing more than 100 to the courthouse campers.
Blanket B.C. has handed out more than 220,000 blankets since its inception 10 years ago.
For more information, go to blanketbc.org.
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