With health authorities advising against large gatherings, numerous events are being cancelled or postponed. On Thursday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix called for organizers to cancel events involved 250 people or more.
We'll add to this list as we receive information. Contact venues or ticketsellers to check whether events are going ahead.
POSTPONED: A Conversation with Michelle Obama
Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama will reschedule her upcoming event in Victoria, which was set for March 31 at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. Tickets purchased for the March 31 event will be valid and transferable to the new date. No further details about a rescheduled date have been announced. Updates will be shared when available, according to organizers.
CANCELLED: Victoria Beer Week events
Victoria Beer Week has cancelled two of its most popular events as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Lager Than Life, which was to have happened Friday night, and Saturday Night Casks which is on the schedule for today, were cancelled due to the numbers they draw.
Organizer Joe Wiebe said because they both draw more than 300 people to the Victoria Public Market it was a no-brainer to cancel them after Thursday’s provincial directive to cancel any public events involving more than 250 people.
They have also cancelled the Street Eats Brewery Tour that was to have happened today.
Wiebe said despite the fact the tour only involved about 50 people, because it used a bus that did not allow for “social distancing” it had to be cancelled.
Ticketholders to all of the cancelled events can expect a full refund from Ticket Rocket.
Beer Week will still go ahead with two events tomorrow as neither involve a large group confined in a small space.
The Brewmasters Brunch at Swans will go ahead at 11 a.m. and Beer School: Party Like It's 999 at the Argyle Attic will go ahead at 3 p.m.
CANCELLED: The Times Colonist 10K
The Times Colonist 10K, scheduled for April 26, which typically attracts about 10,000 runners and walkers. [More details here.]
POSTPONED: Capital City Comic Con
Capital City Comic Con — the city’s foremost film, television and comic-book convention — is postponed until further notice over an “abundance of caution due to COVID-19.”
The third annual edition of the Comic Con had been expected to attract upwards of 10,000 people March 20-22.
“It is not a decision we take lightly,” producers from the Capital City Comic Con Enthusiasts Society said in a statement, noting the Screen Actors Guild recently issued a notice to its members that it was in their best interest to cease flying for the foreseeable future. “Recognizing the union body for actors has issued a notice to protect the safety of their members, some Capital City Comic Con guests have made the choice that it would be best for them to postpone their travel to Greater Victoria for the time being.”
No new dates have been announced. Information will be posted on capitalcitycomiccon.ca, organizers said.
POSTPONED: The Flight of the Hummingbird
Pacific Opera Victoria’s performances of The Flight of the Hummingbird, scheduled for March 13 to 22 at Baumann Centre. In-school performances will continue if schools remain open. The Spring Break Opera Creation Camp, involving a small group youth, will be held as scheduled March 23 to 27.
POSTPONED: Matthew Good
Two concerts by Vancouver rocker Matthew Good set for Distrikt nightclub next month have been postponed by the artist.
“There’s nothing more important than human life,” Good said in a statement. “Given the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been decided that it is best for all to postpone my Moving Walls tour.”
Good was scheduled to play April 8 and 9 at the Douglas Street venue. The tour will be rescheduled in the fall, organizers say, and previously purchased tickets will be honoured for all dates. More information will be released through matthewgood.org. For ticket and refund information, email info@bfelive.com.
CLOSED: Royal Theatre and McPherson Playhouse
The Royal Theatre and the McPherson Playhouse issued a statement Thursday evening, saying the venues would be closed to the public until further notice.
The theatres said they are working with promoters and presenters to discuss show cancellations or postponements. Ticket buyers of affected shows will be contacted in the coming days by email or phone. The box office will be open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, go to rmts.bc.ca.
CLOSED: Beacon Hill Children’s Farm
The Beacon Hill Children’s Farm has closed temporarily, a step staff see as a “precaution to minimize the potential risk of COVID-19 to people and animals alike.” There has been no contamination at the farm. Go to beaconhillschildrensfarm.ca.
POSTPONED: Bikini Kill
The reunited punk group from Washington state has cancelled two shows in Victoria: March 19 at Distrikt nightclub and March 20 at Alix Goolden Performance Hall. Make-up dates will be re-scheduled for the fall. Refunds are available at point of purchase.
CANCELLED: Molly Johnson at Hermann’s
Jazz and blues singer Molly Johnson has cancelled her sold-out performance set for Hermann’s Jazz Club on March 19.
Johnson was also forced to cancel performances in Seattle on March 17 and 18, due to COVID-19 concerns amid the outbreak in Washington state. According to organizers with the Victoria Jazz Society, Johnson is expected to revisit Victoria in February 2021.
Tickets can be refunded at the point of purchase. Jazzvictoria.com has more information.
POSTPONED: Under the Big Top
Under the Big Top, a fashion fundraiser benefiting B.C. Children’s Hospital, has been postponed. The event had been scheduled for March 21 at John Fluevog Shoes, 566 Johnson St. Organizers plan to reschedule. Go to healthytransformation.com.
POSTPONED: Moving Trans History Forward
Moving Trans History Forward, a biennial conference presented by the chair in transgender studies at the University of Victoria, has been postponed. The conference had been scheduled for April 2-5 and organizers hope it can be rescheduled for next spring. Any donors to the conference will be contacted to discuss how their donations should be used or returned. Information is available through uvic.ca/mthf2020.
