Wednesday, Dec. 13
One Piano, Four Hands – Duo-Pianists Jeanne Campbell and Lorna Bjorklund at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin’s 2017 Lunchtime Advent Concert Series at 1701 Elgin Rd. Wednesdays from 12:10 to 12:50 pm. Bring your lunch; coffee and tea are provided. Admission is by donation with proceeds going to The Victoria Hospice Bereavement Fund.
Celebrate a Life – Hillside shopping centre hosts the annual Celebrate a Life campaign for Victoria Hospice. Visitors are invited to share their memories of loved ones by creating a personalized tribute to hang on the tree. Donations are also accepted on site for Hospice, which provides compassionate end-of-life care for patients and their families. You can also make an online tribute or donation to Hospice at celebratealifevictoria.ca.
The 26th annual Festival of Trees – The Bay Centre (Douglas and Fort street) hosts the fundraiser for the BC Children’s Hospital, is on now on the second and third levels at the downtown mall. It features 80 Christmas trees decorated with all manner of ornaments by local companies, non-profits and community groups. Vote for your favourite tree with a donation to Excellence in Child Health Fund,which supports programs and services offered by BC Children’s Hospital, its research institute and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children.
Gingerbread showcase – Amazing creations are on display through Jan. 2 at the Parkside Hotel and Spa (810 Humboldt St.), the new host for Habitat for Humanity’s ninth annual Gingerbread Showcase. With a theme of Celebrating Canada! this exhibit of baked architecture and astounding creativity by local chefs appeals to all ages and is a fundraiser aiding Habitat’s affordable home ownership programs. View them between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily.
Friday, Dec. 15
Christmas with Sinatra – Starring Vancouver performer Dane Warren and featuring the Dane Warren Jazz Trio in the Dave Dunnet theatre, 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd. Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. Tickets available at the McPherson box office at 1-250-386-6121, rmts.bc.ca and at the door.
Cinderella panto – Cinderella promises plenty of laughs when it takes the St. Luke’s stage Dec. 15 to Jan. 1. Performances run in St. Luke’s Hall, 3821 Cedar Hill X Rd., Dec. 15, 20, 21, 22, 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees on Dec. 16, 17, 23, 26, 30, 31 and Jan. 1. Tickets are $16 (children under 12 $8) and available on eventbrite.ca (search Cinderella, Victoria) or at The Papery, 669 Fort St.
Handel’s Messiah – Victoria Choral Society Music Director Brian Wismath leads brilliant soloists, the Victoria Symphony and the Victoria Choral Society in Handel’s glorious Messiah. Friday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 17 2:30 p.m. in the Farquhar Auditorium, University Centre, UVic. Tickets: $20-$55 through the UVic Ticket Centre at 250-721-8480, tickets.uvic.ca or in person at the University Centre.
Thursday, Dec. 28
Peter Pan Panto – Kaleidoscope Theatre returns with its second annual pantomime stage performance, Peter Pan, for the holiday season, Dec. 28, 29 and 30 at the McPherson Playhouse.
Tuesday, Jan. 2
Women’s Curling Championship – The Scotties Tournament of Hearts, 2018 BC Women’s Curling Championship comes to the Victoria Curling Club Jan. 2 to 7.
Goward House Art Show and Sale – Chinese Brush Painters showcase now through Jan. 24. Viewing hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Goward House, 2495 Arbutus Rd.
Saturday, Jan. 27
Volkssport – 5/10 km walk. Meet at Henderson Recreation Cente, 2291 Cedar Hill X Road, Saanich V8P 5H9. Registration 9:30 am, walk 10:00 am. Contact is Susan at 250-727-6826. (GCW)
Feb. 24, 2018
Coldest Night of the Year – Our Place participates in Canada’s National Walk for Homelessness by inviting the public to gather family and friends for the Coldest Night of the Year on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. Registser at cnoy.org/location/victoria2.