Entertaining Oneself in the Wilds of Victoria

jump to: theatre -- movies -- galleries -- sports -- music

updated 31 Dec 04

Theatre

The theatre scene in Victoria has always been vibrant and changeable. Here's a selection of what's out there:

Belfry Theatre: located in the heart of historic Fernwood in a renovated church.
Kaleidoscope Theatre: making theatre accessible to children is this company's primary goal.
Intrepid Theatre: organizers of the annual Fringe Festival and Uno Festival of Solo Performances. [link is not Netscape-friendly]
Langham Court Theatre: Carrying the banner for local amateur theatre.
Open Space: Also an art gallery, they specialize in theatre on the edge.
Phoenix Theatre: UVic's school of theatre which has produced many fine shows over the years.
Royal & McPherson Theatres: our two big playhouses offer opera, major headliners, and high-end shows.
Theatre Inconnu: Formerly had a small theatre in Market Square; now produces the annual Shakespeare Festival.
Theatre SKAM: this small company produces surprisingly edgy and innovative shows.

Going rate for admission is about $10 for adults with lower rates for matinees and in some caseses on Tuesdays. The big exceptions are Cinecenta (non-members are $6.50 any evening) and the Roxy (where you can see two movies for $5.00).

Capitol 6 (Famous Players -- 6 screens): standard first-run blockbusters
Caprice (3 screens): standard first-run blockbusters
Cinecenta (UVic, independent): classics, college favourites, art-house cinema and second-run blockbusters all run side-by side here.
Imax (1 screen): large format specialty films.
Odeon (7 screens): standard first-run blockbusters.
Roxy Cinegog (independent): second-run blockbusters (Tuesdays here are a real bargain -- two movies for $2.50)
Silver City (10 screens Famous Players): one of the new BIG super-theatre-experience-centres.
University Cinemas (Alliance Atlantis-- 4 screens): standard first-run blockbusters
Vic Theatre (independent -- 1 screen): mostly independent and art-house movies (I think they have a back-room deal with Miramax).

For listings and locations, check out ForReel.com

If you are looking for film festivals, Victoria has a few:

The Victoria Independent Film and Video Festival runs in February
Antimatter -- the Festival of Underground Short Film & Video gets going in September
The Vancouver Island Independent Film, Video and New Media Festival runs in October (but has been MIA on the web since 2002)
and then there's Scrapshots (through CineVic) which runs whenever the hell it wants to.

Curious about behind-the-scenes stuff? Check out the local film schedules from the Greater Victoria Film Commission.

Looking to rent a movie? Best selection in Victoria is at Pic-A-Flic in the Cook Street Village.

Galleries

For browsers or buyers... Victoria has a gallery for every taste. Here is a sampling:

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (major collections), 1040 Moss St.
Alcheringa Gallery (indiginous art), 665 Fort St.
Fran Willis Gallery (contemporary art), 1619 Store St.
Open Space (contemporary art, including spoken word and stage), 510 Fort St.
Winchester Galleries (fine art), 2260 Oak Bay Ave.; 1010 Broad St.
Maltwood Art Museum and Gallery (major collections), at the University of Victoria campus.
Hill's Native Art (Northwest Coast art & handcraft), 1008 Government St.

Local Sports

Victoria sports teams are generally a sports-lovers dream: they do well but are still affordable! (That may change if we ever get the new arena as promised). Check out what these folks have to offer:

Victoria Salsa -- Canadian Junior A Hockey League (CJAHL)
Victoria United Soccer Club -- soccer as fun to watch as World Cup.
UVic Vikes -- college sports of all varieties (basketball, volleyball, rugby, etc..)
Western Speedway -- for drag racing, stock cars and other loud, family fun.
Mt. Washington Alpine Resortis our nearest ski hill.

Live Music

Live music in Victoria offers something for every taste and budget.

Victoria Conservatory of Music offers a host of performances by students and professionals.
Victoria Symphony classical and orchestral music.
UVic School of Music offers various concerts (some free!) from September-May every year.
Victoria Operatic Society stage musicals in style.
Legend's Nightclub frequently brings in live bands.
Steamers Pub (rock), the Crocodile Grill (jazz), and Thursdays (local artists) also offer live music with your libations.
Several radio stations list local events: 100.3 TheQ (basic rock and R&B), The Ocean at 98.5 FM (adult contemporary), and Kool 107.3 FM (adult alternative)