Victoria Events

AUGUST 2008

Free B Film Festival (Fri/Sat evenings in August). Location(s): Beacon Hill Park - Cameron Bandshell. Every Friday and Saturday evening beginning at 9:15 p.m. Free “B” film showings for everyone to enjoy. Contact for more Information: (250) 389-0444 or visit www.vifvf.com

August 2-3: Firebells and Fanfare. Location(s): Victoria City Hall, Victoria’s Inner Harbour – Legislative Buildings. Colourful and historic activities to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the establishment of organized fire protection at Fort Victoria in 1858. Saturday August 2nd at 11:30 am - Dedication of a Memorial to Victoria’s Fire Fighters at City Hall, followed by a parade of vintage and modern fire and police vehicles to the Legislative Buildings for a public display until 4:00 pm. During the evening, a traditional Flag and Sunset Ceremony with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets paying tribute to the Victoria Fire and Police Departments. On Sunday August 3rd from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm - working displays of fire apparatus will be performed adjacent to Wharf Street and the Inner Harbour. Contact for more information: Visit www.victoriafirehistorical.ca

Aug 2 – 3: Victoria Electronic Music Festival (VEMF). Location(s): Market Square or Centennial Square; Hush Nightclub, Sugar Nightclub. Dance oriented event showcasing live electronic music via main stage performances. Also educational seminars from local industry leaders. Event attendees can dance, interact with peers, and take part in hands-on demonstrations. Contact for more Information: (250) 480-9673 or visit www.vemf.ca

August 3: Symphony Splash. Location(s): Victoria’s Inner Harbour. The Victoria Symphony Orchestra performs a full two-hour concert of light classical orchestral music from a barge anchored in the Inner Harbour. Highlights include Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, accompanied by cannons fired by the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, bell ringing and fireworks. Make it a full day event and enjoy the pre-concert entertainment starting at 4:00 p.m. Contact for more Information: (250) 385-9771 or visit www.victoriasymphony.ca

August 4: BC 150 Celebration. Location(s): Victoria’s Inner Harbour – Legislative Buildings. The province is celebrating 150 years of cultural diversity, community strength and widespread achievement since the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia in 1858. You’re invited to join the celebration in our Capital City. Contact for more Information: visit www.bc150.gov.bc.ca

August 8 & 9: 150 Years Golden Mountain Celebrations. Location(s): McPherson Playhouse and other venues. Celebrations of the Chinese Canadian citizens in their sesquicentennial year in Canada include a Historical Celebration Pageant featuring local artists (dancers, actors, musicians, producers, director and others in visual arts) and the presentation of the Golden Mountain Achievment Awards honoring outstanding citizens in the community. Contact for more Information: (250) 388-4933 or visit www.150goldenmountain.ca

August 15 – 17: Victoria Dragon Boat Festival. Location(s): Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Be part of an ancient tradition! Come down to the Inner Harbour for exhilarating dragon boat races, cultural entertainment and crafts for the whole family. Free Admission. Contact for more Information: (250) 704-2500 or visit www.victoriadragonboat.com

Aug 21 – 31: 22nd Annual Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival. Location(s): Metro Studio, Victoria Event Centre, Market Sqare, St. Andrew’s School, St. Michael’s School, and Wood Recital Hall. A non-stop, twelve-day explosion of comedy, improv, drama, performance art and dance from around the world. All venues downtown, some pay-what-you-can shows at Fringe Club, random ‘happenings’ (Fringe Secret Parade, Pick of the Fringe Pancake Breakfast) and commissioned projects. Ticketed venues $9 or less! Contact for more Information: (250) 383-2663 or visit www.intrepidtheatre.com

Aug 22 – 24: Passion for Tango Festival. Location(s): Centennial Square, Victoria Arts Connection, Alix Goolden Hall. A three day extravaganza of tango activities, music concerts, lectures and dance performances by international, Canadian and local artists. Concerts feature tango classics to tango blended with other cultural art forms and cutting edge contemporary work. Contact for more Information: (250) 418-8898 or visit www.passion4tango.com

Aug 29 -Sept 1: Vancouver Island Blues Bash. Location(s): Victoria‘ Inner Harbour - Ship Point Outdoor Stage, other downtown venues. This Labour Day weekend festival is a celebration of blues and R & B music with afternoon free and evening ticketed performances. Features more than 14 individual bands over three afternoons and three evenings. The main outdoor stage of this festival is located at Victoria’s Inner Harbour at Ship Point with other venues used for late night entertainment. Contact for more Information: (250) 388-4423 or visit www.jazzvictoria.ca