Elbows up for a season of (mostly) Canadian entertainment.
1979 by Michael Healey
September 9 to October 5, The Belfry Theatre
A hilarious — yes, really — play about Canadian politics, ethics and values based on the events of December 13, 1979, the date of the parliamentary vote on then-prime minister Joe Clark’s doomed austerity budget.
Rifflandia
September 11 to 14, Matullia Lands at Rock Bay
Since 2008, September in Victoria has meant Rifflandia, the city’s oldest, largest and arguably best multi-genre music festival. This year sees an eclectic lineup of top acts from near (The Choirs YYJ) and far (Public Enemy, Alessia Cara, Sleater-Kinney, Nx Worries and many more) over four days. Also expect great local food, craft beverages and an event that is all about community.
Bryan Adams: Roll With The Punches Tour
September 13 and 14, Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
The local hero and global rock icon’s biggest tour in years celebrates Adams’s 17th studio album, Roll With The Punches, and nearly four decades of hits including “Summer of 69” and “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You.” Adams — one of the world’s most high-energy live performers — will be joined by Juno Award-winning rock band The Sheepdogs.
Rick Mercer’s Stand-Up for Canada Tour
September 16 and 19, Royal Theatre
Enjoy a night of unapologetically Canadian comedy with Mercer’s signature wit, political commentary and unifying voice, just when we need it most.
Connie Kaldor
September 20, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
A singer-songwriter and three-time Juno Award winner, Kaldor, who just released her 19th album, Wide Open Spaces, is a legend hailed as “a masterful performer, wildly funny one moment, deeply personal the next.”
Brent Butt
September 20, McPherson Playhouse
You probably know him from a little CTV show called Corner Gas (2004 to 2009), which was named the “Funniest Show on TV” by TV Guide readers and still airs in some 26 countries. A performer, writer, executive producer, director and now author of the best-selling novel Huge, Butt is simply one of Canada’s funniest citizens.
Noah Reid: The “Live Again” Tour
September 21, McPherson Playhouse
We all fell in love with Noah Reid when he played Patrick, David Rose’s love interest, on the popular TV show Schitt’s Creek, but he is also renowned in the music industry for his powerful vocals, wistful songwriting and honest delivery.
Chilliwack: Farewell to Friends Tour
September 23, Royal Theatre
Join the legendary rockers before they are gone gone gone — after 55 years, 12 albums, 15 gold and platinum certifications plus millions of fans. Chilliwack is hitting the road one last time, and you won’t want to miss the show.
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
September 25 to October 12, Langham Court Theatre
In this Tony Award-winning comedy written by Christopher Durang, middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia live in their old family home, mourning lost dreams and missed opportunities — until their movie-star sister, Masha, arrives unexpectedly with her sexy boy toy, Spike. Hilarity ensues.
Ocie Elliott with Guests
September 26 and 27, Royal Theatre
Enjoy the graceful harmonies of the Victoria-based folk music duo of Jon Middleton and Sierra Lundy, two rising stars whose songs have been featured on TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy and, in 2022, received a Juno Award nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
Shade Burlesque Festival
September 26 and 27, McPherson Playhouse
Originally launched in 2019, this year Shade becomes a multi-day international burlesque festival featuring more than 30 vivacious performers of colour, including headliners Mx Pucks A’Plenty, Joy Rider and Hawai’ian Legend of Honour Ka’ena.
Ballet Victoria presents Aladdin
October 3 and 4, Royal Theatre
This classic ballet with contemporary flair is magical, bewitching and dazzling, an enchanting and exotic adventure set to a score of works by Borodin, Saint-Saëns, Rimsky-Korsakov and more.
Blue Rodeo
October 9, Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
Legendary alt-country rockers Blue Rodeo celebrate 40 years of creating the soundtrack to Canadian lives in this milestone tour. Revisit your favourite songs, from “Try” to “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” to “Diamond Mine” with beloved icons Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor.
Witch Perfect
October 11, McPherson Playhouse
This award-winning, live-singing comedy parody loosely based on the cult-classic Disney film Hocus Pocus features Emmy-winning stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race as well as hits from pop icons, Disney classics and Broadway musicals. It’s simply spooktacular!
Sarah McLachlan: Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, 30th Anniversary Tour
October 15, Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
Join the Grammy and Juno Award-winning artist for a “real walk down memory lane” as she kicks off her 17-date Canadian tour celebrating three decades since the release of her multi-platinum third album.
Pacific Opera Victoria Presents Turn of the Screw
October 22, 24, 26 and 28, Royal Theatre
This 20th-century English chamber opera was composed by Benjamin Britten, with a libretto by Myfanwy Piper, and premiered in 1954 in Venice. Based on Henry James’s 1898 novella The Turn of the Screw, it has been described as one of the most dramatically appealing, and most intricately organized, of Britten’s operas, mixing both tonality and dissonance.
Crafted Farmhouse Market
October 25 and 26, Mary Winspear Centre
Get a jump on your holiday gift shopping (or just buy some prezzies for yourself) at this bonanza of handcrafted goodies. Find everything from jewelry, clothing and home décor to gourmet treats and one-of-a-kind treasures in this boutique-style market.
Tom Lavin & the Legendary Powder Blues
October 29, Mary Winspear Centre
It’s the 47th anniversary for Canada’s leading blues band, known for its irresistible mix of swing, blues, jazz, rock ’n’ roll and R&B and for hits including “Doin’ it Right” and “Boppin with the Blues.” Come out and bop along with them.
