These are the events we’re most excited about for fall
Lewis Black
September 21, 8 p.m. | Royal Theatre
Come out and enjoy the King of Rant’s hilarious, finger-pointing exposés of the absurdities of life. A Grammy Award-winning standup, Black may be best known for his appearances on The Daily Show and comedy specials on HBO, Comedy Central and Showtime. rmts.bc.ca
Wagner’s Die Walküre
October 12 to 21, 6 p.m. | Royal Theatre
Pacific Opera Victoria presents this “bold and robust masterpiece of musical storytelling,” the second of the four operas that comprise Richard Wagner’s epic, 15-hour-long Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring Cycle). Let this iconic work take you deep into the world of Norse mythology, complete with love, tragedy, heroic acts, sweeping melodies and the otherworldly Valkyries who accompany the souls of the dead to Valhalla. pacificopera.ca
Art of the Cocktail: Grand Tasting
October 14, VIP 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.,
general 6:30 to 9 p.m. | Crystal Garden
Plan to go all out on glam as the fest goes Vegas! Put on your glad rags and jazziest cocktail attire — along with the drinks, snacks and entertainment, this annual fundraiser for the Victoria Film Festival features a costume competition, with the winner taking home four tickets to the VFF Opening Gala. victoriafilmfestival.com
Noah Reid
October 14, 8 p.m. | McPherson Playhouse
You probably know him as Patrick on Schitt’s Creek, the sweet, even-keeled partner to Dan Levy’s fabulously OTT David, but you probably should know the multi-award-winning Noah Reid for his folksy musical stylings. Think: singer-songwriters of the 1970s, only with a contemporary twist. rmts.bc.ca
An Evening with Mary Walsh
October 24, 7:30 p.m. | Mary Winspear Centre
Uh-oh, better warn the folks at the Leg — Marg Delahunty’s in town! Or at least her alter ego, Mary Walsh, is. The Canadian cultural icon makes it all the way from the Rock on the other side of the country, bringing her sharpest comedic bits and most popular characters from Dancing With Rage, CODCO and This Hour Has 22 Minutes, along with up-to-the-minute local political satire. marywinspear.ca
Unexpected: The Life and Art of Sophie Pemberton, Canadian Artist
September 23 to January 21
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
“Sophie,” as she was known throughout her long life (1869 to 1959), was considered British Columbia’s first professional female artist, a friend and near contemporary of Emily Carr, the first Canadian woman to win the prestigious Prix Julian for portraiture and, although she studied in France and London, a lifelong resident of Victoria. This retrospective examines her fascinating life as well as the portraits and landscapes that gathered so much acclaim. aggv.ca
Image: Sophie Pemberton’s oil painting, Mansi — An Italian. Estate of Theresa Susan Yoder Moyle.
Victoria International Wine Festival
September 24 to 30
Victoria Conference Centre
Come on out and sniff, swirl, sip and (maybe) spit your way through dozens of wines from around the world. The week will feature seminars, dinners, trade events and three grand tastings held September 29 and 30. This is the best way to learn about wine, taste something new and thrilling, and maybe even pick up a few bottles at the on-site liquor store. vicwf.com