These are some of the events we’re most excited about as the new year begins.
Snowed In Comedy Tour
January 20, Royal Theatre
Who doesn’t need a good laugh in the doldrums of January? These four international comedians are sure to keep you in stitches: Just for Laughs winner Dan Quinn; the Great Canadian Laugh Off winner Paul Myrehaug; six-time Canadian Comedian of the Year nominee Pete Zedlacher; and Erica Sigurdson, who has appeared on CBC’s The Debaters more than 70 times. A rare international success story, now celebrating its 15th year, this small Canadian comedy tour is surely having the last laugh. rmts.bc.ca
Victoria In Love
January 27 and 28, Royal Theatre
Love is in the air with dances and romances performed by the Victoria Symphony and Broadway vocalist Lizzie Klemperer. Follow the story of Romeo and Juliet, as told through the music of Bernstein, Mancini, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky and more. rmts.bc.ca
Aaron Pritchett: The Liquored Up Tour with special guests Cory Marks and Matt Lang
February 1, Mary Winspear Centre
Celebrating the launch of their party-hardy new single, “Liquored Up,” these three diverse, award-winning country talents bring their down-home style to Sidney. Grab your boots and hat, and get ready to kick up your heels! marywinspear.ca
Victoria Film Festival
February 2 to 11, The Vic Theatre
For 30 years, VFF has been bringing exciting new voices and visions in cinema to the Island, and this February is no different. The 10-day fest will feature films by both established and emerging directors sharing provocative ideas from all corners of the world. Don’t forget the popcorn! victoriafilmfestival.com
As Above by Christine Quintana
February 6 to March 3, The Belfry Theatre
This moving celebration of hope was commissioned by The Belfry and written by the Jessie and Dora Award-winning B.C. playwright Christine Quintana. Set in Victoria, it follows a woman, a former botanical researcher, eight years sober and on a quest to rebuild the life she destroyed. belfry.bc.ca
Compagnie Hervé Koubi: The Barbarian Nights
February 2 and 3, Royal Theatre
Street dancers from Algeria, Morocco, France and Burkina Faso evoke the humanity of the early settlers of the Mediterranean basin, in dazzling crystal headdresses and whirling dark skirts, against a musical backdrop of Mozart, Fauré and traditional Algerian melodies. rmts.bc.ca
Feist
February 11, Royal Theatre
Singer, songwriter, guitarist, solo artist, member of the indie rock group Broken Social Scene and 11-time Juno Award winner Leslie Feist performs songs from her new album, Multitudes, in the round with 360-degree immersive sound. rmts.bc.ca
Murder Weekend
February 21 to March 10, Langham Court Theatre
In this classic whodunnit by Frank Williams (better known as the dithering vicar on the classic British sitcom Dad’s Army), a country house hotel hosts its first guests, participants in a murder weekend. As they re-enact a true crime from the past, the clues lead to a miscarriage of justice — and the murderer might be (much) closer than they think. langhamtheatre.ca
Alan Doyle: Welcome Home Tour with special guest Adam Baldwin
February 22, McPherson Playhouse
From one coast to the other, Newfoundland’s Alan Doyle and his Beautiful Beautiful Band bring their rollicking, Celtic-y party tunes to town as part of their North American tour to launch his new album, Welcome Home. Doyle, previously a member of Great Big Sea and now an internationally acclaimed solo artist, writer and actor-producer, is one of Canada’s most popular performers, and way-hey-hey, this won’t be just an ordinary day. rmts.bc.ca
The Drowsy Chaperone
February 9 to 17, Canadian College of Performing Arts
This sweet, funny and utterly delightful Tony Award-winning musical farce blends nostalgia with toe-tapping tunes when a die-hard theatre fan plays his favourite cast album and the characters come to life in one show-stopping number after another. It’s part of a terrific lineup of performances as celebrated alumni return to help the Victoria-based CCPA celebrate its 25th anniversary. Also on the calendar: the all-alumni Anne of Green Gables — The Musical, April 19 to 27, 2024. ccpacanada.com