CRITICS’ PICKS

MAGIC SHOW

What: The Naked Magicians Where: McPherson Playhouse When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $60.50 and up (250-386-6121) Why: Following in the (semi) proud footsteps of such clothing-optional shows as Puppetry of the Penis and The Comic Strippers, The Naked Magicians promise “full frontal illusions.” Mike Tyler and Christopher Wayne, the two so-called “buff brothers” from Australia, will combine magic, muscles and laughs. — Adrian Chamberlain

THEATRE

What: A Queer Trial When: April 13, 6 p.m., April 14, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Where: Bastion Square Admission: Free Why: A new play by University of Victoria professor Jennifer Wise examines an “unsung hero of Victoria’s gay history.” That would be John Butt, an openly gay man who in 1860 was acquitted of sodomy charges by two successive juries. The outdoor preview of this large-cast play is next Thursday, with two more free performances the following day in Bastion Square. — AC

MUSIC

What: Ora Cogan with Fraea the Banshee Where: Wheelies Motorcycles, 2620 Rock Bay Ave. When: Sunday, 3 p.m.

Admission: By donation Why: Don’t let the by-donation ticket price and Sunday-afternoon set time fool you into thinking Ora Cogan’s performance at Wheelies isn’t worth your attention. The psych-folk of this celebrated Vancouver singer-songwriter will shake the motorcycle shop to its foundations. Cogan, who will release a new album, Crickets, this year, also performs Friday in Nanaimo at The Vault and Saturday on Salt Spring Island at Valhalla. See at least one of her performances. Better yet, catch them all. She’s that good. — Mike Devlin