CALENDAR: Swiftsure, barge fun, Alice, Laura
FRIDAY, MAY 25
Swiftsure International Yacht Race. View the boats in the Inner Harbour today, docks are open to public until 6 p.m.; pirate Capt. Jack Sparrow and Scarlett will be dockside in the afternoon. Races begin Saturday at 9 a.m. with viewing and pancake breakfast at Clover Point, and RCAF Search and Rescue demonstration off Clover Point at 10 a.m. Yachts will cross the finish line midnight Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday. Go to swiftsure.org. > See page A4
Friday Nights on the Breakwater Barge with live music, food trucks and cold libations. Every Friday, 5-9 p.m. at the Breakwater Barge, 201 Dallas Rd.
Alice, presented by Tumbleweeds Theatre at Metro Studio Theatre, 1411 Quadra St. Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Tickets at eventbrite.ca.
The Arion Male Voice Choir presents Songs We love to Sing. 7:30 p.m. at St. Mathias Anglican Church, 600 Richmond Rd. Tickets at arionchoir.ca and at the door.
Laura, presented by the St. Luke’s Players. Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. and matinées, Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. at 3821 Cedar Hill Cross Rd. Tickets at stlukesplayers.org.
Aaron Halliday at EP release party at The Duke Saloon, 502 Discovery St., 7:30-10 p.m.; aaronhallidaymusic.com. Twelfth annual Jazz Affair at the Coast Bastion in Nanaimo presents trumpet player Terell Stafford, pianist Harold Mabern will headline the evening with tenor saxophonist Cory Weeds, bassist Michael Glynn, and drummer Julian MacDonough. Tickets include buffet dinner at porttheatre.com or tel. 250-754-8550.
SATURDAY, MAY 26
Flavour of Chocolate Chef
Competition. The fourth annual culinary competition showcasing the talents of regional chefs, presentation of five financial awards to young women to further their education, a silent auction and music played by a trio of local classical talent. 5:30 p.m. at Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney. Tickets at sivw.ca/foc.
An Afternoon at the Opera with the Civic Orchestra. Featuring vocal talents of Jennifer Turner, soprano and Nathan McDonald, baritone and narrated by local opera aficionado, Robert Holliston. 2 p.m. at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd. Tickets at eventbrite.ca. Mark Lupin Violin Recital Concert at Alix Goolden Hall, 907 Pandora Ave., 7:30 p.m. Tickets at ticketfly.com. Victoria Cool Aid Society Homecoming 50th Anniversary Gala, featuring catered refreshments, live music and auction. 6:30-10 p.m. at Ship Point, Inner Harbour, adjacent to the Harbour Air Terminal on Wharf Street. Tickets at CoolAid.org/homecoming.
Raindance Festival, a multicultural music and dance event, 6-9 p.m. at Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney. Tel. 778-977-0504. Sixth annual African Cultural Week, celebrating with food and crafts 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Central Library, 735 Broughton St.; africafest.ca. > timescolonist.com/events