CALENDAR
FRIDAY, SEPT. 11
The Great Canadian Beer Festival, highlighting craft beers from all over Canada with an emphasis on local and B.C.-owned craft breweries. Today, 3-8 p.m. and Saturday, noon-5 p.m. at Royal Athletic Park. Tickets at gcbf.com or tel. 250-383-2332.
75th anniversary Naden Band Concert featuring former and current members performing together in the 65-piece band, 7:30 p.m. at the Royal Theatre. Tickets at rmts.bc.ca or tel. 250-386-6121.
RibFest 2015 with five different ribbers, live music and family fun. Today and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. at Bullen Park on Lyall Street, behind the Esquimalt Plaza; esquimaltribfest.com.
Shakespeare by the Sea 2015 with performances of Hamlet and The Tempest. Daily through Sunday at Beacon Park, Beacon Avenue in Sidney. Tickets at VictoriaTicket.ca or cash only at the door. Go to VicShakeSea.ca.
Tartan Up, a four-day Scottish Cultural Festival featuring a single-malt whisky tasting, charity golf tournament, Celtic musical concert and gala dinner and dance. Wednesday through Saturday. Go to tartanup.org.
Mobility Cup 2015 Regatta, bringing together disabled competitors from across Canada and the United States as well as Europe and New Zealand. Final day of events in Esquimalt Harbour with the Disabled Sailing Association of B.C., Victoria Branch and the Canadian Forces Sailing Association, Esquimalt Squadron. Go to mobilitycup.com.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 12
Victoria International Chalk Art Festival, an arts celebration presenting some of the world’s top street painters as well as artists from across British Columbia. With a kids’ chalk zone, First Nations performers and music from Victoria’s music scene. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. at the Bay Centre and along Government Street; victoriachalkfest.com.
Cars, Rods and Rides, with vintage cars, hot rods, motorcycles and vehicles from the Ashton Military Museum. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for The Q’s TLC fun for kids. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Archie Browning Sports Centre, 1151 Esquimalt Rd. Victoria Baroque Players Surprise
Symphony, 7:30 p.m. at Church of St. John the Divine, 1611 Quadra St., Tickets at Munro’s books, Ivy’s Books, Long & McQuade. Go to 250-477-3870 or info@victoria-baroque.com.
Jack Whyte book reading of his novel, The Guardian: A Tale of Andrew Murray, 2-4 p.m. at Hotel Grand Pacific, 462 Belleville St. Sponsored by the Sons of Scotland Benevolent Association.
One Day, a free community event with music, games, kids zone and marketplace with local arts and crafts, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Topaz Park.
Open House Party at Victoria Conservatory of Music. A free event with instrument petting zoo, mini-lessons, musical goody bags, bouncy castles and an Island Savings family concert, Music with Marnie, at 1:30 p.m. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 907 Pandora Ave. Go to vcm.bc.ca.
Book launch: Shell: One Woman’s Final Year After a Lifelong Struggle with Anorexia and Bulimia, contains excerpts from Michelle Stewart's blog. Join Michelle's family and friends, 4-6 p.m. at the McPherson Playhouse. Tel. 778-679-8628.