CALENDAR: Swiftsure, Maya, Mad Hatter’s Goes to the Improv
THURSDAY, MAY 23
Swiftsure International Yacht
Race 2019, the largest yacht race on the West Coast with over 200 race boats and more than 1,400 race crew, runs today to May 27. Race schedule and best viewpoints at swiftsure.org. Rhumba Kings at Ross Bay Pub, 1516 Fairfield Rd., 6-9 p.m.; tel. 250-370-1152. Deva Premal and Miten with Manose and Band, On the Wings of Mantra Tour 2019 at the McPherson Playhouse, 7:30 p.m. Tickets at rmts.bc.ca or tel. 250-386-6121. Maya: The Great Jaguar Rises, Royal B.C. Museum, to Dec. 31. Explore Maya identity from ancient times to present day and see how science and beliefs have shaped the Maya world. Celebrating UNESCO’s Year of Indigenous Languages, the exhibition highlights 30 Maya languages spoken today; tel. 250-356-7226 or go to royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
FRIDAY, MAY 24
Mad Hatter’s Goes to the
Improv. A Boys and Girls Club fundraiser at the McPherson Playhouse, 6:30-8 p.m. Featuring catered reception with food stations, live and silent auctions, games, raffles, best hat and costume contest and a few surprises. Hats are a must, costumes are encouraged. Tickets at rmts.bc.ca or tel. 250-386-6121; giving@bgcvic.org. Mamma Mia! The smash musical hit is showing to Aug. 31 at the Chemainus Theatre Festival, 9737 Chemainus Rd., Chemainus. Tickets at chemainustheatrefestival.ca. Planet Earth Poetry featuring Sandra Ridley and Daniel Cowper at Hillside Coffee and Tea, 1633 Hillside Ave., 7:30-9 p.m. Sign up by 7:15 to read at open mic; planetearthpoetry.com. Things My Mother Taught Me by the St. Luke’s Players, 3821 Cedar Hill Cross Rd., 7:30 p.m. Tickets: eventbrite.ca. Soundings Vocal Ensemble sing the Beatles, with the Cascadia String Quartet and MC Marc Jenkins at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd., 7:30 p.m. Tickets and details at soundingsmusic.ca. The Comic Strippers, a male stripper parody and improv comedy show at the Port Theatre, 125 Front St., Nanaimo, 8 p.m. Tickets at porttheatre.com. > timescolonist.com/events