Events happening around Greater Victoria this weekend can take you from the Mediterranean to the Far East, and fill your senses with sights and sounds sure to bring a summer day to life.
Opa – GreekFest brings a vibrant celebration of Greek culture to the Greek Community Centre on Elk Lake Drive next to Commonwealth Pool. Over the next two weekends (Aug. 25-27 and Sept. 1-4), visitors can again be captivated by tantalizing Greek cuisine, mesmerizing dances, and fascinating ethnic and cultural performances.
Cultural connection – The Japanese Cultural Fair takes place Saturday (Aug. 26) in the Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavillon (1070 Tillicum Rd.) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free, family-oriented event aimed at showcasing Japanese cultural groups will feature demonstrations by the Vancouver Island Bonsai Society, Southern Wave Okinawan Music and Dance Society, Kongo Dojo Japanese martial arts, Uminari Taiko Japanese drumming, kids crafts and games and more.
Raise the curtain – A Vancouver Island festival tradition for more than three decades, Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival takes over downtown Victoria from Aug. 23 to Sept. 3 with a celebration of live performance from around the world. An eclectic mixture of spoken word, drama, musicals, dance, comedy, magic, theatre for young audiences and more is featured at venues across the city. Victoria Fringe Buttons are $6 and act as festival membership. See intrepidtheatre.com for more information.
Lighting the way – The week-long Salish Sea Lantern Festival wraps up with an evening event and lantern parade Saturday (Aug. 26) in Sidney’s Beacon Park beginning at 6:30 p.m. There will be live entertainment, community lantern creations, interactive costumed characters and, of course, the lantern parade.
Kalaidascope of colours – The Saanich Scattered Artists Tour features 18 artists in five locations from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 26 and 27. Each location is within walking distance of Cedar Hill Golf Course – 3420 Persimmon Dr., 1275 Tattersall Dr., 3735 Ascot Dr., 1522 Shorncliffe Rd., and 3987 Blenkinsop Rd. – and feature a variety of art forms including pottery, fine art, textiles, cards, jewelry and more. For more information on this year’s artists and tour, visit facebook.com/scatteredartists.
