• The Victoria Shamrocks play their final regular season home game tonight against fan favourite match up,  the Nanaimo Timbermen. It  is also Mascot Madness Night so bring the kids and your camera and enjoy this fun evening – Tail Gate Party starts at 6pm, doors open at 6:30 and the game starts at 7:45pm. Guaranteed fun for all!

Symphony Splash!

• Victoria’s Symphony Splash takes place on Sunday August 1st, in Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour. The Symphony Splash is one of the largest outdoor symphony events in Canada and is expected to attract more than 40,000 visitors and local residents.  For more information please go to the official symphony website at: www.victoriasymphony.ca

The concert concludes with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, complete with bells, cannons and fireworks.

Chess In The Square

• Outdoor chess in CRD Square (corner of Fisgard and Government Streets, Victoria) running until September 12
• Giant chess, learn to play and casual games are being offered and best of all it’s FREE
• For more information and details you can go to www.juniorchess.com

The Courtyard Sessions

• Atomique Productions is offering a selection of FREE performances by some of Victoria’s finest musical talents. A full line up of performers and times can be found at www.marketsquare.ca. Runs until August 21.

Spending Saturday in the city shopping, dining and sightseeing gets even better with these free outdoor concerts in Market Square.

Award Winning Magic of Murray Hatfield and Teresa

• The wonder of magic, music and amazing illusion continues on August 7, 14 and 21 at the Victoria Conference Centre. Performances start at 6:30pm. Ticket information and more details can be found at www.downtownvictoria.ca and click on Happening in the City.

Parksville Beach Fest

• Continuing until August 15th at Parksville Beach you can enjoy the amazing sand sculptures crafted and created by some of the finest sand sculptors. There is a $2 suggested donation for viewing and you can vote for your favourite sand castle.
• Music in the Park also runs every Friday and Saturday at the Picnic Shelter (7 to 9pm) and every Sunday at the Gazebo (3 to 5pm). The full line up of musicians and dates can be found at www.parksvillebeachfest.ca
• As well as these events, the Community Park in Parksville  provides a great place to bring the family! The park provides an extensive playground, water park, picnic tables and lots of grassy areas to set up your picnic blanket and the incredible, vast Parksville Beach is only a matter of yards away – a great way to spend a weekend afternoon or day!

Victoria Highlanders

• The Victoria Highlanders have announced that they will play a home and home friendly series against the future NASL side FC Edmonton. The first game will be played on Sunday, August 8th at Bear Mountain Stadium. Kick off is at 6pm. The second game will be played at Edmonton’s Foote Field on Wednesday, August 11th at 7:35pm. 
• FC Edmonton is slated to begin play in the NASL in the 2011 season. A great way to spend the evening and to support local athletics within our community!

Organic Islands is hosting it’s organic festival and sustainability expo this weekend  at Glendale Gardens in Victoria (just past the Interurban Camosun College Campus). The festival runs from 10am – 5pm, on both July 10 and 11. Information on admission, exhibits and entertainment can be found at www.organicislands.ca

• Victoria Shamrocks

The Victoria Shamrocks take on the Coquitlam Adanacs tonight at Bear Mountain Arena. Game time is at 7:45pm.  Guaranteed a great game when these two teams play.

• Victoria Highlanders

The Victoria Highlanders take on the Portland Timbers on July 17. Match starts at 7pm at Bear Mountain Stadium. This is the Highlanders last regular season home game, so don’t miss it!

• Summer In The Square Lunchtime Concerts

Looking for somewhere to go on your lunch break and enjoy the sun? From July 5 – September 3 the City of Victoria is hosting the Summer In The Square Lunchtime Concert Series. Concerts run from noon to 1pm on weekdays. A full list of performers can be found by going to www.downtownvictoria.ca and click on Happening in the City.

After beating the Salmonbellies last night, the Shamrocks have moved in to first place in the WLA standings. The Shamrocks play the feisty Nanaimo Timbermen tonight at 7:45pm at Bear Mountain Arena.

• Oak Bay Tea Party

In it’s 48th year the Oak Bay Tea Party is this weekend June 5 & 6.  An opportunity to go on some rides, see a parade and help out community charities. More information can be found at www.oakbayteaparty.com

• Western Speedway

This Saturday  is Princess & Pirate Night at Western Speedway! According to the website, www.westernspeedway.net there will be:

Demo, Car Trucks, Bombers, Mini-Figure 8′s, Vans, Mini Stocks, Princess & Pirates Night, and “Fireworks”.
For Princess and Pirates night people can come dressed up as their favorite Princess or Pirate.
There will be face painting and games under the grandstands as well as prizes/grab bags for all the kids.

• Victoria Highlanders

The Victoria Highlanders take on the Yakima Reds on Saturday at Bear Mountain Stadium. Kick off is at 7pm.

You can also see the Women’s Squad take on Fraser Valley Saturday at 4pm also at Bear Mountain Stadium .

A great day of soccer!!

Here’s how you enter:

1. Find Victoria Ticket on Twitter.
2. Retweet the contest message that will be posted at 10am on Wednesday, May 5th.
3. At Noon, we will count up all the retweets.
4. We will randomly generate a number, based on the number of retweets.
5. The winner will be notified on Twitter.

Sound like fun? Good luck!

One of the newest teams in the United Soccer League, Victoria Highlanders has attracted quite a following. The community has truly come together to support the home team and enjoy some exciting Soccer action.

For those who haven’t gone to a game yet, plan to go to at least one game.

There is an exhibition game on May 1st, and the regular season begins May 8th.

Last year I went to a post-season exhibition game against the MLS’ Austin Aztex. It was a fantastic game, and the home town boys beat the pros!

Tickets are available directly on Victoria Ticket.

See you there!

Opens the evening of September 8th and runs for 5 days with evening and matinee shows running most days.

According to the Cirque website:

Allegria is a Baroque ode to the energy, grace and power of youth

Having seen Cirque du Soleil the last time they visited Victoria, I have to admit these shows don’t carry the same stage grandeur as their sister shows in Vegas (which are permanent sets), but are very worth seeing and always entertaining.

The characters and cast’s abilities in acrobatics, dance and ability to weave you in to their story line is always a pleasure and a great way to escape reality for a short period time.

Things are just getting started here, but we think you’ll like what’s coming.

Stay tuned!