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This week, Greater Victoria is serving up pay-what-you-can museum days, hands-on coastal crafts, and Robert Burns Night traditions. Whether you're exploring maritime history with little ones or settling in for a Scottish feast, there's something for everyone this week.
Our Family Fun picks range from teen dance parties to bird-watching adventures. And in News Bites? How UVic's library redesign landed in the top 15 out of thousands across North America, plus critical scam warnings targeting our communities right now.
Let’s dive in! 🌊
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📚 FREE Public Talk: NYT Bestselling Author Tilar J. Mazzeo at UVic
TODAY: Tuesday, January 20 | 4:00-6:00pm
Location: UVic main campus, Elliott Building, Room 167
From mutinous ships off Antarctica to secret networks saving children from the Warsaw ghetto, Dr. Mazzeo shares true stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things—with a focus on women and resistance throughout history.
Open to the community—no registration required!
📚 Book Giveaway Update:
Thank you for participating! The names of the 10 winners of the autographed copies of The Sea Captain's Wife will be published in next week’s issue (January 27).
Want another chance to win? Attend tonight—2 additional copies will be raffled, and you’ll meet Dr. Mazzeo in person!
Family Fun: Our Top 3 Picks
Three unique family experiences we're excited about this week
🎤 Taylor Swift Concert Party in Saanich
Jan 23 (Fri), 6:00-9:30pm @Saanich Commonwealth Place Youth Centre
Ages 10-15: Sing your heart out, trade friendship bracelets, paint that lucky 13 on your hand, and dance like nobody's watching. Pizza, snacks, drinks, glow sticks, and bracelet-making supplies included. Come dressed in your best Swiftie attire.
🐦 Mini Mariner Mornings: Bird is the Word
Jan 24 (Sat), 10:00-11:00am @Maritime Museum of BC
Ages 3-8: Learn about marine birds, migratory birds, and our feathered friends who call the coast home! Check out real bird-watching tools from the museum's collection, then make your own pair of binoculars to spot birds in your neighborhood. Drop in anytime (Storytime starts at 10:15am sharp!).
🐟 Community Day: Swimming into the New Year
Jan 24 (Sat), 9:30am-4:30pm @Maritime Museum of BC
Perfect for all ages and skill levels: Pay-what-you-can admission all day! Explore the exhibit 1858: Black Routes, Black Roots, then drop by 1:30-4:00pm for hands-on beaded fish crafts inspired by our coastal waters. Support the museum, spark curiosity, and start 2026 with community spirit!
Start your year with clarity
Written by Shane Parrish and reMarkable, this workbook helps you pause and reflect. Rather than add pressure, it relieves it, bringing clarity to what truly matters.
A simple reset for January. A thoughtful way to review your year.
Active & Outdoors
Saanich: From Plant to Pigment (Guided Adult Walk) – 18 years+ Jan 24 (Sat) @Francis/King Regional Park 2-4pm (free but must pre-register)
Metchosin: What’s That Evergreen? (Guided Walk) – All Ages Jan 25 (Sun) @Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park 1:30-3pm
Victoria: Free Dance Days: 10-Day Festival Until Jan 25 – Click the Dance Days Calendar.
Arts & Entertainment
Saanich: Taylor Swift Concert Party! Jan 23 (Fri) @Saanich Commonwealth Place, 4636 Elk Lake Drive 6-9:30pm
+ Pints, Pizza + Painting Jan 23 (Fri) @Janction Cidery 273 Prospect Lake Rd 6-9pm
Victoria: Beer & Board Night Jan 23 (Fri) @Caffe Fantastico, 965 Kings Road 6-9pm
+ Tom Green – Stompin’ Comedy Tour Jan 25 (Sun) @McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square 7pm
Sidney: BURNS NIGHT Jan 24 (Sat) @Small Gods Brewing, 9835 Third St 5-9pm
Langford: Open Mic Night for Local Musicians Jan 26 (Mon) @Emporia, 737 Goldstream Ave 7-11pm
Adventure outside the ordinary
What happens when one of the most trusted specialty outdoor retailers, REI Co-op, teams up with the world's largest travel company, Intrepid Travel? You get a unique collection of active trips that offer meaningful, immersive travel experiences in the outdoors.
It’s travel inspired by REI, operated by Intrepid. Think community farm stays in Costa Rica, camping in Joshua Tree’s wild backcountry, cycling in Peru’s Sacred Valley, or sleeping in mountain huts before summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.
So, where will you go? Explore more than 85 destinations worldwide with a small group of up to 16, and an expert local leader who’ll help you to truly experience the destination.
REI Co-op members save 15% on REI Exclusive trips and receive a 20% off coupon to use at REI Co-op after booking REI Recommended trips.
For T&Cs and to view the full collection of trips in 85+ destinations, visit rei.com/travel.
News Bites
📚 Top 15 in North America! UVic Library Earns Elite Design Recognition
The American Library Association just named UVic's McPherson Library among North America's top 15 for innovative design—a standout achievement among thousands of academic libraries. The transformation replaced intimidating service desks with a welcoming circular "Ask Us" hub and features glass artwork by local two-spirit Indigenous artist Geena Powa Haiyupis, showcasing Coast Salish imagery including whales, salmon, and kelp. Students say the redesigned space feels "more open and welcoming." Sometimes the best innovation is simply making people feel genuinely welcome.
[Full story - Saanich News]
🔍 Scammers Are Targeting Greater Victoria: Here's How to Stay Safe
Fake job texts, phony inheritance letters, and door-to-door asphalt scams are hitting Greater Victoria right now, often targeting seniors. If you or someone you love has been contacted, please know this: there's no shame in falling victim. VicPD says fraudsters "are experts at manipulating the best parts of people," and reporting what happened helps protect others from the same trap. From Sidney to Sooke, Victoria to Saanich to Langford, these scams are active everywhere. Trust your instincts and report anything suspicious to your local police department.
[VicPD - Fraud prevention resource]
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Community & Creative
Sooke: Wrecked: Unsettling Histories From the Graveyard of the Pacific Jan 22 (Thur) @Sooke Regional Museum 7pm
Victoria: Victoria’s Annual Dine Around and Stay in Town Jan 23 to Feb 8 (60 restaurants participating) Check them out!
+ Mini Mariner Mornings – Bird is the Word Jan 24 (Sat) @Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas St 10-11am
Colwood: Nourishing & Delicious Veggie Stew Workshop Jan 24 (Sat) @3500 Ryder Hesjedal Way 10am-12pm
Saanich: Victoria Model Railway Club Until Feb 28 @3170 Tillicum Rd
🌅 On the Horizon
Planning ahead? Here are a few events worth noting for the coming weeks:
Victoria: Victoria at Dusk Festival Feb 13-15 @Downtown Victoria - A free winter experience
+ 2026 Lunar New Year Parade & Blessing of Merchants Feb 22 @Victoria’s Chinatown 11:30am-3:30pm
+ GOO GOO DOLLS March 19 @Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
Have a great week Greater Victoria! 💙
