MAY 27–JUNE 14
• ‘VOICES UNVEILED’ an edgy exhibition of artwork by ADSS students, opens at the Grove Art Gallery (7-5440 Argyle St. at Harbour Quay). Artists’ reception is Thursday, May 29 from 5–7 p.m. Show will hang until June 14.
SAT. MAY 31
• BATTLE OF THE BANDS by the Zattzoo Project, 6 p.m., Kinsmen Community Centre (4090 Hollywood St.). Tix: $30, cash only. To sign up as a band/ solo artist: e-mail zattzooproject@outlook.com. FMI: The Zattzoo Project on Facebook.
• GOLDEN OLDIES SHOW ’N SHINE 53rd annual event, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at RimRock Casino parking lot. Free admission for spectators. Cars register for $20. Door prizes, vehicle prizes. FMI: Golden Oldies Car Club on Facebook.
• MINI-MUSE: FUN AT THE ALBERNI INLET is presented by the Grove Art Gallery from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Kids will learn about local marine life as well as local art and bring home a creation. Cost is $15 per child. Pre-register at playinpa.ca. Phone: 250-723-3412 (The Grove).
• IT’S SERVING…ART! Watercolour class at the Grove Gallery celebrates the launch of Pride Week, 3–5 p.m. Paint a fantasy drink or layered food inspired by what pride means to you. Stickers encouraged. $20 per person, pre-register at alberniarts.com/events. Phone: 250-724-3412.
MAY 31–JUNE 6
• GOBYBIKE WEEK Register for prizes at gobybikebc.ca. Celebrate the second annual Quay to Quay Family Bike Ride (walkers, everything with wheels welcome). Starts at the gazebo at Roger Creek Park on Sunday, June 1 at 3 p.m. Refreshments and giveaways at trail’s end (Harbour Quay). If young riders can’t go the whole way, meet up at Harbour Quay.
JUNE 1–7
• ALBERNI VALLEY PRIDE WEEK starts Sunday, June 1 and includes an event or activity daily until June 7. June 1 – By donation car wash @ 7-Eleven on Redford Street and 10th Avenue; June 2 – Free Pride Yoga with Jessica at NIC Indigenous Outdoor Gathering Place; June 3 – Schitt’s Creek Trivia and Costume , 7 p.m. at Twin City Brewing; June 4 – Free Pride barbecue, chalk and bubbles, 5–7 p.m. at Alberni Valley United Church; June 5 – Free Pride disco rollerskating, 6:15–8:15 p.m. at Glenwood Centre. Free rentals available; June 6 – Free drag queen story time at VI Regional Library, Port Alberni 4–5 p.m. Everyone welcome; June 7 – adults only Pride Dance Party, 7–11 p.m. Next Level Night Club. Tix: at the carwash and the door. FMI: @AlberniValleyPride on Facebook or Instagram.
SUN. JUNE 1
• BARRY MILLER QUARTET performs Jazz at Char’s Landing (4815 Argyle St.), 6–8 p.m. Barry Miller (piano), Doug Gretsinger (guitar), Dave Auld (drums) and Wally Petersen (bass) perform. Voluntary gratuity appreciated. Patrons welcome to bring snacks or supper.
FRI. JUNE 6
• KATE WYATT TRIO plays Char’s Landing (4815 Argyle St.). Wyatt and her jazz trio will play from their latest album, Murmurations. Doors open 6:30 p.m., music starts at 7:30 p.m. Tix: $20 advance, $25 at the door. charslanding.com or call 250-730-1636.
SAT. JUNE 7
• FUNDRAISING DANCE at the Capitol Theatre with “Time Well Wasted.” Tickets available online at www.atthecapitol.org.
• BURST OF COLOUR acrylic and whimsy painting workshop with Susan Schaefer happens from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grove Gallery, 7-5440 Argyle St. Cost: $110 per person.
• IT’S A BLOOMIN’ TEA! from 12–3 p.m. at Trinity Community Hall (4766 Angus St. at Fifth Avenue). Tea, treats, fashions from Gayle’s Fashions and Walk the Coast. Prizes for best hat! Prize table, mystery grab bag, door prizes. Tix: $25 cash only available at the Funk Trunk or the door. Reserve a table by calling Alison at 350-724-2580.
SUN. JUNE 8
• WORKSHOP BEES Learn how to keep bee hives the natural way with Werner Gysi. First of six workshops starts June 8 and the rest will follow the growing season. Approximate dates: July 13, Aug. 17, then March 8, 2026, March 29, 2026 and April 5, 2026. Registration is $100 each and includes textbook. Learn more online at goolymooly.ca.
• 100th ANNIVERSARY OF UNITED CHURCH of Canada. Celebrate at Alberni Valley United Church (on Church Street off of Argyle Street), 10:30 a.m. with a special Sunday service, lunch, cake-cutting to follow. Members of the community who have or had a connection with the United Church are welcome to come and mark the occasion.
• PRIDE WEEK ALL-AGES ART DROP-IN at the Grove Gallery, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Casual art-making with Milo. Kids can colour, teens can bring projects, all are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.
THU. JUNE 12
• ALBERNI DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY turns 60. Help celebrate at an open house, 7 p.m. at Echo Centre, 4255 Wallace St. Featuring the ‘Alberni Mall’ with guest speakers, memorabilia and birthday cake.
JUNE 14–15
• ELITE DANCE ACADEMY performs Hansel and Gretel each day at 2 p.m., Dancing Through the Decades at 6 p.m. Tix: $20 plus tax, available online at eliteda.ca or e-mail elitedance@shaw.ca.
SUN. JUNE 15
• BARRY MILLER QUARTET performs Jazz at Char’s Landing (4815 Argyle St.), 6–8 p.m. Barry Miller (piano), Doug Gretsinger (guitar), Dave Auld (drums) and Wally Petersen (bass) perform. Voluntary gratuity appreciated. Patrons welcome to bring snacks or supper.
FRI. JUNE 20
• NEAL VIRGIL BROWN, Canadian singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist, comes home to Port Alberni for an encore performance at Char’s Landing (4815 Argyle St.). Doors open 6:30 p.m., music starts at 7:30 p.m. Tix: $20 advance, $25 at the door. charslanding.com or call 250-730-1636.
• SOLSTICE CRAFTY CRUISE Join the Grove Art Gallery from 6–9 p.m. aboard the historic MV Frances Barkley for an evening of 19+ music with DJ Spin Daddy, coastal-inspired crafts, games, food by V9Y Catering and beverages from Dog Mountain Brewing. Tix: $75 per person (includes all supplies, drink and food tickets) available online at alberniarts.com/crafty-cruise.
SAT. JUNE 21
• BUTTERFLY EFFECT Release a butterfly for fun or in memory of a loved one, 11:30 a.m. at Alberni Hospice, 2579 10th Ave. Free kids’ activities, faceprinting, barbecue by donation and more. Everyone welcome. Butterflies cost $25 each or reserve a no-cost sponsored butterfly. Call 250-723-4478 or albernihospice.ca.
SAT. JULY 19
• ROTARY COLOUR FEST returns for second year at Blair Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Register online at www.rotarycolourfest.com. $20 individuals, $45 families. The route is 2.5 kms around the Kitsuksis Dyke. Vendors, food trucks, swag for registrants and post-route, family-friendly fun. FMI: www.rotarycolourfest.com.
AUG. 8-10
• THUNDER IN THE VALLEY at the Somass Lands. Car show Friday, Aug. 8 at Tyee Landing (3300 Harbour Road). Racing Saturday, Aug. 9 and Sunday, Aug. 10. Spectators’ seating also at Tyee Landing. No public access to Somass property.
ONGOING
• HOSPICE VOLUNTEER TRAINING runs Wednesdays, 4-6:30 p.m. from May 14-June 25. This training gives volunteers skills needed to deliver support to grieving and palliative care clients in an informed, compassionate and confidential manner. FMI: info@albernihospice.ca or call 250-723-4478.
• I’M STILL HERE Understanding Grief after MAiD is a free, eight-week group supporting those who have lost a loved one who chose Medical Assistance in Death (MAiD). Tuesdays, 4-6 p.m. from May 13 to July 8, 2025 at Alberni Hospice Community Office (2579 10th Ave.). Call 250-723-4478 or email info@albernihospice.ca to register.
• HEARTS IN HEALING Spousal Grief Support Group is a free, eight-week group supporting individuals who have recently lost their spouse. Sundays from 1-3 p.m., May 11–June 29 at Alberni Hospice Community Office (2579 10th Ave.). To register call 250-723-4478 or email info@albernihospice.ca.
• RESIST exhibit at Alberni Valley Museum. Featuring 40+ fibre artworks by Western Canadian artists, showcasing “resist” techniques and themes. playinpa.ca/exhibits.
• SONS OF NORWAY LODGE meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the Rainbow Room (3752 Fourth Ave). 1 p.m. Open to anyone of Norwegian ancestry who would like to learn more about the lodge and Norwegian culture. FMI: Patty Schwartz at 250-723-5530.
• PORT ALBERNI CHESS CLUB meets every Saturday at Bombers Cafe and Creperie (5262 Argyle Street) from 2-6 p.m.
• KIDS ART-MAKING AT THE GROVE For the month of March 2025, the Grove Gallery is hosting drop-in kids’ art sessions every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. FMI: alberniarts.com/events. Perfect for creative kids.
• GOLDEN OLDIES CAR CLUB meets on the first Thursday of each month upstairs at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 293 (Victoria Quay) at 7 p.m. New members welcome. No need to have a car — just an interest in vehicles.
• ALBERNI VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, 7 p.m. in the basement room at Abbeyfield House (3839 Eighth Ave. at Redford Street). All levels of photographers welcome. Membership required. FMI: Steve or Lorna Crowshaw, 250-723-6901.
• JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP for Grades 3-7 in the Upper Clubhouse at Arrowsmith Baptist Church (4283 Glenside Rd). Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Have fun playing games, making friends and exploring faith.
• SKYSONG COMMUNITY CHOIR meets at Trinity Anglican and Lutheran Church (4766 Angus St.) every Monday from 6-8 p.m. Everyone welcome. FMI: E-mail Kim at bluetuxedo@telus.net or see choir’s Facebook page.
• GRIEF CARE meets Sundays at 2 p.m. at Southside Church of the Nazarene (4190 Victoria Drive). Call 250-918-5830.
• CANADIAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND meets at 10 a.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Abbeyfield (downstairs meeting room at the back of the building). FMI: Jenn Collette 250-240-1738.
• TOPS (TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY) MEETINGS Tuesdays at the Royal Canadian Legion (Victoria Quay). 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• SPIRIT SQUARE FARMER’S MARKET every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Harbour Quay.
• ALBERNI VALLEY COIN CLUB meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of every month in the Fir Room of Echo Centre (4255 Wallace St.). FMI: Carl ph. 250-723-9891.
• ALBERNI VALLEY ROCK AND GEM CLUB meets the first Sunday of the month, 2 p.m. at the clubhouse, 5100 Tebo Ave. (Club’s workshop is open to members Mondays 7–10 p.m. and Wednesdays 1–4 p.m. FMI: Les Bontron, 250-724-1564.
• ELECTRIC MERMAID A monthly live reading event at Char’s Landing. Last Wednesday of every month. Visit www.charslanding.com for the Zoom link for the event. Anyone who would like to read their own work can sign up at ElectricMermaidReads @gmail.com.
