WED. APR. 23
• ALL CANDIDATES MEETING for the federal election hosted by students at Alberni District Secondary School (ADSS). 1:50 p.m. to 3:05 p.m. at the ADSS Theatre. Open to the public and live-streamed @AlberniSecondary on YouTube.
THU. APR. 24
• DEATH CAFE at the Alberni Valley Hospice Office (2579 10th Ave). A safe space to talk about death and related issues. 7-9 p.m.
FRI. APR. 25
• BLACKBIRD opens at the Capitol Theatre (4904 Argyle Street), presented by the Portal Players Dramatic Society. Performance dates on April 25 & 26, May 2, 3, 9 & 10 at 7:30 p.m. Buy tickets online at www.atthecapitol.org or at the door. WARNING: Mature audiences only.
SAT. APR. 26
• GOT STONES! Rolling Stones tribute band performs at the Alberni District Secondary School (ADSS) Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at www.gotstones.ca.
• OPEN HOUSE at Bee-rad’s Vacuum Land (4941 Johnston Road). Tour retro appliances, enjoy free coffee and chat with fellow enthusiasts. Noon to 4 p.m.
SUN. APR. 27
• TIMBRE! CHOIR performs “Let There Be Music” at a new venue: Arrowsmith Baptist Church (4283 Glenside Road). 2:30 p.m. Tickets available at the Echo Centre, Finishing Touches, The Grove, Salmonberry’s, from choir members or at the door. FMI: www.timbrechoir.ca.
• HOMESTEAD MARKET at Beaver Creek Community Hall (8505 Beaver Creek Rd). 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors with products for sale and information to help get your gardens going. Concession, food truck, face painting and Sharky’s Balloons for the kids. Free event.
• PORT ALBERNI LAWN BOWLING CLUB open house from 2-4 p.m. 4255 Wallace Street. FMI: Call 250-736-1960.
WED. APR. 30
• PORT ALBERNI LAWN BOWLING CLUB open house from 5-7 p.m. 4255 Wallace Street. FMI: Call 250-736-1960.
THU. MAY 1
• MOUNT KLITSA GARDEN CLUB meets at 7 p.m. at the Echo Centre (Cedar Room). The Parlour Show subject is The Lusty Month of May. Guest speaker is Werner Gysi on homesteading. Remember your name tags, cups and small bill cash. Newcomers welcome.
SAT. MAY 3
• SPRING MARKET at Cherry Creek Community Hall (3720 Moore Rd). Vendors, 50/50 raffle and concession. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• CRYSTAL AND SPIRIT FAIR at the Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel (Arrowsmith Room). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Intuitive readers, massage, crystals, teas, jewelry and more. Free admission and door prizes.
• FEELIN’ GROOVY presented by Urbanstreet Choir. 7:30 p.m. at Alberni Valley United Church (3747 Church Street). Tickets available from Walk the Coast, from choir members and at the door.
• PORT ALBERNI LAWN BOWLING CLUB open house from 2-4 p.m. 4255 Wallace Street. FMI: Call 250-736-1960.
• SQUARE DANCE at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 293 (4680 Victoria Quay). Everyone welcome, no experience needed. $20, tickets at the door. Kids by donation.
• FREE ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR at the Chamber of Commerce board room. Hosted by Edward Jones, Suzanne Dubé. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Guest speaker Johanna Berry will answer questions about why you need an estate plan. FMI: 250-724-4439.
WED. MAY 7
• CANADIAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND meets at 10 a.m. at Abbeyfield (downstairs meeting room at the back of the building). For more info: Jenn Collette at 250-240-1738.
• PORT ALBERNI LAWN BOWLING CLUB open house from 5-7 p.m. 4255 Wallace Street. FMI: Call 250-736-1960.
THU. MAY 8
• SKETCH THE HARBOUR QUAY with Bob Altwein, retired graphic designer and guest urban sketcher in Ukraine, Germany and France. Informal social gathering. Meet in front of the Grove Art Gallery, 7-5440 Argyle St. at the Quay at 6 p.m. (goes to 8:30 p.m.). Free admission, everyone welcome.
FRI. MAY 9
• DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID presented by the ADSS Theatre Society. 7 p.m. at the ADSS Theatre (4000 Roger St). Tickets available online at CUR8.com. Limited tickets at the door.
MAY 9-10
• GIANT BOOK SALE at the Alberni Athletic Hall. A fundraiser for the Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley. 6-8 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
SAT. MAY 10
• SHEEP TO SHAWL at Arrowvale Farm (5955 Hector Rd). 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Demonstrations of sheep shearing, fleece skirting, washing, carding, spinning, weaving and knitting.
• GRIEF JOURNALING WORKSHOP at AV Hospice Office (2579 10th Ave). 9-11 a.m. Participants will be provided with a journal, prompts and suggestions on how to get started. $15. Spaces limited. Call 250-723-4478 or email info@albernihospice.ca to reserve your spot.
• NEWCOMERS WELCOME EVENT at Echo Centre (4255 Wallace Street). Learn about the community, with more than 40 local businesses and organizations in attendance. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone welcome. Special dance performance by Elite Dance Academy at noon.
• MT. KLITSA GARDEN CLUB annual plant sale takes place at the Alberni Athletic Hall. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cash only. Bring your boxes and flats for annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, seeds, houseplants, vegetables, a draw for prizes and more.
• SPRING FLING INDOOR MARKET returns to Best Western Barclay Hotel ballroom, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hosted by 2 Elle’s Kitchen Creations. All handmade/ artisan wares.
• DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID presented by the ADSS Theatre Society. Two shows: 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the ADSS Theatre (4000 Roger St). Tickets available online at CUR8.com. Limited tickets at the door.
WED. MAY 14
• PORT ALBERNI LAWN BOWLING CLUB open house from 5-7 p.m. 4255 Wallace Street. FMI: Call 250-736-1960.
SAT. MAY 24
• BLACK TY GALA an Evening on Broadway, fundraising event to benefit Ty Watson House Hospice. Dinner catered by Starboard Grill, live and silent auctions. Dress code is cocktail to black tie. Tix: $150 available at albernihospice.ca, Jim’s Clothes Closet (4716 Johnston Rd.) and AV Hospice office (2579 10th Ave.).
THU. JUNE 5
• WILD WRITERS PRESENT From the Page to the Stage: a spoken word event, at the Capitol Theatre (4904 Argyle St.) By donation. Doors open at 7 p.m., starts at 7:30 p.m. Book sale fundraiser for Portal Players Dramatic Society (cash only) in the lobby. FMI: Wild Writers at gwynne1@telus.net.
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.
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.
• JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY In Search of Happily Ever After, author Gwynne Hunt’s drop-in writing group meets the first and third Tuesday of the month from January to May, 6:45 p.m. in the upstairs lounge at the Capitol Theatre. Doors lock at 7 p.m. Free admission.
• 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 Char’s Landing, 4815 Argyle St. every Tuesday 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.
