THU. FEB. 6
• DEATH CAFE at the Alberni Valley United Church. 7 p.m. A safe space to talk about death and related issues. This is an activity of the Alberni Valley Hospice Society that takes place on the first Thursday of every month.
• ICONIC ALBERNI artists’ reception at the Grove Art Gallery, 7-5440 Argyle St. at Harbour Quay. 7–9 p.m. All are welcome; vote for your favourite art piece. Exhibit runs from Feb. 4–March 1, 2025.
FRI. FEB. 7
• FALL PREVENTION WORKSHOP at the Echo Centre. 1-3 p.m. Join Judith Reeves, a senior fitness professional, and find out how to improve your balance and reduce your risk of falling.
SAT. FEB. 8
• SEEDY SATURDAY at the Echo Centre (4255 Wallace Street). 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hosted by Alberni Valley Food Security Society. Informative speakers, children’s activities, a seed exchange table and plenty of vendors. FMI: www.avfood.ca/events.
• CRYSTAL AND SPIRIT FAIR at Best Western Barclay Plus Hotel, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Crystals, rocks, jewelry, intuitive readers, healers and more.
• GOBYBIKE CELEBRATION at the new location for Jumping Slug Community Cyclery, 4691 Dundalk Ave. South. Turn right on Redford Extension at Sherwood’s Auto. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Refreshments, giveaways and more. Everyone welcome. Register your rides at gobybikebc.ca.
SUN. FEB. 9
• HEART & SOUL The Barry Miller Jazz Quartet performs songs with a Valentine’s twist at Char’s Landing. Music is ongoing from 6-8 p.m. and doors open at 5 p.m. Music fans can bring their own dinner. Beverage bar is open. A voluntary gratuity is appreciated.
TUE. FEB. 11
• SKYSONG COMMUNITY CHOIR starts its new season from 6–8 p.m. at Char’s Landing, 4815 Argyle St. at Fifth Avenue. Choir will meet weekly on Tuesdays until the end of the season. FMI: E-mail Kim at bluetuxedo@telus.net or check Facebook page.
FEB. 11 - MAR. 8
• BEST LOVE, BOB: 1908 POSTCARDS FROM NEW ALBERNI An in-house exhibit at the Alberni Valley Museum, for one month only. Robert Blandy’s postcards describe 1908 scenes in the pioneer town of New Alberni. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
THU. FEB. 13
• MAGGIE’S GETTING MARRIED opens at the Capitol Theatre. The hit romantic comedy written by Norm Foster. 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at www.atthecapitol.org.
• SOCIAL STUDIO AT THE GROVE GALLERY Learn the basics of drawing, painting and try your hand at live drawing with a model. For full list of workshops available, go online to alberniarts.com/social-studio or call the gallery at 250-724-3412.
FRI. FEB. 14
• SWEETHEART DANCE AT LEGION BR. 293 Doors open at 7:30 p.m., dancing from 8 p.m. to midnight with music by Krankee Jack. Tix: $22 per person in advance at the Legion bar during regular hours or at the door (cash only). Royal Canadian Legion Br. 293, 4680 Victoria Quay. FMI: Mary Anne, ph. 250-730-0906.
SUN. FEB. 16
• CHILDREN’S ARTS FESTIVAL at Gyro Park (3245 Seventh Ave). 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vendors, food, performances, art making, scavenger hunt, teddy bear repair and more. Free to attend.
FRI. FEB. 21
• VANCOUVER ISLAND PRO WRESTLING returns to Matt Mahs Gym, 5000 Mission Rd., 6:30 p.m. TIX: www.viprowrestling.ca.
SAT. FEB. 22
• COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR fundraiser for Sage Haven Society starts at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 293 (Victoria Quay). Check-in begins at 4 p.m. and walk starts at 5 p.m. Light meal will be served after the walk. www.cnoy.org/location/portalberni.
• ALFIE ZAPPACOSTA returns to the Rainbow Room (3752 Fourth Ave). 80s pop-rock icon will perform hits from the past as well as present repertoire. Tickets at www.eventbrite.ca.
• NEIGHBOURHOOD WELCOME MEET UP at Bombers Cafe and Creperie (5262 Argyle Street). 1:30-2:30 p.m. Meet new people and enjoy delicious food and drinks. Please RSVP to jenaya@neighbourhoodwelcome.org.
TUE. FEB. 25
• PACIFIC BAROQUE FESTIVAL presents a performance by soprano Dorothee Mields at Arrowsmith Baptist Church (4283 Glenside Rd). 7:30 p.m. Tickets available online at www.pacbaroque.com/islands-tour or at the door.
THU. FEB. 27
• SOCIAL STUDIO AT THE GROVE GALLERY Learn the basics of drawing, painting and try your hand at live drawing with a model. For full list of workshops available, go online to alberniarts.com/social-studio or call the gallery at 250-724-3412.
FRI. FEB. 28
• ROBBIE VAN is at Char’s Landing to sing about all the many shades of love. An evening of rhythm, blues and jazzy folk. Doors open at 7 p.m. and show starts at 7:30 p.m. Entry by donation.
WED. MAR. 5
• NIC FEST North Island College’s annual education and career festival is coming back. 2-5 p.m. Check out the Roger Street campus for tours, info, demos, prizes and more. Free event.
MAR. 8-9
• ROCK AND GEM SHOW at the Alberni Athletic Hall. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Vendors, demos, displays and kid’s korner. Lunch counter is open. Admission $3 cash, kids under 12 free with an adult.
FRI. MAR. 28
• ROBBIE VAN takes the stage at Char’s Landing to sing the ways of the world in a funky, jazzy style. Doors open at 7 p.m. and show starts at 7:30 p.m. Entry by donation.
SUN. APR. 6
• MCLEAN MILL 10K Ridge View Health & Performance presents the annual Vancouver Island Race Association event. Starts at McLean Mill National Historic Site, 5633 Smith Rd., Port Alberni. Route and other info available online at islandseries.org.
ONGOING
• PORT ALBERNI CHESS CLUB meets every Saturday at Bombers Cafe and Creperie (5262 Argyle Street) from 2-6 p.m.
• 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.
• WESTERN VANCOUVER ISLAND INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE CENTRE at 3250A Ninth Ave. (behind the curling club) is open to visitors Monday to Friday from 9–11 a.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tours by appointment: call 250-724-5509 to book.
• 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.
