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.
• ROBBIE VAN PERFORMS a show, “May It Be,” at Char’s Landing (4815 Argyle St.) with special guests Xixi & the Bandit. For one evening, look at life through ‘rose coloured glasses.’ Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m.
• WATERCOLOUR WEDNESDAY Basics & Beyond, 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Grove Gallery, 7-5440 Argyle St. at Harbour Quay. Guides introductory class for beginner and intermediate artists. Register at alberniarts.com/events.
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.
• SPRING PLANT, BAKE AND BOOK SALE 9 a.m. to noon, Alberni Valley United Church (3747 Church St. off Argyle St.). Indoor and outdoor plants, home baking, good book selection.
SUN. MAY 11
• WEST COAST DRAGON BOAT SOCIETY is holding an open house from 1–3:30 p.m. at Sproat Lake Landing, 10695 Lakeshore Road. Try out the sport. FMI: on Facebook (West Coast Dragon Boat Society), e-mail westcoastdragonboatsociety@gmail.com or phone 250-731-7740.
WED. MAY 14
• PORT ALBERNI LAWN BOWLING CLUB open house from 5-7 p.m. 4255 Wallace Street. FMI: Call 250-736-1960.
WED. MAY 21
• WATERCOLOUR WEDNESDAY Landscapes, 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Grove Gallery, 7-5440 Argyle St. at Harbour Quay. Semi-guided class best suited for intermediate or experienced artists. Register at alberniarts.com/events.
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.).
• CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE fundraising sale, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Holy Family Notre Dame Roman Catholic Parish, 4731 Burke Rd.
SUN. MAY 25
• HORSEPOWER FOR HEALING car show, supporting men’s mental health, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Alberni District Fall Fair Grounds. Cars register at 9 a.m., $20/ vehicle. People’s choice awards. FMI: info@ptalbcat.org.
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.
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.
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 (door proceeds to Portal Players Dramatic Society). Doors open at 7 p.m., starts at 7:30 p.m. Authors will be selling their books (cash only) in the lobby. FMI: Wild Writers at gwynne1@telus.net.
SAT. JUNE 7
• FUNDRAISING DANCE at the Capitol Theatre with “Time Well Wasted.” Tickets available online at www.atthecapitol.org.
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.
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.
• 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.
