These events listings are from The Hub Nanaimo, your weekly insider guide to the best of community arts and culture. Subscribe to this newsletter to see it in your inbox every Thursday.
🔎 Watch for 🔍
Friday, Jan. 16, 6 p.m.: Nanaimo’s newest reading series, Grub Street, will feature readings from Elke Sorensen and Taylor Fleming followed by an open mic at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $5.
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🎵 Listen 🎤
Thursday, Jan. 15, 6 p.m.: The Sweet Tooth Spotlight debuts new burlesque performers and performances at The Queen’s. Tickets cost $25.
Thursday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m.: Omniesia, Vampires & Leeches and ENDR will play a metal show at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $17.25.
Thursday, Jan. 15, 9 p.m.: Ellen Trotter and Jacob Well will play with a full band at The Vault Cafe.
Friday, Jan. 16, 7 p.m.: Pianist Ray Gallon and Saxophone player Connor Stewart will perform with Kosma Busheikin on bass and Graham Villette on drums at St. Andrews United Church. Tickets cost $44.
Saturday, Jan. 17, 7 p.m.: Steve Mitchell is joined by country music songwriter Doug Folkins at The Vault Cafe for Songwriters in a Row. Tickets cost $15.
Saturday, Jan. 17, 7 p.m.:Utility Provider, Tallman and Junk will play a punk/metal show at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $20.
Saturday, Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m.: Vancouver Island Symphony presents Dancing on Strings at The Port Theatre, with a pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $39.50.
Saturday, Jan. 17, 9 p.m.: Nanaimo’s best monthly drag night They Them Theirs at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $20.
Sunday, Jan. 18, 3 p.m: Summer and The Housecats will headline the Sunday Blues Jam at The Queen’s. Tickets cost $10 or free for blues jammers.
Sunday, Jan. 18, 5 p.m: Balkan, Tekarra, Cirrata and Death Proof will play an all ages metal show at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $20.
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 7 p.m.: Nanaimo improv comedy team Phat Ask will perform at the OV Arts Centre. Tickets cost $12.50
Thursday, Jan. 22, 9 p.m.: Ted Kim will play at The Nanaimo Bar. Tickets cost $10.
🎭 View 🖼️
Thursday, Jan. 15, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: A reception for Deborah Sear’s exhibit Old & Female: Silent and Invisible will be held at Vancouver Island University’s View Gallery. The exhibit will run until Jan. 22.
⛹️ Meet 🎲
Friday, Jan. 16, 6 p.m.: The VIU Mariners volleyball teams take on the Capilano University Blues at the VIU Gym. Women’s game at 6 p.m. Men’s game at 8 p.m. Admission is free for VIU students.
Saturday, Jan. 17, 1 p.m.: The VIU Mariners volleyball teams take on the Capilano University Blues at the VIU Gym. Women’s game at 1 p.m. Men’s game at 3 p.m. Admission is free for VIU students.
Saturday, Jan. 17, 1 p.m.: A silent vigil with participants wearing black and holding signs for peace will be held at the corner of Commercial Street and Terminal Avenue.
Saturday, Jan. 17, 7:15 p.m.: The VIU Mariners hockey team will take on the SFU Red Leafs at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. Tickets cost $12 or $7 for students.
Sunday, Jan. 18, 9 a.m.: Enjoy a pancake breakfast in support of the 205 Collishaw Air Cadets at 808 Thunderbird Wing. A full breakfast costs $14.
Sunday, Jan. 18, 1 p.m.: Make a marble map at the Nanaimo Art Gallery’s Art Lab Sunday. Free for gallery members, $5 for non-members. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Sunday, Jan. 18, 2 p.m.: Play board games such as Catan, Alhambra, Pandemic and Dune at the Nanaimo North library branch.
Sunday, Jan. 18, 2:30 p.m.: Writers can Shut Up and Write at the Nanaimo Harbourfront library in a “structured and focused environment where writers can come together, set aside distractions and achieve their writing goals.”
Monday, Jan. 19, 2:30 p.m.: The Builders Club meets with LEGO bricks, Magna-Tiles and more for creative hands-on play at the Nanaimo Wellington library.
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m.: A knitting group meets at the Nanaimo North Library every Tuesday from 10 a.m until noon.
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m.: Writers can Shut Up and Write in silence at the Gabriola Island library, followed by socializing at noon.
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: The Island Roots Farmers Market will be held inside the Centennial Building at Beban Park.
