Looking for a fun way to stay active and meet new friends in the new year? Consider joining one of several dancing programs offered by cultural groups, businesses and dance clubs and groups.
鈥� Join the Leikarring Folk Dance Group of the Eidsvold Lodge (Victoria) of the Sons of Norway fraternal organization for Scandinavian Folk Dancing on Tuesday.
Learn how to dance or watch members perform the four classifications of Norwegian folkdance: Bygdedans (village dance), Gammeldans (old dance), Turdans (figure dance) and Sangdans (song dance).
Members of the group dance wearing the Norwegian bunad, the traditional folk dress.
Partners or experience not required.
The first visit is free, with subsequent visits $5. The group meets 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at Norway House, 1110 Hillside Ave. Contact Mel Klassen at 250-595-7052 for more information or go to eidsvoldsofn.com/events.htm.
鈥� Join members of the B.C. Swing Dance Club Victoria at West Coast Swing, to learn how to partner dance to popular music, every Saturday.
No partner or experience needed.
Admission is $10 for adults, $5聽for students. Doors open at 7:45 p.m., with beginner lessons at 8 and a social dance 9 to 11 p.m. every Saturday at 847 Fisgard St. For more information, go to Facebook.
鈥� Salsa every Saturday night during Salsa S谩bado Noche at Caf茅 Casablanca, Victoria鈥檚 only Latin dance restaurant.
Come and see what tango and salsa are all about, with salsa and argentine tango dancing and lessons seven days a week.
At the Salsa S谩bado Noche you will be taught Salsa dancing by licensed salsa instructors.
The classes are $12. The lessons and dancing run from 8:30聽p.m. to midnight every Saturday at Caf茅 Casablanca Dance Club, 2425 Bridge St. For more information, go to cafecasablance.ca.
鈥� Discover modern square dancing from members of the Mavericks Square Dance Club, Sunday nights at the Royal Oak Women鈥檚 Institute.
Modern square dancing is a rhythmic group dance done to all types of music and live singing 鈥� a combined mental and physical workout and a great way to meet new people.
The lessons teach all the moves needed to enjoy dancing with the club. People can join as couples or singles. New dancers may be paired up with experienced dancers.
It costs $75 for a session of seven lessons. The lessons run 7 to 9 p.m. Sundays at the Royal Oak Women鈥檚 Institute, 4516 West Saanich Rd. For more information, go to themavericks.org.
鈥� If you are looking to make new friends, like to dance and have fun, consider joining the People Meeting People Social Dance Club, which meets on Sunday in Oak Bay.
At this dance club, your dancing abilities are not considered, only your ability to have fun.
Singles and couples can dance and mingle in a ballroom social setting.
Admission is $10 for the public and $8 for members (refreshments included). The get-together runs 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday at 1442 Monterey Ave. For more information, go to .
Dine and dance for Ukrainian New Year
Join the Ukrainian community in Victoria in celebrating Malanka 2020, the Ukrainian New Year, at an event at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre on Saturday.
Residents of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia celebrate the new year according to the Julian calendar. The Orthodox New Year starts on Monday, Jan. 13.
Dance to live music by special guests Lemon Bucket Orkestra and Kalyna.
Tickets are $25 for dance only or $75 for dinner and dance. Cocktails start at 6 p.m., dinner at 7, performance by Kalyna at 8:30 and Lemon Bucket Orkestra and dancing from 9 to 11 p.m., Saturday at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, 3277 Douglas St. Tickets at [email protected], 250-475-2585 or .
For more information, go to .
Find the artistic in creative reuse
You can go green with an artistic flair at the Creative Reuse Workshop, Saturday at the 91原创 Island School of Art.
The theme of this workshop is Basket Weaving with Internet Cords. You will be taught how to weave a basket using the coiling method with salvaged materials such as ethernet cords, yarn and string.
The workshop introduces Victorians to the concept of creative reuse 鈥� a process of transforming what would be waste materials into new things.
Repurposing, rather than recycling, is more inspiring, meaningful and sustainable.
The workshop is hosted by Supply Victoria, a non-profit creative reuse centre. It accepts donations of used materials to divert them from the landfill and put into the hands of artists, students and teachers.
The cost of the workshop is $54.06, with all materials needed to create one small basket provided. The class is suitable for people 16 and older. It runs 3 to 5聽p.m. on Saturday at the 91原创 Island School of Art, 950 Kings Rd. For more information, go to .
Musicians give a lift to Jazz at the Church
The James Bay United Church hopes to encourage good mental and spiritual health with Tuesday Night Jazz at the Church, on Tuesdays in January.
The church, with the help of local jazz legend Kelby MacNayr, is bringing some of the best of the Victoria jazz scene to play at a venue without distractions.
The next jazz night features Kelby MacNayr鈥檚 SoulTet, with Cuban trumpet virtuoso Miguelito Valdes, Tony Genge, Peter Dowse and MacNayr.
The group plays the classic, hip and soulful music of the 1960s and 鈥�70s, music that would become the foundation of soul and funk styles and became anthems of an era.
The event is by donation (suggested $10) at the door. The music plays 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church, 511聽Michigan St. An accessibility ramp is located on the west side of the building.
For more information, go to .
Seeds and more at Seedy Saturday
Trade visions of sugar plums for the vision of new sprouts in the spring in your garden at Saanich Seedy Saturday at the Horticulture Centre of the 91原创.
Hosted by the Haliburton Community Organic Farm, the event gives gardeners the opportunity to purchase seeds and plants from local vendors and get information for various groups.
They include the Victoria Compost Education Centre, Cowichan Green Community, Crown Bees, Native Plant Study Group, Saanich Organics, Salt Spring Seeds, Full Circle Seeds, Saanich Native Plants, District of Saanich, Denman Island Heritage Apples and more.
You can also listen to Dan Jason of Saltspring Seeds on his presentation: Changing the Climate with the Seeds we Sow, in the 91原创 Horticulture College classroom at 11 a.m. and 1聽p.m.
Entry to the centre鈥檚 gardens is included in the price of admission.
Admission is $8 (cash only). The event runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at The Gardens at Horticulture Centre of the 91原创, 505聽Quayle Rd. Parking is free, but limited.
Evergreen theme to nature walk for kids
Take your children for a closer look at the survival strategies of our local evergreen plants at What鈥檚 That Evergreen?, a guided walk for those five and older, Sunday at Devonian Regional Park in Metchosin.
Spend time with a CRD Regional Parks naturalist, learning common species and discover what keeps these plants green year-round.
The program is free to join. It聽runs 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Devonian Regional Park, Metchosin. Meet at the information kiosk in the parking lot off William Head Road.
The park is serviced by B.C. Transit routes 54 and 55.
Try to arrive 10 minutes before the start of the program. Please leave pets at home. Dress for the weather as programs take place rain or shine.
For more information, go to .
