• Feb. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., I Love Saltair community party. Wholesome food from local businesses; entertainment from singer, song writer Terry Boyle; games, activities and displays. All at the Saltair Community Centre (former Mount Brenton School), 3850 South Oyster School Road. Event for Saltair residents and surrounding area, and anyone who attended the former Mount Brenton School.
• Feb. 7, 2 – 5 p.m., Crofton Jazz with Decadence, a 10 piece Nanaimo ‘funk-jazz band that ‘likes to take a standard tune and turn it on its ear.’ Featuring a rotating cast of Nanaimo’s top music professionals, students and Vancouver Island University jazz program alumni. Part of the jazz series at the Crofton Hotel pub, 1534 Joan Ave., $15. Musicians are invited to join in a jam session during the last hour. Call 250-324-2245 or visit croftonhotel.ca.
• Feb. 11 to 28, Ladysmith Little Theatre presents The Clean House. Directed by Brian March, this ‘tender’ play with its ‘oddball humor’ follows developments when a Brazilian housekeeper hired by a driven American doctor, discovers she is allergic to Windex and feather dusters. Non-members $20, members $18, groups of 10 or more $18. Box office 250-924-0658 (Wednesday and Friday 2-4 p.m.) or online at ladysmiththeatre.com
• Feb. 12, Chemainus Theatre, Opening night for Million Dollar Quartet, Get ready to become flies on the wall of a landmark day in American musical history. A young Jerry Lee Lewis is playing piano for a Carl Perkins recording session, when the sudden appearance of chart-topper Elvis Presley and rising-star Johnny Cash transforms the night into a red-hot recording session. Box office 1-800-565-7738 or chemainustheatre.ca.
• Feb. 13, Sleeping Beauty, performed by Canada’s Ballet Jörgen, 7:30 p.m. at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre. Sleeping Beauty is one of the world’s most famous classical ballets and holds a place in the repertoire of virtually every major company. After more than 25 successful years, Canada’s Ballet Jörgen has created its own unique classical ballet rendition with its World Premiere Tour during the 2015-2016 Season. Tickets $37, Students and Seniors $33, Child $20, eyeGo $5. Phone 250-748-7529 or visit cowichanpac.ca.
• Feb. 18, Light up the Night, a Rotary Club of Ladysmith event, 7:30 p.m. at Transfer Beach. Celebrate Rotary’s 111th birthday and help raise funds to aid in polio eradication. People will release floating, biodegradable Chinese lanterns, each costing $5. “Come down with the family and enjoy a serene and awe inspiring moment.” Lanterns to be released at 8 p.m.
• Feb. 24 – Mar. 30, Chronic Pain Self-Management, 1 – 3 p.m. Wednesdays for six weeks. A free program to help people living with chronic pain and their caregivers better manage symptoms and daily activities. At Cowichan Neighbourhood House, 9806 Willow Street, Chemainus. See CNHA.ca for more details and to register. Participants must register online or by calling 1-866-902-3767.
• March 14-24, Art Camps at the Nanaimo Art Gallery. During Spring Break the Nanaimo Art Gallery offers a series of Art Camps (each four or five sessions) at its Art Lab, including: Yvonne Vander Kooi, exploring ideas about art, learning and creating using traditional and contemporary approaches to sculpture, painting, video, and photography.; and Carole Brooke, inspired by the work of Ron Tran, who likes to “change the way we see ordinary things by placing them in a different setting.” The camps cost $100 each, materials are included. For more information, or to register, call 250-754-1750.
