What's Up? A List of Events in Cowichan

Labour Day's behind us and autumn's on our mindsIt's a great time to celebrate our agricultural roots.  From farmers' markets around the valley, to fall fair fun at the Cowichan Exhibition, to wine tasting and fine food at the Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival, it's all about abundance.  Get out there and sample the bounty our beautiful region has to offer!

 

The new Autumn 2013 Recreation Program and Schedules guide is now available at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre and Fuller Lake Arena. You can find the guide online at http://bit.ly/1bd7ynI

 

The Cowichan News Leader Pictorial is now accepting used book donations for their September fundraiser sale. They are accepting all types of undamaged, current books. Bring your books to the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5pm. (Please no drop offs after office hours.)

 

• Ongoing – Penny Drive fundraiser for MS Support Group. Drop off your pennies at the MS Society office, Duncan
• Ongoing – Penny Drive fundraiser in support of four food banks, Wavaw, & The Salvation Army, News Leader Pictorial office, 2-5380 Trans Canada Highway, Duncan
• Ongoing – Frances Kelsey student art show, Whiskey Point Grill, Mill Bay
• Weekdays, beginning September 16 at various locations throughout the Cowichan Valley - Parent-Child Mother Goose, a free, interactive song, rhyme and story time activity.  For information and registration, please contact Margaret Moss Health Center, (250) 709-3050
• June 1 - October 1 - Stage 1 sprinkling regulations are in place for all CVRD water systems.  For more information on regulations contact the CVRD at 250-746-2513 or visit cvrd.bc.ca
• June 11 - October 11 - The Chemainus River Bridge located on Chemainus River near Pinson's Corner (between Swallowfield Rd. and Ashcroft Road) will be closed to all traffic including vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.
• June 18 - October 26 - Cowichan Valley Intercultural and Immigrant Aid Society Tapestry Gala, Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Center, 200 Cowichan Way, Duncan.  Info, 250-748-3112
• August 8 - September 27 - The east side of Holland Creek Trail in Ladysmith will be closed. Info, 250-245-6424.
• September 3, 10:00 a.m. - September 28, 3:00 p.m. - Photography and Gourds, photos by Gary Chilibeck and artwork by Raven Wyntre-Clarkson, Imagine That!, 251 Craig St., Duncan
• September 4 - 18 - Gourlay Janes Park in Ladysmith is closed.
• September 5 - 8, 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Cowichan Exhibition, Cowichan Exhibition Grounds, Duncan.  Info, www.cowex.ca
• September 6 to 8, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Introduction to permaculture, designing your own property, Cowichan Valley Green Community, 360 Duncan St.  Info, 250-748-8506 
• September 6, 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. (and every Friday) - Art Beat, a weekly art walk and street party, Willow St., Chemainus.  Info, www.cvcas.com
• September 6, 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. - Live music at the Shipyard, Thor and the Thundercats, Shipyard Pub, 6415 Genoa Bay Rd.
• September 7 - 15 - Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival.  Info, wines.cowichan.net
• September 7, 7:30 a.m. - Cowichan Aquatic Center re-opens.  
• September 7, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Island Highland Dance Academy garage sale, Osborne Realty parking lot, Festubert Street, Duncan.  
• September 7 and 8, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Vulture Awareness Weekend, Pacific Northwest Raptors, 1877 Herd Rd., Duncan. Info, pnwraptors.com 
• September 7, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (and every Saturday until Thanksgiving) - Honeymoon Bay Outdoor Market, Coffee Mill, Honeymoon Bay 
• September 7, 1:00 p.m - 1:00 a.m. - Farm to Table Picnics & Music in the Vineyard, Blue Grouse Estate Vineyard, 4365 Blue Grouse Rd., Cobble Hill.  Info, 250-732-3834
• September 7, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. - MNP Grape Stomp, Cowichan Exhibition Grounds.  Info, wines.cowichan.net
• September 7, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. - Cowichan Culture Speaks Easy Community Dialogue Session, Mason Hall, Mill Bay. Info, cowichanculture.ca/speakseasy 
• September 7, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. (weekly on Saturdays) - Open Mic, Duncan's Courts Sports Lounge
• September 7, 6:00 - 11:00 p.m. - Damali Sangria Fiesta, 3500 Telegraph Rd., Cobble Hill.  Info, 250-743-4100.
• September 7, 8:30 p.m. - Singer/Songwriter Hope King, Oak and Carriage Pub, Duncan
• September 8, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope, Cowichan Sportsplex, Chesterfield St., Duncan.  Info, (250) 748-3950
• September 8 (and every Sunday through Oct. 6) 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. - South Cowichan Farmers’ Market, 4485 Trans Canada Highway at Koksilah Rd.
• September 8, 2:00 p.m. (and every Sunday) - Sunday Country Jam, Eagles Lounge, 2965 Boys Rd., Duncan
• September 8, 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Sunday Country Jam, Eagles Lounge, 2965 Boys Rd., Duncan
• September 8, 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. - Island Chef's Collaborative - Freedom to Farm Dinner II, Dragon Fly Farm, 4064 Vaux Rd. Info, 240-743-1638
• September 9 - Frank Jameson Community Centre in Ladysmith resumes regular operating schedule.
• September 9, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. - Cowichan Valley Arthritis Support Group, St. John's Church Hall, 486 Jubilee St., Duncan.  Info, 250-748-4395
• September 10, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Bingo at the Cowichan Valley Seniors Center, 198 Government St., Duncan
• September 10, 12:00 noon (weekly on Tuesdays) - Toastmasters Noon Hour Club, Duncan Travelodge, 140 Trans-Canada Hwy.
• September 10, 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. (and every Tuesday until fall) - Ladysmith Make it, Bake It, Grow It Farmers Market, 1st Ave., Ladysmith
• September 10, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. - Historical Cowichan Bay Village walking tour with Cittaslow Cowichan Bay Society.  Meet at Hecate Park in Cowichan Bay.
• September 10, 7:00 p.m. (weekly on Tuesdays) - Dads Make a Difference, 213 - 80 Station St., Duncan. Info, 250-597-2801
• September 11, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. (continuing weekly on Wednesdays) - Choir with Cari Burdett, all welcome, M'akola Centre, Ts'i'ts'uwatul'Lelum Assisted Living, 5755 Allenby Rd., Duncan.  Info, www.joythroughmusic.com
• September 11, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (and every Wednesday) - Chemainus Wednesday Market, Waterwheel Square, Chemainus.  Info, 250-246-3944
• September 11, 7:00 p.m. (weekly on Wednesdays) - Cowichan Toastmasters Club 950, Duncan Travelodge, 140 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan.  Info, 250-743-1785
• September 11, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m  - Cowichan Culture Speaks Easy Community Dialogue Session, Twisted Sisters Tearoom, Chemainus.  Info, cowichanculture.ca/speakseasy 
• September 11, 7:00 p.m. (weekly on Wednesdays) - Cowichan Men’s Circle, The Hub, Cowichan Station.  Info, 250-597-2801. 
• September 11, 8:00 p.m. - The Greatest Adventure in History Tour, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St.
• September 12, 2:00 p.m. (weekly on Thursdays) - Chronic Pain Self Management Program, MS Society of Canada, 204-394 Duncan St., Duncan.  Info, 1-866-902-3767 (toll free)
• September 12, 2:30 p.m. (weekly on Thursdays) – Multicultural Leadership Group, Duncan United Church, 246 Ingram St.
• September 12, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. (weekly on Thursdays) - Family Choir - 100 Voices for One World, Cari Burdett, 3228A Gibbins Rd., Duncan.  Info, www.joythroughmusic.com
• September 12, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. - TOPS (Take of Pounds Sensibly) meeting, KIDZ Co., 2-2731 James St.  Info, (250) 748-7548
• September 12, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (weekly on Thursdays) - Triple P Preteen Parenting Program, Margaret Moss Health Centre, Duncan.  Info, www.triplepvip.ca
• September 12, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Discovering Your English Roots, Vancouver Island Regional Library, South Cowichan Branch, 2720 Mill Bay Rd. Info, 250-743-5436
• September 12, 7:00 p.m. (weekly on Thursdays) – Meditation, VIU Cowichan Campus.  Info, 250-710-7594
• September 13 and 14 - Parent and Child Mother Goose Facilitator Training, Crofton Community School, 8017 York Street, Crofton.  Info, (250) 709-3050
• September 13, 8:00 p.m. - Chemainus Theatre Festival presents "A Pretty Girl (A Shayna Maidel), Chemainus Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd.  Info, www.chemainustheatre.ca
• September 14 and 15 - Events at Merridale Ciderworks for Cowichan Wine Festival, 1230 Merridale Rd, Cobble Hill. Info, merridalecider.com/events/cowichan-wine-festival-events-merridale 
• September 14, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Used book fundraiser, Cowichan News Leader Pictorial, between Buckerfields and the Brick, Duncan
• September 14, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. - Parkinsons Super Walk, Duncan Curling Arena, 3141 Sherman Rd., Duncan.  Info, 604-662-3240
• September 14, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. - Cowichan Culture Speaks Easy Community Dialogue Session, Inspire! Shawnigan Lake. Info, cowichanculture.ca/speakseasy
• September 14, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery Open House, 1080 Wharncliffe Rd, Duncan.  Info, vancouverisland@gofishbc.com
• September 15, 10:00 a.m. - Terry Fox Run. Various locations. Info, terryfox.org
• September 15, 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. - 3rd Annual James Barber fundraiser for Providence Farm, 1843 Tzouhalem Rd., Duncan.  Info, providence.bc.ca
• September 17, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Organic Master Gardener Course Info-Session, Cowichan Green Community, 360 Duncan St. Info, 250-748-8506 
• September 17, 6:30 - 7:55 p.m. - Tim's Tuesday free swim, Frank Jameson Community Center, Ladysmith.  Info, 250-245-6424
• September 19, 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - South End Seniors Social Club, Kerry Park.  Info, glodav@shaw.ca
• September 19, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (and the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month) - Knitting, Crochet, Embroidery and Handwork Group, 3696 Gardner Rd., Saltair
• September 19, 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. - Free Alzheimers/hospice seminar sponsored by Chemainus Health Care Auxillary and BCAHA Vancouver Island Area rep, Chemaius Legion (upstairs), 9775 Chemainus Rd. Info, 250-245-2335
• September 20, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Harvest Dance at the Gardens, Community Gardens, High Street, Ladysmith
• September 21, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Peace in the Valley Global Mala Yoga Event, Cowichan Station Hub.  Info, (250) 709-3744.
• September 21, 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Duncan United Church Harvest Fair, 246 Ingram St., Duncan.
• September 21, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - St. John's Church, Cobble Hill September Festival, 3295 Cobble Hill Rd., 250-743-3095, info@stjohnscobblehill.ca
• September 21, 7:00 - 11:00 p.m. - CommUNITY Dance, The Hub, Cowichan Station.  Info, (240) 748-7312
• September 21, 7:30 p.m. - Victoria Symphony at the Cowichan Theatre.  Info, cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1238
• September 22, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Duncan Flea Market, Eagles Hall, 2965 Boys Rd, Duncan.  Info, duncanfleamarket@hotmail.com
• September 23, 7:00 p.m. - Cowichan Valley Hospice Society presents a Reel Alternatives Film, The Sapphires.  Info, cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1238
• September 26, 7:00 p.m. - Cowichan Theatre presents National Theatre Live from London, Othello.  Info, cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1238
• September 27 - Tour de Rock Spinathon Fundraiser, Frank Jameson Community Center, Ladysmith.  Info, (250) 245-6414, extension 6237
• September 27, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. - Dive In Cinema, Frank Jameson Community Center, Ladysmith. Info, 250-245-6424
• September 28 and 29, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Salmon and Mushroom Festival, Lake Cowichan Centennial Hall.  Info, salmonmushroomfestival.com 
• September 28, 7:30 p.m. - One Night Stand in Cowichan Valley with Don Burnstick, Cowichan Theatre. Info, cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1238
• September 28, 8:00 p.m. - The Stand Up Show, Aggie Hall, Ladysmith
• September 30, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - ProD Camp for Kids (ages 5 - 12), Frank Jameson Community Center.  Info, 250-245-6424
• October 5, 9:55 a.m. - Cowichan Theatre presents the Metropolitan Opera in HD, Tchaicovsky's Eugene Onegin.  Info, cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1244
• October 7, 7:30 p.m. - The Shangi-La Chinese Acrobats, Cowichan Theatre.  Info, cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1244  
• October 8 - November 30, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Organic Master Gardeners Course, Cowichan Green Community, 360 Duncan St. Info, 250-748-8506
• October 16, 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. - Dora the Explorer Live! Search for the City of Lost Toys, Cowichan Theatre.  Info, cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1244
• October 18, 7:30 p.m - Cowichan Theatre and Ballet Victoria present Frankenstein, Cowichan Theatre.  Info, cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1244
• October 19, 7:30 p.m. - John McDermott Looking Back 20th Anniversary Tour, Cowichan Theatre.  Info, cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1244
• October 20, 2:30 p.m. - Palm Court Orchestra, "Flying Down to Rio," Cowichan Theatre.  Info, cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1244
• October 21, 10:30 a.m. - Morning Musicale, Cowichan Theatre.  Info, cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1244
• October 24, 7:30 p.m. - Cowichan Theatre presents National Theatre Live, MacBeth.  Info, cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1244
• October 26, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. - Halloween Monster Bash.  Info, 250-245-6424.
• October 19, 6:00 p.m. - Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce "Howl," Eagles Hall, 921-1st Ave., Ladysmith
• October 23, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Cowichan Culture Speaks Easy Community Launch Celebration, Cowichan Theatre. Info, cowichanculture.ca/speakseasy
• October 26, 9:55 a.m. - Cowichan Theatre presents Live at the Metropolitan Opera, Shastakovich's "The Nose."  Info, cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1244
• October 26, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. - Hallowe'en Monster Bash, Ladysmith.  Info, (250) 245-6414
• October 27, all day - Shawnigan/Kinsoll Half Marathon (21.1 km) and Half-a-Half Races (10.5 km).  Information and registration, ceevacs.com
• October 28, 7:00 p.m. - Cowichan Valley Hospice Society presents a Reel Alternatives Film, NO (adios M. Pinochet), Cowichan Theatre.  Info, cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=1244
• November 22, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. - Dive In Cinema presents "Brave!" Frank Jameson Community Center.  Info, 250-245-6424
• December 1 - Cinnamon Bun Fun Run, Frank Jameson Community Center.  Info, 250-245-6424
• December 23, 27, 30 and January 2 & 3, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Christmas break activity days, Frank Jameson Activity Center.  Info, 250-245-6424.