THE FUNCTION FESTIVAL
Where: Ship Point, 812 Wharf St. (near Tourism Victoria Visitor Centre)
When: Saturday, Aug. 19, 3:30 p.m.
Tickets: $68.98 from
Why: Single-monikered rapper Kyle has been somewhat quiet of late, but the California native can always fall back on his enduring summertime staple, iSpy, when he needs to move the needle. The Inner Harbour will undoubtedly erupt when the hitmaker plays the jam during his headlining slot at the second annual Function Festival, which gets underway Saturday at Ship Point. The city’s only festival to consist of exclusively BIPOC artists, the one-day all-ages event also features Zach Zoya, Khanvict, Desirèe Dawson, DACEY, and Dilly Cooner.
GREASE
Where: Saanich Fairgrounds, 1528 Stelly’s Cross Rd.
When: Saturday, Aug. 19, 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Why: A free outdoor screening of Grease at the site of the Saanich Fair is an incredibly easy sell, considering aficionados of the 1978 musical will take every opportunity to sing You’re the One That I Want aloud for all to hear. The screening of the blockbuster starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta starts at dusk, but there’s plenty on tap before the film gets underway, including live music by Shenanigans and a car show courtesy of the Early Ford V8 Club of Victoria. Chairs and blankets are permitted, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the majority of the audience stand — and dance — for the duration.
BARBIE WORLD
Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates St.
When: Saturday, Aug. 19, 10 p.m.
Tickets: $17-$20.60 from
Why: Two of the biggest pop culture entities at the moment — Taylor Swift and The Barbie Movie — have come home to roost in Victoria. And if the sold-out Taylor Swift tribute at Starlight Stadium last week is any indication, this weekend’s Barbie World theme night at the Capital Ballroom will do big business, indeed. Hosted by DJ Jansom, you can expect to hear plenty of Eurodance classics, including Aqua’s Barbie Girl. What else is on the menu? I’m Just Ken, probably, and lots of pink, almost assuredly.
