Victoria Writers Festival, Friday and Saturday at Camosun College. Festival pass $30; Workshops $20; Readings and panel $10/$8 available at Ivy's Bookstore, Munro's Books, Camosun Bookstore and Legends Comics. Details at victoriawritersfestival.com
2012 Sidney Fine Art Show, at Mary Winspear Centre, Bodine Hall, Sidney, Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. sidneyfineartshowlcom
Button Blanket Dance: A Projected River and a Courthouse, a creative exploration of the First Nations relationship to Bastion Square by Peter Morin, local artist with performance on Friday at Maritime Museum of sa国际传媒, 28 Bastion Square, 7 p.m. Part of Victoria 150 Years Anniversary Celebrations. Free. [email protected]
Art of the Cocktail, Saturday through Monday. Saturday: Home Bartenders Competitions, 4 p.m. Crystal Gardens, The Grand Tastings, 7 p.m. at Crystal Garden, Cost: $45. Sunday: Cocktail Challenge, 7 p.m. Ivy Ballroom, Fairmont Empress, Victoria vs. Okanagan and Vancouver vs. Seattle. Monday: Best Bartender of Pacific Northwest, 7 p.m. Ivy Ballroom, Fairmont Empress. Cocktail workshops at various locations Saturday through Sunday. Ticket: 250-3890444 or artofthecocktail.ca
National Costume Swap Day sa国际传媒: Swap your halloween costumes on Saturday at 4Cats Arts Studio, 1-7221 Lantzville Rd., Lantzville, 4-6 p.m. Free. costumeswapdaycanada.com
Queen of the Peak, third annual women's surf championships, Saturday and Sunday in Tofino. Over 80 participants. Details: queenofthepeak.com
Dinner and Dance Fundraiser by the Rotary Club of Saanich and the READ Society with music by Mile Zero at the University Club., UVic., Saturday 6 p.m. Tickets: $100. Tel. 250-479-8072.
10th Ultimate Hobby and Toy Fair, Sunday at Pearkes Arena, 3100 Tillicum Rd., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: $5, kids are free. Early bird: 8 a.m. cost: $15. ultimatetoyfair.com
All Buffleheads Day Celebration at Lillian Hoffar Park, MacDonald Park Rd., North Saanich, Sunday, 11 a.m.-noon. Join the Friends of Shoal Harbour for annual return of the Buffleheads to the Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
Salty Sunday at the Maritime Museum of sa国际传媒, Bastion Square, 1 p.m., drop-in welcome (two children free with paying adults, under five free). Today: Ghosties and Ghoulies. Tel. 250-385-4222 mmbc.bc.ca
Milner Gardens Fall Opening, Sunday, 11 a.m.-2: 30 p.m. at 2179 West island Hwy., Qualicum Beach. Fundraising event. Cost: $5/$3. milnersgardens.org
Get Them In the Game, a fund raising dinner Tuesday at Blighty's Bistro, 2006 Oak Bay Ave., 6-9 p.m.
gettheminthegame.eventbrite.ca
Meals Ahoy with Chef Kelly at Royal Victoria Yacht Club, 3475 Ripon Rd., Tuesday, 7 p.m. Cost: $10. Details at bluewatercuising.org
Wild Mushrooms an introduction for adults at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary weekly to Nov. 21. Cost: $20/$25/class. Register at 250479-0211.Wednesday: 7-9 p.m. Duane Sept, Photography of Mushrooms.
