Welcome to The Hub Nanaimo, your weekly insider guide to the best of community arts and culture. Did a friend forward this email to you? Subscribe to this newsletter.

The salmon are spawning and this week you can learn more about this annual natural event in two ways: one is an event at Maffeo Sutton Park by Science Nanaimo aimed at teaching kids about the salmon’s life cycle, and the other is the annual fundraiser for the Nanaimo River Hatchery Society, which also features a salmon barbecue. 

If you are looking to get spooky on Oct. 31, check out the Vault Cafe’s Halloween show featuring a ghoulish collection of local musicians leaning into some terrifying punk rock covers, as well as a Caveman and a screaming Banshee.

Or join me battling to make the final table at the Serauxmen Service Club’s “Shut up and Deal” charity poker tournament on Sunday as we raise money for chemotherapy backpacks. 

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🎵 Listen 🎤

Tuesday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m.: Open mic and jam at the Terminal Bar. Acoustic acts from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and open jam from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Free.

Thursday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m.: The Brodie West Quintet will play at the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music. Tickets cost $20 or $10 for students.

Thursday, Oct. 31, 9 p.m.: Vaulters Halloween Special with GG Goblin, Billie Ghoulish, Minor Brains, The Whimpers, Human Excreechins plus Caveman and The Banshee at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $15.

Friday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.: The Brodie West Quintet will play at The Haven’s Phoenix Auditorium on Gabriola Island. Tickets cost $25 or $10 for students.

Friday, Nov. 1, 9 p.m.: Grateful Dead cover band The Roses play two sets at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $15.

Saturday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.: Dan Bandeira Parker and Kyle Shepherd play a scary improv Day of the Dead Fundraiser concert at Pacific Gardens, 347 Seventh St. Admission by donation.

Saturday, Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m.: Metal bands Kryptiea, Dead Asylum and Hawkfish play The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $15 advance or $20 at the door.

Saturday, Nov. 2, 9 p.m.: Monthly Jazz night presented by Alex Coleman at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $15.

Saturday, Nov. 2, 9 p.m.: Smash TV, Chronic Fatigue, and Carl Longstaff will play The Queen’s. Tickets cost $15.

Sunday, Nov. 3, 2:30 p.m.: The Nanaimo Concert Band’s fall concert at the Port Theatre. Tickets cost $20.

Got the inside scoop of an event you think should be shared? 

Let us know by sending Mick an email.

🎭 View 🖼️

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 5:30 p.m.: The War Around Us, which tells the true story of two international journalists in Gaza, screens at Vancouver Island University (VIU)'s Nanaimo campus, Building 200. The film starts at 6 p.m. Free to attend, popcorn $5.

Thursday, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m.: The VIU theatre department’s production of Our Town, the Pulitzer Prize winning play by Thornton Wilder, will premiere at the Malaspina Theatre at VIU’s Nanaimo campus. The play runs until Nov. 9, and tickets cost $11.30.

Friday, Nov. 1, noon: The View Gallery presents an artist talk with Connie Michele Morey in support of her exhibition, Threadbare, at VIU’s Nanaimo campus, Building 320, Room 105.

Friday, Nov. 1, 6 p.m.: VIU’s men’s and women’s volleyball teams kick off the 2024 season with matches against the Capilano University Blues at the VIU gym. Women’s game at 6 p.m., men’s game at 9 p.m. Tickets are free for students.

Saturday, Nov. 2, 1 p.m.: VIU’s men’s and women’s volleyball teams continue their series against the Capilano University Blues at the VIU gym. Women’s game at 1 p.m., men’s game at 3 p.m. Tickets are free for students.

⛹️ Meet 🎲

Friday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m.: Kids can learn about salmon’s life cycle, their role in the ecosystem and the challenges they face with Nanaimo Science at Maffeo Sutton Park. Parent participation is required. 

Friday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m.:  Brodie Guy, the chief executive officer of Coastal Economic Trust (ICET), will speak about the sustainable economic development of Island and Coastal Communities at Vancouver Island University’s Nanaimo campus in the library’s room 440. No registration required.

Saturday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m.: Join Snuneymuxw Elders as they share knowledge and protocols around Snuneymuxw sacred areas and ancestors, and view the film Dust 'n Bones, featuring Harold C. Joe, a Cowichan Tribe member and cultural Knowledge Holder. Following the screening, respected Snuneymuxw First Nation Elders Geraldine Manson, C’tasi:a and Gary Manson, Xulsimalt, will share cultural knowledge and teachings at The Haven’s Phoenix Auditorium. Registration is free.

Saturday, Nov. 2, 2 p.m.: Join Ian Cognitō for the launch of his poetry collection, Animalian, with special guest Marlene Dean at the Nanaimo Harbourfront library.

Sunday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: See the spawning salmon at the Nanaimo River Hatchery’s Spawning Day Fundraiser. Admission by donation. 

Sunday, Nov. 3, 1p.m.: The Serauxmen Service Club is holding a charity poker tournament at the Nanaimo Curling Club to raise money for chemotherapy backpacks that contain items for people to use when undergoing chemotherapy or immunotherapy treatments. Entry is $100 plus service fees. 

Monday, Nov. 4, 4 p.m.: The Port Theatre Society will hold its 35th Annual General Meeting at The Port Theatre. Membership in the society is $30 for individuals or $100 for businesses.

Monday, Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m.: The Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association will hold a virtual workshop on putting the garden to bed for winter. Registration is free.

See you around town,

— Mick and The Discourse team

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