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This weekend is the Third annual Watermelon Seeds Festival of Literature at Vancouver Island University in solidarity with the Palestinian people. It is a one-day festival of readings by Palestinian and Indigenous poets, writers and activists that happens both in-person and online. 

The festival started in 2024 and was first held inside the Palestine solidarity encampment at Vancouver Island University. 

Last September, I reported on the ongoing organizing by Palestinian solidarity activists in Nanaimo. This event is one of a number of cultural interventions by local activists that include regular film screenings and guerrilla theatre, such as setting up a mock gallows in front of Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Tamara Kronis’ constituency office last week. 

Activists were protesting a new Israeli law that would livestream the trials and could impose the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners who are alleged to have participated in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel that killed over 800 civilians and 314 military personnel.

You can find more information about the festival at this link.

If you are looking for some entertainment that is a little lighter, you can find all of our regular music, art and community events listings below.

Thank you for reading,

Mick Sweetman

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🔎 Watch for 🔍

Saturday, May 23, Noon.: Third annual Watermelon Seeds Festival of Literature at Gustafson Theatre, Vancouver Island University. Admission is free.

🎵 Listen 🎤

Friday, May 22 

• 7 p.m.: Ryan McMahon will play at 21 Nicol St. Tickets cost $30.

• 7 p.m.: Mark Crissinger will play at Wolf Brewing Company. 

• 9:30 p.m.: Voodoo Sometimes and Rare Earth Magnet will play at The Queen's. Tickets cost $20 advance or $25 at the door.

• 7:30 p.m.: The Journeymen will play Clapton and Santana covers at The Port Theatre. Tickets cost $48.
  

Saturday, May 23 

• 5:30 p.m.: Danger Box, The Noidz, Nuh Uh and Lords Of Apathy will play an all-ages punk show at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $20.

• 5:30 p.m.: Arang Music Ensemble will play Iranian classical music at St. Andrew's United Church. Tickets cost $28.50 to $38.50.

• 9:30 p.m.: Ken Ermter & Deb Pitre will play at The Nanaimo Bar. Tickets cost $10
  

Sunday, May 24 

• 3 p.m.: Island Soul Choir will be joined by Buwa at The Port Theatre. Tickets cost $35.
  

Tuesday, May 26 

• 7 p.m.: The Michael Jackson HIStory Show at The Port Theatre. Tickets cost $75.50.
  

🎭 View 🖼️

Thursday, May 21 

• 7 p.m.: Quiet the Sirens documentary film screening at Vancouver Island University. Tickets cost $25.
  

Saturday, May 23 

• 6:30 p.m.: Rhythm Dance Academy’s year-end show at The Port Theatre. Tickets cost $38.
  

Thursday, May 28 

• Noon.: Prism Dance Connections at The Port Theatre. Tickets cost $35.

⛹️ Meet 🎲

Thursday, May 21

• 5:30 p.m.: Pizza in the Park for Pride at Maffeo Sutton Park. 

• 5:45 p.m.: Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club at Nanaimo Harbourfront library. 

Friday, May 22 

• 7 p.m.: Seinfeld Trivia Night at The Queen's. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.

Saturday, May 23 

• 10 a.m.: Family Fun Morning at Nanaimo North Library. 

• Noon.: Third annual Watermelon Seeds Festival of Literature at Gustafson Theatre, Vancouver Island University. Admission is free.

• 1 p.m.: MakeTime For Kids at Makerspace Nanaimo. Tickets cost $10 per kid/parent duo.

• 1 p.m.: Shared Threads - Clothing Swap 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. 

• 1 p.m.: Hummingbird Planter Workshop at Gardenworks Nanaimo. Tickets cost $78.39.

Sunday, May 24 

• 9 a.m.: Garage Sale for Shelter at Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty. 

• 11 a.m.: Why it Matters: Linking Homelessness with Housing Affordability talk by Dr. David Witty at the Harbourfront Library. Admission is free

Monday, May 25 

• 2:30 p.m.: Builders' Club at the Wellington Library. 

Tuesday, May 26 

• 10 a.m.: Knitting Group at Nanaimo North Library. 

• 6 p.m.: Reader's Choice Book Club at Maffeo Sutton Park. 

Wednesday, May 27 

• 9 a.m.: SafeTALK Workshop at Vancouver Island University. 
  

• 3 p.m.: Island Roots Farmers' Market at Beban Park. Admission is free.
  

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