California Dreamin- Victoria Ska Festival

This week, we're not going to far... just to Victoria, for the Ska Festival, held July 5-9, in downtown Victoria.

Edmonton has a pretty weak ska scene, well its almost non existant if we're gonna be serious. Montreal, Victoria and perhaps a few other cities have a more thriving ska scene, and therefore can put on festivals ( in Canada that is)
I've been to the Victoria Ska Festival twice... when I was 18 and 19... so a few years ago. They have some free gigs outside, with good bands. There are ska dj's playing at certain bars, and a few bigger bands playing, which cost to get in to. The outside gigs are nice because they are all ages, and you can just lounge... or dance... in the sunshine.

This year, The Planet Smashers are the big headliner, playing July 8 at Market Square (outside). Its all ages, but has a beer garden, and you'll need to buy a ticket for this one.
There are other local bands playing, as well as artists from Tel Aviv, Mexico City, Jamaica and more. There are three free concerts this year, which is a great if you just want to check it out.

Here's a link to the site so you can check it all out for yourself:
http://victoriaskafest.ca/


Air Canada and West Jet are still having sales every week on flights, so if you keep an eye out, you can get one for $300 return, which ain't too shabby.

When I went I stayed at the backpackers hostel, right down town. Its cheap and convientant so check that out too
http://www.travelscout.com/victoria/hostels/oceanisland/oceanisland.htm

Or check out Hot Wire. They sell discounted hotel rooms... the only catch is, they dont tell the name of the hotel, only the area its in, so you can find of figure out where it might be. They are sold at crazy discounted prices though, as the hotels are trying to fill up empty rooms... so its worth a shot, you might get an insane deal!

Besides the Ska Festival, Victoria has so much else in the way of tourism. The pier downtown is always booming, the museum is one of the best Ive been to, there is an underwater submarine garden, whale watching, beaches, a Beacon Hill park, right downtown, with a petting zoo and ducks to feed. They have an abundance of great restaurants and bars. You can rent scooters, go on a carriage ride, or one of those bicycle taxis. The buchard gardens are on the outskirts of town. They are tour buses downtown you can catch if you fancy checking out the sites that way. Really, there is just so much to do. And it is a beautiful city! So, what are you waiting for?!