Theatre SKAM’s family-friendly live performance festival in Victoria
Victoria’s outdoor live performing arts festival is back!
SKAMpede, Theatre SKAM’s annual performing arts festival in Victoria, returns this summer on July 12-14th. Now in its 16th year, SKAMpede festival has been a treasured part of Victoria since 2008. Eight theatre companies will perform in various venues spread around the Galloping Goose trail, Songhees Park, and Songhees Walkway. Festival attendees will take in a range of site-specific, family-friendly performances and live theatre in Victoria, including dance, puppetry, comedy, and more! We are thrilled to bring live theatre to Victoria once again, and showcase brand new works from amazing independent talent.
- Review the tour options listed below.
- Select which tour(s) you want to see.
- Click “BOOK NOW” button. Choose what tour and, in the case of the Central Tour, whether you want to do a cycling or pedestrian tour.
- Select which date/time slot you want to go on the tour.
- Select how many tickets you wish to purchase.
- Head to the donation screen and select how much you wish to donate for your tickets. We are operating on a Pay What You Can ticket model, with a suggested price of $10 per person for each tour ticket or $20 in total per family.
- Your tour ticket(s) will be emailed to you. Show up to the launch point location listed on your ticket at the showtime you choose. Please bring your digital or physical ticket so we can scan it and then you’re in! We look forward to seeing you enjoy the show!
We acknowledge the support of the CRD Arts & Culture Support Service.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
This project has been made possible by the Government of Canada.
Central Tour
Launch point: 860 Central Spur Rd (at The Goose)
Tour time approx. 1 hour. (cycling & pedestrian)
Trail distance: 700 m.
Shows:
Site 1 – 5 Stages Theatre Company’s “Fairy-trail Victoria”:
A little girl searches the woods for Grandma’s house—
A house of hay, sticks, and bricks—
A beanstalk soars, tickling giants’ toes—
Which story will you uncover? Join us on this magical trail for a whimsical family-friendly Victoria mash-up of your favourite fairy tales.
Site 2 – SNAFU Society of Unexpected Spectacles’ “The Great Triscuit Heist”: On a grassy knoll, the audience gathers. A clown emerges from below a large blue swath of fabric … the bird pond and coaxes a flock of wild bird-like creatures to enter with dedicated theme music. With help form the audience and a box of treats, the water begins to ripple. The clock begins to dance. The dance becomes more elaborate, more complex, more absurd as the bird play for Triscuit treats.
Site 3 – Cowboy’s “Fast Bus”: Toot toot! Beep beep! Honk honk! Fast Bus invites you (yes, you) to grab a seat and join us on an improvised musical road trip. Don’t forget to pack suggestions and sound effects to inspire our story.
Wait, what is this show about? Where is this bus going?! Who’s even on board this thing?!? We need YOU to help us find out! Like all good road trips, Fast Bus is about the journey.
Site 4 – timetheft theatre’s “Whale Fall”: As a whale dies, and falls deeper and deeper into the ocean, its corpse forms a new ecosystem at the bottom of the ocean. Sea creatures of all kinds come to snack on what’s left, and in the process their interactions and cohabitation make this dead whale a home. Using live music, dance, and the ocean itself, Whale Fall is a piece that artistically represents both the process of an actual whale fall, and the deeper woven meaning of the process of community unity and growth after loss.
Note: Ticket sales for each festival day will close an hour before the tour begins. There may still be walk-up tickets available at the launch points. Contact the SKAM box office (236) 478-8131 for more info.
Songhees Tour
Launch point: Songhees Park Plaza
Tour time: approx. 1 hour (pedestrian only)
Trail distance: 500 m
Shows:
Site 1 – Spec Theatre with Keith Sonic’s “The Great Sheist”: A robber late to a robbery looks very unprofessional. At the same time, one might argue being a robber is a very unprofessional profession. What do you know about robber unions? Vacation time? Benefits? Professional Development? Wacky balaclava Thursdays? A weird improv silly-not-real-robbery performance thing by 2 local artmakers: ira cooper (Spec Theatre), Keith Sonic (Keith Sonic).
Site 2 – Embrace Arts Foundation’s “Treasure?”: “Treasure?” is a play based, pirate adventure for all ages. It follows a crew of pirates as they try to find their treasure. The audience is invited to play directly in the sand with us (if they want) and what the audience discovers will change the course of the show. Treasure? is an interactive, structured improvisation that will take audiences on a different adventure each time.
Site 3 – Tamarack Neurodivergent Theatre’s “Defending the Planet”: Tamarack Theatre presents an environmental twist on the traditional mummers’ play — our hero battles threats to the water and land with hilarious results and great victories! Cheer on the Protector of the Gorge and boo the challengers…it’s all in fun!
Site 4 – Alectoria Productions’ “Birds of a Feather”: Two animals from different walks of life – A raven prince – Vrana – and a simple frog – Grecka – stumble across each other on a very special night: Vrana’s Debutante ball. They both long for something different – Vrana wishing for a peaceful night away from rules and strictures, and Grecka hoping to enjoy a night of lush extravagance. They help each other achieve their goals, and they both gain something valuable – a new friend.
Note: Ticket sales for each festival day will close an hour before the tour begins. There may still be walk-up tickets available at the launch points. Contact the SKAM box office (236) 478-8131 for more info.
NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN PERFORMANCES
SKAMpede is a festival in Victoria of new short works by top performers who have been selected through a formal submission process. Each of the shows are different and the range of performances encompasses spoken word, dance, story telling and much more! The local performers have all worked as professional artists, including at Craigdarroch Castle, Atomic Vaudeville, The Belfry Theatre and Butchart Gardens. SKAMartists are paid for their work.
SUSTAINABLE APPROACH
Like many people who regularly use the Galloping Goose, we also consider ourselves stewards of the trail. We have worked with city and regional officials, community groups, and other professionals to ensure the footprint of the event is minimal. We are thrilled continuing our partnership with The Sustainable Fox for the sixth year. This partnership has allowed us to reduce our waste and recycle up to 97% of materials used over the festival weekend. Lat year, SKAMpede 2023 was the runner-up for the PACT Green Award.
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