Devon Bidal

The Gordon Head Recreation Centre stands in as the Quimper Regional Hospital on Feb. 23 for filming Maid, a 10-part Netflix series. (Greg Sutton/District of Saanich)

Netflix transforms Saanich recreation centre into hospital for filming

Facility was closed to public Feb. 23 for filming of Maid

The Gordon Head Recreation Centre stands in as the Quimper Regional Hospital on Feb. 23 for filming Maid, a 10-part Netflix series. (Greg Sutton/District of Saanich)
Graeme Macaloney, whisky maker and owner of Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery, explains how the distilled spirits flow through the pot stills before being transferred into barrels to age. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Island booze officially declared whisky

Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery spirits officially considered ‘whisky’

Graeme Macaloney, whisky maker and owner of Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery, explains how the distilled spirits flow through the pot stills before being transferred into barrels to age. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
This map shows the proposed location for a proposed film studio on the Interurban campus of Camosun College. (Camosun College/Submitted).

Saanich mayor holds B.C. NDP to campaign promise to fund movie studio study

South Island candidates promised $150,000 to develop business plan

This map shows the proposed location for a proposed film studio on the Interurban campus of Camosun College. (Camosun College/Submitted).
Bruce McLean, 91, has published his first novel, The Manana Treehouse, which is inspired by his wife’s experience with Alzheimer’s. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

91-year-old Saanich man publishes first novel based on wife’s Alzheimer’s experience

Former journalist Bruce McLean ‘on cloud nine’ after making fiction debut

Bruce McLean, 91, has published his first novel, The Manana Treehouse, which is inspired by his wife’s experience with Alzheimer’s. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
The Charania family was just 38 points shy of winning $10,000 on Family Feud Canada. (Family Feud Canada/CBC Gem)

VIDEO: Saanich family falls short of $10K payout on ‘Family Feud Canada’

The Charania family won $810, will get second chance to take home $10K

The Charania family was just 38 points shy of winning $10,000 on Family Feud Canada. (Family Feud Canada/CBC Gem)
Young Vancouver Island musicians in financial need can receive $1,500 through the Nathan Alexander Bursary in 2020.(Pixabay)

Bursary created in memory of late Duncan musician triples in second year

Young Vancouver Island musicians in financial need can apply by Dec. 15

Young Vancouver Island musicians in financial need can receive $1,500 through the Nathan Alexander Bursary in 2020.(Pixabay)
Greater Victoria harpist Julia Cunningham has released her seventh album, Songs From the Harp, in November. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Victoria harpist releases ‘old school’ jazz album, makes singing debut

Musician ‘blown away’ by reactions to her seventh album Songs From the Harp

Greater Victoria harpist Julia Cunningham has released her seventh album, Songs From the Harp, in November. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
(Nick Youngson/Alpha Stock Images)

Free De-Stress Fest at UVic open to students, community

Friday event features performances by spoken word artists, prizes, food and more

(Nick Youngson/Alpha Stock Images)
Audience members at the Vic Theatre frequently dress up like characters from The Rocky Horror Picture Show when attending the film. (Photo via Victoria Film Festival)

Advice for first-time Rocky Horror Picture Show attendees

Get ready to dance, sing and throw toast

Audience members at the Vic Theatre frequently dress up like characters from The Rocky Horror Picture Show when attending the film. (Photo via Victoria Film Festival)
Slam and spoken word poet Aziza Moqia Sealey-Qaylow (left) is the current Youth Poet Laureate and her term ends in December 2019. The Victoria Poet Laureate John Barton (right) mentors the youth poets during their term. (Photo courtesy the City of Victoria)

City of Victoria seeks next Youth Poet Laureate

Nominations for the 2020 position close on Oct. 29

Slam and spoken word poet Aziza Moqia Sealey-Qaylow (left) is the current Youth Poet Laureate and her term ends in December 2019. The Victoria Poet Laureate John Barton (right) mentors the youth poets during their term. (Photo courtesy the City of Victoria)
Five Halloween activities for adults to celebrate the spooky season

Five Halloween activities for adults to celebrate the spooky season

Halloween isn’t just for little ghouls in Greater Victoria

Five Halloween activities for adults to celebrate the spooky season
Saanich resident and orca activist Mark Leiren-Young holds his recently published children’s book, Orcas Everywhere: The Mystery and History of Killer Whales. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Saanich orca activist, roving journalist publishes children’s book

Mark Leiren-Young’s new title gives kids an ‘introduction to the orca-verse’

Saanich resident and orca activist Mark Leiren-Young holds his recently published children’s book, Orcas Everywhere: The Mystery and History of Killer Whales. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Valdy performs at the 2019 Roots and Blues festival in Salmon Arm. The award-winning Canadian folk singer will be at St. Philip Anglican Church on Sunday. (Black Press file photo)

Award-winning folk singer Valdy headlining Jazz Vespers fundraiser in Oak Bay

St. Philip Anglican Church to host 80th Jazz Vespers on Oct. 6 for community kitchen

Valdy performs at the 2019 Roots and Blues festival in Salmon Arm. The award-winning Canadian folk singer will be at St. Philip Anglican Church on Sunday. (Black Press file photo)
Jesse Thomas Brown has been part of the Victoria music scene for over 20 years and recently released his Greatest Hits album. (Photo by Scott Bennett)

Saanich musician brings ‘greatest hits’ to the Oak Bay stage

Jesse Thomas Brown performing at the David Foster Foundation Theatre on Sept. 12

Jesse Thomas Brown has been part of the Victoria music scene for over 20 years and recently released his Greatest Hits album. (Photo by Scott Bennett)
The 250th Free Little Library was installed in Victoria on Aug. 6. (Photo courtesy Teale Phelps Bondaroff)

Region’s 250th Little Free Library installed in Victoria

Greater Victoria now has the highest density of mapped little libraries in the country

The 250th Free Little Library was installed in Victoria on Aug. 6. (Photo courtesy Teale Phelps Bondaroff)
Fibrations 2019 celebrated fibre arts through demonstrations and a market showcasing locally made items. (Penny Sakamoto/Black Press Staff)

For the Love of Fibre: Fibrations 2019 wrapup

Fibre arts celebrated through demonstrations and market showcasing locally made items

Fibrations 2019 celebrated fibre arts through demonstrations and a market showcasing locally made items. (Penny Sakamoto/Black Press Staff)
MTV premiered at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 1, 1981. (Bébéranol/Wikimedia Commons)

MTV premiered 38 years ago

Video Killed the Radio Star was the first video aired on the channel

MTV premiered at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 1, 1981. (Bébéranol/Wikimedia Commons)
Horticulture Centre of the Pacific combines arts and music for 25 years

Horticulture Centre of the Pacific combines arts and music for 25 years

Over 50 artists, 15 bands, several food trucks on hand for Arts and Music at the Gardens, Aug. 10-11

Horticulture Centre of the Pacific combines arts and music for 25 years
Sashay Cafe performers at Cafe Fantastico. (Photo courtesy Erika Chom)

Local drag artists take over Caffe Fantastico every month

Novice and experienced performers alike take to the stage for an accessible, all-ages show

Sashay Cafe performers at Cafe Fantastico. (Photo courtesy Erika Chom)
Fashionable ode to the sea goes Friday at Fort Common

Fashionable ode to the sea goes Friday at Fort Common

Local sustainable fashion retailers to strut their latest as part of ocean conservation fundraiser

Fashionable ode to the sea goes Friday at Fort Common