Sam Duerksen

Ella Slaughter performs at an open mic at Hermann’s Upstairs, which runs every Wednesday evening. (Still from video taken by Lindsay Hunter)

Open mics in Victoria provide a place of togetherness during the holidays

‘It’s hard to feel lonely in a room of open hearts

Ella Slaughter performs at an open mic at Hermann’s Upstairs, which runs every Wednesday evening. (Still from video taken by Lindsay Hunter)
Sean Drabitt performs at Hermann’s Jazz Club. (Courtesy Sean Drabitt)

Jazz maestro’s Victoria homecoming brings Charlie Brown Christmas to life

Bassist Sean Drabitt returns to Victoria every year to uphold his Christmas tradition

Sean Drabitt performs at Hermann’s Jazz Club. (Courtesy Sean Drabitt)
The cast of Game:Play. Ryan Kniel, Kaylee Cavanagh, Una Rekic, and Ciarán Volke. (Elchibek)

A disconnected theatre collective asks: how can we find wonder again?

Secret Shark Theatre’s newest piece, Game:Play, took its creators on a journey of rediscovery

The cast of Game:Play. Ryan Kniel, Kaylee Cavanagh, Una Rekic, and Ciarán Volke. (Elchibek)
Reggae folk band Jon and Roy from Victoria. (Sara Spectrum)

Victoria’s Jon and Roy Holiday Special a cozy Spotify playlist come to life

The beloved Victoria event is in its 14th year and back with a diverse and talented lineup of up and coming artists

Reggae folk band Jon and Roy from Victoria. (Sara Spectrum)
Klaus is an animated adventure comedy that explores how a simple act of kindness always sparks another. (Movie still)

Six best Christmas movies to watch this holiday based on your movie taste

From Hallmark heartfelt to a Silent Night of retribution, Christmas time brings noteworthy cinema

Klaus is an animated adventure comedy that explores how a simple act of kindness always sparks another. (Movie still)
Theatre SKAM, winners of the JAYMAC Award for Best Production at the 2021 Greater Victoria Regional Arts Awards. (Courtesy Theatre SKAM)

Greater Victoria Regional Arts Awards returns to celebrate local artists

Awards will be given in a total of eight categories

Theatre SKAM, winners of the JAYMAC Award for Best Production at the 2021 Greater Victoria Regional Arts Awards. (Courtesy Theatre SKAM)
“With Roses,” a film photo from Kali Spitzer’s exhibit Bodies of, Bodies Within, explores contemporary BIPOC, queer and trans bodies. (Kali Spitzer photo)

Victoria photography exhibit captures resilience and identity

Kali Spitzer’s film photography exhibit runs at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria until March 17

“With Roses,” a film photo from Kali Spitzer’s exhibit Bodies of, Bodies Within, explores contemporary BIPOC, queer and trans bodies. (Kali Spitzer photo)
The House at Pooh Corner, a 2020 Kaleidoscope production. (Veronica Bonderud)

Victoria’s Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People celebrates 50 years

Vancouver Island’s oldest professional theatre company continues to shape how people experience theatre for youth

The House at Pooh Corner, a 2020 Kaleidoscope production. (Veronica Bonderud)
La Cigale is bringing to life under-celebrated music written by women composers of the Baroque era. (Courtesy Early Music Society of the Islands)

Victoria concert shines light on Baroque women composers

Reviving forgotten voices, La Cigale concert is set to surprise

La Cigale is bringing to life under-celebrated music written by women composers of the Baroque era. (Courtesy Early Music Society of the Islands)
Snotty Nose Rez Kids are a First Nations hip hop duo composed of Haisla rappers Darren “Young D” Metz and Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce. (Contributed/Snotty Nose Rez Kids)

Snotty Nose Rez Kids announce major label debut, two 2024 Victoria shows

The Vancouver-based group have previously been short-listed for the Juno Awards Indigenous Music Album of the Year.

Snotty Nose Rez Kids are a First Nations hip hop duo composed of Haisla rappers Darren “Young D” Metz and Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce. (Contributed/Snotty Nose Rez Kids)
The cast for Thick: An Evening of Fat Celebration. Hosted by Gladys Stardust, the show will include performers Hazel Nuez, Kady Savard, Maya Magination, Queen V, Trashmouth, The Mexicatessen, Serra Moanie and Mother Girth. (MKM Photography)

How burlesque is challenging society’s stigma towards big bodies

Thick: An Evening of Fat Celebration shines a spotlight on body positivity through burlesque and drag

The cast for Thick: An Evening of Fat Celebration. Hosted by Gladys Stardust, the show will include performers Hazel Nuez, Kady Savard, Maya Magination, Queen V, Trashmouth, The Mexicatessen, Serra Moanie and Mother Girth. (MKM Photography)
Victoria-based fibre artist Noah Gilroy, known as Moss and Arrow, picked up their skill from reading books, watching YouTube videos, and learning from other fibre artists on Instagram. (Nancy Cunningham)

Victoria fibre artist weaves island healing and activism into life’s work

Moss and Arrow creates one-of-a-kind tapestries, shares passion by teaching others

Victoria-based fibre artist Noah Gilroy, known as Moss and Arrow, picked up their skill from reading books, watching YouTube videos, and learning from other fibre artists on Instagram. (Nancy Cunningham)
Naduh. (Cody Briggs)

Divine feminine energy celebrated in Victoria show

Vancouver-based Naduh brings their female superpowers to Rifflandia Sept. 9

Naduh. (Cody Briggs)
Flamenco-inspired international group Qairo performs Thursday, Sept. 21 at Hermann’s Upstairs. (Courtesy Qairo)

Global musicians, dancers of Qairo ignite stage with flamenco spectacle

The fiery ensemble’s eclectic members bring a new take to live global music with dynamic rhythm and dance

Flamenco-inspired international group Qairo performs Thursday, Sept. 21 at Hermann’s Upstairs. (Courtesy Qairo)
Dax is a Nigerian-Canadian hip-hop singer and songwriter who went viral with single Cash Me Outside. (Courtesy Dax)

Rapper and emerging country artist Dax performs at Wicket Hall

Dax, who rose to fame for single Cash Me Outside, now making waves in country scene

Dax is a Nigerian-Canadian hip-hop singer and songwriter who went viral with single Cash Me Outside. (Courtesy Dax)
Pieces of the Sacred Journey Exhibit. (Courtesy Sacred Journey Exhibit)

Fall Arts Guide (pt 1) is here: the best of fall arts

Gallery exhibits explore fear, cultural displacement and the rebirth of canoe culture, plus top-ten country music comes to McPherson Playhouse

Pieces of the Sacred Journey Exhibit. (Courtesy Sacred Journey Exhibit)
Abkhazi Garden features rocky slopes and vistas, native Garry oaks, Japanese maples, rhododendrons, carpets of heather, irises, daylilies and more. (The Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden/Facebook)

Victoria’s Abkhazi Garden hosting art, Grandparents Day and more in September

Enjoy the heritage garden as late summer flowers bloom and autumn colour begins to come out

Abkhazi Garden features rocky slopes and vistas, native Garry oaks, Japanese maples, rhododendrons, carpets of heather, irises, daylilies and more. (The Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden/Facebook)
Miina is from Victoria. (Erica Chan)

Victoria band Miina launches highly anticipated soul rock EP

The band brings a groovier, more refined sound to their former beloved Carmanah roots

Miina is from Victoria. (Erica Chan)
The James Way Causeway was built in 1903. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)

Explore Victoria’s original neighbourhoods

From the oldest Chinatown to heritage homes, our oldest neighbourhoods offer a wealth of beauty

The James Way Causeway was built in 1903. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)
The G.O.A.T at Wind Cries Mary. (Courtesy Wind Cries Mary)

Goat cheese? Fire? Here are seven unique cocktails to try in Greater Victoria

Horchata foam, goat cheese, fire and more to excite your palate in ways you never thought possible

The G.O.A.T at Wind Cries Mary. (Courtesy Wind Cries Mary)