Local Entertainment

The Seaside Folkn’Fiddle Festival returns to Sidney June 9 to 11. (Seaside Folkn’Fiddle Festival/Facebook)

Seaside Folkn’Fiddle Festival brings world-class talent to Sidney

Performances spread over three days at three venues

The Seaside Folkn’Fiddle Festival returns to Sidney June 9 to 11. (Seaside Folkn’Fiddle Festival/Facebook)
Rifflandia released its 2023 lineup on Tuesday. Pictured is confetti shooting out into the crowd as Lorde performs during the final day of Rifflandia 2022 at Royal Athletic Park. (Black Press Media file photo)

Rifflandia bringing Iggy Pop, Diplo, Salt-N-Pepa, Paris Hilton to Victoria

Festival returning with two weekends in September as tickets go on sale this week

Rifflandia released its 2023 lineup on Tuesday. Pictured is confetti shooting out into the crowd as Lorde performs during the final day of Rifflandia 2022 at Royal Athletic Park. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria artist and milliner Maria Curcic, 2023. (M. Allard)

Milliner magic takes over Sidney gallery

One of Canada’s top milliners puts on Art By Design at the ArtSea Gallery from May 19 to 25

Victoria artist and milliner Maria Curcic, 2023. (M. Allard)
Smokestacks members Owen Pollock, Bryden Amos, Ella Slaughter, Ethan Ramirez, Holly Peterson, Daniel Froese at the Sunday Services Blues Jam at Hermann’s Upstairs. (Charlie Fox)

A Blues Revival

How a group of young talent in Victoria are heating up the local blues scene

Smokestacks members Owen Pollock, Bryden Amos, Ella Slaughter, Ethan Ramirez, Holly Peterson, Daniel Froese at the Sunday Services Blues Jam at Hermann’s Upstairs. (Charlie Fox)
PIGS vocalist and guitarist Josh Szczepanowski and vocalist and tambourinist Charlene Szczepanowski, aka Anneda, get married on April 21 during their show at the Royal Theatre. (Courtesy John Carlow of Finding Charlotte Photography)

PIGS surprise Royal Theatre audience with band members’ wedding during hometown show

A great gig for PIGS at the Royal Theatre

PIGS vocalist and guitarist Josh Szczepanowski and vocalist and tambourinist Charlene Szczepanowski, aka Anneda, get married on April 21 during their show at the Royal Theatre. (Courtesy John Carlow of Finding Charlotte Photography)
Canadian actor Will Arnett is narrating Island of the Sea Wolves, a docuseries that explores natural life on Vancouver Island, set for release on Netflix in October. Screenshot/Island of the Sea Wolves.

Island-filmed documentary up for 7 Daytime Emmy Awards

Island of the Sea Wolves is tied with the Drew Barrymore Show for sixth most-nominated TV program

Canadian actor Will Arnett is narrating Island of the Sea Wolves, a docuseries that explores natural life on Vancouver Island, set for release on Netflix in October. Screenshot/Island of the Sea Wolves.
July Talk’s co-lead singers Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay perform at the Royal Theatre on March 28. (Brendan Mayer/Black Press Media Staff)

Show review: July Talk brings high-energy spectacle to Royal Theatre

July Talk kicked off their Remember Never Before Tour in style

July Talk’s co-lead singers Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay perform at the Royal Theatre on March 28. (Brendan Mayer/Black Press Media Staff)
Comedian Mike Marino performs at the DaVinci Centre on April 23. (image supplied)

Comedian Mike Marino and Italian-Canadian singer Maria Manna are ready to make you crave pasta – and laugh

Jersey City’s Mike Marino brings new comedy show Welcome to the Family to DaVinci Centre

Comedian Mike Marino performs at the DaVinci Centre on April 23. (image supplied)
Art on the Edge workshop artist participants worked with award-winning artist Carole Finn to tap into the power of story telling for their April exhibit. (Anna Spratt)

Sidney exhibit Art on the Edge explores artists’ answer to the question: what story are you telling?

Queens Medal recipient artist Carole Finn guides artists to tell their story in new ways at April Art Sea exhibit

Art on the Edge workshop artist participants worked with award-winning artist Carole Finn to tap into the power of story telling for their April exhibit. (Anna Spratt)
Brett Emmons, the Glorious Sons lead singer, performs at Laketown Shakedown on July 2, 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)

‘A huge opportunity’: Sooke band Shale thrilled to play Laketown Shakedown

Shale is performing at the festival at Laketown Ranch on July 2

Brett Emmons, the Glorious Sons lead singer, performs at Laketown Shakedown on July 2, 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)
(Allan Rayman performs at the Capital Ballroom on March 16. Brendan Mayer/Black Press Media Staff)

Show review: Allan Rayman dazzles at Capital Ballroom

Allan Rayman played back-to-back captivating sold-out shows in Victoria

(Allan Rayman performs at the Capital Ballroom on March 16. Brendan Mayer/Black Press Media Staff)
Così fan tutte, 2022, at the Theatre des Champs Elysees. (Vincent Pontet)

Pacific Opera Victoria stages comedy of follies and foibles

Really folks, what could go wrong?

  • Apr 3, 2023
Così fan tutte, 2022, at the Theatre des Champs Elysees. (Vincent Pontet)
George Millar and Ian Millar, lead singers of The Irish Rovers. Millar, an Irish Rover all his life, wrote the song Hey Boys Sing Us A Song as a response to the Covid-19 years, and includes the refrain “We all need some happiness back in our lives!” The song is nominated Canadian Folk Music Awards, SINGLE OF THE YEAR. (Hamish Burgess)

‘Absolutely wonderful’: Victoria Irish Rovers co-founder celebrates nomination

Popular Irish-Canadian band rings in 60 years of uplifting spirits with a tour, award nomination

George Millar and Ian Millar, lead singers of The Irish Rovers. Millar, an Irish Rover all his life, wrote the song Hey Boys Sing Us A Song as a response to the Covid-19 years, and includes the refrain “We all need some happiness back in our lives!” The song is nominated Canadian Folk Music Awards, SINGLE OF THE YEAR. (Hamish Burgess)
Carmanah performs at the Capital Ballroom on Feb. 16. (Black Press Media file photo)

Beloved Victoria band Carmanah calls it quits

Carmanah’s final show will be on May 20 at the McPherson Playhouse

Carmanah performs at the Capital Ballroom on Feb. 16. (Black Press Media file photo)
Jesse Roper of Metchosin kicks off the August Phillips Backyard music festival. (Black Press Media file photo)

Phillips Backyard festival announces summer lineup

Lord Huron headlines Tilt in July, Jesse Roper leads Reverb in August

Jesse Roper of Metchosin kicks off the August Phillips Backyard music festival. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest crowd. (Victoria Ska Reggae Fest photo)

Victoria’s 2023 Ska & Reggae Fest is high-energy fun

Headliners include Maxi Priest, the Aggrolites, Kid Koala and more

Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest crowd. (Victoria Ska Reggae Fest photo)
Yua Bistro at 622 Fisgard St. in Victoria. (Photo by Allan Reid)

Yua Bistro’s oju box is three tiers of hidden delights in Victoria

‘Plain nigiri will never again satisfy me’

Yua Bistro at 622 Fisgard St. in Victoria. (Photo by Allan Reid)
(Image supplied Broken Rhythms Dance Company)

Chairo: Scurro brings film noir alive in dance

Broken Rhythms dance company makes music visible

  • Mar 16, 2023
(Image supplied Broken Rhythms Dance Company)
A local musician participates in an activity at the Victoria Curling Club open house. (Sam Duerksen)

‘What Victoria needs’: Event sees ‘mind-blowing’ support for music venue at curling club

But liquor licence still needs to be approved, says organizer

A local musician participates in an activity at the Victoria Curling Club open house. (Sam Duerksen)
Carmen, last year’s opera, had free tickets available as part of the program. (Courtesy Pacific Opera Victoria)

Pacific Opera Victoria extends its reach to embrace the community

Free tickets offer opportunities to Greater Victoria residents

Carmen, last year’s opera, had free tickets available as part of the program. (Courtesy Pacific Opera Victoria)