Local News

A shot from the rehearsal of Being Here: The Refugee Project, the Belfry Theatre’s filmed play that’s set to open on March 16. (Photo: Belfry Theatre)

Victoria’s Belfry Theatre shows filmed play on refugee, sponsor experience

Being Here: The Refugee Project is based off the first-hand accounts of refugees and their sponsors

A shot from the rehearsal of Being Here: The Refugee Project, the Belfry Theatre’s filmed play that’s set to open on March 16. (Photo: Belfry Theatre)
The Sooke Fine Arts Show will be online again this year, showcasing unique artworks from Vancouver Island and B.C.’s coastal island artists from July 23 to Aug. 2. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Fine Arts Show goes virtual for second year in a row

Art exhibition and show set for July 23 to Aug. 2

The Sooke Fine Arts Show will be online again this year, showcasing unique artworks from Vancouver Island and B.C.’s coastal island artists from July 23 to Aug. 2. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
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)
Cowichan Valley author Teresa Schapansky’s books for young readers have become a phenomenon on Amazon. (Submitted)

Cowichan author tops Amazon charts

Award-winning author Teresa Schapansky learned of a need for low-level readers in the classroom

Cowichan Valley author Teresa Schapansky’s books for young readers have become a phenomenon on Amazon. (Submitted)
A carved stone pillar is shown on the beach in Victoria in this July 2020 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Royal BC Museum, Bernhard Spalteholz

Questions rock Royal B.C. Museum over authenticity of artifact recovered from Victoria beach

Songhees First Nation chief says museum assured him review underway after artist says work as his

A carved stone pillar is shown on the beach in Victoria in this July 2020 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Royal BC Museum, Bernhard Spalteholz
Everett Bumstead (centre) and his crew share a picture from a tree planting location in Sayward on Vancouver Island from when they were filming for ‘One Million Trees’ last year. Photo courtesy Everett Bumstead.

The tree planting life on Vancouver Island features in new documentary

Everett Bumstead brings forth the technicalities, psychology and politics of the tree planting industry in his movie

Everett Bumstead (centre) and his crew share a picture from a tree planting location in Sayward on Vancouver Island from when they were filming for ‘One Million Trees’ last year. Photo courtesy Everett Bumstead.
Scaredy Cats television series has turned Empress Avenue in Fernwood into a Halloween themed neighbourhood. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Trick or treat! Halloween comes to Fernwood in January

New television series Scaredy Cats filming in Victoria

  • Jan 21, 2021
Scaredy Cats television series has turned Empress Avenue in Fernwood into a Halloween themed neighbourhood. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)
The main players in the upcoming pantomime ‘Snow White and the 5 Dwarfs’ will be Sam Mellemstrand as The Prince, Sierrah Borjeau as Snow White, Bill Levity as The King, Alex Gallacher as The Evil Queen and Grant Mellemstrand as The Mirror. (Submitted)

Cowichan pantomime production postponed until late January

‘Snow White and the 5 Dwarfs’ was scheduled for late December

The main players in the upcoming pantomime ‘Snow White and the 5 Dwarfs’ will be Sam Mellemstrand as The Prince, Sierrah Borjeau as Snow White, Bill Levity as The King, Alex Gallacher as The Evil Queen and Grant Mellemstrand as The Mirror. (Submitted)
The Old School House Arts Centre in Qualicum Beach has temporarily closed its doors to the public as of Nov.18. (Mandy Moraes photo)

COVID-19: The Old Schoolhouse Arts Centre in Qualicum Beach closes until 2021

TOSH takes proactive approach to ‘protect the well-being of the community’

The Old School House Arts Centre in Qualicum Beach has temporarily closed its doors to the public as of Nov.18. (Mandy Moraes photo)
2020 Arts Alive sculpture Counterpoise by Richard Young is now on display in Haynes Park along Beach Drive. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)

Voting now ready for Oak Bay’s Arts Alive 2020 sculptures

Audio and written descriptions posted for all 10 sculptures

2020 Arts Alive sculpture Counterpoise by Richard Young is now on display in Haynes Park along Beach Drive. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)
Longevity John Falkner, left, artistic director for the 39 Days of July, and operations manager Trevor Linde go over details of the event’s final days this year. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Cowichan’s 39 Days of July deemed a success, despite COVID-19

Musical productions live streamed from the Duncan Showroom this year

Longevity John Falkner, left, artistic director for the 39 Days of July, and operations manager Trevor Linde go over details of the event’s final days this year. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Former Kwalikum Secondary student Harrison Houde has found success as an actor. (Submitted photo)

Former Vancouver Island student makes his mark in Hollywood

Qualicum’s Harrison Houde an inspiring act for youngsters to follow

Former Kwalikum Secondary student Harrison Houde has found success as an actor. (Submitted photo)
Parksville’s McMillan Arts Centre will open again on June 18. (File photo)

Parksville’s McMillan Arts Centre set to reopen on June 18

Local artists will have work on display; COVID-19 protocols observed

  • May 30, 2020
Parksville’s McMillan Arts Centre will open again on June 18. (File photo)
Brian Butler (left) and Mayor Lisa Helps at the 2019 Victoria Book Prizes Announcement Gala. (File contributed/Victoria Book Prize Society)

City seeks submissions for annual Victoria Book Prizes

City of Victoria Butler Book Prize, Children’s Book Prize each come with $5,000

Brian Butler (left) and Mayor Lisa Helps at the 2019 Victoria Book Prizes Announcement Gala. (File contributed/Victoria Book Prize Society)
Neighbours gathered to enjoy a musical tribute on the bridge leading to a home on Brookview Drive in Metchosin. The band played John Prine songs in memory of the singer-songwriter who died on April 7. Less than one year ago, their bridge was host to a memorial for their neighbour, Martin Payne, who was found dead in his home in July. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)

‘The stream is my medicine’: Payne, Prine and the healing power of music in Metchosin

Metchosin neighbours host musical tribute on bridge where memorial was held last summer

Neighbours gathered to enjoy a musical tribute on the bridge leading to a home on Brookview Drive in Metchosin. The band played John Prine songs in memory of the singer-songwriter who died on April 7. Less than one year ago, their bridge was host to a memorial for their neighbour, Martin Payne, who was found dead in his home in July. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)
Scott Stanton and Salina Hoffman tied the knot on Saturday and were surprised by friends and family who had gathered outside to watch the ceremony from a distance. (Provided by Scott Stanton)

Friends, family suprise Current Swell singer and new wife with socially distant wedding

‘We just thought we were going over there to have a glass of champagne and do some paperwork’

Scott Stanton and Salina Hoffman tied the knot on Saturday and were surprised by friends and family who had gathered outside to watch the ceremony from a distance. (Provided by Scott Stanton)
All 12 GVPL branches closed after tonight amidst COVID-19 fears. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria libraries shut doors until further notice

All GVPL, VIRL branches close after tonight amidst COVID-19 fears

All 12 GVPL branches closed after tonight amidst COVID-19 fears. (Black Press Media file photo)
Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama’s talk at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on March 31 has been postponed due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. (Black Press Media file photo)
Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama’s talk at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on March 31 has been postponed due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. (Black Press Media file photo)
I Never Sang for My Father opens at St. Luke’s Players Community Theatre on March 11. (Photos from St. Luke’s Players)

St. Luke’s Players bring heartwarming drama to the stage in Saanich

‘I Never Sang for My Father’ is deeply moving, strikes universal chord on the topic of aging parents

I Never Sang for My Father opens at St. Luke’s Players Community Theatre on March 11. (Photos from St. Luke’s Players)
Michelle Obama: In Conversation in Victoria, March 31

Michelle Obama: In Conversation in Victoria, March 31

Former First Lady hosted by Victoria Chamber for moderated event at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

Michelle Obama: In Conversation in Victoria, March 31