News

Lydia Toorenburgh is a two-spirit Metis and mixed settler person who local drag show attendees might recognize as drag king Riel Deadly. (image supplied)

What it means to be two-spirit: Q & A with drag king Riel Deadly

Lydia Toorenburgh / Riel Deadly said a two-spirit Elder inspired them to transform their drag art into a reflection of two-spirit identity

  • Jun 9, 2023
Charlie Walls, Katelyn Da Silva, Anny Qin and Lily Edgell make up part of the cast in Mountain Dream Productions' latest offering, Freaky Friday, starting June 23 at the Mary Winspear Theatre. (Image provided)

Freaky Friday, June 23 at Mary Winspear Theatre, a journey of empathy and laughs

Mountain Dream Production cast up to the task

  • Jun 8, 2023
Mo Moshiri is appearing as a solo headliner at Ska and Reggae Festival for the first time in 2023. (Zenon Kai)

The rhythm of the human heart

Victoria’s Ska and Reggae Festival June 21-25 a cause for celebration

  • Jun 7, 2023
Visitors can see short unexpected spectacles every year at the SKAMpede outdoor performing arts festival. (Sam Duerksen)

SKAMpede and new festival Between Words promise spectators a “sampler platter” of Victoria’s local community theatre

The two summer festivals, happening in June and July, showcase theatre all in one-act

  • Jun 6, 2023
Visitors can see short unexpected spectacles every year at the SKAMpede outdoor performing arts festival. (Sam Duerksen)
Victoria JazzFest 2023 will take place at venues across the city, including free performances at Bullen Park, and ticketed performances at Hermann’s Jazz Club, McPherson Playhouse, Tom Lee Music, and more. (Victoria Jazz Society)

Here’s some upcoming highlights of 2023 JazzFest in Victoria

In its 40th year, JazzFest has headliners Snarky Puppy, Molly Johnson, Sona Jobarteh, Chris Botti, and BADBADNOTGOOD

  • May 31, 2023
Victoria JazzFest 2023 will take place at venues across the city, including free performances at Bullen Park, and ticketed performances at Hermann’s Jazz Club, McPherson Playhouse, Tom Lee Music, and more. (Victoria Jazz Society)
The relationship between Gary Allen and wolf-dog Tundra is one of many explored in Part of the Pack, an award-winning documentary that has its world broadcast premiere on Knowledge Network, Tuesday, June 6 at 9 p.m. (Isabelle Groc)

Part of the Pack film review: co-existing with wolves

Part of the Pack explores a complex topic through stories of those connecting with wolves on Vancouver Island

The relationship between Gary Allen and wolf-dog Tundra is one of many explored in Part of the Pack, an award-winning documentary that has its world broadcast premiere on Knowledge Network, Tuesday, June 6 at 9 p.m. (Isabelle Groc)
Toronto-based East African singer-songwriter Witch Prophet creates a soundscape of vocal layers, loops, raps, and harmonies on a bed of hip-hop, jazz, and soul-inspired beats produced by her wife and business partner, SUN SUN. She will be performing Tuesday, June 27 at Victoria Event Centre as part of JazzFest 2023. (Francesca Nocera)

‘Ethereal, mystical’ Witch Prophet a standout act at JazzFest 2023

The Kenyan-born artist’s music explores lived experiences as an East African, queer, and a mother

  • May 30, 2023
Toronto-based East African singer-songwriter Witch Prophet creates a soundscape of vocal layers, loops, raps, and harmonies on a bed of hip-hop, jazz, and soul-inspired beats produced by her wife and business partner, SUN SUN. She will be performing Tuesday, June 27 at Victoria Event Centre as part of JazzFest 2023. (Francesca Nocera)
Attendees at a previous Victoria International Wine Festival. This year’s event happens Sept. 29-30 at the Victoria Conference Centre. (Courtesy Victora International Wine Festival)

Victoria wine festival returns with 400 wines from 14 different countries

Festival is set for Sept. 29 to 30 at the Victoria Conference Centre

  • May 31, 2023
Attendees at a previous Victoria International Wine Festival. This year’s event happens Sept. 29-30 at the Victoria Conference Centre. (Courtesy Victora International Wine Festival)
Rich Aucoin is an indie alt-pop and electronic musician based in Halifax. He is the winner of SiriusXM Indie Awards’ Emerging Artist of the Year Award, Eastern Canadian Music Awards and is known for his crowd-karaoke multimedia live shows. (Riley Smith photo)

Rich Aucoin lighting up Lucky Bar with sea of confetti and crowd karaoke June 2

Direct from his Japan and South Korea tour, Rich Aucoin brings the Is This Real Life Tour to the West Coast

  • May 30, 2023
Rich Aucoin is an indie alt-pop and electronic musician based in Halifax. He is the winner of SiriusXM Indie Awards’ Emerging Artist of the Year Award, Eastern Canadian Music Awards and is known for his crowd-karaoke multimedia live shows. (Riley Smith photo)
Sixty Watt Trivia events take place weekly across the city at places like Maude Hunter's Pub, 5th Street Bar and Grill, the Loghouse Pub, Bartholomew's Public House and more. (image provided)

Lawrie lighting up Greater Victoria with Sixty Watt Trivia

Marketing pro-turned-entrepreneur makes creating quizzes a living

  • May 29, 2023
Sixty Watt Trivia events take place weekly across the city at places like Maude Hunter's Pub, 5th Street Bar and Grill, the Loghouse Pub, Bartholomew's Public House and more. (image provided)
Melissa Taylor and Kholby Wardell are starring in Miss Julie, directed by Mercedes Batiz-Benet. (Jam Hamidi)
Melissa Taylor and Kholby Wardell are starring in Miss Julie, directed by Mercedes Batiz-Benet. (Jam Hamidi)
Empress Hotel, sunset sips (image supplied)

Fairmont Empress in Victoria debuts Sunset Sips

New evening service available Thursdays through Sundays at iconic Victoria hotel starting May 25

  • May 25, 2023
Empress Hotel, sunset sips (image supplied)
Roman Vishniac, The Jewish Street, Warsaw, 1939, silver gelatin print, Collection of the Vancouver Art Gallery, Gift of Claudia Beck and Andrew Gruft

The Street examines urban life at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria June 3 to Sept. 3

With more than 50 works, The Street includes painting, photography, sculpture and video ranging in date from the eighteenth century to the present

Roman Vishniac, The Jewish Street, Warsaw, 1939, silver gelatin print, Collection of the Vancouver Art Gallery, Gift of Claudia Beck and Andrew Gruft
A bone in the office of Dr. Victoria Arbour at the Royal BC Museum. (Ella Matte, Black Press Media)

SUE set to show what she’s made of

Royal BC Museum hosts the best T-Rex ever found

  • May 24, 2023
A bone in the office of Dr. Victoria Arbour at the Royal BC Museum. (Ella Matte, Black Press Media)
Fans of hard-to-find videos will have a tougher time with the end of Pic-A-Flic Video in Victoria. Photo by Pic-A-Flic Video
Fans of hard-to-find videos will have a tougher time with the end of Pic-A-Flic Video in Victoria. Photo by Pic-A-Flic Video
Daniel Romano. (image supplied)

Daniel Romano gears up for Victoria showcase of unique genre of music

Ontario musician, poet & visual artist plays the Capital Ballroom on June 16

  • May 19, 2023
Daniel Romano. (image supplied)
Pierre Schryer and Adam Dobres are a Vancouver Island-based folk duo who have won awards and nominations from the JUNOS, Canadian Folk Music Awards, Western Canadian Music Awards and Grammy Awards. They been playing together since 2008 and will play together at the Folk ‘N Fiddle Festival in June. (image supplied)

Folk ‘n Fiddle Festival Q & A: Pierre Schryer & Adam Dobres speak to the revival of traditional folk music

The award-winning Canadian folk duo play the Seaside Folk ‘n Fiddle Festival in Sidney, June 9-11

  • May 18, 2023
Pierre Schryer and Adam Dobres are a Vancouver Island-based folk duo who have won awards and nominations from the JUNOS, Canadian Folk Music Awards, Western Canadian Music Awards and Grammy Awards. They been playing together since 2008 and will play together at the Folk ‘N Fiddle Festival in June. (image supplied)
Bryant Doradea meets with MLAs at the legislature where he presented “The Foster Kid Survival Guide” to government leaders and staff. instagram @hkeezay

Hip-hop artist and former child in ‘care’ brings message of visibility to B.C. legislature

Artist and youth worker presents ‘The Foster Kid Survival Guide’ to government officials

Bryant Doradea meets with MLAs at the legislature where he presented “The Foster Kid Survival Guide” to government leaders and staff. instagram @hkeezay
Millstream Beverage Company has a patio out front with cornhole, artificial grass, heaters and more. (Millstream Beverage Company)

Matter of Beer: triumphs in the West Shore

Monday columnist Mathieu Poirier explores how breweries are growing in the region

Millstream Beverage Company has a patio out front with cornhole, artificial grass, heaters and more. (Millstream Beverage Company)
With April 29 being Canadian Independent Bookstore Day, it’s a perfect time to get some book recommendations by local authors. (Sam Duerksen)

Celebrate local authors with these Victoria books

Books by local authors to enjoy this summer

With April 29 being Canadian Independent Bookstore Day, it’s a perfect time to get some book recommendations by local authors. (Sam Duerksen)