News

Astrocolor performs at last year’s Eats and Beats Beach Party at the Esquimalt Lagoon. (Black Press Media file photo)

Eats and Beats Festival brings music, food and fun to Colwood

Annual beach party will also feature a beer garden, street market and climbing wall

  • Jul 5, 2023
Hundreds make their way down to the Esquimalt Lagoon in Colwood for Eats and Beats at the Beach every year. (Black Press Media file photo)

Eats and Beats Festival brings music, food and fun to Colwood

Annual beach party will also feature a beer garden, street market and climbing wall

  • Jul 5, 2023
Jess Gibbard is a trans voice coach who leads peers across North America from a small studio on Saanich. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Saanich-based transgender voice coach blazing a trail for trans voice coaching in North America

Jess Gibbard got into voice coaching to “provide the service that was lacking” in an affordable way

  • Jun 30, 2023
A past Canada Day celebration in Victoria. (Courtesy Canada Day Victoria)

What’s happening Canada Day in Victoria

Entertainment, food, activities and fireworks combine to deliver a day of celebration

  • Jun 26, 2023
A past Canada Day celebration in Victoria. (Courtesy Canada Day Victoria)
Clive’s Classic Lounge, one of the longest standing cocktail bars in Victoria, took home the prestigious Whisky Hotel Bar of the Year award at the 2023 Icons of Whisky Awards, presented by U.K.-based Whisky magazine. (Clive’s Facebook page)

Behind Bars: Clive’s bringing European flair to Victoria’s hotel bar scene

Soole, Russell create award-winning cocktails and food at Chateau Victoria

  • Jun 19, 2023
Clive’s Classic Lounge, one of the longest standing cocktail bars in Victoria, took home the prestigious Whisky Hotel Bar of the Year award at the 2023 Icons of Whisky Awards, presented by U.K.-based Whisky magazine. (Clive’s Facebook page)
The Olive Fatayar, an intensely flavourful mix of green olives, coloured bell peppers and onions seasoned with oregano and pomegranate molasses, is one of the dishes Allan Reid tried at the new Syriana restaurant. (Allan Reid)

Voracious: Syriana offers a taste of the Mediterranean

Allan Reid’s restaurant column

The Olive Fatayar, an intensely flavourful mix of green olives, coloured bell peppers and onions seasoned with oregano and pomegranate molasses, is one of the dishes Allan Reid tried at the new Syriana restaurant. (Allan Reid)
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Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice coffee pods are displayed at a Target store, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in New York. The latte that made pumpkin spice a star is turning 20. And unlike the autumn days it celebrates, there seems to be no chill in customer demand. Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte goes on sale Thursday in the U.S. and Canada. It’s the coffee giant’s most popular seasonal beverage, with hundreds of millions sold since its launch in 2003. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte turns 20, beloved by millions, despised by some
Artists perform at Cirque du Soleil Ovo at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
VIDEO: Cirque du Soleil wows Victoria audience with Ovo
View Gallery curator Chai Duncan admires the work of graduating visual art student Hailin Zhang, one of the artists in the upcoming End Marks grad show. (Josef Jacobson/News Bulletin)
VIU visual art grad show presented as virtual gallery tour due to COVID-19
Lantzville singer Raymond Salgado will sing ‘O Canada’ before the Vancouver Canucks’ upcoming game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 17. (Photo submitted)
Lantzville singer to perform ‘O Canada’ at Vancouver Canucks game
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Executive chef Kristian Eligh in front of his new kitchen at Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Restaurant group opening upscale raw bar and more in Victoria

The dining corporation also has restaurants in Whistler and New York

Executive chef Kristian Eligh in front of his new kitchen at Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Originally from Kitamaat Village, B.C. and currently based in Vancouver, Snotty Nose Rez Kids are a First Nations hip hop duo composed of Haisla rappers Darren "Young D" Metz and Quinton "Yung Trybez" Nyce. They are performing at Tilt! July 8. (Kaylee Smoke)

Here’s why Tilt!, Phillips Backyard, is Phillips largest production to date

The three day event will see live music from DJ Pee .Wee, Bahamas, Lord Huron and more

Originally from Kitamaat Village, B.C. and currently based in Vancouver, Snotty Nose Rez Kids are a First Nations hip hop duo composed of Haisla rappers Darren "Young D" Metz and Quinton "Yung Trybez" Nyce. They are performing at Tilt! July 8. (Kaylee Smoke)
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
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)
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
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)
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
Mo Moshiri is appearing as a solo headliner at Ska and Reggae Festival for the first time in 2023. (Zenon Kai)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)

‘Maybe we haven’t come as far as we think’ – Blue Bridge’s steamy classic Miss Julie explores gender disparity

Miss Julie runs May 30 through June 11 at Victoria’s Roxy Theatre

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)