News

The Doo Wop Project runs May 6 at Royal Theatre and features stars of Broadway smash hits Jersey Boys and Motown.

Doo Wop Project sings your favourite songs in a ‘Doo Wop’-style on May 6th at the Royal Theatre

A Tony-nominated cast sings your favourite songs in a ‘doo-wop’ style on May 6th at the Royal Theatre

  • May 2, 2023
The Doo Wop Project runs May 6 at Royal Theatre and features stars of Broadway smash hits Jersey Boys and Motown.
Timothy Vernon, the founding artistic director of Pacific Opera, is stepping down as artistic director after 43 years with the company. (image supplied)

“A little bit of Amadeus in him” – Pacific Opera’s Timothy Vernon celebrated

With Vernon leaving Pacific Opera, Friends of Timothy gala celebrates 43 years of excellence and Vernon’s role in bringing opera to Victoria

  • May 1, 2023
Timothy Vernon, the founding artistic director of Pacific Opera, is stepping down as artistic director after 43 years with the company. (image supplied)
Sophia Ammann is set to perform Leonard Cohen covers and originals at James Bay United Church on April 27. (Karl Vandewoestijne)
Sophia Ammann is set to perform Leonard Cohen covers and originals at James Bay United Church on April 27. (Karl Vandewoestijne)
Gladys Vallee worked in a number of book stores and saw overbought books can often end up in the landfill. (Courtesy of Terrier Books)

Here’s some Victoria bookstore owners’ best book recommendations to celebrate Earth Day

Books have provided inspiration to these shop owners to be eco-conscious in their industry

Gladys Vallee worked in a number of book stores and saw overbought books can often end up in the landfill. (Courtesy of Terrier Books)
Naomi Woo is one of two new conductors to join Pacific Opera this year through Women in Musical Leadership program. (image supplied Pacific Opera)

Women in Musical Leadership program aims to bring change to Victoria’s classical scene

Passing the baton: Pacific Opera mentors a new generation of musical leadership through program

  • Apr 21, 2023
Naomi Woo is one of two new conductors to join Pacific Opera this year through Women in Musical Leadership program. (image supplied Pacific Opera)
Rebekah Johnson general manager (left) and Tamara McCarthy Artistic Director (right) of Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre are putting on the comedic play Goodnight Desdemona. (Ella Matte)

Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre’s new artistic director McCarthy takes on the Bard in an energetic debut

Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) is a subversive feminist take on the Shakespearean canon.

  • Apr 20, 2023
Rebekah Johnson general manager (left) and Tamara McCarthy Artistic Director (right) of Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre are putting on the comedic play Goodnight Desdemona. (Ella Matte)
Maureen Beck. (Kris Ugarriza)

Maureen Beck, one-handed climber and world champion, at Victoria’s Royal Theatre on April 25

At one point, Beck taped a metal ladle to her arm so she could climb.

  • Apr 19, 2023
Maureen Beck. (Kris Ugarriza)
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)
Victoria singer-songwriter and promoter Caroline Spence has died after a difficult battle with cancer. (Courtesy Adam Basterfield)

‘A shining light’: Victoria singer-songwriter Caroline Spence dies at 53

Caroline Spence took her last breath Tuesday after a battle with cancer

Victoria singer-songwriter and promoter Caroline Spence has died after a difficult battle with cancer. (Courtesy Adam Basterfield)
Artist Francis Dick will be working from a makeshift studio in the Legacy Art Gallery during her five month exhibit, with visitors encouraged to come and connect. (Don Denton photo)

Walking Thru My Fires: Francis Dick exhibit at Legacy Art Gallery is brave and poignant

Dick explores Residential School legacies, urban Indigeneity, and the healing power of art through deeply personal paintings, carvings and music.

Artist Francis Dick will be working from a makeshift studio in the Legacy Art Gallery during her five month exhibit, with visitors encouraged to come and connect. (Don Denton photo)
Photo of Victoria Baroque for an article on the closer of their 12th season: Handel, to be performed in 2023. (Jan Gates)
Photo of Victoria Baroque for an article on the closer of their 12th season: Handel, to be performed in 2023. (Jan Gates)
Canadian singer-songwriter Jill Barber is a three-time Juno Award nominee. (Jessica Jacobson)

Jill Barber eyes human connection at Mary Winspear

She’ll perform songs from her 10th album, Homemaker, with themes of domesticity, partnerships, parenting and aging.

  • Apr 11, 2023
Canadian singer-songwriter Jill Barber is a three-time Juno Award nominee. (Jessica Jacobson)
Sean McCann. (David Howells)

A secret can kill you, but a song can save your life

Sean McCann’s return to Victoria marks a victory of spirit

  • Apr 6, 2023
Sean McCann. (David Howells)
(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)
Lady Gaga was captured carrying a Kilner Goods bag from an Okanagan designer while on the set of Joker 2. (La Maison Gaga/Instagram)

No Joke: Lady Gaga sports Okanagan designer’s one-of-a-kind leather bag

Nicole Loewen thought is was a joke when told Lady Gaga is carrying her design

Lady Gaga was captured carrying a Kilner Goods bag from an Okanagan designer while on the set of Joker 2. (La Maison Gaga/Instagram)
B.C.-based Barney Bentall, nominated for both Contemporary Singer of the Year and Solo Artist of the Year at this year's CFMA, will perform at the Awards Concert Night 1. (Mark Maryanovich)

Victoria producer, musicians up for awards at Canadian Folk Music Awards

B.C. had the third highest number of nominees by province this year, trailing Quebec and Ontario

B.C.-based Barney Bentall, nominated for both Contemporary Singer of the Year and Solo Artist of the Year at this year's CFMA, will perform at the Awards Concert Night 1. (Mark Maryanovich)
Nature Morte (2014), oil. This piece by Rick Leong, artist and assistant professor at University of Victoria, is one of many to be featured at the Symbiosis exhibit. (Courtesy of Art Gallery of Greater Victoria)

Gallery of Greater Victoria exhibit Symbiosis explores artists’ musings about ‘fascinating world’ of mushrooms

The exhibit, starting April 1, is multi-disciplinary, including painting, photographs, science, bio-materials, discussion and even music

Nature Morte (2014), oil. This piece by Rick Leong, artist and assistant professor at University of Victoria, is one of many to be featured at the Symbiosis exhibit. (Courtesy of Art Gallery of Greater Victoria)
Max Francis plays the fiddle at the 2022 Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival. (Nick Delany)

The Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival running April to May connects 4,800 performers to audiences

“It only becomes art if it touches other people.” ― Andreas Eschbach, The Carpet Makers

Max Francis plays the fiddle at the 2022 Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival. (Nick Delany)
Part of a piece created by graphic designer Juan Ramirez, made with the help of AI.

Exploring art through AI: what Victoria artists say about new trend

Digital artists are teaming up with Arts BC to put on “Exploring Canadian Art Through AI” public workshops in April

Part of a piece created by graphic designer Juan Ramirez, made with the help of AI.