Coronavirus

Contemporary visual artist Lizzie Snow has transformed three artworks into colouring pages to splash some creativity into self-isolation routines. (Paul Levy photo)

Tofino artist creates colouring pages to splash creativity into self-isolation

Lizzie Snow is helping self-isolators battle the doldrums of social distancing.

Contemporary visual artist Lizzie Snow has transformed three artworks into colouring pages to splash some creativity into self-isolation routines. (Paul Levy photo)
Nanaimo jazz singer Narissa Young (centre) has been performing for neighbours in cul-de-sacs. (Photo courtesy Kenny Brault)

Nanaimo jazz singer entertaining neighbours in cul-de-sacs

Narissa Young performing while being mindful of social distancing

Nanaimo jazz singer Narissa Young (centre) has been performing for neighbours in cul-de-sacs. (Photo courtesy Kenny Brault)
Large crowds at The 39 Days of July came out to listen to the music of young performers in 2019. This year, due to COVID-19, performances will be available online only. (Lexi Bainas/file)

Duncan’s 39 Days of July transitions to online shows for 2020

Traditionally, the 39 Days of July has consisted of a series of outdoor musical events

Large crowds at The 39 Days of July came out to listen to the music of young performers in 2019. This year, due to COVID-19, performances will be available online only. (Lexi Bainas/file)
Alessia Cara and her band perform during “Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble” an online Canadian COVID-19 broadcast benefit event in support of frontline workers and Food Banks Canada in this image taken from video. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble

‘Stronger Together’ special raises over $6 million for Food Banks Canada

The 90-minute special on Sunday night featured a number of A-list performers and celebrities

Alessia Cara and her band perform during “Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble” an online Canadian COVID-19 broadcast benefit event in support of frontline workers and Food Banks Canada in this image taken from video. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble
Singer Celine Dion performs during her first World Tour show called Courage at the Videotron Centre, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Quebec City. Major Canadian broadcasters are coming together for star-studded, multi-platform benefit in support of frontline workers fighting COVID-19 across Canada.Bell Media, CBC/Radio-Canada, Corus Entertainment, Groupe V Media, and Rogers Sports & Media have partnered for “Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble,” which will air on English and French services on Sunday evening (at 7 p.m. across all markets/7:30 p.m. NT). THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

Canadian stars to unite in ‘Stronger Together’ COVID-19 broadcast benefit

Organizers also say Drake will have a message for Canadians to close the show

Singer Celine Dion performs during her first World Tour show called Courage at the Videotron Centre, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Quebec City. Major Canadian broadcasters are coming together for star-studded, multi-platform benefit in support of frontline workers fighting COVID-19 across Canada.Bell Media, CBC/Radio-Canada, Corus Entertainment, Groupe V Media, and Rogers Sports & Media have partnered for “Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble,” which will air on English and French services on Sunday evening (at 7 p.m. across all markets/7:30 p.m. NT). THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
Artist Jillian Mayne stands beside a piece called “No Place - Outsider” at the Alberni Valley Museum show in 2018. The theme of the show was Place. “I was part of a group working at bringing over a refugee so this was my response to the theme,” said Mayne. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Alberni Valley artist adjusts to the COVID-19 times

Jillian Mayne was set to show in three venues this year, but all that has changed

Artist Jillian Mayne stands beside a piece called “No Place - Outsider” at the Alberni Valley Museum show in 2018. The theme of the show was Place. “I was part of a group working at bringing over a refugee so this was my response to the theme,” said Mayne. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Nanaimo artist Andrea Thomas is auctioning a series of COVID-19-inspired paintings with all proceeds benefitting the Nanaimo Community Response Fund. (Photo courtesy Andrea Thomas)

Nanaimo artist auctions COVID-19-inspired art for pandemic relief charity

Andrea Thomas’s paintings will benefit Nanaimo Community Response Fund

Nanaimo artist Andrea Thomas is auctioning a series of COVID-19-inspired paintings with all proceeds benefitting the Nanaimo Community Response Fund. (Photo courtesy Andrea Thomas)
The Steve Miller Band has cancelled its upcoming Victoria tour date out of an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Contributed file photo)

Steve Miller Band cancels Victoria stop due to COVID-19 pandemic

Tickets will be automatically refunded if purchased in person

The Steve Miller Band has cancelled its upcoming Victoria tour date out of an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Contributed file photo)
The 2020 editions of Laketown Shakedown and Sunfest have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Citizen file)
The 2020 editions of Laketown Shakedown and Sunfest have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Citizen file)
The Royal BC Museum is asking British Columbians to share photos, tweets or stories of their experiences during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as part of a new project called COVID-19 Collecting For Our Time. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Royal BC Museum asks for pandemic stories, photos for COVID-19 exhibit

Museum collection to share story of pandemic for future generations

The Royal BC Museum is asking British Columbians to share photos, tweets or stories of their experiences during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as part of a new project called COVID-19 Collecting For Our Time. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
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)
Ben Worcester of Said the Whale takes the stage at the Five Acre Shaker in 2019. ELENA RARDON PHOTO

Five Acre Shaker music festival cancelled for 2020

Music festival at McLean Mill National Historic Site still looking to 2021

Ben Worcester of Said the Whale takes the stage at the Five Acre Shaker in 2019. ELENA RARDON PHOTO
Thousands of participants wearing red or white t-shirts gather on the Legislature lawns in Victoria to create a living Canada flag for 2010 Canada Day festivities. (Ken Kelly/DVBA handout)

Canada Day festivities among the latest coronavirus cuts

Victoria, View Royal officially cancel July 1 events

Thousands of participants wearing red or white t-shirts gather on the Legislature lawns in Victoria to create a living Canada flag for 2010 Canada Day festivities. (Ken Kelly/DVBA handout)
VIDEO: Comox Valley duo pens song, creates video to send an uplifting message during COVID-19 pandemic

VIDEO: Comox Valley duo pens song, creates video to send an uplifting message during COVID-19 pandemic

Easy Street’s ‘We’re All in this Together’ features photos and video clips from around the world

VIDEO: Comox Valley duo pens song, creates video to send an uplifting message during COVID-19 pandemic
This July 17, 2017, file photo shows a Netflix logo on an iPhone in Philadelphia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Matt Rourke

Netflix adds 16 million global subscribers partly during start of pandemic

Netflix shares edged up by less than one per cent in Tuesday’s extended trading

This July 17, 2017, file photo shows a Netflix logo on an iPhone in Philadelphia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Matt Rourke
Five Alarm Funk performing at the Islands Folk Festival in 2009 at Providence Farm in Duncan. This year’s Islands Folk Festival has been cancelled due to COVID-19. (Kevin Oke photo)

Islands Folk Festival cancelled in Cowichan for 2020

While we are disappointed, we stand behind the government’s decision

Five Alarm Funk performing at the Islands Folk Festival in 2009 at Providence Farm in Duncan. This year’s Islands Folk Festival has been cancelled due to COVID-19. (Kevin Oke photo)
Vancouver Island MusicFest has been cancelled, due to COVID-19. File photo

COVID-19 forces cancellation of Vancouver Island MusicFest

Announcement regarding tickets forthcoming

Vancouver Island MusicFest has been cancelled, due to COVID-19. File photo
Alex Cuba (Twitter photo)

B.C. premier hosts free virtual concert to bring people together amid COVID-19

Musicians and artists have lost opportunities to entertain audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

Alex Cuba (Twitter photo)
Nanaimo Community Dances facilitator Neil Cutler has turned his backyard into a dance club and is inviting people to attend his parties over the internet. (Photo courtesy Neil Cutler)

Vancouver Island MC hosts virtual dance parties live-streamed from his backyard

Neil Cutler of Nanaimo Community Dances said he’s drawn viewers from as far away as Alberta

Nanaimo Community Dances facilitator Neil Cutler has turned his backyard into a dance club and is inviting people to attend his parties over the internet. (Photo courtesy Neil Cutler)
Shania Twain among performers set for ‘Canada Together’ broadcast benefit

Shania Twain among performers set for ‘Canada Together’ broadcast benefit

A total of 20 acts are participating through the rest of the week

Shania Twain among performers set for ‘Canada Together’ broadcast benefit