Arts and culture

Although it won’t be Samson pulling the train this year, the Christmas Express is back at the BC Forest Discovery Centre for 2021. (Citizen file)

Christmas Express train rides back in Duncan for 2021

Travel through thousands of twinkling lights at the BC Forest Discovery Centre

  • Dec 3, 2021
Although it won’t be Samson pulling the train this year, the Christmas Express is back at the BC Forest Discovery Centre for 2021. (Citizen file)
Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. beside the unveiled design of the Salish Heron vessel. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

BC Ferries unveils Indigenous design for next Salish Class vessel

Including Maynard Johnny Jr.’s artwork seen as a meaningful act towards reconciliation

Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. beside the unveiled design of the Salish Heron vessel. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
(Contributed by Michelle Malan)

Sparwood seniors pose as firefighters in fundraising calendar

Funds raised will go towards the supported living facility

(Contributed by Michelle Malan)
Sooke Harbour Players presented Blithe Spirit in 2017. The drama troupe is returning after a two-year pandemic hiatus with Treasure Island later this month. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Harbour Players returning after two-year absence

They’ll be performing Ben Crocker’s Treasure Island, on Nov. 26-28 and the Dec. 2-4

Sooke Harbour Players presented Blithe Spirit in 2017. The drama troupe is returning after a two-year pandemic hiatus with Treasure Island later this month. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Reframing our Arts Future, set for Dec. 7, is delivered in three online sessions and provides an opportunity to explore and celebrate the role of arts in developing an equitable future for the region. All events will be conducted via Zoom and are open to the public. (Black Press Media file photo)

Arts and culture summit to reflect on impact, role of sector in Greater Victoria

Public invited to participate in CRD’s online Reframing our Arts Future summit on Dec. 7

Reframing our Arts Future, set for Dec. 7, is delivered in three online sessions and provides an opportunity to explore and celebrate the role of arts in developing an equitable future for the region. All events will be conducted via Zoom and are open to the public. (Black Press Media file photo)
Local artist Jim Dodd’s rendering of what a potential $30-million arts facility, including a performance hall, rehearsal space, green rooms, gift shop and art gallery could look like in Colwood. (Courtesy Jim Dodd)

Performing arts group makes new pitch to Colwood council for facility

Juan de Fuca Performing Arts Centre Society seeks partnership with city for project

Local artist Jim Dodd’s rendering of what a potential $30-million arts facility, including a performance hall, rehearsal space, green rooms, gift shop and art gallery could look like in Colwood. (Courtesy Jim Dodd)
Metchosin Arts and Culture Centre treasurer Gail Nash and centre liaison Betty Hildreth stand in front of the new staircase constructed on the former schoolhouse. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Metchosin arts centre looks to future after fixing its past

Costly repairs, construction on old school building now mostly complete

Metchosin Arts and Culture Centre treasurer Gail Nash and centre liaison Betty Hildreth stand in front of the new staircase constructed on the former schoolhouse. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Former City of Victoria Youth Poet Laureate Neko Smart coaches Victoria High School’s poetry slam team. (File contributed/ Jeremy Loveday)

City of Victoria seeks 2022 Youth Poet Laureate applications

The successful youth candidate from the CRD or Gulf Islands will be involved in city arts activities

Former City of Victoria Youth Poet Laureate Neko Smart coaches Victoria High School’s poetry slam team. (File contributed/ Jeremy Loveday)
OPINION SIG

East Sooke writer launches book of poetry

East Sooke poet W.M. Herring launches her debut collection of poems on…

OPINION SIG
Vernon’s Deborah Wilson created a giant jade sculpture at a Victoria complex, which took 16 months to create. (Contributed)

Okanagan artist unfolds giant art sculpture in Victoria

Lotus Unfolding took 16 months to create in the Wade courtyard

Vernon’s Deborah Wilson created a giant jade sculpture at a Victoria complex, which took 16 months to create. (Contributed)
Darrel J. McLeod is nominated for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction for his book Peyakow: Reclaiming Cree Dignity, A Memoir. (Contributed - Douglas & McIntyre)

Sooke author among finalists for $60K Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust prize

Prize is the richest annual literary award for Canadian nonfiction

Darrel J. McLeod is nominated for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction for his book Peyakow: Reclaiming Cree Dignity, A Memoir. (Contributed - Douglas & McIntyre)
Self-Indulgence, Gear Head sculpture by Laura Rechwan. (Courtesy Laura Rechwan)

Colwood artist crafts interactive, responsive showcase for BC Culture Days

Viewers called on to share response on art

Self-Indulgence, Gear Head sculpture by Laura Rechwan. (Courtesy Laura Rechwan)
Performers engage in a friendship dance at a previous One Wave Gathering event. This year’s events get underway Sept. 9. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Peoples’ Partnership)

One Wave Gathering celebrates Indigenous culture across Greater Victoria

14th annual event inspired by themes of healing and resurgence

Performers engage in a friendship dance at a previous One Wave Gathering event. This year’s events get underway Sept. 9. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Peoples’ Partnership)
A rendering shows how Reliance Properties’ proposed developments for the Capital Iron lands would fit in the city’s new arts and innovation district. (Courtesy Reliance Properties)

New Art Gallery home part of Victoria’s first arts and innovation district proposal

Reliance Properties’ plan includes multitude of arts-oriented, industry spaces among other amenities

A rendering shows how Reliance Properties’ proposed developments for the Capital Iron lands would fit in the city’s new arts and innovation district. (Courtesy Reliance Properties)
Throughout its first summer, the Arts and Culture Colwood Society raised an arts show, Flatdeck Musical Theatre Presentation and an Emily Carr Interpretive sign located on Painter Trail. (Courtesy Arts and Culture Colwood Society)

New Arts and Culture Society of Colwood seeks community support

Veteran members aim to fund programming worthy of provincial, federal grants

Throughout its first summer, the Arts and Culture Colwood Society raised an arts show, Flatdeck Musical Theatre Presentation and an Emily Carr Interpretive sign located on Painter Trail. (Courtesy Arts and Culture Colwood Society)
Singer-songwriter and keyboardist Helena Descoteau will perform her first solo exhibition Thursday evening, Aug. 19 at Willows Park as the opening act for the Soul Shakers’ Alexander Ferguson. (Courtesy of Helena Descoteau)

Singer-songwriter performs solo for first time in Oak Bay concert

Helena Descoteau plans original songs as opening act for Alexander Ferguson

Singer-songwriter and keyboardist Helena Descoteau will perform her first solo exhibition Thursday evening, Aug. 19 at Willows Park as the opening act for the Soul Shakers’ Alexander Ferguson. (Courtesy of Helena Descoteau)
Governor General award-winning author and Otter Point resident Darrel McLeod will launch his new book Peyakow at the upcoming Authors and Readers festival in Sooke. (Contributed - Douglas & McIntyre)

Sooke launches first-ever literary festival

Workshops, author readings among activities

Governor General award-winning author and Otter Point resident Darrel McLeod will launch his new book Peyakow at the upcoming Authors and Readers festival in Sooke. (Contributed - Douglas & McIntyre)
Next year’s Sooke Fine Arts Show is set for July 21 to Aug. 1. (File: Black Press Media)

Growth In Confinement wins people’s choice award at Sooke Fine Arts Show

Unique ring created by artist Lainey Rae Thompson

Next year’s Sooke Fine Arts Show is set for July 21 to Aug. 1. (File: Black Press Media)
Victoria will host the Canadian Francophone Games in July 2022. The event, shown here in New Brunswick in 2017, brings together French-speaking students from across the country in a variety of competitions. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Francophone Games)

The Francophone Games are on again for Greater Victoria

Multifaceted event cancelled for 2021 is a go for 2022, organizers say

Victoria will host the Canadian Francophone Games in July 2022. The event, shown here in New Brunswick in 2017, brings together French-speaking students from across the country in a variety of competitions. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Francophone Games)
Busker Mark Weston plays his accordion outside Munro’s Books along Government Street. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Buskers fill downtown Victoria with joy as pandemic subsides

Artists, musicians happy to perform again with increased foot traffic on Government Street

Busker Mark Weston plays his accordion outside Munro’s Books along Government Street. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)