Arts and Entertainment

Jason Heit teaches a class at the Island MMA Training Centre in Victoria. Heit moved back to the Island in 2007 after spending four years as a security guard for various A-list celebrities. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Victoria man’s journey took him from the boxing ring to supplying security to the stars

Drew Barrymore, Nicholas Cage, Robbie Williams: Victoria’s Jason Heit was by their side

 

The Islands Folk Festival will be back this summer at Providence Farm in Duncan on July 23, 2022. (Citizen file)

Islands Folk Festival back in Cowichan boasting big lineup

Festival coming Saturday, July 23

 

Clare Twiddy, left, and Kaylar Chan form the Vancouver-based rage-funk band Raincity. They’re coming to Port Alberni’s Rainbow Room for a show on April 30, 2022. (PHOTO COURTESY RAINCITY)

Raincity launching 5-date tour funkifying Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island tour a homecoming for Parksville singer

 

The 39 Steps with Aidan deSalaiz, Felix LeBlanc, Caitlin Driscoll and Alexandra Brynn is on stage at the Chemainus Theatre April 22-May 22. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Review: Fast-paced Chemainus Theatre show just plain funny

The 39 Steps will have you guffawing at regular intervals

The 39 Steps with Aidan deSalaiz, Felix LeBlanc, Caitlin Driscoll and Alexandra Brynn is on stage at the Chemainus Theatre April 22-May 22. (Photo by Don Bodger)
MISSAMBA brings their African roots-themed music to the Edward Milne Community Theatre on May 27. Adam Daou, a Malian musician from Mopti, plays a variety of percussion, including the djembe, duddun, calebasse, and balafon. (Contributed - MISSAMBA)

ISSAMBA’s rhythmic roots comes to Sooke

Rhythms rooted in all five regions of Africa resonate throughout ISSAMBA Showcase…

MISSAMBA brings their African roots-themed music to the Edward Milne Community Theatre on May 27. Adam Daou, a Malian musician from Mopti, plays a variety of percussion, including the djembe, duddun, calebasse, and balafon. (Contributed - MISSAMBA)
Writers can enter the Islands Short Fiction Contest until April 30. (Stock photo)

Vancouver Island writers still have time to enter Islands Short Fiction Contest

Nanaimo Arts Council extends deadline until month’s end

Writers can enter the Islands Short Fiction Contest until April 30. (Stock photo)
Tide Pools Rathtrevor by Lorna Dockstader at Avenue Gallery.

At The Galleries: Nature takes centre stage in Greater Victoria

Vancouver Island artists appear in galleries for spring

  • Apr 10, 2022
Tide Pools Rathtrevor by Lorna Dockstader at Avenue Gallery.
After a two-year break, the Louisiana Hayride Show is rolling across western Canada and will stop in Sidney on May 2 in paying tribute to the giants of classic country and rockabilly. (Photo courtesy of Louisiana Hayride Show)

Louisiana Hayride Show rolls into Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre

Tribute show highlights the countless stars that rocked to stardom on the legendary broadcast show

After a two-year break, the Louisiana Hayride Show is rolling across western Canada and will stop in Sidney on May 2 in paying tribute to the giants of classic country and rockabilly. (Photo courtesy of Louisiana Hayride Show)
Pharis and Jason Romero headline the Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival to be held at Laketown Ranch in Youbou on June 17 to 19, 2022. (Laureen Carruthers photo)

Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival back in June

Headliners Pharis and Jason Romero, The Lonesome Ace Stringband and more

Pharis and Jason Romero headline the Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival to be held at Laketown Ranch in Youbou on June 17 to 19, 2022. (Laureen Carruthers photo)
Will Smith cries as he accepts the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for “King Richard” at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

At a pugnacious Oscars, Apple’s feel-good ‘CODA’ triumphs as best picture

Drama erupts as Will Smith slaps presenter Chris Rock

Will Smith cries as he accepts the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for “King Richard” at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Wu Tang Clan are considered by many to be the best hip hop or rap group in the world. Facebook

Wu-Tang Clan, The Glorious Sons, Arkells and more headline Laketown Shakedown 2022 in Cowichan

This is the first year back for the festival since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020

Wu Tang Clan are considered by many to be the best hip hop or rap group in the world. Facebook
A student performs during last year’s Festival of New Works at the Canadian College of Performing Arts. The Oak Bay school hosts the 2022 festival this week, the evenings of March 10 and 11. (Photo by Peter Pokorny)

Performing arts students stage new works in Oak Bay

College’s 2022 Festival Of New Works is live and online March 10 and 11

A student performs during last year’s Festival of New Works at the Canadian College of Performing Arts. The Oak Bay school hosts the 2022 festival this week, the evenings of March 10 and 11. (Photo by Peter Pokorny)
Olivia Boyer-Smyth as Ariel and Jakob Diston plays Scuttle in the coming Oak Bay High musical performance of The Little Mermaid. (Courtesy Oak Bay High Musical Theatre)

Oak Bay High musical theatre team brings sea creatures to live performance

The Little Mermaid on Dave Dunnet stage starting March 3

Olivia Boyer-Smyth as Ariel and Jakob Diston plays Scuttle in the coming Oak Bay High musical performance of The Little Mermaid. (Courtesy Oak Bay High Musical Theatre)
The Victoria Compost Education Centre hosts a workshop at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary March 12. (Black Press Media file photo)

Weekend outings for home projects, art, nature and comedy return across Greater Victoria

Victoria home show kicks off this weekend in Saanich

  • Feb 25, 2022
The Victoria Compost Education Centre hosts a workshop at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary March 12. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Waste Land director and choreographer Conrad Alexandrowicz on the set at UVic’s Phoenix Theatre with a painted map of London. (Courtesy UVic Department of Theatre)

University of Victoria’s The Waste Land lays bare Eliot poem in pandemic parallel

100-year-old poem echoes our time, director/choreographer Conrad Alexandrowicz says

The Waste Land director and choreographer Conrad Alexandrowicz on the set at UVic’s Phoenix Theatre with a painted map of London. (Courtesy UVic Department of Theatre)
St. Mary’s Anglican Church on Elgin Street in Oak Bay hosts live-streamed Lenten concerts starting in March. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Oak Bay church streams pilgrimage of music for Lent

Series starts March 3 with piano, organ duets and solos

St. Mary’s Anglican Church on Elgin Street in Oak Bay hosts live-streamed Lenten concerts starting in March. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
The Canadian College of Performing Arts presents the world premiere of new Canadian musical The Quest. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

The Quest makes its world debut on Oak Bay stage

Performing arts students work with playwrights to stage new musical

The Canadian College of Performing Arts presents the world premiere of new Canadian musical The Quest. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Jenna Woldenga is creating animation for a retelling of a Dungeons and Dragons game. (Contributed)

Summerland-raised animator’s Kickstarter campaign raises $2.5 million

Jenna Woldenga is retelling a Dungeons and Dragons campaign in a series of animated Youtube videos

Jenna Woldenga is creating animation for a retelling of a Dungeons and Dragons game. (Contributed)
Opening the Victoria Film Festival is Wild Man, where middle-aged Martin leaves civilization to live as a Viking in the woods. (Photo courtesy of the Victoria Film Festival)

Victoria Film Festival brings magical escape through cinema

10-day festival kicks off on Friday and includes 86 features, about 20 shorts

Opening the Victoria Film Festival is Wild Man, where middle-aged Martin leaves civilization to live as a Viking in the woods. (Photo courtesy of the Victoria Film Festival)
A Speech and Dramatic Arts session at St. Phillips Church, hosted by the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival in March, 2021. (Facebook/Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival)

Registration opens for in-person return of Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival

95-year-old festival seeks school ensembles, ethnic acts, spoken word and more

A Speech and Dramatic Arts session at St. Phillips Church, hosted by the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival in March, 2021. (Facebook/Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival)