Sam Duerksen

Jinelle Woodley has been living with post-COVID syndrome for 21 months. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)

Life derailed: Long COVID still gnaws at Victoria long after pandemic fades

Long, slow path of a constrained self facing thousands dealing with lingering effects of the virus

Jinelle Woodley has been living with post-COVID syndrome for 21 months. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)
Chrystal Phan, I have something to tell you (2023), plastisial clay, acrylic, nail polish. (Courtesy AGGV)

Art shares transformative journeys of Asian immigrants in new AGGV exhibit

Crossing: Art, Heritage, and Personal Journeys runs Feb. 10 to May 26

Chrystal Phan, I have something to tell you (2023), plastisial clay, acrylic, nail polish. (Courtesy AGGV)
Terry Fenton, “Glory, McNeill Bay Trial Island”, oil on board, 18.5 x 30 in. (Courtesy Madrona Gallery)

Gallery shows let you reflect on beauty of Greater Victoria nature

January shows convey mindfulness, calmness and finding the beauty in the simple

Terry Fenton, “Glory, McNeill Bay Trial Island”, oil on board, 18.5 x 30 in. (Courtesy Madrona Gallery)
Snowed In Comedy Tour comes to Victoria on Jan. 20, 2024. (Courtesy Snowed In Comedy Tour)

Snowed In Comedy Tour Canadian success story blankets Vancouver Island

Popular comedy team-up visits 6 Island theatres starting Jan 15

Snowed In Comedy Tour comes to Victoria on Jan. 20, 2024. (Courtesy Snowed In Comedy Tour)
The Instagram feed of Lou Lou La Duchesse De Riere (Lauren Ashley Jiles) features this image of her Spider act. Costume: @manugeettoi Photo: @carl.theriault.photo

Glamour, power and punk rock defiance found in Victoria burlesque show

‘Burlesque has always been political and it’s always been radical but there’s an interesting shift’

The Instagram feed of Lou Lou La Duchesse De Riere (Lauren Ashley Jiles) features this image of her Spider act. Costume: @manugeettoi Photo: @carl.theriault.photo
Kara Lee and Sam Fransen enjoy Matt Maeson on stage at Rifflandia 2023. (Katharine Brynjolfson/Black Press Media)

Here are some of the biggest Victoria art headlines of 2023

There were record-breaking festivals, major changes to venues, and plenty of other things worth talking about

Kara Lee and Sam Fransen enjoy Matt Maeson on stage at Rifflandia 2023. (Katharine Brynjolfson/Black Press Media)
Peter McMaster runs one of the biggest open mics in Victoria. (Sam Duerksen/Black Press Media)

The ‘Yes’ man of open mics in Victoria

How a local musician created the city’s most popular five-year-running open mic variety show

Peter McMaster runs one of the biggest open mics in Victoria. (Sam Duerksen/Black Press Media)
Lauren Powell, owner of Buddie’s Toys in Sidney, B.C. holds up some Christmas toys for kids. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)

Shop local: Here’s what’s trending for holiday gifts at Greater Victoria stores

Sidney shop owners share the 2023 Christmas trends in homeware, kids toys’ and fashion

Lauren Powell, owner of Buddie’s Toys in Sidney, B.C. holds up some Christmas toys for kids. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)
Winter Wonderland lane celebrates the Christmas holiday shopping season in Sidney B.C. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)

Sidney holiday event round-up

A look at special Greater Victoria events happening in December

Winter Wonderland lane celebrates the Christmas holiday shopping season in Sidney B.C. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)
The Winter Arts Festival will transform Victoria into an open-air gallery and celebration featuring 3D art, light projections, digital and augmented reality, laser animations, and more. (@carrot_ee, courtesy Winter Arts Festival Facebook)

Vancouver’s Winter Arts Festival is coming to Victoria for the first time

The February festival will feature public art installations and pop-up parties around the city

The Winter Arts Festival will transform Victoria into an open-air gallery and celebration featuring 3D art, light projections, digital and augmented reality, laser animations, and more. (@carrot_ee, courtesy Winter Arts Festival Facebook)
Bass player Sean Drabitt has performed in over 40 countries. (Courtesy Sean Drabitt)

Jazz maestro’s Victoria homecoming brings Charlie Brown Christmas to life

Bassist Sean Drabitt returns to Victoria every year to uphold his Christmas tradition

Bass player Sean Drabitt has performed in over 40 countries. (Courtesy Sean Drabitt)
A 2022 performance of Stars on Ice. (Courtesy Stars on Ice)

Stars on Ice Tour glides into Victoria at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

The tour brings the best of current, future and past figure skating champions

A 2022 performance of Stars on Ice. (Courtesy Stars on Ice)
Some of the young voices that make up Victoria’s Cathedral Choristers. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)

Christ Church Cathedral advent procession passed on to new generation

Youth voices will fill the candlelit cathedral Dec. 3, taking on a new challenge for the one-of-a-kind choir

Some of the young voices that make up Victoria’s Cathedral Choristers. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)
Klaus is an animated adventure comedy that explores how a simple act of kindness always sparks another. (Movie still)

Best Christmas movies to watch this holiday based on movie taste

From Hallmark heartfelt to a Silent Night of retribution, Christmas time brings noteworthy cinema

Klaus is an animated adventure comedy that explores how a simple act of kindness always sparks another. (Movie still)
2023 IEOA Lighted Truck Parade Route Map.

This Greater Victoria festive truck parade isn’t just about the flashy lights

IEOA’s 24th annual parade helps children and families who are accessing food banks

2023 IEOA Lighted Truck Parade Route Map.
A pair of decorative reindeer sit atop a float heading down Government Street as part of the 40th annual Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade in 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)

Five festive events to check out in Greater Victoria, including a parade

Seasonal magic returns to Greater Victoria with family-friendly festivities

A pair of decorative reindeer sit atop a float heading down Government Street as part of the 40th annual Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade in 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)
Inside the Christ Church Cathedral where the St. Cecilia’s Day Christmas Market and Music will take place. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)

Victoria Christmas market offers the sound of organs while holiday shopping

Christ Church Cathedral will be alive with the sounds of music and local vendors November 25

Inside the Christ Church Cathedral where the St. Cecilia’s Day Christmas Market and Music will take place. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)
Lynda Lombardi holds up a photo of her deceased son Michael, who she said inspires every piece she creates. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)

Mother-son duo paint picture of resilience and joy in Victoria exhibit

After losing one of her sons, Lynda Lombardi was inspired by her family to heal through art and pursue a lifelong dream

Lynda Lombardi holds up a photo of her deceased son Michael, who she said inspires every piece she creates. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)
Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria. (Courtesy Christ Church Cathedral)

Church wants to create homes for 1,500 on Victoria cathedral property

Christchurch project features repurposing parking lots for 500 rental units, repairs to cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria. (Courtesy Christ Church Cathedral)
The House at Pooh Corner, a 2020 Kaleidoscope production. (Veronica Bonderud)

Victoria’s Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People celebrates 50 years

Vancouver Island’s oldest professional theatre company continues to shape how people experience theatre for youth

The House at Pooh Corner, a 2020 Kaleidoscope production. (Veronica Bonderud)