Local Entertainment

Mandy Farmer takes the wheel of Hotel Zed’s new retro ride aka The Shaggin’ Wagon. (Submitted photo)

Cheeky ’70s themed ‘Shaggin’ Wagon’ pops up in Tofino ahead of Valentine’s Day

Mandy Farmer has a soft spot for vintage vehicles. Her latest score,…

Mandy Farmer takes the wheel of Hotel Zed’s new retro ride aka The Shaggin’ Wagon. (Submitted photo)
The Artward Bound plein air painting group each created their own artistic interpretation of what remains of several local business locations after a fire at the Parksville Heritage Centre last November. (Pat Palmer painting)

Artists find beauty in what remains after Parksville fire

Artward Bound plein air painting group members each created own artistic interpretation

The Artward Bound plein air painting group each created their own artistic interpretation of what remains of several local business locations after a fire at the Parksville Heritage Centre last November. (Pat Palmer painting)
A Cedar Is Life will be screened at the Chemainus Theatre Festival Feb. 11. (Photo submitted)

Cedar’s prominence in Indigenous lives featured in documentary

Screening of A Cedar Is Life at Chemainus Theatre’s mini film festival

A Cedar Is Life will be screened at the Chemainus Theatre Festival Feb. 11. (Photo submitted)
Lauren Spencer-Smith, seen performing in Toronto during last year’s Juno Awards broadcast, has been nominated for Artist of the Year and TikTok Juno Fan Choice for this year’s awards show in March. (iPhoto/CARAS photo)

Vancouver Island’s Lauren Spencer-Smith receives two Juno nominations

19-year-old pitted against Michael Bublé, The Weeknd, and Avril Lavigne for artist of the year

Lauren Spencer-Smith, seen performing in Toronto during last year’s Juno Awards broadcast, has been nominated for Artist of the Year and TikTok Juno Fan Choice for this year’s awards show in March. (iPhoto/CARAS photo)
Snuneymuxw elder Lolly Good, left, Brittney Namaakii Bear Hat and Richelle Bear Hat during the opening of Brittney and Richelle’s ‘Story Keeping’ exhibit at the Nanaimo Art Gallery, Friday, Jan. 27. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo Art Gallery exhibit explores different ways stories are told and how they change

‘Story Keeping’ by Richelle Bear Hat and Brittney Namaakii Bear Hat exhibits until April 9

Snuneymuxw elder Lolly Good, left, Brittney Namaakii Bear Hat and Richelle Bear Hat during the opening of Brittney and Richelle’s ‘Story Keeping’ exhibit at the Nanaimo Art Gallery, Friday, Jan. 27. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
The Helmuth Wolff & Associes Ltee, Op 47, organ built in 2005 in the Christ Church Cathedral. (Courtesy Mark Thompson)

Landmark Victoria organ in the spotlight at this year’s Pacific Baroque Festival

Annual event kicks off Feb. 15 at Christ Church Cathedral

The Helmuth Wolff & Associes Ltee, Op 47, organ built in 2005 in the Christ Church Cathedral. (Courtesy Mark Thompson)
(Martina DaSilva)

Kimono-clad pianist set to light up Victoria stage

New York-based Miki Yamanaka plays Hermann’s Jazz Club Feb. 4

(Martina DaSilva)
A couple enjoys the fire at Oak Bay Hotel Boathouse Spa. (Aaron J. Barr)

Choose your own adventure: Things to do for Valentine’s Day in Victoria

Here’s our list of things to do this Valentine’s Day based off what mood you want to set

A couple enjoys the fire at Oak Bay Hotel Boathouse Spa. (Aaron J. Barr)
Actor, model and activist Pamela Anderson will reclaim her life narrative in her memoir, ‘Love, Pamela,’ and Netflix documentary ‘Pamela, a Love Story,’ both set to be released Jan. 31. (Carmelo Redondo photo)

Pamela Anderson looks to tell her own story in her own words

Actor, model, activist releasing memoir the same day her Netflix documentary comes out

Actor, model and activist Pamela Anderson will reclaim her life narrative in her memoir, ‘Love, Pamela,’ and Netflix documentary ‘Pamela, a Love Story,’ both set to be released Jan. 31. (Carmelo Redondo photo)
In a cross-Island tour, Nanaimo’s ‘coastal folk’ singer songwriter Spencer Hiemstra continues his January tour through bars, cafes and breweries - playing the Nanaimo Bar on Jan. 27. (Submitted photo)

‘Coastal-folk’ singer-songwriter touring Vancouver Island all month

Spencer Hiemstra and Aaron Wylder co-headline Jan. 27 show at the Nanaimo Bar

In a cross-Island tour, Nanaimo’s ‘coastal folk’ singer songwriter Spencer Hiemstra continues his January tour through bars, cafes and breweries - playing the Nanaimo Bar on Jan. 27. (Submitted photo)
Victoria Beer Week will see the return of popular events, like beer and pizza night, along with new additions to the lineup. (File photo courtesy Victoria Beer Society)

Victoria Beer Week returns in May with new events celebrating craft beer

Almost 50 B.C. breweries will take part in the celebration

Victoria Beer Week will see the return of popular events, like beer and pizza night, along with new additions to the lineup. (File photo courtesy Victoria Beer Society)
Director Jason Eisener (from left)and actors Dominic Marchie, Asher Grayson Percival and Jonni Shreve at the Los Angeles premiere for <em>Kids vs. </em><em>Aliens</em>. (Courtesy of Crystal Percival)

Langford actor returns to silver screen as lead in sci-fi horror film

Asher Grayson Percival stars in Kids vs. Aliens which was released Friday

Director Jason Eisener (from left)and actors Dominic Marchie, Asher Grayson Percival and Jonni Shreve at the Los Angeles premiere for <em>Kids vs. </em><em>Aliens</em>. (Courtesy of Crystal Percival)
The final work is titled Your Thoughts Can Set you Free. Here seen in progress in Chou Doc, Vietnam, the final piece is 32 metric tons held together with mortise and tenon joints. This half circle piece is made of marble. (Photo courtesy of Jock Hildebrand)

Cowichan Valley artist invited to shows in Italy, Germany

“These two invitations are a real surprise and I feel incredibly honored to have received them”

The final work is titled Your Thoughts Can Set you Free. Here seen in progress in Chou Doc, Vietnam, the final piece is 32 metric tons held together with mortise and tenon joints. This half circle piece is made of marble. (Photo courtesy of Jock Hildebrand)
Quinton Foote released his second fantasy novel ‘The Siege of Shadow’ in mid-December as a follow up to his April 2021 novel debut, ‘The Mighty Ven Devar.’ (Submitted images)

Nanaimo author and filmmaker tells stories inspired by Dungeons and Dragons campaigns

Quinton Foote’s recently released ‘The Siege of Shadow’ second in series of fantasy novels

Quinton Foote released his second fantasy novel ‘The Siege of Shadow’ in mid-December as a follow up to his April 2021 novel debut, ‘The Mighty Ven Devar.’ (Submitted images)
A photo of Nikifor Andriev and his family taken in the 1930s. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Author parallels family’s path with the growth of Port Alberni in new book

‘The Russian Refugees: A Family’s First Century in Canada’ follows family history of Michael Andruff

A photo of Nikifor Andriev and his family taken in the 1930s. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Vancouver’s Julie Kim. (Graphic submitted)

Vancouver comic brings ‘rant-y’ style to Victoria show

Julie Kim will be in Victoria in March

  • Jan 12, 2023
Vancouver’s Julie Kim. (Graphic submitted)
Artistic director Mark DuMez and managing director Randy Huber take a vantage point in the Chemainus Theatre seats that they hope will be predominantly full during the 2023 season. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Chemainus Theatre staging a bigger comeback during 2023

Five shows of multiple interest sure to attract strong audience numbers

Artistic director Mark DuMez and managing director Randy Huber take a vantage point in the Chemainus Theatre seats that they hope will be predominantly full during the 2023 season. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Acclaimed singer/songwriter Valdy returns to Sooke for a concert on Jan. 21 at Holy Trinity Church. (Submitted)

Legendary folk singer Valdy’s roots run through Sooke

Valdy performs on Jan. 21 at Holy Trinity Church in Sooke

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Valdy returns to Sooke for a concert on Jan. 21 at Holy Trinity Church. (Submitted)
Saanich-based director and co-producer Arnold Lim (centre) guides crew members before shooting a scene for the feature film All-in Madonna. The film was shot in and around Victoria and the South Island in 2019. (Photo by Patrick Coble/Blue Lake Films).

All aboard for Saanich filmmaker Arnold Lim’s latest award-winning short

Whale watching vessel hosts Short Bursts during 2023 Victoria Film Festival Feb. 3 to 12

Saanich-based director and co-producer Arnold Lim (centre) guides crew members before shooting a scene for the feature film All-in Madonna. The film was shot in and around Victoria and the South Island in 2019. (Photo by Patrick Coble/Blue Lake Films).
Jesus Guerrero of Spain is just one of the performers who will hit the stage at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre in Duncan on Jan. 26 for ‘International Guitar Night’. (Photo courtesy of CPAC)

Guitars, comedy and ‘Shrek’: Cowichan Performing Arts Centre has it all in January

2023 is starting off with a bang

Jesus Guerrero of Spain is just one of the performers who will hit the stage at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre in Duncan on Jan. 26 for ‘International Guitar Night’. (Photo courtesy of CPAC)