Arts and culture

The back cover of Yvonne Maximchuk's fiction novel 'Murder Rides A Gale Force Wind.' (Submitted photo)

North Island artist-author explains how she wrote her very first fiction novel

‘I could probably write a book about everything I learned from writing this book’

The back cover of Yvonne Maximchuk's fiction novel 'Murder Rides A Gale Force Wind.' (Submitted photo)
Funding eligibility, space and decision-making power were listed as barriers to arts service access in a 2021 report. (Courtesy of Intrepid Theatre)

CRD Arts and Culture Service implements equity lens to operations, budget

Recommendations in 2021 report aim to remove systemic barriers to arts supports

Funding eligibility, space and decision-making power were listed as barriers to arts service access in a 2021 report. (Courtesy of Intrepid Theatre)
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)
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria announces seasoned veteran as its new director

Nancy Noble will take the reins as gallery continues plan to move downtown

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
Clare Winstanley is a member of the Sooke Writer’s Collective, which hosts an event celebrating the release of Where We Reside at the Sooke Region Museum Pavilion on May 7. (Contributed - AMGray Studios)

Sooke poetry group releases local works

Launch event takes place May 7

Clare Winstanley is a member of the Sooke Writer’s Collective, which hosts an event celebrating the release of Where We Reside at the Sooke Region Museum Pavilion on May 7. (Contributed - AMGray Studios)
Participants in a new program to train professionals for the live music industry will learn their skills at Laketown Ranch in Youbou. (Citizen file)

New training in Lake Cowichan teaches live music industry skills

Program will run at Laketown Ranch

  • Apr 14, 2022
Participants in a new program to train professionals for the live music industry will learn their skills at Laketown Ranch in Youbou. (Citizen file)
From left: Peggy Pearce, Rowan O’Callaghan, Sherri Wade and John Felice will appear in ECHO Players’ newest production ‘How It Works’ at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach, which will run April 21 until May 8, 2022. (Submitted photo)
From left: Peggy Pearce, Rowan O’Callaghan, Sherri Wade and John Felice will appear in ECHO Players’ newest production ‘How It Works’ at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach, which will run April 21 until May 8, 2022. (Submitted photo)
Renowned Canadian writer, Margaret Atwood speaks after Canada Post unveiling of a special stamp in her honour in Toronto on Nov. 25, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)

QUIZ: How much do you know about poems and poetry?

April is National Poetry Month in Canada

Renowned Canadian writer, Margaret Atwood speaks after Canada Post unveiling of a special stamp in her honour in Toronto on Nov. 25, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)
The Strathcona Mounted Troop performs in Victoria at the Highland Games May 21 and 22, as well as the Victoria Day Parade on May 23. (Courtesy of Victoria Highland Games Association)

Highland Games calls in the calvalry for spring return to Victoria park

Scottish, Celtic games, music, traditions and food hit Topaz May 21 and 22

The Strathcona Mounted Troop performs in Victoria at the Highland Games May 21 and 22, as well as the Victoria Day Parade on May 23. (Courtesy of Victoria Highland Games Association)
Laura Davis, president of the Arts and Culture Colwood Society, said the group’s first year was a success, including the installation of this Emily Carr interpretive sign near Royal Bay. Members and staff are looking forward to another year of bringing the community together through art. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Arts and Culture Colwood Society bringing community together through the arts

Group is back for a second year offering classes, art shows and performances

Laura Davis, president of the Arts and Culture Colwood Society, said the group’s first year was a success, including the installation of this Emily Carr interpretive sign near Royal Bay. Members and staff are looking forward to another year of bringing the community together through art. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
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)
Lindenthaler and Brown wanted to start a business together for a while, when Brown noticed a potential gap in the market for topographical maps. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Sooke couple carving wooden maps of anywhere in the world

The process combines computer science and woodworking to make custom maps

Lindenthaler and Brown wanted to start a business together for a while, when Brown noticed a potential gap in the market for topographical maps. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
The cast rehearsing the finale of We Will Rock You being performed by students at Edward Milne Community School on April 21 to 23. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Sooke students step on stage for first time since 2019

The last play EMCS musical theatre students performed was in 2019

The cast rehearsing the finale of We Will Rock You being performed by students at Edward Milne Community School on April 21 to 23. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
The City of Victoria’s Arts and Culture sector is vital for attracting tourists, said Mayor Lisa Helps a press release’s justification of their new grant program. Members of the New York dance troupe STOMP are pictured performing at the Atrium on Blanshard Street in 2013. (Don Denton/News staff)

City of Victoria targets Arts and Culture venues with $400,000 grant program

“The City has lost affordable venues during the pandemic and many have pressing needs”: Mayor Helps

The City of Victoria’s Arts and Culture sector is vital for attracting tourists, said Mayor Lisa Helps a press release’s justification of their new grant program. Members of the New York dance troupe STOMP are pictured performing at the Atrium on Blanshard Street in 2013. (Don Denton/News staff)
Photographer Mikhail Palinchak lends images from his war-torn home country to a Victoria showcase and silent auction to raise funds for the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. (Photo by Mikhail Palinchak)

Photos from Ukraine help teens Rise Together for Victoria fundraiser

Oak Bay philanthropists raising money for Canada-Ukraine Foundation with May 11-13 show

Photographer Mikhail Palinchak lends images from his war-torn home country to a Victoria showcase and silent auction to raise funds for the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. (Photo by Mikhail Palinchak)
Art pieces produced by some of the members of Fibres and Beyond include (from left) a jacket by Gail Erickson; Whispers, a doll by Linda Danielson, and Kusaki Zome, Misty forest by Elizabeth Tanner. (Courtesy of Fibres and Beyond)

Fibres and Beyond celebrates 20 years of shows with Metchosin exhibition

The textile artists group has been meeting every month since 2002

Art pieces produced by some of the members of Fibres and Beyond include (from left) a jacket by Gail Erickson; Whispers, a doll by Linda Danielson, and Kusaki Zome, Misty forest by Elizabeth Tanner. (Courtesy of Fibres and Beyond)
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
Lora de Vries with some of her collection of sea glass. “I got hooked on the thrill of finding these little pieces of history,” she says. (Contributed - Lora de Vries)

PHOTOS: Sooke collector perfects beauty in sea glass

Lora de Vries finds treasure in gift from the sea

Lora de Vries with some of her collection of sea glass. “I got hooked on the thrill of finding these little pieces of history,” she says. (Contributed - Lora de Vries)
The Franco-Ontarian vocal trio, Les Chiclettes, perform on March 17 at 8 p.m. at the Victoria Event Centre to start a three-day immersion of culture and festivities for Franco Fest. (Les Chiclettes/Facebook)

3 days of French culture fill downtown Victoria venues

Victoria Francophone Society hosts inaugural Franco Fest, March 17 to 19

The Franco-Ontarian vocal trio, Les Chiclettes, perform on March 17 at 8 p.m. at the Victoria Event Centre to start a three-day immersion of culture and festivities for Franco Fest. (Les Chiclettes/Facebook)
Kathleen Darby is leading a nation-wide project called Cultural Resilience: Using Innovation to Stabilize in Times of Crisis, which showcases the arts and culture sector’s innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Kathleen Darby)

Vancouver Islander leads nation-wide project showcasing innovation

Project highlights resilience in the arts and culture sector during pandemic

Kathleen Darby is leading a nation-wide project called Cultural Resilience: Using Innovation to Stabilize in Times of Crisis, which showcases the arts and culture sector’s innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Kathleen Darby)