Arts and culture

Anne Cateaux released her debut novel, Shimmy, after a decade of working on getting it published. (Photo courtesy of Anne Cateaux)

Ladysmith author explores love and friendship in debut novel

Shimmy answers ‘where do pets go when they die?’

Anne Cateaux released her debut novel, Shimmy, after a decade of working on getting it published. (Photo courtesy of Anne Cateaux)
A rendering of the proposed new art gallery from the Ingram Street perspective. (Submitted by the Cowichan Public Art Gallery)
A rendering of the proposed new art gallery from the Ingram Street perspective. (Submitted by the Cowichan Public Art Gallery)
Artist talks and demonstrations will be part of the Sooke Fine Arts Show when it returns on July 21. (Serena Haley Photography)
Artist talks and demonstrations will be part of the Sooke Fine Arts Show when it returns on July 21. (Serena Haley Photography)
Ashley Howe, founder of Supply Victoria, stands in front of her non-profit Creative Reuse Centre on Vancouver Street in the North Park neighbourhood. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Free art supplies offered weekly at North Park pop-up in Victoria

‘Everyone deserves the right to express themselves,’ says Supply Victoria founder Ashley Howe

Ashley Howe, founder of Supply Victoria, stands in front of her non-profit Creative Reuse Centre on Vancouver Street in the North Park neighbourhood. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Someone Like Me co-directors and partners Sean Horlor, left, and Steve J. Adams. (Photo courtesy of Grady Mitchell/National Film Board of Canada)

Saanich-raised filmmaker’s doc melds struggles of gay asylum seeker, his sponsors

Sean Horlor’s Someone Like Me plays at the Victoria Film Festival on Feb. 5

Someone Like Me co-directors and partners Sean Horlor, left, and Steve J. Adams. (Photo courtesy of Grady Mitchell/National Film Board of Canada)
Terry Lee, left, Edmond Wong and Daniel Low of the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club perform eye dotting ceremony as part of the virtual Chinese New Year celebration online Feb. 1. (Courtesy Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club)

VIDEO: Victoria club awakens cubs for virtual Chinese New Year lion dance

Young performers of Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club usher in Year of the Tiger

Terry Lee, left, Edmond Wong and Daniel Low of the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club perform eye dotting ceremony as part of the virtual Chinese New Year celebration online Feb. 1. (Courtesy Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club)
FILE - A man, wearing a protective face mask to prevent the spread of coronavirus, is tattooed at Paul and Friends tattoo parlour in downtown Brussels, March 26, 2021. The European Union is imposing restrictions on the inks that tattoo artists can use as of Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. The EU says it is a necessary move to protect the health of consumers because thousands of chemical elements now in use can cause anything from allergic reactions to cancer. The tattoo industry complains it is unfairly targeted and is losing an essence part of its art. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)

Tattoo artist anger over new European rules goes beyond skin deep

Commission says alternatives to the banned products do exist

FILE - A man, wearing a protective face mask to prevent the spread of coronavirus, is tattooed at Paul and Friends tattoo parlour in downtown Brussels, March 26, 2021. The European Union is imposing restrictions on the inks that tattoo artists can use as of Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. The EU says it is a necessary move to protect the health of consumers because thousands of chemical elements now in use can cause anything from allergic reactions to cancer. The tattoo industry complains it is unfairly targeted and is losing an essence part of its art. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
Casey Edmunds, executive director of the Victoria Francophone Society, hopes new funding and partnerships will help unite Greater Victoria’s French-speaking residents. (Tegwyn Hughes/News Staff)

French-language group reflects on past, predicts new growth on West Shore

Victoria Francophone Society receives $23K to increase family resources

Casey Edmunds, executive director of the Victoria Francophone Society, hopes new funding and partnerships will help unite Greater Victoria’s French-speaking residents. (Tegwyn Hughes/News Staff)
The canoe created by John Marston and Moy Sutherland hangs in the rafters of the gift shop and cafe at the Malahat Skywalk. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Master carver Marston’s work graces Malahat Skywalk

Canoe, sculpture indicative of the region’s culture displayed prominently at the tourist facility

The canoe created by John Marston and Moy Sutherland hangs in the rafters of the gift shop and cafe at the Malahat Skywalk. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Man of a Thousand Faces
Dale Roberts with an image of Dame Mailarta in front of a handful of the hundreds of felted portraits in his Victoria studio. See story on page A23. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Victoria artist creates persona to be Canada’s autographed portrait queen

Autographed image of Queen of England would be a feather in Dame Mailarta’s cap

Man of a Thousand Faces
Dale Roberts with an image of Dame Mailarta in front of a handful of the hundreds of felted portraits in his Victoria studio. See story on page A23. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Darius Rucker is the headliner for Sunfest 2022. (Photo courtesy of dariusrucker.com)

Darius Rucker to headline Sunfest 2022

Cowichan Valley also welcomes Dallas Smith, Billy Currington Hardy, Kip Moore

Darius Rucker is the headliner for Sunfest 2022. (Photo courtesy of dariusrucker.com)
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 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)
'God is a Scottish Drag Queen' hits the stage this holiday season at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, along with more music and comedy than you can shake a stick at. (Photo courtesy of Cowichan Performing Arts Centre)

Winter delights abound at Cowichan Performing Arts Centre this holiday season

The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre has picked up where they left off

'God is a Scottish Drag Queen' hits the stage this holiday season at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, along with more music and comedy than you can shake a stick at. (Photo courtesy of Cowichan Performing Arts Centre)
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)
Red Sky Performance is bringing the production Trace to the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre in Duncan on Nov. 14, 2021. (David Hou photo)

Indigenous dance company brings ‘Trace’ to Vancouver Island stage

One of the world’s leading Indigenous dance, theatre, music and media companies

Red Sky Performance is bringing the production Trace to the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre in Duncan on Nov. 14, 2021. (David Hou photo)
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)