Events

Luc Begin makes toffee on snow at Beban Park social centre as part of the Maple Sugar Festival on March 26. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

Toffee on snow one of the delicacies at Nanaimo’s Maple Sugar Festival

Festival returned to Nanaimo this weekend at Beban Park social centre

Luc Begin makes toffee on snow at Beban Park social centre as part of the Maple Sugar Festival on March 26. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
French Canadian culture and cuisine will make for a fun family weekend at L’Association des francophones de Nanaimo’s Maple Sugar Festival March 25-27 at Beban Park. (News Bulletin file)

How sweet it is: Maple Sugar Festival coming to Nanaimo this weekend

French Canadian sugar shack tradition celebration takes place March 25-27 at Beban Park

French Canadian culture and cuisine will make for a fun family weekend at L’Association des francophones de Nanaimo’s Maple Sugar Festival March 25-27 at Beban Park. (News Bulletin file)
Applications for the City of Victoria’s My Great Neighbourhood Grants open April 1. (Black Press Media file photo)

More than $131,000 in My Great Neighbourhood grants up for grabs in Victoria

Annual city program offers up to $5,000 for community projects, $1,000 for activities

Applications for the City of Victoria’s My Great Neighbourhood Grants open April 1. (Black Press Media file photo)
Regional District of Nanaimo’s committee of the whole is recommending the board back a proposal that could see Vancouver Island Exhibition relocate from Nanaimo to Nanoose Bay. The 2022 fair will still take place at Beban Park. (News Bulletin file)

Vancouver Island Exhibition could be permanently Nanoose Bay bound

Regional District of Nanaimo committee backs proposal for move to Arbutus Meadows

Regional District of Nanaimo’s committee of the whole is recommending the board back a proposal that could see Vancouver Island Exhibition relocate from Nanaimo to Nanoose Bay. The 2022 fair will still take place at Beban Park. (News Bulletin file)
Campbell River will be taking part in this year’s Black Balloon Day on March 6, commemorating the 26 people who died due to toxic drugs in Campbell River, as well as the thousands who have died around the province. (file photo)

Black Balloon day commemorates those lost to Vancouver Island’s toxic drug crisis

On March 6, black balloons will be displayed by people from across…

Campbell River will be taking part in this year’s Black Balloon Day on March 6, commemorating the 26 people who died due to toxic drugs in Campbell River, as well as the thousands who have died around the province. (file photo)
The Regional District of Nanaimo’s agricultural advisory committee has recommended approving an application to the Agricultural Land Commission to hold the Vancouver Island Exhibition at Arbutus Meadows Farm in Nanoose Bay. (News Bulletin file photo)

Application in the works that would allow VIEX to relocate from Nanaimo to Nanoose Bay

This year’s fair will be at Beban Park, but Vancouver Island Exhibition examining future options

The Regional District of Nanaimo’s agricultural advisory committee has recommended approving an application to the Agricultural Land Commission to hold the Vancouver Island Exhibition at Arbutus Meadows Farm in Nanoose Bay. (News Bulletin file photo)
The Royal B.C. Museum is home to one of many family-friendly exhibits open this week. (Courtesy of Royal B.C. Museum)

Kids at home? Find family fun in and around Greater Victoria

In-person and online activities to pass the time until Jan. 10

The Royal B.C. Museum is home to one of many family-friendly exhibits open this week. (Courtesy of Royal B.C. Museum)
Christmas events in Oak Bay are spread out over the month including letters to Santa, and a reading by the big man himself. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Oak Bay Village hosts magic, music, theatre throughout December

Christmas events run right through to Dec. 24

Christmas events in Oak Bay are spread out over the month including letters to Santa, and a reading by the big man himself. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
The band Dr. Strangelove in a promo photo. Surrey-based singer Kelly Brock, among a growing number of others, wonders why dancing to live music isn’t allowed in B.C. right now. (Photo: drstrangeloveband.com)

‘Footloose’ in B.C.: Dancing ban irks live-event industry, those who want to bust a move

‘Events are getting cancelled (and) it’s too late to get events going for November, December,’ one DJ says

The band Dr. Strangelove in a promo photo. Surrey-based singer Kelly Brock, among a growing number of others, wonders why dancing to live music isn’t allowed in B.C. right now. (Photo: drstrangeloveband.com)
Jordin Tootoo will be at this year’s We Care Fair. Photo Eventbrite

Jordin Tootoo to speak on mental health and suicide in Campbell River

We Care Fair hosted by First Nations health groups next week

Jordin Tootoo will be at this year’s We Care Fair. Photo Eventbrite
Rob Galey gets Pirate’s Island ready for next week’s festivities at Galey Farms. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Halloween, fall traditions set to begin at Galey Farms in Saanich

Tickets available in advance for events running throughout October

Rob Galey gets Pirate’s Island ready for next week’s festivities at Galey Farms. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
All special events must follow current COVID-10 restrictions and health protocols. (blue2finger/Pixabay)

Application for special event liquor permits gets easier amid COVID-19 reopening

Effective Sept.21, all special event permit applicants must use new online portal

All special events must follow current COVID-10 restrictions and health protocols. (blue2finger/Pixabay)
Natasha Koifman, the founder of the public relations firm NKPR, poses for a photograph in the backyard of her home in Toronto, on Thursday, August 19, 2021. When Sept. 11 comes, Koifman’s backyard will be awash with chatter and music as up to 100 guests gather for an elegant dinner meant to raise funds for Haitians to access education. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

Return of events pushes hosts to address vaccination, COVID tests and masks

Different events are deciding on different pandemic measures

Natasha Koifman, the founder of the public relations firm NKPR, poses for a photograph in the backyard of her home in Toronto, on Thursday, August 19, 2021. When Sept. 11 comes, Koifman’s backyard will be awash with chatter and music as up to 100 guests gather for an elegant dinner meant to raise funds for Haitians to access education. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin
A Fresh Connections event from this year, gathering single Vancouver islanders together to form friendships and relationships. (Courtesy of Fresh Connections)

The Singles Amazing Race comes to Greater Victoria

Interactive race around Oak Bay promises a shot at love

A Fresh Connections event from this year, gathering single Vancouver islanders together to form friendships and relationships. (Courtesy of Fresh Connections)
Giant puppet act Kit Kat featuring Shelley Fox, left, and Bill Fosdick from the 2020 Out There Art Festival. The Alter Arts Society’s 2021 Out There Art Festival will feature over 100 displays and a wide range of interactive performance arts. (Courtesy of the Alter Arts Society)

Interactive art takes centre stage at Quadra Village festival in Victoria

More than 100 displays will be included in the Out There Art Festival Aug. 28 to Sep. 6

Giant puppet act Kit Kat featuring Shelley Fox, left, and Bill Fosdick from the 2020 Out There Art Festival. The Alter Arts Society’s 2021 Out There Art Festival will feature over 100 displays and a wide range of interactive performance arts. (Courtesy of the Alter Arts Society)
Music by the Sea is being hosted at the Victoria International Marina from Aug. 17 to 22. (Photo courtesy of Music by the Sea)

Oceanfront concerts liven up Victoria International Marina in August

Music by the Sea features intimate performances by professional classical and jazz musicians

Music by the Sea is being hosted at the Victoria International Marina from Aug. 17 to 22. (Photo courtesy of Music by the Sea)
FarmFolk CityFolk’s annual Feast of Fields event goes online this year, but participants can still enjoy delicious locally grown and produced foods and beverages through a harvest box program. (Black Press Media file photo)

Feast of Fields offers virtual farm connection, hands-on Greater Victoria produce box

Attendees encouraged to reimagine annual event’s feast, at home

FarmFolk CityFolk’s annual Feast of Fields event goes online this year, but participants can still enjoy delicious locally grown and produced foods and beverages through a harvest box program. (Black Press Media file photo)
FILE – The Phillips Backyard Weekender music festival drew large crowds to downtown Victoria in July 2017. (Facebook )
FILE – The Phillips Backyard Weekender music festival drew large crowds to downtown Victoria in July 2017. (Facebook )
Canadian driver Paul Tracy pulls out of the pits during the morning session at the Molson Indy in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, July 26, 2003 (CP/Richard Lam)

Vancouver is considering hosting a Formula E race using electric cars

The race would be part of a three-day event focused on climate and sustainability

Canadian driver Paul Tracy pulls out of the pits during the morning session at the Molson Indy in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, July 26, 2003 (CP/Richard Lam)
The window of a wedding dress store with mannequins wearing face masks on Thursday, April 23, 2020. The store is closed because of COVID-19 lockdown. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Darko Bandic

Delay the date: How the COVID-19 pandemic may alter weddings for years to come

Some couples might shift towards smaller soirees even after the pandemic lifts, says planner

The window of a wedding dress store with mannequins wearing face masks on Thursday, April 23, 2020. The store is closed because of COVID-19 lockdown. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Darko Bandic