Festival

The Lekwungen Traditional Dancers were one of the acts at Beckwith Park’s first IYAKT music festival. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Successful IYAKT event in Saanich gives Indigenous talent opportunity to perform

The event aimed to shine light on the many talented Indigenous performers across the region

The Lekwungen Traditional Dancers were one of the acts at Beckwith Park’s first IYAKT music festival. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Howl Brewing, co-owned by Daniel van Netten and Alayna Briemon, is one of 17 North Saanich venues featured in the 2021 Flavour Trail scavenger hunt. (Black Press Media file photo)
Howl Brewing, co-owned by Daniel van Netten and Alayna Briemon, is one of 17 North Saanich venues featured in the 2021 Flavour Trail scavenger hunt. (Black Press Media file photo)
Muralist Lydia Beauregard poses with her work. The Esquimalt Community Arts Hub hopes to unite the township’s community via the festival. (Courtesy of Laura-Beth Keane/Esquimalt Community Arts Hub)

Mural festival to take over Esquimalt buildings

August event aims to promote public art, celebrate community

Muralist Lydia Beauregard poses with her work. The Esquimalt Community Arts Hub hopes to unite the township’s community via the festival. (Courtesy of Laura-Beth Keane/Esquimalt Community Arts Hub)
Johnny Cash, June Carter and others pictured on a page from “Memories From the Mountain,” a new book that documents the history of Merritt Mountain Music Festival in photographs by Surrey’s Dee Lippingwell. (Photos: Dee Lippingwell)

Merritt country music festival’s ‘crazy-ass scene’ recalled in photographer’s new book

Campground C party zone and more remembered in Dee Lippingwell’s third book

Johnny Cash, June Carter and others pictured on a page from “Memories From the Mountain,” a new book that documents the history of Merritt Mountain Music Festival in photographs by Surrey’s Dee Lippingwell. (Photos: Dee Lippingwell)
Brewery & the Beast returns for its ninth year following a pandemic hiatus. The festival will take place this September in Langford. (SMC Communications Inc. for Brewery & The Beast)

Beasts and brews return to Langford this September

Tickets go on sale July 7 for ninth year of Brewery & The Beast

Brewery & the Beast returns for its ninth year following a pandemic hiatus. The festival will take place this September in Langford. (SMC Communications Inc. for Brewery & The Beast)
Tom Bob, Tyler Bob’s father, speaks at the beginning of the opening ceremony. (Mandy Moraes photo)
Tom Bob, Tyler Bob’s father, speaks at the beginning of the opening ceremony. (Mandy Moraes photo)
OrcaFest parade 2019. (North Island Gazette file photo)

COVID-19: Port McNeill’s annual OrcaFest cancelled again

“We promise you that once we are safely able to do so, OrcaFest will be back!!”

OrcaFest parade 2019. (North Island Gazette file photo)
The Pacific Rim Whale Festival is breaching for a COVID-safe return in March. (Poster photo by Owen Crosby)

Pacific Rim Whale Festival aims for virtual return in March

Educational celebration scheduled to arrive in Tofino-Ucluelet on March 15.

The Pacific Rim Whale Festival is breaching for a COVID-safe return in March. (Poster photo by Owen Crosby)
Gracie Dawson, Auley Feaver and Lisa Evans proudly carried their creations through the Tofino Botanical Gardens during the 18th annual Tofino Lantern Festival in 2018. (Photo - Andrew Bailey)

Hundreds of lanterns rehomed as Tofino Lantern Festival in flux

A museum of West Coast creativity has been disassembled.

Gracie Dawson, Auley Feaver and Lisa Evans proudly carried their creations through the Tofino Botanical Gardens during the 18th annual Tofino Lantern Festival in 2018. (Photo - Andrew Bailey)
Maddie, played by Melanie Rose Wilson (right) and Cher, played by Arabella Costello, in a scene from the upcoming Telefilm Talent to Watch feature film All-in Madonna, which premieres virtually at the Whistler Film Festival on Dec. 9. (Courtesy Blue Lake Films Ltd).

Saanich director’s first feature virtually premieres at Whistler Film Festival

All-in Madonna, directed by Arnold Lim, streams is available through Dec. 31

Maddie, played by Melanie Rose Wilson (right) and Cher, played by Arabella Costello, in a scene from the upcoming Telefilm Talent to Watch feature film All-in Madonna, which premieres virtually at the Whistler Film Festival on Dec. 9. (Courtesy Blue Lake Films Ltd).
The SkeenaWild Conservation Trust is taking its 11th annual film festival online this year. (Courtesy of SkeenaWild Film Festival)

Thursday night online film festival displays beauty of northern B.C.

Residents can tune in and vote on their favourite films on Nov. 12

The SkeenaWild Conservation Trust is taking its 11th annual film festival online this year. (Courtesy of SkeenaWild Film Festival)
LED displays of all shapes and colours line Lambrick Way and the Gordon Head Recreation Centre parking lot as crowds flow through the festival route. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Hundreds walk, bike, drive through Saanich’s full moon lantern festival

Harvest Moon celebration draws crowds for pandemic-friendly fun

LED displays of all shapes and colours line Lambrick Way and the Gordon Head Recreation Centre parking lot as crowds flow through the festival route. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
SKAMpede goes live in Victoria this weekend

SKAMpede goes live in Victoria this weekend

Beloved annual theatre event returns with changes, pre-registration online

  • Jul 10, 2020
SKAMpede goes live in Victoria this weekend
A balmy summer float from the 2019 Sointula Salmon Days festival. (North Island Gazette file photo)

Summer in Sointula won’t be the same this year

Malcolm Island community faces economic challenges on top of cancelled festival.

A balmy summer float from the 2019 Sointula Salmon Days festival. (North Island Gazette file photo)
Large crowds at The 39 Days of July came out to listen to the music of young performers in 2019. This year, due to COVID-19, performances will be available online only. (Lexi Bainas/file)

Duncan’s 39 Days of July transitions to online shows for 2020

Traditionally, the 39 Days of July has consisted of a series of outdoor musical events

Large crowds at The 39 Days of July came out to listen to the music of young performers in 2019. This year, due to COVID-19, performances will be available online only. (Lexi Bainas/file)
The 2020 editions of Laketown Shakedown and Sunfest have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Citizen file)
The 2020 editions of Laketown Shakedown and Sunfest have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Citizen file)
Words on the Water an event for readers

Words on the Water an event for readers

19th edition of Campbell River event celebrating the written word expected to sell out

Words on the Water an event for readers
Vic Film Fest: Fresh perspectives for 2020

Vic Film Fest: Fresh perspectives for 2020

New head programmer Kinga Binkowska brings new ideas, international experience to bear

Vic Film Fest: Fresh perspectives for 2020
British character actor Bill Nighy, who co-stars with Annette Bening in Hope Gap, screening at the 2020 Victoria Film Festival, will be in town for a post-screening conversation on stage Feb. 8 at The Vic Theatre. (Film still courtesy Screen Media Films)

Famed character actor Bill Nighy to be part of 2020 Victoria Film Festival

Nighy to chat after Feb. 8 screening of the film Hope Gap

  • Jan 11, 2020
British character actor Bill Nighy, who co-stars with Annette Bening in Hope Gap, screening at the 2020 Victoria Film Festival, will be in town for a post-screening conversation on stage Feb. 8 at The Vic Theatre. (Film still courtesy Screen Media Films)
Jeff Bray, executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association, stands in front of some early renderings of what the Lights Of Wonder holiday light village will look like (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Massive holiday light village coming to downtown Victoria

The Downtown Victoria Business Association’s ‘Lights of Wonder’ festival begins Dec. 13

Jeff Bray, executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association, stands in front of some early renderings of what the Lights Of Wonder holiday light village will look like (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)