Live music

Carelton Stone plays Nanaimo’s Port Theatre alongside the Crash Test Dummies on Aug. 24. (Meghan Tansey Whitton photo)

Singer-songwriter opening for the Crash Test Dummies at Nanaimo show

Carleton Stone in midst of month-and-a-half-long international tour

Carelton Stone plays Nanaimo’s Port Theatre alongside the Crash Test Dummies on Aug. 24. (Meghan Tansey Whitton photo)
The Crash Test Dummies bring their international tour to Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre for two shows, Aug. 22 and 23. (Crashtestdummies.com)

Twice the ‘90s fun in Sidney with Crash Test Dummies

Band with roots in Winnipeg reintroducing the hits to longtime fans and newbies

The Crash Test Dummies bring their international tour to Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre for two shows, Aug. 22 and 23. (Crashtestdummies.com)
Nanaimo’s DJ Whipped Cream will headline at a free block party in Vancouver, Aug. 20. (DNZ Media photo)

Nanaimo DJ headlines at ‘Block Party’ festival in Vancouver

Whipped Cream plays free event’s main stage Saturday, Aug. 20

Nanaimo’s DJ Whipped Cream will headline at a free block party in Vancouver, Aug. 20. (DNZ Media photo)
Willie Nile and his band will play Nanaimo’s Queen’s Hotel on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 7-9 p.m. (Cristina Arragoni photo)

New York rocker playing Nanaimo as part of rare West Coast tour

Willie Nile and his band performing at the Queen’s on Aug. 13

Willie Nile and his band will play Nanaimo’s Queen’s Hotel on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 7-9 p.m. (Cristina Arragoni photo)
Sarah Varro, left, James Vickers and Ezra Beaton play the Doors’ Roadhouse Blues at the Queen’s Hotel during the July 31 Sunday Blues Jam session. They’ll play the Nanaimo Summertime Blues Festival as the New Blues Showcase on Aug. 13 between 1-2 p.m. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
Sarah Varro, left, James Vickers and Ezra Beaton play the Doors’ Roadhouse Blues at the Queen’s Hotel during the July 31 Sunday Blues Jam session. They’ll play the Nanaimo Summertime Blues Festival as the New Blues Showcase on Aug. 13 between 1-2 p.m. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
The Victoria Bicycle Music Festival is returning to a pair of local parks for a fifth year on Aug. 14, after its original Aug. 7 date was shifted. (Courtesy of Jason Dondale)

Bike-powered music festival returns to Victoria Aug. 14

The festival will move between Harris Green and Central parks

The Victoria Bicycle Music Festival is returning to a pair of local parks for a fifth year on Aug. 14, after its original Aug. 7 date was shifted. (Courtesy of Jason Dondale)
The action on the water is the main focus, but there are plenty of other entertainment options available for attendees of the first ever Vancouver Island International Dragon Boat Festival Aug. 6 and 7 on the Gorge Waterway between the Bay Street bridge and Selkirk trestle bridge. (Photo courtesy V.I. International Dragon Boat Festival)

On the water and off, Island dragon boat festival offers something for everyone

Victoria event features competitive challenges, food and entertainment options Aug. 6 and 7

The action on the water is the main focus, but there are plenty of other entertainment options available for attendees of the first ever Vancouver Island International Dragon Boat Festival Aug. 6 and 7 on the Gorge Waterway between the Bay Street bridge and Selkirk trestle bridge. (Photo courtesy V.I. International Dragon Boat Festival)
Ontario-born singer-songwriter Sarah Smith performs this Thursday (Aug. 4) at Willows Park following her recent move from London, Ont., to Pender Island. (Photo by Conny Keifer)

Ontarian singer brings West Coast soul to Willows Park in Oak Bay

London-born Sarah Smith falls for B.C.’s peaceful folk scene

Ontario-born singer-songwriter Sarah Smith performs this Thursday (Aug. 4) at Willows Park following her recent move from London, Ont., to Pender Island. (Photo by Conny Keifer)
John Reischman and the Jaybirds hit the stage at Butchart Gardens on Aug. 5. (John Resichman and the Jaybirds/Bandcamp)

Saanich Peninsula shows making summer music memories

Variety of musical performances scheduled, some free, others ticketed

John Reischman and the Jaybirds hit the stage at Butchart Gardens on Aug. 5. (John Resichman and the Jaybirds/Bandcamp)
The new Parksville Outdoor Theatre. (Bill Flower photo)

‘Rock the Park’ music showcase kicks off Aug. 5 in Parksville

Proceeds from 3-day festival will help operate new outdoor stage

The new Parksville Outdoor Theatre. (Bill Flower photo)
Shawn Mendes performs “Summer of Love” at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in New York. Mendes is one of several musicians to cancel Canadian concert dates in recent weeks.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Charles Sykes-Invision-AP

From Mendes to New Kids, concert cancellations prove a costly gamble for fans

Fans sometimes stuck with hefty travel, hotel expenses

Shawn Mendes performs “Summer of Love” at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in New York. Mendes is one of several musicians to cancel Canadian concert dates in recent weeks.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Charles Sykes-Invision-AP
Local artists who’ve competed around the world will showcase their talents at Cadboro-Gyro Park during the Cadboro Bay Festival on Aug. 7. (Courtesy of District of Saanich)

World-class sand sculpting major draw for Saanich’s Cadboro Bay Festival

Free family friendly event Aug. 7 includes food, activities and fun at the beach

Local artists who’ve competed around the world will showcase their talents at Cadboro-Gyro Park during the Cadboro Bay Festival on Aug. 7. (Courtesy of District of Saanich)
Dance duo Funkanometry dances surrounded by a cheering crowd Saturday during Colwood’s Eats and Beats Beach Party on the Esquimalt Lagoon. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Eats and Beats Beach Party brings funky fun to Colwood

Thousands spent the afternoon and evening enjoying music, food, and more

Dance duo Funkanometry dances surrounded by a cheering crowd Saturday during Colwood’s Eats and Beats Beach Party on the Esquimalt Lagoon. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Freeze Frame, from left, Steve Moyer, Paul McLellan, Lisa McLellan and Steve Hansen perform at a Saanich Music in the Park event in 2019. The band performs this Thursday (July 21) at Willows Park. (Courtesy of Lisa McLellan)

Greater Victoria band checkers Willows stage with timeless hits July 21

Freeze Frame, on stage July 21, fuses friendship with a love for ’80s music

Freeze Frame, from left, Steve Moyer, Paul McLellan, Lisa McLellan and Steve Hansen perform at a Saanich Music in the Park event in 2019. The band performs this Thursday (July 21) at Willows Park. (Courtesy of Lisa McLellan)
Crowds lounge on the beach as Pulse Radio performs at the Esquimalt Lagoon Saturday (July 9) as part of Colwood’s weekly beach food weekends and Saturday music. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Pulse Radio brings the groove to Esquimalt Lagoon

Colwood’s beach food weekends and music Saturdays continue until Sept. 2

Crowds lounge on the beach as Pulse Radio performs at the Esquimalt Lagoon Saturday (July 9) as part of Colwood’s weekly beach food weekends and Saturday music. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Victoria’s own Astrocolor are the final band announced for the Eats and Beats Beach Party lineup in Colwood, which features Juno Award winners Said the Whale as headliners July 30. (Courtesy of Astrocolor)

Astrocolor completes lineup for Colwood’s Eats and Beats Beach Party

Juno winners Said the Whale headline 5-band show July 30 at Esquimalt Lagoon

Victoria’s own Astrocolor are the final band announced for the Eats and Beats Beach Party lineup in Colwood, which features Juno Award winners Said the Whale as headliners July 30. (Courtesy of Astrocolor)
Paolo Bortolussi, left, Calvin Dyck and Mark Beaty perform along the shore of Nanaimo’s Long Lake during Vancouver Island Symphony’s Pop-Up Concert Series last year. This year’s summer series will run July 7 until Aug. 20. (Photo courtesy Vancouver Island Symphony)

Vancouver Island Symphony planning series of pop-up concerts

Pop-Up Concert Series will see four groups play six locations from July 7 until Aug. 20

Paolo Bortolussi, left, Calvin Dyck and Mark Beaty perform along the shore of Nanaimo’s Long Lake during Vancouver Island Symphony’s Pop-Up Concert Series last year. This year’s summer series will run July 7 until Aug. 20. (Photo courtesy Vancouver Island Symphony)
The annual Philharmonic Fling! at Ed Macgregor Park in Sooke takes place July 10 at 2:30 p.m. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Philharmonic takes a fling

Annual concert at Ed Macgregor Park on July 10

The annual Philharmonic Fling! at Ed Macgregor Park in Sooke takes place July 10 at 2:30 p.m. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Members of Raven Baroque gather atop the reservoir on Mount Tolmie, where they’ll perform July 1 in the first of a series of free period music concerts around the region this summer. (Courtesy Raven Baroque)

Canada Day classical concert hits the heights in Saanich

July 1 Raven Baroque performance on Mount Tolmie opens summer celebrations series

Members of Raven Baroque gather atop the reservoir on Mount Tolmie, where they’ll perform July 1 in the first of a series of free period music concerts around the region this summer. (Courtesy Raven Baroque)
Classic Canadian rock band Chilliwack will play Nanaimo’s Port Theatre on June 29 at 7:30 p.m. (submitted photo)

Legendary Canadian rock band Chilliwack playing Vancouver Island twice this week

David Gogo to appear as special guest in June 29 performance

Classic Canadian rock band Chilliwack will play Nanaimo’s Port Theatre on June 29 at 7:30 p.m. (submitted photo)