Live music

Rock band Dear Rouge performs at Surrey’s Party for the Planet festival in 2014, in celebration of Earth Day. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C.’s new ARC program aims to give musicians the tools to build sustainable careers

Applications from B.C.-based musicians now welcomed, with 15 to be picked for program’s first round

Rock band Dear Rouge performs at Surrey’s Party for the Planet festival in 2014, in celebration of Earth Day. (Black Press Media file photo)
Daniel Lapp directs the Joy of Life choir, which plays a key role in the return of the Joy of Life concert to the Alix Goolden Performance Hall on April 16. (Mark Nicol/courtesy Victoria Conservatory of Music)

COMING UP: Live music, theatre and more make April notable in Victoria

From spoken word to live jazz, Joy of Life to UNOFest, patrons have options

Daniel Lapp directs the Joy of Life choir, which plays a key role in the return of the Joy of Life concert to the Alix Goolden Performance Hall on April 16. (Mark Nicol/courtesy Victoria Conservatory of Music)
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)
Taylor Hawkins, the longtime drummer for the rock band Foo Fighters, died on Friday (March 25) at age 50. The band has since cancelled its 2022 tour, which included a Victoria show in October. (Photo by Al Wagner/Invision/AP)

Foo Fighters cancel Victoria tour date following longtime drummer’s death

Taylor Hawkins died at the age of 50 on March 25

Taylor Hawkins, the longtime drummer for the rock band Foo Fighters, died on Friday (March 25) at age 50. The band has since cancelled its 2022 tour, which included a Victoria show in October. (Photo by Al Wagner/Invision/AP)
Canadian musician George Zukerman, who won numerous awards for playing the bassoon, leads a musical celebration of Beethoven at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney this Saturday (March 26). The concert is part of an extended marking of the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth, delayed by COVID. (Courtesy of George Zukerman)

Sidney rolls on with Young Beethoven in celebrating composer’s 250th birthday

March 26 show features all-star ensemble with commentary from bassoonist George Zukerman

Canadian musician George Zukerman, who won numerous awards for playing the bassoon, leads a musical celebration of Beethoven at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney this Saturday (March 26). The concert is part of an extended marking of the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth, delayed by COVID. (Courtesy of George Zukerman)
The recent spring concert at Monterey Middle School in Oak Bay raised more than $1,000 for Ukraine Humanitarian Relief. (Monterey Storm/Twitter)

Oak Bay student concert raises cash for humanitarian aid in Ukraine

Parents plan protest with music on school district chopping block

The recent spring concert at Monterey Middle School in Oak Bay raised more than $1,000 for Ukraine Humanitarian Relief. (Monterey Storm/Twitter)
Tim McGraw sings “Something Like That” in a video posted to Youtube.com. The American artist is booked to perform during the 2022 Rockin River Fest in Merritt, B.C.

Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker headline summer’s Rockin River Fest in flood-hit Merritt

‘Now more than ever, we need things to be excited about,’ city’s mayor says

Tim McGraw sings “Something Like That” in a video posted to Youtube.com. The American artist is booked to perform during the 2022 Rockin River Fest in Merritt, B.C.
Gerald Harris, director of Friends of Bowker Creek Society, does the honours and plants the year’s first batch of chum salmon eggs in a designated area in the creek on Jan. 22. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Significance of Bowker Creek Watershed featured in classical concert in Victoria

Emily Carr quartet’s Earth Songs series continues March 11 at Christ Church Cathedral

Gerald Harris, director of Friends of Bowker Creek Society, does the honours and plants the year’s first batch of chum salmon eggs in a designated area in the creek on Jan. 22. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
A Feb. 26 concert in Victoria dedicated to legendary violinist Jeanne Lamon, who died last year, features a deeply personal program curated by her partner, Christina Mahler. (Courtesy of Victoria Baroque)

Victoria concert recognizes late legendary Canadian violinist Jeanne Lamon

Longtime music director of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra memorialized with Feb. 26 performance

A Feb. 26 concert in Victoria dedicated to legendary violinist Jeanne Lamon, who died last year, features a deeply personal program curated by her partner, Christina Mahler. (Courtesy of Victoria Baroque)
The Victoria-based Emily Carr String Quartet is featured in the first three concerts of Earth Songs: Music for Climate Justice, a six-performance series hosted at Christ Church Cathedral. (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Brower)

Victoria concert series brings light and sound to climate justice

Emily Carr String Quartet, pipe organ featured in series starting Feb. 11 at Christ Church Cathedral

The Victoria-based Emily Carr String Quartet is featured in the first three concerts of Earth Songs: Music for Climate Justice, a six-performance series hosted at Christ Church Cathedral. (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Brower)
The Victoria Symphony presents Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 and other compositions this Sunday (Feb. 6) at UVic’s Farquhar Auditorium. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria Symphony presents the mastery of Schumann at UVic

Feb. 6 concert also features companion piece by Victoria composer Linda Caitlin Smith

The Victoria Symphony presents Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 and other compositions this Sunday (Feb. 6) at UVic’s Farquhar Auditorium. (Black Press Media file photo)
Jesse Roper in his new music video Hold On Me. (Youtube/Jesse Roper)

Metchosin’s Jesse Roper hopes new music video launches him from pandemic pause

Bluesman itching to perform his new tunes; Feb. 5 show coming up at the Royal Theatre

Jesse Roper in his new music video Hold On Me. (Youtube/Jesse Roper)
The Lafayette String Quartet, Joanna Hood, Sharon Stanis, Pam Highbaugh Aloni and Ann Elliott-Goldschmid, gather for a group photo at the University of Victoria, where the musicians have taught for more than three decades. (Courtesy UVic Photo Services)

Legacy-building Lafayette String Quartet plans final season with University of Victoria

Musicians planning to take final bow as a group in August 2023

The Lafayette String Quartet, Joanna Hood, Sharon Stanis, Pam Highbaugh Aloni and Ann Elliott-Goldschmid, gather for a group photo at the University of Victoria, where the musicians have taught for more than three decades. (Courtesy UVic Photo Services)
Ashley Wey, Hermann’s Jazz Club’s booking manager and longtime performer at the Victoria venue. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Victoria’s Hermann’s Jazz Club makes first and only pandemic plea amid struggles

Recent capacity restrictions have been the hardest yet on local music institution

Ashley Wey, Hermann’s Jazz Club’s booking manager and longtime performer at the Victoria venue. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Canada’s Drag Race comes to Victoria’s Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre for a July 16 performance winding up its nationwide tour. (Facebook/Canada’s Drag Race)

Second season of Canada’s Drag Race ending tour in Victoria

Fans can attend the finale July 16 at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

Canada’s Drag Race comes to Victoria’s Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre for a July 16 performance winding up its nationwide tour. (Facebook/Canada’s Drag Race)
The Vancouver Island country music festival Sunfest has been postponed the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Citizen file)

Canadian Live Music Association aims for clarity with live event regulations guide

Each province’s rules for live event gatherings is explored in detail in online guide

The Vancouver Island country music festival Sunfest has been postponed the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Citizen file)
Jesse Roper is a popular Victoria-based musician whose performances in Greater Victoria were widely attended prior to the pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Jesse Roper/Facebook)

COVID shifts perspective for Greater Victoria performing artists

Studio owner/performer wants more clarity; guitarist/songwriter enjoys slower pace

Jesse Roper is a popular Victoria-based musician whose performances in Greater Victoria were widely attended prior to the pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Jesse Roper/Facebook)
Saanich residents Reb Stevenson (left) and Billy Reid are the duo behind Pancake Manor, a successful children’s YouTube channel. (Photo courtesy of Reb Stevenson)

Saanich couple continue to build YouTube presence with kid’s music channel

Duo behind Pancake Manor releasing their eighth children’s album this week

Saanich residents Reb Stevenson (left) and Billy Reid are the duo behind Pancake Manor, a successful children’s YouTube channel. (Photo courtesy of Reb Stevenson)
Lead singer Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragon performs during the 2017 Much Music Video Awards in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press file photo)

Imagine Dragons adds April tour date in Victoria

Pop-rock band best known for songs Believer, Thunder and Radioactive

Lead singer Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragon performs during the 2017 Much Music Video Awards in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press file photo)
The Volare Tenors Christmas: A not so silent night, comes to the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre in Oak Bay High this Saturday, Dec. 11. (Courtesy Volare Tenors)

Tenors train with Oak Bay High choirs, set to collaborate in concert

Trio brings ‘popera’ to school’s Dave Dunnet Community Theatre

The Volare Tenors Christmas: A not so silent night, comes to the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre in Oak Bay High this Saturday, Dec. 11. (Courtesy Volare Tenors)