Chantal Kreviazuk uses personality to put on unforgettable performance

It’s rare that I find myself with tears in my eyes at a concert, bursting out with laughter and being moved by incredible vocals and heartwarming stories. But on Friday, November 6, everyone in the audience at the McPherson Playhouse was engaged and loving every moment of Chantal Kreviazuk’s performance. Kreviazuk, a complete vocal powerhouse, […]

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The Threepenny Opera tackles big issues with grace

The Threepenny Opera is a musical satire set in a future dystopia. Known as a “play with music,” it tells the story of villain Mack the Knife and his marriage to Polly Peachum, despite her parents’ dismay. The play, directed by Brian Richmond, starts off strong, with an entertaining beginning scene featuring “footed” boxes running […]

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The Cheese Stealer’s Handbook too mired in misery to enjoy

The Cheese Stealer’s Handbook is a ruthlessly detailed chronicle of a struggling author’s attempt, and consequent failure, at being a productive member of society. Shoshaku Jushaku, an ironic pen name which means “life is one continuous mistake,” uses his first book to share with us the minutiae of everyday life through the (bloodshot) eyes of […]

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Jesse Roper drops new album for charity, gets lost in woods

When singer/songwriter Jesse Roper calls me to start our interview to chat about his new benefit album and tour, something seems off right away: he’s completely out of breath. “Hi, it’s Jesse Roper here, and I’m on a little hike,” he says, panting, making it difficult to make out his words. Roper, who is from […]

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Towers and Trees hope to use The West Coast to connect

It’s been a whirlwind three years for Adrian Chalifour. After the release of Towers and Trees’ debut EP, Broken Record, the frontman for the Victoria rock outfit has kept himself busy. Between a slew of tour dates, including a standout show at Rifflandia, the group has released their sophomore effort, The West Coast. “I think […]

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Matthew Good on Chaotic Neutral and the creative process

Matthew Good’s days topping the charts in the ’90s with the Matthew Good Band may be over, but the musician is on his seventh solo album and is more creative than ever. Fans of Dungeons and Dragons will recognize the album title, Chaotic Neutral, as a character alignment in the game. Chaotic neutral makes characters […]

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New Music Revue: Brady Enslen creates beautiful sounds

Brady Enslen Beautiful Things (Independent) 4/5 Recorded live off the floor in Winnipeg, Brady Enslen’s debut album, Beautiful Things, creates a soft sound full of prairie life and longing for home. Enslen, who mainly plays an acoustic guitar on this disc, strums chords that leave a flavourful sound in my head. Enslen’s voice adds to […]

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Author explores historical and cultural context of BC artists

Pender Island-based writer Maria Tippett, who grew up in Victoria, has always had words in her blood. Her latest book, Made in British Columbia, is just the most recent example of a passion she’s had since she was young. “When I was a child I wrote a play,” she says. “I was about seven. I […]

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Shania Twain delivers amazing performance in Victoria

Being a Shania Twain fan since I was a little kid, I was very excited for her recent concert at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre and had high expectations for the whole night. My expectations were definitely met. The opening act was Bastian Baker. Although the beginning of his set wasn’t as high energy as the middle […]

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The Rocky Horror Show returns for Halloween fun

After the success of last year’s staging of The Rocky Horror Show, local group Rebel Knock Out Productions decided to make it an annual event. The cult classic musical tribute to sci-fi and horror B-movies has been staged since 1973; Atomic Vaudeville’s Britt Small is directing this production. “We’re starting with the foundation of what […]

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