Shotgun Jimmie embraces lo-fi sounds for his latest albumWhen Manitoba-by-way-of-New Brunswick singer-songwriter Jim Killpatrick, better known by his stage name of Shotgun Jimmie, is asked what his musical influences are these days, he pauses a moment, then says emphatically, “Karaoke is my biggest inspiration right now.” To anyone familiar with Jimmie’s easy-going character and down-to-earth songwriting, the answer is not all that surprising. […] Continue Reading |
New Victoria gallery aims to change minds about mediaOn Flux Media Art Gallery’s opening night, dozens of attendees gathered in the 600-square-foot office space to reflect on the work of artist Terry Haines, mingle over edibles, and greet the furry dog meandering through clusters of people. This is not your typical art gallery. Programming director Catlin Lewis has had almost a decade of […] Continue Reading |
Cirque du Soleil’s Varekai brings magic to VictoriaTouring Cirque du Soleil show Varekai started its run in Victoria’s Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre last night, and it started with a bang. I’ve seen my fair share of ballets, plays, and musicals, but this was my first encounter with Cirque du Soleil, and I have never seen anything like it. My mind was blown. Varekai […] Continue Reading |
Victoria’s Isobel Trigger learn how to rock through trial and errorVictoria indie rock/pop band Isobel Trigger packed up the van and hit the road for their cross-Canada tour in April and have been driving and jamming ever since. Vocalist/synth player Felicia Harding says that she learned some important things while on their previous tour, like the importance of getting lots of rest, not indulging too […] Continue Reading |
Uno Fest brings home serious performing talentUntil May 24, Intrepid Theatre will be home to 15 different performers from all over the world at this year’s Uno Fest. The fest is made up of solo performances that explore all different forms of art, which includes everything from circus acts and stand-up comedy to live film creation. “Whether you like stand-up, intense […] Continue Reading |
New Music Revue: Autopilot’s dreamy alt-rock impressesAutopilot Desert Dreams (Independent) 3.5/5 Saskatoon’s Autopilot follow up their debut full-length, Diamond Rough, with this concise seven-song… EP? Mini-album? Album? Call it what you will, but I call it a good length, as the band’s dreamy alt-rock doesn’t have a chance to get stale before that refreshingly brief runtime is up. Not that I’m […] Continue Reading |
New Music Revue: San Felix don’t have the fireSan Felix Fire Island (Independent) 2/5 Victoria indie-rock group San Felix’s new album, Fire Island, opens with catchy percussion and electric guitar in “I Was a Vulture.” However, the lead vocalist sings like he’s coming down with a cold and the range narrows to the same few notes. After the first song, the instruments lose […] Continue Reading |
Urban homesteading cookbook makes foraging an optionThe Urban Homesteading Cookbook: Forage, Farm, Ferment and Feast for a Better World By Michelle Catherine Nelson (Douglas & McIntyre) In efforts to help the environment and to be healthier, buying organic and locally sourced food is now a priority for many people. But it can be expensive. Michelle Catherine Nelson brings a free alternative […] Continue Reading |
Collection pays tribute to Ted HarrisonTed Harrison Collected (Douglas & McIntyre) Even if you don’t know Ted Harrison’s name, you probably know his paintings. His much-loved depictions of winter in northern Canada, done in bold, cheerful colours, have appeared everywhere from schoolbooks to illustrated editions of The Creation of Sam McGee. Originally from England, Harrison had a lifelong fascination with […] Continue Reading |
Victoria author Andrew MacLeod hopes for a better place in new bookThere are times when British Columbia really is the beautiful place that the license plates promise it to be; there are also times when it feels like just a cruddy backwards province. In his new book, A Better Place on Earth, local journalist Andrew MacLeod (known for his work at The Tyee and Monday) discusses […] Continue Reading |
