Illusionist Vitaly wants to take Victorians off their driver’s licensesAchieving any single dream requires a huge amount of effort and time; it’s no surprise then that people find it easier to get a steady job rather than run after their dreams. Vitaly Beckman, a Vancouver-based illusionist, hopes to inspire people to take the hard path by sharing his story through his imaginative illusions and […] Continue Reading |
Local, Live, and Loud: Lucero, Billy Bragg, Stars, The Casualties, and moreWednesday, April 3 Lucero, Shovels & Rope Club 90NE9, $15, 9:30 pm I’m constantly being reminded of the fact that I’m getting old. Take skateboarding, for example. At one point in my life there was barely a day that I didn’t hop on one of my boards for something. Even if I wasn’t “going skateboarding,” […] Continue Reading |
Lenny Kravitz drummer Zoro makes Victoria appearance for drum clinicThey’ve often taken a backseat, literally, to lead singers and guitarists, but if Zoro has any say in it drummers will finally get the credit they deserve. Currently on a drum clinic tour, the drummer known for his work in Lenny Kravitz’s band, among many others, and proclaimed “minister of groove” is hoping to inspire […] Continue Reading |
Swollen Members return with new directionsSwollen Members have had their fair share of trials and tribulations over the past few years, such as band member “Mad Child” Shane Bunting’s drug addiction, which had a strong influence on their previous album, Dagger Mouth. With all of that behind them, and with new album Beautiful Death Machine in their coffers, they are […] Continue Reading |
Local, Live, and Loud: March 20 – April 2Friday, March 22 The Odds, The Archers Upstairs Cabaret, $20, 10 pm I think my favourite skit from Kids in the Hall was the one where Satan trades an endless supply of weed for a jean jacket. The guy ends up with dread-like dope growing from his head. Damn, those guys were some kinda funny. […] Continue Reading |
Play uses Charlie Brown to remind everyone to be happyWhat is happiness for you? Or perhaps a better question is always this: what is happiness for Charlie Brown? “Charlie Brown says happiness is a happy pencil, because the girl he loves has nibbled on a pencil,” says Fran Gebhard, director of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. “Happiness is sharing sandwiches and a friend.” […] Continue Reading |
New Music Revue: Billy BraggBilly Bragg Tooth and Nail (Dine Alone Records) 3.5/5 Tooth and Nail, Billy Bragg’s first studio solo album in five years, is definitely a lot more listenable and thoughtful than past albums, but it doesn’t quite stand up next to the three Mermaid Avenue albums he did with Wilco, where they used Woody Guthrie […] Continue Reading |
Concert review: Leonard Cohen stuns Victoria crowd at Save-on-Foods Memorial CentreWhen Leonard Cohen climbed to the stage of Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on the night of Thursday, March 7, a packed arena of fans stood as one and wrapped him in a roar. Cohen opened with “Dance Me to the End of Love” and sealed his connection with us by dropping to his knees while he […] Continue Reading |
Theatre: Ghosts of the Plaza looks at Victoria’s Plaza Hotel historyThe play Ghosts of the Plaza has elements of comedy and drama, and it also has a musical number. However, that’s not all it has to offer. Between all that, it manages to incorporate a part of Victoria’s history into the show. “A history that hasn’t really been looked at,” says play co-writer Sarah Smith, […] Continue Reading |
Belfry presents Let’s Make an Opera to Victoria theatre audiencesMost people have never thought about being in an opera. Now, everyone walking through the Belfry’s doors can have a chance to do just that. Let’s Make An Opera & The Little Sweep is a unique piece by Benjamin Britten, a main player in 20th-century British classical music. It’s a play about the making of […] Continue Reading |
