Rise Against bring social awareness to arena rock

Rise Against isn’t a band to shy away from putting a message in their music. However, the band’s longtime drummer, Brandon Barnes, recognizes that a strong meaning isn’t always necessary for quality tunes. “There are plenty of songs that are amazing songs and they’re just about nothing,” he says. “If people want to have a […]

Continue Reading

Taboo event explores different forms of dance

Taboo is something forbidden, exotic, illicit, and a brand of absinthe hailing from the Okanagan. It was all of these things that inspired Suddenly Dance Theatre to choose Taboo as the name for their 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser. In particular, absinthe has an alternate meaning for Suddenly Dance founders David Ferguson and Miles Lowry. […]

Continue Reading

Local, Live, and Loud: October 3 – 16, 2012

Wednesday, October 3 B-Real, Pocket Kings, Sirreal, JM Drumbeats, DJ Speedy Shoes Club 90ne9, $25, 9 pm Ever since the smoking ban came about in BC, it must really be hard for these guys to get away with their herbacious hobbies. I mean, at least back in the day you might be able to make […]

Continue Reading

Local poet uses words to challenge society

Poetry is reflective; poetry is concentrated; poetry can slow down time. Poetry is also like freeze-dried foodstuffs. At least it is according to local poet John Barton. Barton, who’s about to launch For the Boy with the Eyes of the Virgin: Selected Poems, his latest collection of poems, says that poetry, when done powerfully, can […]

Continue Reading

One Wave event celebrates youth and culture

Those who are all burnt out from beers and bands after Rifflandia might want to check out a different kind of festival, one that celebrates indigenous culture, art, dance, and other cool-sounding activities. The fifth annual One Wave Festival is a free event for people of all ages, including storytelling, live art, a community art […]

Continue Reading

New Music Revue: September 19, 2012 issue

Propagandhi Failed States (Epitaph Records) 3/5 Outspoken Winnipeg-based rockers Propagandhi are on their sixth full-length album, and if you haven’t heard these guys since their early Fat Wreck Chords albums, well, you’re in for a bit of a surprise. Is it a pleasant one? I don’t think “pleasant” quite fits. “Ripping,” maybe. The departure from […]

Continue Reading

Review: Rifflandia’s mixed bag more good than bad

The first night of Rifflandia started pretty slow: sure, Bone Hoof’s noisy roots sound was a nice way to ease into the night, but I knew that it wouldn’t compare to the insanity of the weekend that followed. The hype surrounding DJ Shadow brought me to Market Square with high expectations, but I arrived to […]

Continue Reading

Rifflandia brings international talent, benefits local artists

The biggest problems that the organizers of Victoria’s Rifflandia fest have faced while doing the annual music to-do have been good ones, as far as problems go. Past Rifflandias brought complaints and dissatisfied festival-goers when venues reached capacity and long lines caused people to miss concerts, but that was smoothed out with the introduction of […]

Continue Reading

Celeste and Jesse Forever fails

In any film, there’s always something easy to pick at, even if the movie was great. Finger-pointing is simple because it’s obvious what went wrong, whether it’s to do with an actor, a director, or the set. Eight fingers and two thumbs aren’t enough to point out all the wrongs in Celeste and Jesse Forever. […]

Continue Reading

Cirque du Soleil: Quidam thrills Victoria

With the agility of athletes, skills of gymnasts, and grace of ballerinas, Cirque du Soleil’s multifaceted and super-talented performers kept the audience’s hearts racing and jaws dropping during their performance of Quidam on September 5 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Arena. Quidam brings a bountiful performance combining what is real and surreal while featuring super-human talent. […]

Continue Reading