Arts

Writing and reading fiction is a great way to learn empathy. That, at least, is Victoria author Laura Trunkey’s opinion. Trunkey is also the artistic co-director of the Victoria Festival of Authors, which will feature talks from writers of literary fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, and even thrillers, says Trunkey. No matter the form, Trunkey says […]

“The monster asks, ‘Are you a good man?’ and Victor says, ‘What do you mean?’ and the monster says, ‘Are you a good man? It’s a simple question,’ and Victor says, ‘I don’t know?’”  Director Ian Case explains that this scene reflects the very essence of the much-loved classic Frankenstein, which he and his team […]

High on Fire Electric Messiah (Entertainment One) 2/5 Each song on Electric Messiah, Oakland metal band High on Fire’s eighth album, is okay individually; however, the album does not work cohesively. One song sounds like thrash, the next has hints of fantasy, and it sounds like the band has not found its sound, even after […]

“I was sitting in the hot tub one day at Crystal Pool and I asked a photographer if he knew how to draw with a pen tool on Photoshop,” says Victoria artist Mary Conley. And so began a journey that led to her latest book. Conley has always been a heritage buff; once she learned […]

The heart of indie-folk music has always resonated with Great Lake Swimmers vocalist/guitarist Tony Dekker. Dekker says the spirit of the music is real and that it captured what he felt on the inside once he started looking into his musical creative process. “I’ve been through—as everyone kind of does—different phases of their life where […]

The Bad Under Canadian Skies (Independent) 4/5 Local rockers The Bad have a real sassy, upbeat, invigorating groove on their new LP Under Canadian Skies, which follows up their 2015 debut, Seasons. The beats and riffs on this LP could jumpstart hearts, as could the energetic vocals in “Moving to the Country.” It’s a perfect […]

Until Saturday, September 15 Ride the wave The 11th annual One Wave Gathering will be wrapping up with a day of celebration and Pacific arts and culture at Centennial Square on September 15. From 12 pm to 5 pm, participants will have the opportunity to experience Indigenous presentations, food, interactive displays, educational activities, and cultural presentations. […]

Mike Farris has walked a long and winding road that, on September 22, will bring the Nashville-based musician to the University of Victoria’s Farquhar Auditorium in support of his latest solo effort, Silver & Stone. “This is our first trip to Victoria,” says Farris. “There has been great support for us all over Canada. To […]

Victoria has been home base for Icelandic-Canadian author W.D. Valgardson ever since he took a chance position as a creative writing professor at the University of Victoria several years ago. He thought he was coming here for a year, but the UVic job turned from a yearlong position to one that spanned three decades. Now, […]

Change is in the air. The tourists are gone, the kids are back in school, and life is returning to normal for students here at Camosun. One popular end-of-summer ritual is just around the corner for thousands of Victoria residents. It’s safe to call it an institution at this point: Atomique Productions’ Rifflandia Festival. Coming […]