Food for Thought: The beauty of slow food

“Slow food is a way of life, a philosophy of living that values quality over quantity, taste over convenience, and pleasure over speed.” -Carlo Petrini We all know fast food. Like stale cheeseburgers and pizza delivery in 30 minutes or less, we’ve all experienced quick, cheap ways to get our favourite food into our bellies. […]

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Pieces of Performance: Growing up with gender

This time around, I want to share some intimate writing of my own. As I’m working toward publishing a book of poems, I see this as a chance to work on the vulnerability it takes to share a deep part of myself with others. I’ve always loved having meaningful connections to others, my work, my […]

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Food for Thought: Grindstone Cafe hidden gem worthy of support

Across the road from Value Village, on the corner of Herald and Store, there sits a pale blue stucco building beautifully painted with forest murals. In it resides a hidden gem: Grindstone Cafe. I frequent this neighbourhood to collect art supplies and drink bubble tea, so I’ve recently discovered the quiet but vibrant atmosphere in […]

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Pieces of Performance: Backstage Shade Festival quotables

Be sure to pay attention and learn your history. That blood, sweat, and tears ended slavery. As we watch abroad, we see the desecration of soil. While millionaires live in spoil. Now we fight once again to protect our rights. Through rallies and education we hang on until light. To be part of the revolution […]

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Pieces of Performance: TransFest turns bitter

TransFest was set to take place in August. But what was meant to become a yearly celebration of trans lives quickly became unsafe, with some individuals’ behaviour choosing profit over people.  As a person who had plans to help TransFest take flight with CCSS Pride in tow, I have insight that should be shared as […]

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Food for Thought: The inspiration of Anthony Bourdain

As someone who has had the privilege to travel around the world, experiencing culture, people, and food, I often ponder the significance of the latter two. All three are connected, however, food and people are what I believe lead us to more colourful cultures across the globe. One person who has influenced my opinions the […]

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Pieces of Performance: A slice of Cheesecake offered up with burlesque revue

For 20 hot years of sweat and happy tears, The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue troupe has been blessing stages and audiences from Victoria to Europe. Longtime Cheesecake performer Champagne Sparkles has deep pride in their small beginnings, which built to who they are today.  “It started off as friends taking a workshop… [to performing] in a […]

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Pieces of Performance: Cherry Cheeks helps bring Shade Burlesque Festival to town

Local burlesque performer, producer, and educator Cherry Cheeks has been working hard behind the curtain to bring together an all-BIPOC show that will soon be hitting the stage. The Shade Burlesque Festival will take place Thursday, September 25 to Saturday, September 27 at the McPherson Playhouse. “All of our headliners are going to be teaching […]

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Pieces of Performance: Junk Male gets wacky, nerdy, and silly with a smile

Junk Male is jumping into the spotlight with a mish-mash of positivity, seduction, and gut-hurting laughter. This non-binary bean lights up every room they walk into and has become one of the top producers to work with on the island.  “I’ve been involved with the drag scene since 2018. [I] watched a couple friends in […]

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Lydia’s Film Critique: …And justice for the legal drama

In a short-winded preoccupation with the legal drama genre, I watched innumerable of its films in the span of few afternoons. This sort of fling happens cyclical and is seldom fruitful in its sophistication—that is, of course, its express purpose. Indeed, to engross oneself in any singular variety of media is a kind of sedation. […]

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