The Functional Traveller: An important anecdote for my peers abroadEver since leaving Canada I’ve felt an ache in my chest, pleading to be soothed by a balm of maple syrup and pancake mix and a gauze of back bacon. Though I rarely consume these things at home, my cravings seem to be a symptom of cultural identity. Being a first-generation Canadian daughter of an […] Continue Reading |
Lit Matters: The inside rooms of Carson McCullers“I am not meant to be alone and without you who understands,” wrote John Singer, a deaf mute who is at the center of Carson McCullers’ beautiful novel The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Set in the depression-era south, the novel follows the lives of several townspeople who revolve around the mild-mannered Singer, each driven, […] Continue Reading |
Jesse Roper drops new album for charity, gets lost in woodsWhen singer/songwriter Jesse Roper calls me to start our interview to chat about his new benefit album and tour, something seems off right away: he’s completely out of breath. “Hi, it’s Jesse Roper here, and I’m on a little hike,” he says, panting, making it difficult to make out his words. Roper, who is from […] Continue Reading |
Towers and Trees hope to use The West Coast to connectIt’s been a whirlwind three years for Adrian Chalifour. After the release of Towers and Trees’ debut EP, Broken Record, the frontman for the Victoria rock outfit has kept himself busy. Between a slew of tour dates, including a standout show at Rifflandia, the group has released their sophomore effort, The West Coast. “I think […] Continue Reading |
Matthew Good on Chaotic Neutral and the creative processMatthew Good’s days topping the charts in the ’90s with the Matthew Good Band may be over, but the musician is on his seventh solo album and is more creative than ever. Fans of Dungeons and Dragons will recognize the album title, Chaotic Neutral, as a character alignment in the game. Chaotic neutral makes characters […] Continue Reading |
The most boring video game in the world returns for Desert Bus for Hope fundraiserMark your calendars, gaming enthusiasts: Desert Bus for Hope returns on November 14. This unique event mixes philanthropy, gaming, and all things nerd culture. Desert Bus for Hope is an annual charity event that raises funds for Child’s Play, a Seattle-run game-industry charity focused on raising funds for children’s hospitals and sexual-assault resources. Desert Bus […] Continue Reading |
Victoria shoots and Victoria scores: a look at the local sports scene, on and off Camosun’s campusesWith the school year in full swing, the Victoria sports scene is hopping once again. It’s readily apparent here on campus: the Camosun Chargers have hit the ground running with a collective total of six wins in men’s and women’s volleyball. The Chargers golf team brought home gold after years of being the runner-up. There […] Continue Reading |
New Music Revue: Brady Enslen creates beautiful soundsBrady Enslen Beautiful Things (Independent) 4/5 Recorded live off the floor in Winnipeg, Brady Enslen’s debut album, Beautiful Things, creates a soft sound full of prairie life and longing for home. Enslen, who mainly plays an acoustic guitar on this disc, strums chords that leave a flavourful sound in my head. Enslen’s voice adds to […] Continue Reading |
The Functional Traveller: Sushi apathy in JapanI have only participated in sushi a handful of times since I arrived in Japan. Your collective gasps can be heard from across the Pacific. Have I encased myself in a bubble of Canadian comfort food and avoided immersing myself in Japanese culture? For many, sushi is the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine; a Western portrait […] Continue Reading |
Author explores historical and cultural context of BC artistsPender Island-based writer Maria Tippett, who grew up in Victoria, has always had words in her blood. Her latest book, Made in British Columbia, is just the most recent example of a passion she’s had since she was young. “When I was a child I wrote a play,” she says. “I was about seven. I […] Continue Reading |
