Local Entertainment

Scott McMillan and fellow volunteers with the Esquimalt Firefighters Charitable Foundation hope to resume their fundraising through the Esquimalt Ribfest, scheduled for Sept. 10 to 12 in Bullen Park. (Black Press Media file photo)

Esquimalt Ribfest organizers licking their lips for September festival

Event chair cautiously optimistic popular outdoor event will happen Sept. 10 to 12

Jonathan Scott’s documentary Power Trip, explored the obstacles in bringing solar energy to every household. (PBS/Special to THE NEWS)

One of B.C.’s Property Brothers nominated for Independent Lens award

Winner to be determined through audience votes on July 22

Danielle (left) and Eijo Toyonaga are a husband and wife team who create art on the causeway. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Calligraphy artist couple create beautiful designs for passersby on Victoria harbour

Husband-and-wife artistic duo back in action after pandemic

Cory Trepanier captures Hudson Bay. (Ryan Bray photo)

Travel to the Arctic this Saturday from the comfort of your home

Trio of award-winning films about Canada’s north stream free on YouTube on July 17

Cory Trepanier captures Hudson Bay. (Ryan Bray photo)
Portal, a steel-framed sculpture comprised of discarded ropes, was purchased from the artist and donated to the district in 2020. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Latest public art donations land permanent homes in Oak Bay

Portal remains near Willows Beach, Jelly moves to Estevan Village

Portal, a steel-framed sculpture comprised of discarded ropes, was purchased from the artist and donated to the district in 2020. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Willows live music returns with a July 22 concert by Victoria favourite Soul Shakers. (Courtesy Soul Shakers)

Music returns to Willows in Oak Bay with Soul Shakers

Residents invited to shake off the dust with monthly outdoor concerts

Willows live music returns with a July 22 concert by Victoria favourite Soul Shakers. (Courtesy Soul Shakers)
Image: E.J. Hughes, “Houses, Qualicum Beach”, 18 x 24, Watercolour, 2000. (Courtesy of Madrona Gallery)

At The Galleries: Summer brings out West Coast landscape in Greater Victoria

Featured artists for July spotlight sun, surf, animals and place

Image: E.J. Hughes, “Houses, Qualicum Beach”, 18 x 24, Watercolour, 2000. (Courtesy of Madrona Gallery)
An acrylic and collage piece entitled Lucy, years later, by illustrator Marcia Semenoff. The Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds and Other Favourite Songs exhibit runs July 6 to 25 at the Tillicum Centre. (Courtesy of Marcia Semenoff)

Artists showcasing work in Tillicum Centre storefront in Saanich

Island Illustrators Society members’ art for July 6 to 25 show inspired by music

An acrylic and collage piece entitled Lucy, years later, by illustrator Marcia Semenoff. The Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds and Other Favourite Songs exhibit runs July 6 to 25 at the Tillicum Centre. (Courtesy of Marcia Semenoff)
Elizabeth Laugharne, 98, plans to be on hand July 9 to discuss and sign copies of her newly-published book, Messages in Glass. (Courtesy Churchmouse Books)

Used book shop reopens in Oak Bay church, takes a crack at glass history

98-year-old author writes of church’s storied panes, some nearly as old as herself

Elizabeth Laugharne, 98, plans to be on hand July 9 to discuss and sign copies of her newly-published book, Messages in Glass. (Courtesy Churchmouse Books)
Herm Williams Park is one of several locations for Colwood Music in the Park, a series of live concerts that run on Friday evenings throughout July and August. (Photo courtesy of City of Colwood)

Colwood parks alive with music Friday nights

Colwood Music in the Park series runs until Aug. 27

Herm Williams Park is one of several locations for Colwood Music in the Park, a series of live concerts that run on Friday evenings throughout July and August. (Photo courtesy of City of Colwood)
Writers gather June 30 at the 5th Street Bar and Grill in Victoria to launch Shifting Landscapes: Wandering Words, Vol. II. (Photo by Laura Foubister)

Greater Victoria writers come together while working apart

15 local authors launch Shifting Landscapes: Wandering Words, Vol. II

Writers gather June 30 at the 5th Street Bar and Grill in Victoria to launch Shifting Landscapes: Wandering Words, Vol. II. (Photo by Laura Foubister)
A two-week outdoor music festival will run in the grounds of St. Ann’s Academy this summer, with performances from the Victoria Symphony, Pacific Opera Victoria and others. (Photo courtesy Victoria Symphony/Pacific Opera Victoria)

Victoria Symphony, Pacific Opera announce outdoor festival of music

Two-week festival will include paid performances and free pop-up events

A two-week outdoor music festival will run in the grounds of St. Ann’s Academy this summer, with performances from the Victoria Symphony, Pacific Opera Victoria and others. (Photo courtesy Victoria Symphony/Pacific Opera Victoria)
The popular Music in the Park series, which kicks off this Sunday (July 11), is one of several live music events taking place at various locations in Langford throughout the summer. (Black Press Media file photo)

Hot tunes on tap at various sites this summer in Langford

Music in the Park, weeknight show and shines, bands in bike park all open to public

The popular Music in the Park series, which kicks off this Sunday (July 11), is one of several live music events taking place at various locations in Langford throughout the summer. (Black Press Media file photo)
A free concert happening July 9 next to the south campus of Lansdowne Middle School will feature Indigenous poet Tanisha Nuttall, jazzist David Santana and vocalist Myriam Parent. (Photo courtesy of Friends of Bowker Creek)

Free Friday concert: Saanich school hosts Bowker Creek friends event

Summer concert series starting July 9 serves as fundraiser, educational opportunity

A free concert happening July 9 next to the south campus of Lansdowne Middle School will feature Indigenous poet Tanisha Nuttall, jazzist David Santana and vocalist Myriam Parent. (Photo courtesy of Friends of Bowker Creek)
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is hosting a celebration of art in July, virtual and in-person exhibitions happening. (Pexels)

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria switches gears with continued absence of Paint-In

July’s Celebration of Art includes virtual, in-person art events, fundraising appeal

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is hosting a celebration of art in July, virtual and in-person exhibitions happening. (Pexels)
Flamenco performers dance and strum during a rehearsal for this summer’s virtual Victoria Flamenco Festival, which will run July 22 to 25. (Photo courtesy of Mark Henning and Isabelle Dunlop)

Ninth annual Victoria Flamenco Festival to run virtually in July

Flamenco fans’ feet tapping in anticipation of four days of dance, music

Flamenco performers dance and strum during a rehearsal for this summer’s virtual Victoria Flamenco Festival, which will run July 22 to 25. (Photo courtesy of Mark Henning and Isabelle Dunlop)
A film crew prepares for a shoot downtown on Broad Street this week in Victoria. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Victoria buzzing with filming activity so far this year

But South Island film commissioner worries the pandemic-delayed uptick could be short-lived

A film crew prepares for a shoot downtown on Broad Street this week in Victoria. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Ben Lubberts and Kyle Penny describe their songwriting style as a “postal service relationship” where Penny composes the songs and then sends them to Lubberts to add lyrics and produce. (Courtesy of Kyle Penny)

New Greater Victoria music group has unique songwriting process

For the Birds members almost never work in the same room

Ben Lubberts and Kyle Penny describe their songwriting style as a “postal service relationship” where Penny composes the songs and then sends them to Lubberts to add lyrics and produce. (Courtesy of Kyle Penny)
The Islands Kids Cancer Association is running a virtual Victoria-themed escape room throughout July to raise funds for its CARE 4 Kids Program. (Facebook/Island Kids Cancer Association)

Virtual escape room raising funds for Vancouver Island kids with cancer

One-hour slots in Victoria-themed room are available on July 8, 15 or 22

The Islands Kids Cancer Association is running a virtual Victoria-themed escape room throughout July to raise funds for its CARE 4 Kids Program. (Facebook/Island Kids Cancer Association)
Tickets and annual memberships for the Vic Theatre can be bought online in advance or at the door 30 minutes before showtimes. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Vic Theatre to reopen doors Thursday

Each screening will have up to 50 viewers

Tickets and annual memberships for the Vic Theatre can be bought online in advance or at the door 30 minutes before showtimes. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)