Local Entertainment

Jensen sisters return to Vancouver Island roots with guitarist Ben Monder for a night of jazz

Jensen sisters return to Vancouver Island roots with guitarist Ben Monder for a night of jazz

‘We always look forward to playing on home turf,’ says Montreal saxophonist

  • Jun 15, 2017
Jensen sisters return to Vancouver Island roots with guitarist Ben Monder for a night of jazz
Ken Lavigne and the Naden Swing band will perform at Memorial Park for a free concert as part of Esquimalts Arts Festival.IMage contributed

High-calibre offerings helping Esquimalt arts scene to evolve

Exciting concerts, arts events this summer sure to attract new visitors

  • Jun 15, 2017
Ken Lavigne and the Naden Swing band will perform at Memorial Park for a free concert as part of Esquimalts Arts Festival.IMage contributed
ARTS BRIEFS: Two classic Disney musicals, a cat show and more coming to Sidney

ARTS BRIEFS: Two classic Disney musicals, a cat show and more coming to Sidney

Here’s a brief look at what’s coming up in arts and entertainment on the Peninsula.

  • Jun 15, 2017
ARTS BRIEFS: Two classic Disney musicals, a cat show and more coming to Sidney
Local fiddler Nellie Quinn has been teaching students ages five to adult in Greater Victoria for the last four years. As a final recital, Quinn will be performing with some of them before she takes a two-month summer break. (Submitted/Nellie Quinn)

Sidney fiddler Nellie Quinn to play final recital with students

As a final recital of sorts Nellie Quinn, along with her students…

  • Jun 14, 2017
Local fiddler Nellie Quinn has been teaching students ages five to adult in Greater Victoria for the last four years. As a final recital, Quinn will be performing with some of them before she takes a two-month summer break. (Submitted/Nellie Quinn)
West Shore Arts Council hosts annual Art at the Pub event in View Royal

West Shore Arts Council hosts annual Art at the Pub event in View Royal

Highlands resident Terri Rodstrom will lead participants in a watercolour workshop

  • Jun 13, 2017
West Shore Arts Council hosts annual Art at the Pub event in View Royal
Charmaine Koenig (Belle) and Matthew Robertson (the Prince) give a sneak peek of two of their costumes for Four Seasons Musical Theatre’s production of Beauty and the Beast. (Katherine Engqvist/News Gazette staff)

Cast members get in touch with their inner beasts in View Royal

Four Seasons Musical Theatre presents Beauty and the Beast

Charmaine Koenig (Belle) and Matthew Robertson (the Prince) give a sneak peek of two of their costumes for Four Seasons Musical Theatre’s production of Beauty and the Beast. (Katherine Engqvist/News Gazette staff)
Phillips Backyard Weekender lineup expanded for Victoria

Phillips Backyard Weekender lineup expanded for Victoria

Three days of music and refreshments offered up in July

Phillips Backyard Weekender lineup expanded for Victoria
Students in Royal Bay Secondary’s dance academy will be showing audiences what they’ve learned throughout the
year with a pair of performances next week, plus a bonus ‘preview’ show that’s intended for prospective students and 
their parents. (Photo by Todd Harris)

Royal Bay Secondary dancers set to finish off successful year

Dance academy presenting two shows for the public next week in Colwood

Students in Royal Bay Secondary’s dance academy will be showing audiences what they’ve learned throughout the
year with a pair of performances next week, plus a bonus ‘preview’ show that’s intended for prospective students and 
their parents. (Photo by Todd Harris)
Story Theatre, with artistic director David MacPherson as the ringmaster, is one of the offerings in this weekend’s Family Theatre Festival, staged free by Kaleidoscope Theatre as a thank you to the community.                                 Photo courtesy Kaleidoscope Theatre

Kaleidoscope Theatre says ‘thanks’ with free performance in Victoria

Fun for the whole family Saturday at Centennial Square

  • Jun 8, 2017
Story Theatre, with artistic director David MacPherson as the ringmaster, is one of the offerings in this weekend’s Family Theatre Festival, staged free by Kaleidoscope Theatre as a thank you to the community.                                 Photo courtesy Kaleidoscope Theatre
Liam Horgan (as John Bender) wraps his arms around co-stars Noelle Ferguson (Claire Standish) and Derek Peachey (Andrew Clark) during rehearsals for the school’s upcoming presentation of The Breakfast Club. Joel Tansey/News Gazette staff

Detention: Belmont secondary students to spend evenings in the library

Langford school puts on The Breakfast Club performance in the perfect setting

Liam Horgan (as John Bender) wraps his arms around co-stars Noelle Ferguson (Claire Standish) and Derek Peachey (Andrew Clark) during rehearsals for the school’s upcoming presentation of The Breakfast Club. Joel Tansey/News Gazette staff
Founder and conductor Norman Nelson leads the full Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra through a performance. Contributed by the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra

Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus to play in Colwood

June 11 performance is the last program of the 2016-2017 season

  • Jun 3, 2017
Founder and conductor Norman Nelson leads the full Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra through a performance. Contributed by the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra
Sax player Jacqueline Hughes performs a solo during a recent jazz rehearsal at Belmont Secondary. The jazz ensemble will be one of several groups performing at the school’s upcoming year-end concert. (Joel Tansey/News Gazette staff)

Belmont secondary musicians ready for year-end show

School’s jazz and concert bands and choirs putting finishing touches on June 8 program

Sax player Jacqueline Hughes performs a solo during a recent jazz rehearsal at Belmont Secondary. The jazz ensemble will be one of several groups performing at the school’s upcoming year-end concert. (Joel Tansey/News Gazette staff)
Allison Marshall will perform on the harp and the piano on June 4 at St. Mary’s of the Incarnation in Metchosin. Her program includes pieces from Mozart, Bach and Chopin and special performances from two of her harp students. Photo submitted by Allison Marshall

Metchosin musician performing pair of concerts

Allison Marshall’s musical program will cover Classical and Baroque periods

Allison Marshall will perform on the harp and the piano on June 4 at St. Mary’s of the Incarnation in Metchosin. Her program includes pieces from Mozart, Bach and Chopin and special performances from two of her harp students. Photo submitted by Allison Marshall
Founder and conductor Norman Nelson leads the full Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra through a performance. Contributed by the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra

Garden tour this Sunday in Sooke

Annual fundraiser supports the Sooke Philharmonic

  • May 31, 2017
Founder and conductor Norman Nelson leads the full Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra through a performance. Contributed by the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra
Eclectic Gallery changes hands

Eclectic Gallery changes hands

New owners Chris and Anne-Louise Taylor carry on the gallery’s distinct local medley

  • May 26, 2017
Eclectic Gallery changes hands
Toyko Police Club is among headline acts at this summer’s Tall Tree Festival. (Contributed)

Tall Tree offers hope to Pemberton ticket holders

Tall Tree Festival offers exchange ticket for fans with cancelled Pemberton tickets.

Toyko Police Club is among headline acts at this summer’s Tall Tree Festival. (Contributed)
Led by associate conductor Giuseppe Pietraroia, members of the Victoria Symphony orchestra treated Sooke School District elementary school students to three special performances at Belmont Secondary on Thursday. Katherine Engqvist/News Gazette staff

The Victoria Symphony Orchestra serenades SD62 students

Roughly 2,500 students were treated to special performances

Led by associate conductor Giuseppe Pietraroia, members of the Victoria Symphony orchestra treated Sooke School District elementary school students to three special performances at Belmont Secondary on Thursday. Katherine Engqvist/News Gazette staff
Members of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra rehearse at the Royal Theatre in Victoria. The orchestra is playing three special concerts for Sooke School District elementary students next Thursday (May 18) in the Belmont secondary gymnasium. Don Denton/Black Press

Victoria Symphony Orchestra to perform in Langford

Sooke School District elementary students treated to three performances

  • May 14, 2017
Members of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra rehearse at the Royal Theatre in Victoria. The orchestra is playing three special concerts for Sooke School District elementary students next Thursday (May 18) in the Belmont secondary gymnasium. Don Denton/Black Press
David Gogo: A life spent living and learning the blues

David Gogo: A life spent living and learning the blues

Nanaimo musician to play benefit in memory of fallen West Shore RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett

  • May 9, 2017
David Gogo: A life spent living and learning the blues
Makyla Charlie (as Little Sally) and Diego Fisher (Officer Lockstock) perform a scene from Royal Bay secondary’s upcoming musical Urinetown. The pair are both narrators and characters in the story, which centres around a water shortage and the resulting crisis for characters when nature calls. Joel Tansey/News Gazette staff

Pee party: Royal Bay Secondary students gearing up to perform Urinetown

Tony Award-winning musical offers plenty of laughs and some political satire on Colwood stage

Makyla Charlie (as Little Sally) and Diego Fisher (Officer Lockstock) perform a scene from Royal Bay secondary’s upcoming musical Urinetown. The pair are both narrators and characters in the story, which centres around a water shortage and the resulting crisis for characters when nature calls. Joel Tansey/News Gazette staff
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