Monsters on Maple Street interesting but not light summer read

Monsters on Maple Street: The Twilight Zone and the Postwar American Dream by author and historian David J. Brokaw delivers a thought-provoking examination of the relationship between the classic science-fiction show The Twilight Zone and post-World War II America.  Reading this non-fiction book is like taking a step back into the 1950s and 1960s, to […]

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New book offers fascinating look into the life of Harry Dean Stanton

One of the most interesting books I’ve read so far this summer is Jospeh B. Atkins’ Harry Dean Stanton: Hollywood’s Zen Rebel. Through its fantastic use of first-person perspective to its engrossing depiction of Stanton’s life, Atkins creates a wonderful book that honours the Hollywood acting legend as much as it entertains its reader.  The […]

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Wentworth Villa exhibit explores work of Victoria-born architect

The first thing I noticed when I walked into Wentworth Villa to explore the new exhibit John Di Castri, Architect: A Retrospective (1924-2005) were the beautiful high ceilings and cross hatch windows; the venue is well-lit and is a perfect place to hold an exhibit about architecture. This is fitting because Di Castri was a […]

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The Last Five Years honest and captivating production

Last night, I went to see Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre’s production of The Last Five Years, which follows the ups and downs of the five-year relationship between two characters, Jamie (Seth Zosky) and Cathy (Cheyenne Scott). This Tony award-winning musical from playwright Jason Robert Brown features unconventional timelines, with Jamie’s story being told chronologically and […]

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The Last Five Years gets non-linear with relationships

Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre is continuing its stream of gutsy productions with the musical The Last Five Years. Written by Jason Robert Brown, The Last Five Years premiered in Chicago in 2001 and has since grown in popularity, showing around the world. “What’s special about it is the story documents five years in the journey […]

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Absinthe, Bourbon, Vodka, and Sake explores themes of running away

Victoria-based director Zelda Dean was drawn to Absinthe, Bourbon, Vodka, and Sake because the play takes unexpected turns. Dean has worked with award-winning playwright Caroline Russell-King for 40 years and says she has watched her develop into her career. “So, I’m intrigued by many of her scripts, but this script in particular is… very compelling,” […]

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Art Gallery of Greater Victoria exhibit examines interpretations of streets

One of the great things about art is how it can take something as simple as a person walking down a street and turning it into something beautiful. According to Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV) curator Steven McNeil, that’s exactly what the exhibit The Street does with its subject matter. “The Street is an […]

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Secret Saloon energetic and lovely musical improv comedy

Going in to Secret Saloon on Saturday, June 16 at Theatre SKAM’s Satellite Studio on Fort Street, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. It was the first live comedy show, let alone musical improv comedy, I’d been to. The set was absolutely adorable. The lighting and furniture pieces were both visually appealing and versatile; […]

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Roots of Hair Prints exhibit run deep

Tanya Lukin Linklater’s Hair Prints exhibition, which opened on April 22 at Open Space, features mono-prints made by Linklater coating her hair in strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry pigments and transferring them to archival paper. The prints are then displayed in the gallery; exhibit curator Toby Lawrence says that the large structures in the gallery […]

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The Guardsman plays on the agony and ecstasy of love

The Blue Bridge Theatre on Quadra Street was once the Roxy movie theatre and was known for its unique taste in movie choices. Now doing live theatre instead of screen, Blue Bridge has kept the tradition of uniqueness alive with its new production of The Guardsman. “It’s written by Molnar,” says director Kevin McKendrick. “Molnar, […]

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