Jeremy Dutcher tackles themes of Indigenous identity and connection in musicToronto-based singer/musician Jeremy Dutcher is coming to town this month, and he’s bringing with him his music’s themes of Indigenous identity, our relationship to our surrounding world, and our connection to each other. “Because I sing in Wolastoq language, my Indigenous language, the themes are definitely exploring identity through language and also our relationship to […] Continue Reading |
Destination Unknown examines life as a gay teen during AIDS epidemicThe dedication in Bill Konisgberg’s new novel, Destination Unknown, really hit home for me. Konigsberg writes: “To my friends who didn’t make it to the 21st century. I miss you.” I find this to be an incredibly poignant dedication in a novel that dives into the realties of navigating everyday life as a queer person—in […] Continue Reading |
In Search of Cruise Control takes on sexual abuse and traumaIn his one-person play In Search of Cruise Control, James Gangl balances the serious topic of childhood sexual abuse with comedic writing. And after visiting Victoria as part of the 2016 UNO Fest, the show is back for a second round, this time at the Victoria Fringe Festival. Gangl’s inspiration for the play came from […] Continue Reading |
Victoria Fringe Festival returns with new lineup of indie showsThe Fringe Festival has been a Vancouver Island tradition for over three decades. And it’s returning this year: from August 24 to September 4, more than two dozen shows will be presented by various indie thespians. Ingrid Garner is one of this year’s performers. In 1999, WWII survivor Eleanor Ramrath Garner, now 92, published Eleanor’s […] Continue Reading |
New Music Revue: Today’s Outfit talkin’ about love, uniquely, on debut EPToday’s Outfit Your Perfect Self (Independent) 4.5/5 New York-based rock band Today’s Outfit recently released their debut EP, Your Perfect Self. The release offers fresh music that both resonates with its audience and provides them with a touching musical experience. What I really like about this album is its originality. Each track has a deeply […] Continue Reading |
Metric continues evolving and embodying their musicToronto indie rockers Metric are coming to Victoria as part of their 39-city Doomscroller Tour, promoting their newest album, Formentera. For guitarist Jimmy Shaw, the tour is part of a process where the music starts to have a life of its own. “I think something happens when you start sort of embodying the music night […] Continue Reading |
Ride the Cyclone deals with tragedy, comedy, roller-coastersBlue Bridge Theatre’s Ride the Cyclone deals with the fallout of a tragic accident, yet it’s a musical comedy. The play—which, according to director Jacob Richmond, explores themes of loss and self-expression—follows six teenagers who have an unfortunate experience on a familiar amusement park ride. “The play fellows six teenagers who have a tragic accident […] Continue Reading |
New Music Revue: The Sadies mark the end of an era with amazing albumThe Sadies Colder Streams (Dine Alone Records) 4.5/5 Canadian legends The Sadies are back with their 11th studio album, Colder Streams. After 24 years of consistently putting out great music, this marks the end of an era as founding member and lead vocalist Dallas Good passed unexpectedly in February. The Sadies’ sound is difficult to […] Continue Reading |
Splash Around Town celebrates the beauty of live musicThis summer the Victoria Conservatory of Music will host the return of its Splash Around Town: Symphony in the Summer Festival. Victoria Symphony CEO Matthew White says that Splash Around Town was designed as a tribute to music and the impact it has on our everyday lives. “The whole Symphony Splash tradition begin in 1989 […] Continue Reading |
New Music Revue: Ian Blurton’s Future Now delivers fun, solid riff rockIan Blurton’s Future Now Second Skin (Pajama Party/Seeing Red) 3/5 A mainstay on Toronto’s indie rock scene since the early 1980s, Ian Blurton is set to release a new LP. After decades performing with bands like Cowboy Junkies and C’mon, finding Top 40 success with Change of Heart, and producing records for numerous notable bands, […] Continue Reading |
