The Comic Strippers bare it all, almost, in comedic parody show

After a two-year hiatus, half-naked troupe The Comic Strippers is taking the stage again in Victoria. Over the last 10 years, the Strippers have been performing across North America and beyond; this crew of entertainers and improv comedians are friends who have been specializing in comedy for 30 years. Comic Stripper Roman Danylo has appeared […]

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New AGGV exhibit explores work from pioneering Japanese-Canadian artists

Start Here: Kiyooka, Nakamura, Takashima, Tanabe is a new exhibit up now at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Guest curator Bryce Kanbara says that the exhibit serves as a tribute to the pioneering work done by nisei artistes Roy Kiyooka, Kazuo Nakamura, Shizuye Takashima, and Takao Tanabe. “This exhibit is another example of what […]

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Throat-singing duo brings traditional Inuit singing into modern times

Indigenous throat-singing duo PIQSIQ—consisting of Tiffany Kuliktana Ayalik and Kayley Inuksuk Mackay—want to talk about the weather, but it’s not just small talk. The word “piqsiq” means a specific type of weather phenomenon where the wind blows the snow upwards from the ground, so it looks like the snow is falling upwards into the sky; […]

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The Belfry starts season extremely strong with Intimate Apparel

The Belfry Theatre opened its doors to a new season this September with a tough act to follow. Featuring rich and poetic dialogue from Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, Intimate Apparel made an impactful debut. Set in 1905, the play follows the unique journey of Esther, an illiterate Black seamstress played by Jenny Brizard. Working […]

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Fascinating new book details Cold War-era Hollywood blacklisting

One of the most interesting things for me to read about is old Hollywood. From the fashion looks to how things were politically, everything about that world is utterly fascinating to me. So I was happy to have the chance to revisit that world again through Larry Ceplair’s amazing new book The Hollywood Motion Picture […]

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Treasures From Byzantine Manuscripts offers rare glimpse of ancient Greek music

Beneath the regal arched ceilings of the Christ Church Cathedral, a small audience gathered on Friday night to witness a select performance of ancient Greek music ranging from the 14th to 18th Century. The seven-member band, featuring members of En Chordais and Constantinople, formed an intimate ensemble, performing acoustically within an enclosed chapel within the […]

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House Tour 2022 explores intersection of art and architecture

Art and architecture are intersecting at the House Tour 2022, put on by The Gallery Associates (TGA). The event—to be held virtually this year—marks the 70th year of The Gallery Associates raising funds for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV). This year, the tour includes five documentary films focusing on five very different homes. […]

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Colin James looks back, moves ahead

Canadian blues man Colin James has done it all. He went platinum in a meteoric rise to rock stardom in the late ’80s, he has eight Junos and 27 Maple Blues Awards to his credit, and he’s widely credited with launching the swing revival with his work with the Little Big Band. “Fortunately, I’ve been […]

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Rifflandia delivers big names, big community in triumphant return

The big festival in our small town came back with a bang last weekend. Rifflandia spanned four nights, two venues, dozens of food trucks and pop-up shops, hosted a few weddings, and celebrated Victorians for the culture-loving people we are. As is common for most larger events, there were some hiccups. Both Black Pumas and […]

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