Arts

Originally, I looked at Victoria author Robert Turner’s book The Klondike Gold Rush Steamers: A History of Yukon River Steam Navigation and thought, Of course they want me to write a review of a book about boats. Being in the Navy, I can’t get away from them. I looked dubiously at the book, as it […]

Jade Yumang is a Chicago-based artist who explores the concept of queer form through abstract installations, performances, and sculptures. He says that the crux of a lot of the work that he does revolves around what queer form looks like. “It’s usually kinda exercised through a lot of archival work, looking at the historiography of […]

For Vancouver-based comedians/actors/writers Aaron Malkin and Alastair Knowles—who go by the stage names James and Jamesy— there’s always time for tea. Their show O Christmas Tea uses traditional Monty Python-era British comedy, but it also breaks down the fourth wall, bringing performers and audience together. “A big part of what sets us apart from traditional […]

Kanye West Jesus Is King (Getting Out Our Dreams II/Def Jam Recordings) 2.5/5  Christianity has always been one of Kanye West’s greatest thematic inspirations. Even though Jesus Is King is West’s first deep-dive into religious music, it employs several familiar sounds.  “Follow God”’s Whole Truth sample packs a layered punch reminiscent of West’s earliest beats, […]

Headstones Peopleskills (MapleMusic) 3.5/5 With a career that spans nearly 30 years and is littered with Junos and hits, Canadian rock legends Headstones are back with their ninth album. Peopleskills continues with the same stripped-down sound present on the Toronto-based band’s previous effort, Little Army. At times on the punk side of rock, at other […]

Frecuencia de Muerte Death Frequency (Armageddon Label) 4/5  Portland-based hardcore-punk band Frecuencia de Muerte just released their full-length debut, Death Frequency. With a unique take on hardcore punk, this band—featuring ex-members of From Ashes Rise, Deathreat, and others—definitely adds some life to to the 2019 hardcore scene. Death Frequency contains seven tracks, which is short, […]

Until Saturday, December 14 Praying to the masses Local artist Leah McInnis is presenting her multi-disciplinary exhibition, Mass, at Open Space until December 14. Mass is a totally new work that is tied around the multiple meanings of the word “mass.” On Friday, November 22, McInnis will hold a reception for her work from 7 pm to 9 […]

Until Saturday, November 30 To all the obscure out there If you’re a fan of the unconventional, the untraditional, and the weird yet beautiful things in life, Ramey Newell’s art exhibit Manifest Obscura is for you. In the exhibit, Newall combines analog photography and microbial processes to show off traditional western landscapes in a very non-traditional—or […]

In 1901, captain John Voss started off on an amazing journey to claim the world record for smallest vessel to travel the globe. In 2019, by expertly combining well-researched Canadian history and historical facts, Qualicum Beach’s John M. MacFarlane and Courtenay’s Lynn J. Salmon have released an engaging book about Voss and his journey. Around […]

Logan Ledger I Don’t Dream Anymore (Rounder Records) 3/5 Logan Ledger’s short but sweet debut EP I Don’t Dream Anymore impressively modernizes classic genres such as country and rock. The Nashville-by-way-of-San-Francisco artist lays down four originals and a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Oh, Sister” here, incorporating the cool California vibes of The Beach Boys with […]