Local Entertainment

Bluegrass Fever, the host band for the Chemainus Bluegrass Extravaganza. From left, Jan Norton (fiddle), Luann Burton (stand-up bass), and Barrie Hemmings (guitar and banjo). Unfortunately, mainstay Bob johns couldn’t be there due to illness. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Bluegrass music draws a huge following

Delightful array of bands entertain audience

Paolo Bortolussi, left, Calvin Dyck and Mark Beaty perform along the shore of Nanaimo’s Long Lake during Vancouver Island Symphony’s Pop-Up Concert Series last year. This year’s summer series will run July 7 until Aug. 20. (Photo courtesy Vancouver Island Symphony)

Vancouver Island Symphony planning series of pop-up concerts

Pop-Up Concert Series will see four groups play six locations from July 7 until Aug. 20

Indigenous storyteller Kung Jaadee will host an hour-long online storytelling event on June 22 through the Vancouver Island Regional Library. (Photo by Kim Th’e)

Haida author sharing stories virtually via Vancouver Island Regional Library

Kung Jaadee will sing songs and tell stories on June 22

Howdy pardners. Ready to take you on a journey along Classic Country Roads, from left, are: Sean Baker, Katelyn Morishita and Georgia Bennett. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Review: Chemainus Theatre’s new ‘Classic Country Roads’ a rollicking revue

Stellar musical performances

Howdy pardners. Ready to take you on a journey along Classic Country Roads, from left, are: Sean Baker, Katelyn Morishita and Georgia Bennett. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Beatlemania Unplugged will whisk you back to the beginnings of rock on July 17th at 6 p.m. at Ladysmith’s Transfer Beach Amphitheatre. Photo submitted

Love you some Beatles? Check out Beatlemania Unplugged at Concerts in the Park

Beatlemania Unplugged has been performing around Vancouver Island for almost a decade.…

  • Jun 17, 2022
Beatlemania Unplugged will whisk you back to the beginnings of rock on July 17th at 6 p.m. at Ladysmith’s Transfer Beach Amphitheatre. Photo submitted
A feature of the Arts Showcase on June 9 at Ladysmith Secondary School, was the specially-choreographed dance performance by three international students from Germany, Marleen Roemer, Anita Uhlig and Hanna Schneider. Photo by Duck Paterson

Ladysmith Secondary talent returns to the stage – much to the delight of the community

Ladysmith Secondary School was humming with excitement and enthusiasm on Thursday, last…

  • Jun 16, 2022
A feature of the Arts Showcase on June 9 at Ladysmith Secondary School, was the specially-choreographed dance performance by three international students from Germany, Marleen Roemer, Anita Uhlig and Hanna Schneider. Photo by Duck Paterson
Country gals, back from left, include: Georgia Bennett and Katelyn Morishita, with Sean Baker. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Classic Country Roads converge on Chemainus with musical treat

Dust off the cowboy and cowgirl garb for a good ol’ time

Country gals, back from left, include: Georgia Bennett and Katelyn Morishita, with Sean Baker. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Raymond Tony Charlie and his wife Lorraine hold a copy of Charlie’s book about the abuse he experienced at residential school, his recovery, and the scars that remain. (Submitted photo)

Penelakut elder tells story of impact of residential schools

In the Shadow of the Red Brick Building tells of abuse, and recovery

  • May 29, 2022
Raymond Tony Charlie and his wife Lorraine hold a copy of Charlie’s book about the abuse he experienced at residential school, his recovery, and the scars that remain. (Submitted photo)
William Taylor and Mandy Jones, Yutustanaat, teach the land and language-based learning program at Ladysmith Secondary School. The program is presenting the Ladysmith premiere of the recently released documentary film Tzouhalem on Saturday, May 28. The screening will feature a question-and-answer session with some of the individuals involved in the production. (Duck Paterson photo)

‘Tzouhalem’ will tell history and legend at Ladysmith screening

Ladysmith Secondary School program hosts documentary screening May 28

William Taylor and Mandy Jones, Yutustanaat, teach the land and language-based learning program at Ladysmith Secondary School. The program is presenting the Ladysmith premiere of the recently released documentary film Tzouhalem on Saturday, May 28. The screening will feature a question-and-answer session with some of the individuals involved in the production. (Duck Paterson photo)
Glen Foster will play the Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 444 Parkhill Terrace in Ladysmith, on May 20. In his upcoming recording project, he looks to raise further awareness to “hot topic issues” related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and residential schools. (photo by Doug Wortley of Arrowsmith Media)

Musician with a message playing show in Ladysmith

Nanaimo’s Glen Foster will play the Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery on May 20

Glen Foster will play the Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 444 Parkhill Terrace in Ladysmith, on May 20. In his upcoming recording project, he looks to raise further awareness to “hot topic issues” related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and residential schools. (photo by Doug Wortley of Arrowsmith Media)
Pianist Mark Valenti plays the Chemainus Classical Concerts series on Sunday, May 22. (Photo submitted)

Piano music at concert sure to delight and inspire

Renowned pianist Valenti focuses on inclusivity and encouragement

Pianist Mark Valenti plays the Chemainus Classical Concerts series on Sunday, May 22. (Photo submitted)
Rifflandia returns to Victoria for the first time in four years Sept. 15-18. (Photo courtesy of Rifflandia)

Lorde, Charli XCX to headline as Victoria’s Rifflandia festival resurrected

September lineup unveiled for the first Victoria fest in four years

  • May 4, 2022
Rifflandia returns to Victoria for the first time in four years Sept. 15-18. (Photo courtesy of Rifflandia)
The Cowichan Camerata String Orchestra last performed in Ladysmith in December during its Winter Serenade concert. (File photo by Tyler Hay)

Cowichan Camerata’s strings bring in spring at concert

Performances taking place in Duncan and Ladysmith

  • Apr 25, 2022
The Cowichan Camerata String Orchestra last performed in Ladysmith in December during its Winter Serenade concert. (File photo by Tyler Hay)
‘The 39 Steps’ with Aidan deSalaiz, Felix LeBlanc, Caitlin Driscoll and Alexandra Brynn is on stage at the Chemainus Theatre April 22-May 22. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Review: Fast-paced Chemainus Theatre show just plain funny

The 39 Steps will have you guffawing at regular intervals

‘The 39 Steps’ with Aidan deSalaiz, Felix LeBlanc, Caitlin Driscoll and Alexandra Brynn is on stage at the Chemainus Theatre April 22-May 22. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Sue Williams of DuckWilli Designs is one of the artists who will be featured as part of the Spring Art Tour in Ladysmith, Chemainus, Cedar and Yellow Point this coming weekend, April 22-24. (Photo submitted)

Artists to open their studios for Spring Art Tour in and around Ladysmith

16 artists participating in Ladysmith, Chemainus, Cedar and Yellow Point from April 22-24

Sue Williams of DuckWilli Designs is one of the artists who will be featured as part of the Spring Art Tour in Ladysmith, Chemainus, Cedar and Yellow Point this coming weekend, April 22-24. (Photo submitted)
The Mercury Players present the comedy Quartet from May 5-15 at the Mercury Theatre in Duncan. (The 3rd Eye Photography)

Upcoming comedy imagines aging opera troupe

Mercury Players present Quartet at Duncan’s Mercury Theatre from May 5-15

The Mercury Players present the comedy Quartet from May 5-15 at the Mercury Theatre in Duncan. (The 3rd Eye Photography)
The cast of The 39 Steps. Back from left: Aidan deSalaiz and Alexandra Brynn. Front: Felix LeBlanc and Caitlin Driscoll. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Laughter generated from The 39 Steps the best medicine

Cast members prepared to deliver a much-needed respite for the audience

The cast of The 39 Steps. Back from left: Aidan deSalaiz and Alexandra Brynn. Front: Felix LeBlanc and Caitlin Driscoll. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Ladies of the Camellias opens for a three-week run April 21, at Ladysmith Little Theatre. (Ladysmith Little Theatre)

Camellias finally set to bloom on Ladysmith stage

Ladysmith Little Theatre set stage period farce originally set to open two years ago

Ladies of the Camellias opens for a three-week run April 21, at Ladysmith Little Theatre. (Ladysmith Little Theatre)
Whipped Cream, a DJ from Nanaimo, will be performing at Coachella music festival in Indio, Calif., on April 16 and April 23. (Brandon Densley/Dnz.media photo)

Vancouver Island DJ Whipped Cream’s dream jumps off her board with Coachella gig

DJ to play the same days as Billie Eilish and Megan Thee Stallion

Whipped Cream, a DJ from Nanaimo, will be performing at Coachella music festival in Indio, Calif., on April 16 and April 23. (Brandon Densley/Dnz.media photo)
Chemainus Theatre artistic director Mark DuMez, left, and managing director Randy Huber between the banners for The 39 Steps and Glory that were on the schedule for 2020 before the pandemic and are now again prominent for the 2022 season. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Smaller casts, but still big performances on the Chemainus Theatre 2022 show schedule

The 39 Steps and Glory return to the lineup from postponed 2020 season

Chemainus Theatre artistic director Mark DuMez, left, and managing director Randy Huber between the banners for The 39 Steps and Glory that were on the schedule for 2020 before the pandemic and are now again prominent for the 2022 season. (Photo by Don Bodger)