Arts and culture

Picture of the Vancouver art gallery from 2014. (Kay Yamagishi/Flickr)

Sustainability and world class art to meet in new Vancouver Art Gallery building

Federal government kicks in $29 million to help fund ‘passive house’ arts centre in downtown Vancouver

 

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

 

Harrison Firefighter Fred Webber smiles as he holds copies of the two Chicken Soup for the Soul books that contain his story. (Adam Louis/Observer)

Harrison firefighter publishes story in 2 ‘Chicken Soup’ books

Fred Webber fulfilled his firefighting dream in his mid 50s

 

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)
Ryan McMahon will perform at a Cowichan Folk Guild chapel concert at Providence Farm in Duncan this weekend on May 28, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Cathleen Lundgren)

A&E column: Zappacosta headed to Cowichan

Ryan McMahon in concert this weekend

Ryan McMahon will perform at a Cowichan Folk Guild chapel concert at Providence Farm in Duncan this weekend on May 28, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Cathleen Lundgren)
The Islands Folk Festival will be back this summer at Providence Farm in Duncan on July 23, 2022. (Citizen file)

Islands Folk Festival back in Cowichan boasting big lineup

Festival coming Saturday, July 23

The Islands Folk Festival will be back this summer at Providence Farm in Duncan on July 23, 2022. (Citizen file)
‘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)
Renowned Canadian writer, Margaret Atwood speaks after Canada Post unveiling of a special stamp in her honour in Toronto on Nov. 25, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)

QUIZ: How much do you know about poems and poetry?

April is National Poetry Month in Canada

Renowned Canadian writer, Margaret Atwood speaks after Canada Post unveiling of a special stamp in her honour in Toronto on Nov. 25, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)
Pharis and Jason Romero headline the Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival to be held at Laketown Ranch in Youbou on June 17 to 19, 2022. (Laureen Carruthers photo)

Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival back in June

Headliners Pharis and Jason Romero, The Lonesome Ace Stringband and more

Pharis and Jason Romero headline the Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival to be held at Laketown Ranch in Youbou on June 17 to 19, 2022. (Laureen Carruthers photo)
Lindenthaler and Brown wanted to start a business together for a while, when Brown noticed a potential gap in the market for topographical maps. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Vancouver Island couple carving wooden maps of anywhere in the world

The process combines computer science and woodworking to make custom maps

Lindenthaler and Brown wanted to start a business together for a while, when Brown noticed a potential gap in the market for topographical maps. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Wu Tang Clan are considered by many to be the best hip hop or rap group in the world. Facebook

Wu-Tang Clan, The Glorious Sons, Arkells and more headline Laketown Shakedown 2022 in Cowichan

This is the first year back for the festival since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020

Wu Tang Clan are considered by many to be the best hip hop or rap group in the world. Facebook
Anne Cateaux released her debut novel, Shimmy, after a decade of working on getting it published. (Photo courtesy of Anne Cateaux)

Ladysmith author explores love and friendship in debut novel

Shimmy answers ‘where do pets go when they die?’

Anne Cateaux released her debut novel, Shimmy, after a decade of working on getting it published. (Photo courtesy of Anne Cateaux)
A rendering of the proposed new art gallery from the Ingram Street perspective. (Submitted by the Cowichan Public Art Gallery)

Group strikes deal for downtown Duncan property to build ‘world-class’ art centre

Intention is to create 30,000 sq. ft. gallery and education centre

A rendering of the proposed new art gallery from the Ingram Street perspective. (Submitted by the Cowichan Public Art Gallery)
Kathleen Darby is leading a nation-wide project called Cultural Resilience: Using Innovation to Stabilize in Times of Crisis, which showcases the arts and culture sector’s innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Kathleen Darby)

Ladysmith local leads nation-wide project showcasing innovation

Project highlights resilience in the arts and culture sector during pandemic

Kathleen Darby is leading a nation-wide project called Cultural Resilience: Using Innovation to Stabilize in Times of Crisis, which showcases the arts and culture sector’s innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Kathleen Darby)
FILE - A man, wearing a protective face mask to prevent the spread of coronavirus, is tattooed at Paul and Friends tattoo parlour in downtown Brussels, March 26, 2021. The European Union is imposing restrictions on the inks that tattoo artists can use as of Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. The EU says it is a necessary move to protect the health of consumers because thousands of chemical elements now in use can cause anything from allergic reactions to cancer. The tattoo industry complains it is unfairly targeted and is losing an essence part of its art. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)

Tattoo artist anger over new European rules goes beyond skin deep

Commission says alternatives to the banned products do exist

FILE - A man, wearing a protective face mask to prevent the spread of coronavirus, is tattooed at Paul and Friends tattoo parlour in downtown Brussels, March 26, 2021. The European Union is imposing restrictions on the inks that tattoo artists can use as of Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. The EU says it is a necessary move to protect the health of consumers because thousands of chemical elements now in use can cause anything from allergic reactions to cancer. The tattoo industry complains it is unfairly targeted and is losing an essence part of its art. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
The canoe created by John Marston and Moy Sutherland hangs in the rafters of the gift shop and cafe at the Malahat Skywalk. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Master carver Marston’s work graces Malahat Skywalk

Canoe, sculpture indicative of the region’s culture displayed prominently at the tourist facility

The canoe created by John Marston and Moy Sutherland hangs in the rafters of the gift shop and cafe at the Malahat Skywalk. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Darius Rucker is the headliner for Sunfest 2022. (Photo courtesy of dariusrucker.com)

Darius Rucker to headline Sunfest 2022

Cowichan Valley also welcomes Dallas Smith, Billy Currington Hardy, Kip Moore

Darius Rucker is the headliner for Sunfest 2022. (Photo courtesy of dariusrucker.com)
Although it won’t be Samson pulling the train this year, the Christmas Express is back at the BC Forest Discovery Centre for 2021. (Citizen file)

Christmas Express train rides back in Duncan for 2021

Travel through thousands of twinkling lights at the BC Forest Discovery Centre

  • Dec 3, 2021
Although it won’t be Samson pulling the train this year, the Christmas Express is back at the BC Forest Discovery Centre for 2021. (Citizen file)
Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. beside the unveiled design of the Salish Heron vessel. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

BC Ferries unveils Indigenous design for next Salish Class vessel

Including Island artist Maynard Johnny Jr.’s artwork seen as meaningful act towards reconciliation

Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. beside the unveiled design of the Salish Heron vessel. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. beside the unveiled design of the Salish Heron vessel. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

BC Ferries unveils Indigenous design for next Salish Class vessel

Including Maynard Johnny Jr.’s artwork seen as a meaningful act towards reconciliation

Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. beside the unveiled design of the Salish Heron vessel. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)