Entertainment

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

Jesse Roper of Metchosin performs with his band at the All Ways Home music festival in Langford at Starlight Stadium in September. Live performances have been somewhat rare for Roper lately, but he had excerpts from two of his songs play on Netflix and CBS recently. (Black Press Media file photo)

Vancouver Island tunesmith Jesse Roper cracks TV soundtrack barrier — twice

Popuar bluesman’s songs heard on Netflix’s Riverdale and The Equalizer on CBS

A new Netflix interactive map allows viewers to see where shows were filmed across Canada, including in Greater Victoria. (Netflix/screenshot)

Netflix map marks Vancouver Island sites where hit series Maid was filmed

Ten Mile Point mansion, Victoria’s oldest laundromat among featured locations

Avril Lavigne’s newly released song, Bite Me, precedes more music and a new album by the same name in the new year. (Warner Music Canada)

Avril Lavigne announces final tour stop will bring her to Vancouver Island

Concert set for May 25 in in Victoria, Bite Me tour the pop-punk artist’s first in more than 10 years

Avril Lavigne’s newly released song, Bite Me, precedes more music and a new album by the same name in the new year. (Warner Music Canada)
This image released by ABC News shows actor-producer Alec Baldwin, left, during an interview with “Good Morning America” co-anchor George Stephanopoulos. The hour-long interview about the fatal shooting on the set of Baldwin’s film “Rust,” will air Thursday, Dec. 2 at 9 p.m. EST on ABC. (Jeffrey Neira/ABC News via AP)

Lawyer backs up Baldwin’s assertion he didn’t pull trigger

‘Dave has told me since the very first day I met him, that Alec did not pull that trigger’

This image released by ABC News shows actor-producer Alec Baldwin, left, during an interview with “Good Morning America” co-anchor George Stephanopoulos. The hour-long interview about the fatal shooting on the set of Baldwin’s film “Rust,” will air Thursday, Dec. 2 at 9 p.m. EST on ABC. (Jeffrey Neira/ABC News via AP)
Nanaimo children’s author Lois Peterson’s latest book is ‘Shelter: Homelessness in our Community.’ (Photo courtesy Louroo Photography)

Vancouver Island author pens children’s book on homelessness

Nanaimo’s Lois Peterson to bring latest book ‘Shelter’ on virtual classroom tour

Nanaimo children’s author Lois Peterson’s latest book is ‘Shelter: Homelessness in our Community.’ (Photo courtesy Louroo Photography)
Story House is four singer-songwriters with a wealth of stories to tell through their folksy bluegrass music. Find out what their next plot is at Char’s Landing this Sunday, Dec. 5 at 2:30 p.m. Doors open at 1;30 p.m. Tickets and more info available at charslanding.com. (PHOTO COURTESY STORY HOUSE)

Story House brings bluegrass sound to Char’s Landing in Port Alberni

This will be the band’s first performance in Port Alberni

Story House is four singer-songwriters with a wealth of stories to tell through their folksy bluegrass music. Find out what their next plot is at Char’s Landing this Sunday, Dec. 5 at 2:30 p.m. Doors open at 1;30 p.m. Tickets and more info available at charslanding.com. (PHOTO COURTESY STORY HOUSE)
A piece of pottery by artist Kate Mckinley. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

ARTS AROUND: Rollin Art Centre open late for Mistletoe Market

Hundreds of items by local artists are on display

  • Dec 1, 2021
A piece of pottery by artist Kate Mckinley. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Alison Cowan of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association, centre, presents dancers Madeline Joseph, left, and Emma Fines with Maria Lewis Legacy bursaries. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Port Alberni dancers, ballet instructor earn accolades for their talent

Canadian Dance Teachers Association presented a trio of awards at Stage West

Alison Cowan of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association, centre, presents dancers Madeline Joseph, left, and Emma Fines with Maria Lewis Legacy bursaries. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
The stage is set for a full season of theatre again in 2022 at the Chemainus Theatre with the current fundraising campaign that's underway supported with substantial contributions from Gregg Perry, left, and Dr. Don Hilton. The Holiday Jubilation concert for Christmas will be a stepping stone. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Funding campaigns help popular Island theatre stage a comeback

Matching donations go a long way toward a 2022 full season Chemainus Theatre reopening

The stage is set for a full season of theatre again in 2022 at the Chemainus Theatre with the current fundraising campaign that's underway supported with substantial contributions from Gregg Perry, left, and Dr. Don Hilton. The Holiday Jubilation concert for Christmas will be a stepping stone. (Photo by Don Bodger)
FILE - Marilyn Manson attends the 9th annual “Home for the Holidays” benefit concert in Los Angeles, on Dec. 10, 2019. Authorities searched the home of the rocker on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, after allegations of physical and sexual abuse by several women. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

Home of Marilyn Manson searched in abuse investigation

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said in February that its detectives had begun investigating rocker

FILE - Marilyn Manson attends the 9th annual “Home for the Holidays” benefit concert in Los Angeles, on Dec. 10, 2019. Authorities searched the home of the rocker on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, after allegations of physical and sexual abuse by several women. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
The Reklaws pose on the red carpet at the Canadian Country Music Awards in Calgary, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Dallas Smith named entertainer of the year, takes three trophies at CCMA Awards

Smith performed his single “Hide From a Broken Heart” for the fully vaccinated crowd

The Reklaws pose on the red carpet at the Canadian Country Music Awards in Calgary, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Musician Tyler Joe Miller. (File photo)

‘Holy smokes!’: B.C. musician reacts after winning $25K ‘Top of the Country Contest’

Tyler Joe Miller’s bio and song video are posted to topcountry.siriusxm.ca

Musician Tyler Joe Miller. (File photo)
FILE - Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim poses after being awarded the Freedom of the City of London at a ceremony at the Guildhall in London, on Sept. 27, 2018. Sondheim, the songwriter who reshaped the American musical theater in the second half of the 20th century, has died at age 91. Sondheim’s death was announced by his Texas-based attorney, Rick Pappas, who told The New York Times the composer died Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, at his home in Roxbury, Conn. Pappas did not return calls and messages to The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

Towering musical theater master Stephen Sondheim dies at 91

Tributes quickly flooded social media as performers and writers alike saluted a giant of the theatre

FILE - Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim poses after being awarded the Freedom of the City of London at a ceremony at the Guildhall in London, on Sept. 27, 2018. Sondheim, the songwriter who reshaped the American musical theater in the second half of the 20th century, has died at age 91. Sondheim’s death was announced by his Texas-based attorney, Rick Pappas, who told The New York Times the composer died Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, at his home in Roxbury, Conn. Pappas did not return calls and messages to The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
Jennifer Lopez posted to Instagram that she is finished her part of filming in Smithers. (Screenshot)

VIDEO: Jennifer Lopez wraps up filming in Smithers

In an Instagram post, the star of The Mother tells her family she is on her way home

Jennifer Lopez posted to Instagram that she is finished her part of filming in Smithers. (Screenshot)
Chris Ronald brings his roots and Americana sound to Char’s Landing on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. (PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS RONALD)

Chris Ronald brings roots sound to Char’s Landing for live concert Nov. 26

Concert will also be livestreamed for those who aren’t able to watch in person

Chris Ronald brings his roots and Americana sound to Char’s Landing on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. (PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS RONALD)
At home, Thomas Dudley is co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in the Shelbourne Plaza. He is also a talented videographer who has filmed the documentary series Seeing Canada. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Vancouver Island bird store owner’s documentary side gig airs on PBS, Amazon Prime

Tom Dudley travels cross country working on Seeing Canada

At home, Thomas Dudley is co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in the Shelbourne Plaza. He is also a talented videographer who has filmed the documentary series Seeing Canada. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Students at Stage West School of Performing Arts in Port Alberni prepare for the return of The Nutcracker on Dec. 4. Students are required to wear masks in the studio, but will be unmasked when dancing. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Port Alberni dancers bring back The Nutcracker for 2021

Dancers at Stage West School of Performing Arts excited to perform for live audience

Students at Stage West School of Performing Arts in Port Alberni prepare for the return of The Nutcracker on Dec. 4. Students are required to wear masks in the studio, but will be unmasked when dancing. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
The Vancouver Island Symphony will perform Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky’s suite ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ this coming April. (Photo courtesy Heydemann Art of Photography)

Vancouver Island Symphony seeking art inspired by music inspired by art

VIS to hold exhibition by Island artists based on Mussorgsky’s ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’

The Vancouver Island Symphony will perform Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky’s suite ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ this coming April. (Photo courtesy Heydemann Art of Photography)
An oil painting of a Spanish flamenco dancer captures artist Sue Thomas’s love of colour. Thomas is a board member with the Alberni Valley’s community arts council as well as a multi-media artist. (PHOTO COURTESY ROLLIN ART CENTRE)

ARTS AROUND: Artist fell in love with rich tapestry of Alberni Valley colours

Sue Thomas involves herself in many facets of the Port Alberni art scene

  • Nov 24, 2021
An oil painting of a Spanish flamenco dancer captures artist Sue Thomas’s love of colour. Thomas is a board member with the Alberni Valley’s community arts council as well as a multi-media artist. (PHOTO COURTESY ROLLIN ART CENTRE)