Entertainment

A sign offering film tours is seen at the entrance of the Bonanza Creek Film Ranch in Santa Fe, N.M. Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. Actor Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun on the set of a Western being filmed at the ranch on Thursday, Oct. 21, killing the cinematographer, officials said. The director of the movie was wounded, and authorities were investigating. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Film crew voiced complaints before fatal on-set shooting during ‘Rust’ filming

Court records indicate that an assistant director grabbed a prop gun off a cart and handed it to Alec Baldwin

A sign offering film tours is seen at the entrance of the Bonanza Creek Film Ranch in Santa Fe, N.M. Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. Actor Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun on the set of a Western being filmed at the ranch on Thursday, Oct. 21, killing the cinematographer, officials said. The director of the movie was wounded, and authorities were investigating. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Some of the artwork currently on display at the Rollin Art Centre. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

ARTS AROUND: Local artists present their COVID-19 projects at Rollin Art Centre

Exhibit at Port Alberni gallery runs until Nov. 5

  • Oct 20, 2021
Some of the artwork currently on display at the Rollin Art Centre. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
Corb Lund tips his hat during Fire Aid for Fort McMurray concert in Edmonton on Wednesday, June 29, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amber Bracken

Alberta country stars band together on song opposing Rockies coal mining

This Is My Prairie, features country luminaries including Brett Kissel, Terri Clark and Paul Brandt

Corb Lund tips his hat during Fire Aid for Fort McMurray concert in Edmonton on Wednesday, June 29, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amber Bracken
In his new book, Sidney author Grant Hayter-Menzies explores the life of local historical celebrity Muggins. (Courtesy Heritage House)

Muggins, B.C.’s famous wartime charity hound, celebrated in new book

Author Grant Hayter-Menzies also looks at the use of animals in war – at home and on the battlefield

In his new book, Sidney author Grant Hayter-Menzies explores the life of local historical celebrity Muggins. (Courtesy Heritage House)
Jason Momoa, from left, Timothee Chalamet, and Zendaya pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film ‘Dune’ on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021 in London. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Denis Villeneuve’s dreams of `Dune’ reach the big screen

‘Dune’ finally makes its way to North American theaters Friday

Jason Momoa, from left, Timothee Chalamet, and Zendaya pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film ‘Dune’ on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021 in London. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
Colin James (right) and his band put on a great show at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds as part of the 2019 Vancouver Island MusicFest. After a two-year absence due to the pandemic, MusicFest will return in 2022. Photo by Terry Farrell

Vancouver Island MusicFest returning in 2022

Comox Valley-based music staple planning for a ‘normal’ event next summer

Colin James (right) and his band put on a great show at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds as part of the 2019 Vancouver Island MusicFest. After a two-year absence due to the pandemic, MusicFest will return in 2022. Photo by Terry Farrell
Stacey Chomiak’s queer, illustrated, young-adult memoir ‘Still Stace: My Gay Christian Coming-of-Age Story’ is being released on Oct. 19, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. author says being gay and Christian is OK

Stacey Chomiak’s memoir aimed at LGBTQ youth makes peace with faith community and queer community

Stacey Chomiak’s queer, illustrated, young-adult memoir ‘Still Stace: My Gay Christian Coming-of-Age Story’ is being released on Oct. 19, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
In this handout photo provided by Sotheby's Auction House, the auction for Banksy's "Love is the Bin" takes place in London, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. A work by British street artist Banksy that sensationally self-shredded just after it sold for $1.4 million has sold again for $25.4 million at an auction on Thursday. “Love is in the Bin” was offered by Sotheby’s in London, with a presale estimate of $5.5 million to $8.2 million. (Haydon Perrior/Sotheby's Auction House via AP)

Shredded Banksy artwork sells for $25.4 million at auction

Price a record for the artist, and close to 20 times the piece’s pre-shredded price

In this handout photo provided by Sotheby's Auction House, the auction for Banksy's "Love is the Bin" takes place in London, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. A work by British street artist Banksy that sensationally self-shredded just after it sold for $1.4 million has sold again for $25.4 million at an auction on Thursday. “Love is in the Bin” was offered by Sotheby’s in London, with a presale estimate of $5.5 million to $8.2 million. (Haydon Perrior/Sotheby's Auction House via AP)
Nanaimo children’s author and illustrator Lindsay Ford’s latest book is ‘Lonely Doug.’ (Photo courtesy Bread and Clutter)

Vancouver Island children’s author writes about famous fir tree ‘Lonely Doug’

Writer and illustrator Lindsay Ford releases 10th children’s book

Nanaimo children’s author and illustrator Lindsay Ford’s latest book is ‘Lonely Doug.’ (Photo courtesy Bread and Clutter)
The Community Arts Council held its annual book sale at the former Gill Elementary School grounds on Beaver Creek Road on July 17. Dozens of people came out to check out the selection of books for sale. The giant book sale is the Community Arts Council’s biggest fundraiser of the year. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

ARTS AROUND: Rollin Art Centre looking for book donations

The Port Alberni gallery will be holding a Giant Book Sale fundraiser in 2022

The Community Arts Council held its annual book sale at the former Gill Elementary School grounds on Beaver Creek Road on July 17. Dozens of people came out to check out the selection of books for sale. The giant book sale is the Community Arts Council’s biggest fundraiser of the year. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
Jody Wilson-Raybould published a political memoir called “Indian” in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

Former MP Jody Wilson-Raybould among finalists for $60K public policy book prize

Inaugural finalists announced for the Balsillie Prize for Public Policy

Jody Wilson-Raybould published a political memoir called “Indian” in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
This undated photo released by Netflix shows South Korean cast members, from left, Park Hae-soo, Lee Jung-jae and Anupam Tripathi in a scene from “Squid Game.” Squid Game, a globally popular South Korea-produced Netflix show that depicts hundreds of financially distressed characters competing in deadly children’s games for a chance to escape severe debt, has struck a raw nerve at home, where there’s growing discontent over soaring household debt, decaying job markets and worsening income inequality. (Youngkyu Park/Netflix via AP)

‘Squid Game’ strikes nerve in debt-ridden South Korea

Raising disturbing questions about the future of one of Asia’s wealthiest economies

This undated photo released by Netflix shows South Korean cast members, from left, Park Hae-soo, Lee Jung-jae and Anupam Tripathi in a scene from “Squid Game.” Squid Game, a globally popular South Korea-produced Netflix show that depicts hundreds of financially distressed characters competing in deadly children’s games for a chance to escape severe debt, has struck a raw nerve at home, where there’s growing discontent over soaring household debt, decaying job markets and worsening income inequality. (Youngkyu Park/Netflix via AP)
Authors Susan Raby-Dunne and Bill Arnott will be the featured readers at Electric Mermaid on Friday, Oct. 15. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Writers share the spotlight at Oct. 15 Electric Mermaid in Port Alberni

Literary event will take place in person at Char’s Landing and via Zoom

Authors Susan Raby-Dunne and Bill Arnott will be the featured readers at Electric Mermaid on Friday, Oct. 15. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
This photo provided by Jeopardy Productions Inc. shows “Jeopardy!” contestant Matt Amodio during a taping of the popular game show. Amodio’s historic run on “Jeopardy!” ended on Monday’s show, leaving the Yale doctoral student with 38 wins and more than $1.5 million in prize money. (Jeopardy Productions Inc. via AP)

Matt Amodio’s history-making run on TV’s ‘Jeopardy!’ ends

Contestant ends 38-week game show run as the show’s third biggest money winner

This photo provided by Jeopardy Productions Inc. shows “Jeopardy!” contestant Matt Amodio during a taping of the popular game show. Amodio’s historic run on “Jeopardy!” ended on Monday’s show, leaving the Yale doctoral student with 38 wins and more than $1.5 million in prize money. (Jeopardy Productions Inc. via AP)
Jeff and Rina Puska are planning a grand opening for their boutique and “cuddle farm” later in October. It features two sheep named Boots and O, among other animals. (Photo by Tyler Hay)

Vancouver Island family brings ‘cuddle farm’ to life in original children’s book

‘We wanted a place where people could just put their phones down and have this magical experience’

Jeff and Rina Puska are planning a grand opening for their boutique and “cuddle farm” later in October. It features two sheep named Boots and O, among other animals. (Photo by Tyler Hay)
The Stone Poets will be performing at Char’s Landing in Port Alberni on Oct. 8, 2021. (PHOTO COURTESY MICAH GARDENER)

In-person music returns to Char’s Landing with Stone Poets

Concert will also be streamed live via Zoom

The Stone Poets will be performing at Char’s Landing in Port Alberni on Oct. 8, 2021. (PHOTO COURTESY MICAH GARDENER)
Some of the local artwork on display at the Rollin Art Centre. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

ARTS AROUND: Local artists featured at Port Alberni’s Rollin Art Centre

New exhibit showcases what artists have been up to during the pandemic

  • Oct 6, 2021
Some of the local artwork on display at the Rollin Art Centre. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
Kwakiutl chief Calvin Hunt working on the 30-foot totem pole. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)

VIDEO: New Coast Guard station totem making a statement on the North Island

Kwakiutl chief Calvin Hunt’s latest pole is taking shape outside Port Hardy

Kwakiutl chief Calvin Hunt working on the 30-foot totem pole. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)
Nanaimo country singer Joel Lee has released his third single, ‘This Party Ain’t Over.’ (Photo courtesy Lance Sullivan/Concept Photography)

Vancouver Island country singer keeps the party going with new song, music video

Nanaimo’s Joel Lee’s latest single is ‘This Party Ain’t Over’

Nanaimo country singer Joel Lee has released his third single, ‘This Party Ain’t Over.’ (Photo courtesy Lance Sullivan/Concept Photography)
Jann Arden, alongside “Jann” castmates Sharon Taylor (left) and Charlie Kerr (right), is shown in a handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Derek Heisler

Jann Arden says while COVID-19 is very real, it won’t ever exist on her TV sitcom

Canadian sitcom star decided the pandemic wouldn’t exist in her TV version of the real world

Jann Arden, alongside “Jann” castmates Sharon Taylor (left) and Charlie Kerr (right), is shown in a handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Derek Heisler