Entertainment

Crews and cast shooting The Christmas House II in Sidney crowded the corner of Second Street and Beacon Avenue Wednesday morning Robert Buckley and Mattia Castrillo are among the actors in the Hallmark Channel movie. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney blanketed in snow during final days of summer

Crews spread holiday cheer for Hallmark Christmas movie shoot

Crews and cast shooting The Christmas House II in Sidney crowded the corner of Second Street and Beacon Avenue Wednesday morning Robert Buckley and Mattia Castrillo are among the actors in the Hallmark Channel movie. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Canadian comic Norm Macdonald arrives at the NBC Universal Summer Press Day at The Langham Huntington Hotel on April 2, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Invision - Chris Pizzello)

Norm Macdonald’s passing recalls memories of nightmare visit to B.C.

Macdonald joked about terrible bed-and-breakfast experience on Vancouver Island

Canadian comic Norm Macdonald arrives at the NBC Universal Summer Press Day at The Langham Huntington Hotel on April 2, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Invision - Chris Pizzello)
Director Denis Villeneuve and actor Javier Bardem are shown on the set of the Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action “Dune,” in a handout photo. For Canadian filmmaker Villeneuve, his sprawling adaptation “Dune” is more than a personal and professional accomplishment — it’s part of his identity. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.-Chiabella James **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Dune screenwriters explain how they tackled ‘unadaptable’ sci-fi classic

Sprawling landmark 1965 novel set to hit the big screen in October

Director Denis Villeneuve and actor Javier Bardem are shown on the set of the Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action “Dune,” in a handout photo. For Canadian filmmaker Villeneuve, his sprawling adaptation “Dune” is more than a personal and professional accomplishment — it’s part of his identity. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.-Chiabella James **MANDATORY CREDIT**
Norm Macdonald arrives at the NBC Universal Summer Press Day at The Langham Huntington Hotel on April 2, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Invision - Chris Pizzello

UPDATED: Canadian comic Norm Macdonald dies after a private battle with cancer

Former anchor of Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” dead at 61

Norm Macdonald arrives at the NBC Universal Summer Press Day at The Langham Huntington Hotel on April 2, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Invision - Chris Pizzello
Director Denis Villeneuve and actor Rebecca Ferguson pose for a photo as they promote the film “Dune” in Toronto during the Toronto International Film Festival, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Villeneuve says he’s relieved to see many rave reviews for his sci-fi epic “Dune” on the festival circuit, but the real test will be how it performs in theatres next month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

After festival kudos, director says ‘Dune”s biggest test is the box office

Montreal’s Denis Villeneuve needs success in order to green-light part two of epic sci-fi adaptation

Director Denis Villeneuve and actor Rebecca Ferguson pose for a photo as they promote the film “Dune” in Toronto during the Toronto International Film Festival, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Villeneuve says he’s relieved to see many rave reviews for his sci-fi epic “Dune” on the festival circuit, but the real test will be how it performs in theatres next month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
FILE - Host Bob Barker appears with contestants during filming of a special prime-time episode of "The Price Is Right," in Los Angeles on April 17, 2007. The longest-running game show in television history is celebrating it’s 50th season. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

Game show ‘The Price Is Right’ celebrates its 50th season

If you can remember the price of a 30-ounce jar of mayonnaise,…

FILE - Host Bob Barker appears with contestants during filming of a special prime-time episode of "The Price Is Right," in Los Angeles on April 17, 2007. The longest-running game show in television history is celebrating it’s 50th season. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)
Actors Phillip Lewitski, left to right, Avery Winters-Anthony and Josh Odjick are shown in a scene from the film “Wildhood,” in a handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Riley Smith **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Nova Scotia filmmaker hopes to inspire Indigenous representation with coming-of-age film

Filmmaker said the coming-of-age film took so long to make because of resistance to the Indigiqueer storyline

Actors Phillip Lewitski, left to right, Avery Winters-Anthony and Josh Odjick are shown in a scene from the film “Wildhood,” in a handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Riley Smith **MANDATORY CREDIT**
Director Denis Villeneuve and actor Javier Bardem are shown on the set of the Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action “Dune,” in a handout photo. The Montreal writer-director has made headlines lately for trumpeting the importance of the cinematic experience and saying he hopes audiences will watch his sci-fi epic “Dune” in theatres. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.-Chiabella James **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Denis Villeneuve and other TIFF talent on their at-home pandemic viewing

Many discovered films they hadn’t seen before

Director Denis Villeneuve and actor Javier Bardem are shown on the set of the Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action “Dune,” in a handout photo. The Montreal writer-director has made headlines lately for trumpeting the importance of the cinematic experience and saying he hopes audiences will watch his sci-fi epic “Dune” in theatres. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.-Chiabella James **MANDATORY CREDIT**
A painting titled “Quiet Stream” by Cynthia Bonesky. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Fall exhibit opens at Port Alberni’s DRAW Gallery

Work from the ninth annual Alberni Valley Paint Out will be on display

A painting titled “Quiet Stream” by Cynthia Bonesky. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Nanaimo bluesman David Gogo (right) teamed up with Toronto musician Steve Marriner on his latest album, ‘Silver Cup.’ (Photo courtesy Lance Sullivan Concept Photography)

Nanaimo’s David Gogo explores family history and old-time blues on new album

Gogo to unveil ‘Silver Cup’ with release concert at the Queen’s

Nanaimo bluesman David Gogo (right) teamed up with Toronto musician Steve Marriner on his latest album, ‘Silver Cup.’ (Photo courtesy Lance Sullivan Concept Photography)
This combination of photos shows nominees for the CMA Award for entertainer of the year, from left, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood. (AP Photo)

Chris Stapleton, Eric Church share top CMA nominations

Paired joined by Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs as entertainer of the year nominees

This combination of photos shows nominees for the CMA Award for entertainer of the year, from left, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood. (AP Photo)
A painting by Katerina Meglic, the newest artist on display at the Rollin Art Centre. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

ARTS AROUND: Rollin Art Centre re-opens with new fall exhibit

Gallery accepting applications from artists for October exhibit

  • Sep 8, 2021
A painting by Katerina Meglic, the newest artist on display at the Rollin Art Centre. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
This combination photo shows Jamie Spears, left, father of Britney Spears, as he leaves the Stanley Mosk Courthouse on Oct. 24, 2012, in Los Angeles and Britney Spears at the Clive Davis and The Recording Academy Pre-Grammy Gala on Feb. 11, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif.. Britney Spears’ father agreed Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, to step down from the conservatorship that has controlled her life and money for 13 years, according to reports. Several outlets including celebrity website TMZ and CNN reported that James Spears filed legal documents saying that while there are no grounds for his removal, he will step down. (AP Photo)

Britney Spears’ father files to end court conservatorship

Britney Spears said she was being compelled under the conservatorship to take certain medications

This combination photo shows Jamie Spears, left, father of Britney Spears, as he leaves the Stanley Mosk Courthouse on Oct. 24, 2012, in Los Angeles and Britney Spears at the Clive Davis and The Recording Academy Pre-Grammy Gala on Feb. 11, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif.. Britney Spears’ father agreed Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, to step down from the conservatorship that has controlled her life and money for 13 years, according to reports. Several outlets including celebrity website TMZ and CNN reported that James Spears filed legal documents saying that while there are no grounds for his removal, he will step down. (AP Photo)
Master music instructor Sevilya Hendrickx-Rai offers music lessons with a variety of instruments and to children of all ages at the Vancouver Island Conservatory in Port Alberni. (July 21, 2021) (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Music conservatory opens in Port Alberni

Sevilya Hendrickx-Rai brings diverse musical background to the Alberni Valley

Master music instructor Sevilya Hendrickx-Rai offers music lessons with a variety of instruments and to children of all ages at the Vancouver Island Conservatory in Port Alberni. (July 21, 2021) (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
This image released by MGM shows Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani in a scene from "House of Gucci," releasing on Nov. 24. (MGM via AP)

A fall movie season (like everything else) in flux

Delayed movies hope to find better conditions with an autumn release

This image released by MGM shows Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani in a scene from "House of Gucci," releasing on Nov. 24. (MGM via AP)
West Coast pop singer-songwriter JESSIA offers an important message through her viral hit song ‘I’m Not Pretty’. (William Amarcand photo)

West Coast grad JESSIA now a rising Canadian pop star

The singer-songwriter penned breakthrough hit ‘I’m Not Pretty’ from childhood room in Ucluelet

West Coast pop singer-songwriter JESSIA offers an important message through her viral hit song ‘I’m Not Pretty’. (William Amarcand photo)
An artist paints what he sees at Fisherman’s Harbour while standing at Harbour Quay during the 2019 Paint Out. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Learn about plein air painting with DRAW Gallery’s ninth annual Paint Out

Artists will be out and about the Alberni Valley Sept. 11—12

An artist paints what he sees at Fisherman’s Harbour while standing at Harbour Quay during the 2019 Paint Out. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Denman Island artist Katerina Meglic will have her artwork on display in Port Alberni starting Sept. 7. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

ARTS AROUND: Colourful art from Denman Island’s Katerina Meglic comes to Port Alberni gallery

Meglic’s exhibit ‘Sweet Being’ opens Sept. 7 at the Rollin Art Centre

  • Sep 1, 2021
Denman Island artist Katerina Meglic will have her artwork on display in Port Alberni starting Sept. 7. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
In this video image provided by NATAS and the Daytime Emmys, executive producer Mike Richards accepts the award for outstanding game show for “Jeopardy!” during the 48th Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, June 25, 2021. (NATAS/Daytime Emmys via AP)

Mike Richards is out as producer of ‘Jeopardy!’ and ‘Wheel of Fortune’

Richards had been tapped to replace Alex Trebek before past misogynistic and other comments surfaced

In this video image provided by NATAS and the Daytime Emmys, executive producer Mike Richards accepts the award for outstanding game show for “Jeopardy!” during the 48th Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, June 25, 2021. (NATAS/Daytime Emmys via AP)
Toronto actor D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai is shown in this undated handout image. Five years ago, Canadian actor Woon-A-Tai never would’ve expected to see a series like “Reservation Dogs” south of the border.But with it and several other fellow Indigenous-led projects finally getting bigger platforms in the U.S., change is afoot when it comes to such mainstream Hollywood representation, he says. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Jeff Vespa *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Canadian ‘Reservation Dogs’ star on increasing Indigenous representation in the U.S.

D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai stars in the buzzy half-hour FX comedy as one of four Indigenous teens in rural Oklahoma

Toronto actor D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai is shown in this undated handout image. Five years ago, Canadian actor Woon-A-Tai never would’ve expected to see a series like “Reservation Dogs” south of the border.But with it and several other fellow Indigenous-led projects finally getting bigger platforms in the U.S., change is afoot when it comes to such mainstream Hollywood representation, he says. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Jeff Vespa *MANDATORY CREDIT*