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If you’re looking to have your voice heard when it comes to issues related to quality of life in the capital region, now’s your chance!
The Victoria Foundation’s 19th annual Vital Signs Survey is open now, and they’re looking for your opinion.
The Vital Signs citizen survey asks Greater Victorians to weigh in on 12 Vital Signs issues related to quality of life.
These issue areas include housing, safety, health & wellness, belonging and engagement—just to name a few.
This year, residents can fill out a short or long version of the survey, which can be found online—survey responses are used to produce the comprehensive Victoria’s Vital Signs report, which combines public opinion and statistics to provide a snapshot of livability and well-being in Greater Victoria.
Last year, the Victoria Foundation had the highest response rate in Vital Signs history with 5,319 survey completes! They’re looking to hear from those voices again and more as they enter the 19th year of the Vital Signs program.
The 2024 Vital Signs report will be released in the fall.
The survey just opened, and will run until Friday, May 31st—don’t miss the chance to have your saywhile you still can.
Also, by filling out the survey, you could win one of three $100 gift cards to Country Grocer! You can also double your chances of winning by filling out the long form of the survey.
“Victoria’s Vital Signs provides the community with information that sparks action to improve our region,” said Sandra Richardson, Victoria Foundation CEO.
“There is a significant amount of complex and integrated challenges in our community, and we hope the theme for 2024 and information collected will help us identify solutions for our region to help our grandkids and future generations.”
Victoria’s Vital Signs was launched in 2006, and is a community check-up conducted by community foundations across Canada that measures the vitality of our communities and identifies significant trends in a range of areas critical to quality of life. Vital Signs is coordinated nationally by Community Foundations of Canada.
Looking for an evening out with one of America’s top musical treasures? Well, you’re in luck!
In the peak heat and joy of summer, on Friday August 23rd, John Fogerty will be making an appearance in Victoria with special guest, Hearty Har at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
This tour, titled The Celebration Tour is in honour of his songs from band Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), who he was the lead vocalist, lead guitarist, and primary songwriter for.
Fogerty’s work forged a distinctive, groundbreaking sound, that’s equal parts blues, country, pop, rockabilly, R&B, swamp boogie, and Southern fried rock ‘n’ roll—united by his uniquely evocative lyrical perspective.
Additionally, Fogerty is a Grammy winner, has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
He is also the only musician to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame for his song, “Centerfield,” which remains a staple at baseball stadiums across the country.
Many of his hit songs, released both as a solo artist and while in CCR, have sold over 100 million records. Highlights include “Proud Mary,” “Susie Q,” “Fortunate son,” “Born on the Bayou,” “Bad Moon Rising,” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” among many others.
General admission tickets for Fogerty’s Celebration Tour go on sale on Friday, April 19th at 10 a.m.—set your alarms and get ready!
Platinum ticket packages are already available for purchase and include front row, floor sections and other close-to-the-stage seating. Prices for these areas range from around $130 to $374.
We hope you’ve been able to soak up some sunlight—nothing better for chasing away the lingering winter blues.
This Thursday presents a mix of high-energy and lowkey events, so you can tailor your evening depending on your social battery and tiredness.
For something fast-paced and loud, head over to Lucky Bar for an evening of live music. If you’re hoping to interact with fewer people, consider a sunset hike up PKOLS (Mount Doug).
For all of this and more, here’s 5 things to do in and around Victoria on Thursday, April 18th:
Help welcome Shaela Miller from Lethbridge as her and her band perform live at Lucky Bar—joined by special guest, Sail Cassidy.
Miller has gained worldwide recognition for her country music with multiple festival appearances, her voice being featured in HBO’s True Blood and CBC’s Heartland and many other accomplishments.
Although she isn’t saying goodbye to country, her forthcoming album After the Masquerade, is a self-indulgent trip back to a world of music she’s been patiently waiting to explore.
Tickets are $15 if purchased in advance and $20 at the door.
Show your support and come for a free artist talk with City of Victoria Artist in Residence Kemi Craig and the creative team behind the exhibition Afroquatics: A Call and Response Below the Surface.
This talk will delve into exhibition themes and the technology that supports the installation, developed by Victoria’s Hololabs Studio.
Take advantage of the predicted sunny weather and go on a hike!
Not only are you able to see all of Victoria—including glimpses of downtown Victoria and the harbour, you’re also surrounded by lush, moss covered forest floors, established trees, and varieties of shrubs.
You can choose to drive to the top or hike from the bottom (Irvine Trail). Note that this hike is considered moderate in difficulty and may be unsuitable for some as it gets steep at times.
There are plenty of leisurely strolling trails in and around the park though, if that’s more your speed!
Where: East Saanich
When: Thursday, April 18th—park is open from dawn until dusk!
Catch the sold-out sensation from the 2024 Victoria Film Festival, The Old Oak Pub.
This film follows the landlord of the pub as he opens his doors as a food bank to aid Syrian refugees. He forms a bond with Yara, a young Syrian photographer, and through this friendship, they discover profound commonalities that transcend cultural differences.
Tickets are just over $13 and can be purchased here.
One man is in custody after it was reported he was threatening people along the Galloping Goose Trail with a knife on Tuesday.
On April 16th, at approximately 7:12 p.m., West Shore RCMP received a call from a witness who advised that there was a man on the Galloping Goose Trail near the area of Atkins and Brydon Roads who was brandishing a knife and threatening people with it.
Responding officers attended the area and were able to locate the suspect who was arrested without further incident.
The suspect was arrested for uttering threats, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and possession of a prohibited device.
Upon searching the suspect police seized a knife that opened with centrifugal force, which is against the law to possess.
At the time of his arrest, the suspect was displaying symptoms of being intoxicated by alcohol.
The 47-year-old suspect was held in police custody and is set to appear before the courts today.
“Thankfully no one was physically injured in this incident. We want to thank the witness who called police right away and provided a detailed description of the suspect and his location which allowed police to apprehend the suspect quickly,” said Cpl. Nancy Saggar, West Shore RCMP Media Relations Officer.
A Comox Valley driver is going to face hefty penalties after being nabbed for excessive speeding for the second time in six months.
On November 22nd, 2023, at 3:49 p.m., a Comox Valley Municipal Traffic member was on Headquarters Road when he observed a vehicle traveling at 112 km/hr in a 60 km/hr zone.
The driver’s car, a Mini Cooper, was impounded for 7 days, and the driver was issued a violation ticket for excessive speed.
Fast forward six months, on March 13th, at 1 p.m., the same officer was on Veteran’s Memorial Parkway when he observed a vehicle traveling at 106 km/hr in a 60 km/hr zone.
Comox Valley RCMP said the officer recognized the driver from their previous interaction in November. This time, he was in a Pontiac Firebird and was impounded for 7 days.
He was also issued a violation ticket for excessive speed.
In BC, police can impound your vehicle for excessive speeding. They will impound it for seven days for a first offense, 30 days for a second offense within two years and 60 days for any subsequent offense within two years.
The driver is also responsible for paying all towing and storage costs.
Vritika Gupta, who plays the role of Reena Virk in "Under the Bridge" (IMDb)
WARNING: This article contains graphic details which may be disturbing to some readers.
A deplorable act of violence which took place in 1997 right here in Victoria has been made into a limited series and aired its first two episodes in the United States last night, on Tuesday, April 16th.
The show is titled Under the Bridge and is based on a book written about Virk’s death at the hands of her classmates by Victorian born author, Rebecca Godfrey.
Under the Bridge stars Lily Gladstone who was recently nominated for an Oscar for best actress because of her role in Killers of the Flower Moon and it also stars Riley Keough who recently starred in the limited series Daisy Jones & The Six.
Virk’s role went to 14-year-old Vritika Gupta, who has been acting since age 7.
Although the series launched last night on Hulu and has aired in Brazil, France, the United States and Mexico last night, it has been announced that the show will air in Canada on May 8th via Disney+.
What happened to Reena Virk
14-year-old Virk was killed after she met with a group of teenagers underneath the Craigflower Bridge, now 27 years ago.
There, she was beaten viciously by a few in the group until one of the youths stopped the beating violence.
Virk then reportedly tried to flee, but she was badly beaten and was followed by two of the teens who broke off from the group.
Warren Paul Glowatski and Kelly Marie Ellard proceeded to drown her while she was unconscious after viciously assaulting her a second time.
Then 16-year-old Glowatski was convicted of second degree murder and given a life sentence.
However, he was still a minor at the time and through a lengthy parole hearing process was granted full parole in 2010.
Ellard had a long, drawn out sentencing as well.
She went through three trials because of hung juries and judgment errors but was eventually given a life sentence in 2005 with possibility of parole in seven years.
She was granted conditional day parole in 2017 and changed her name to Kelly Marie Sim.
In May 2022, then 39-years-old, Sim (Ellard) waived her right to a parole hearing as she did not feel ready to return to society on a full time basis.
The limited-series
The series has acquired the rights to the story via Rebecca Godfrey’s book but it is unclear at this time whether or not the production team making the limited-series consulted with Virk’s family for permission in making the show.
Some of the show’s episodes will be headed up by Indo-American director, producer and writer, Geeta Vasant Patel.
So far, the first two episodes have received mostly positive reviews, with the first episode, “Looking Glass” has a 7.3 rating on IMDb and the second episode, “The John Gotti of Seven Oaks” has an 8.0 rating.
(Rocky Horror Picture Show / Photo by Nathan Spiller)
Atomic Vaudeville, a beloved local theatre production company, is thrilled to be celebrating 20 years of creating live art!
Marking this monumental occasion will be their 87th cabaret titled, Spring Cabaret: Hope SpringsInferno, held at the Victoria Event Centre (VEC) from April 24th to 27th.
Hope SpringsInferno will present your hosts Hope and Death as they lead an all-star cast on a journey described as a “pop-culture worm ride through spicy dunes, idyllic children’s forests and the mean streets of mob-era Fernwood.”
Come and celebrate 20 years of eccentric, community-driven theatre with singing, dancing and soul searching!
“Our company is a central hub for emerging and established professionals. We provide artists with not only valuable experience but expressive platforms to create new work, which excites and connects our audience,” said Atomic Vaudeville Co-Leader Britt Small.
“Atomic Vaudeville has played a unique role in our local community and over 20 years have become leaders at expanding both the approach to and vision of what theatre can be.”
(Atomic Vaudeville Cabaret / Photo by Helene Cyr)
Since Atomic Vaudeville’s inception in 2004, they’ve worked with over 400 different local and visiting artists, and continue to provide support and mentorship to voices in the Victoria community.
Artists they’ve platformed and mentored include JIMBO the Drag Clown (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Ingrid Hansen (Jim Henson Company puppeteer), and Shirley Gnome (Juno Award nominee).
If you have yet to attend a cabaret, rest assured that they are a hit in Victoria for a reason—hosting productions twice a year at spring and Halloween!
You may already be familiar with their long-time iconic production of cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show, which has become a community staple.
It features a stellar cast and a clear aesthetic vision executed by production designer JIMBO, before he became an international drag superstar.
They’ve also produced Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and were the original producers of hit musical Ride the Cyclone before it was picked up by Broadway producers for a US tour.
Since then, Atomic Vaudeville has been developing a new musical The Batshits: Halloween Never Dies featuring original songs by local musician and gay renaissance icon Hank Pine, and a script by Becky Johnson (Baroness Von Sketch).
(Atomic Vaudeville Cabaret / Photo by Helene Cyr)
No matter the show, each has become well known for their bold audience engagement, absurdist social and political commentary, singing, dancing and clowning.
Don’t miss out on the chance to celebrate 20 years and make their 87th cabaret an extra special one!
Preview tickets are $27 and standard show tickets are $33—both can be purchased online.
BC’s Ministry of Forests announced today that they will be conducting another round of aerial spray treatments to try to eradicate spongy moths on Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island.
The Province says this invasive species of moth, also known as Lymantria moths, are detrimental to the delicate ecosystems of Vancouver Island and to all the native species that used to thrive in the region prior to colonization.
In recent years, spongy moths have wreaked havoc in residential areas of Ontario and the eastern United States because the caterpillars defoliate trees when feeding on leaves.
If left untreated, these moths could be a serious threat to urban forests and farms, according to BC.
The pesticide used to get rid of spongy moths is called Foray 48B and is commonly used in organic farming.
The active ingredient, Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (BtK), is naturally present in urban, agricultural and forest soils in the province and is not harmful to humans.
BtK has been approved in Canada to control spongy moth populations since 1961.
The Province says they will spray between late April and mid-June this year to target the emergence of spongy caterpillars.
Spongy caterpillars and butterfly caterpillars will be impacted by the spray only after they have ingested the BtK.
BC plans to treat the following areas in Vancouver Island region:
The City of Langford officially opened their newest park this week following some upgrades to make the green space more accessible and inclusive of its community.
The official opening of Lone Oak Park at 319 Lone Oak Place took place on Monday, April 15th, and Langford’s Mayor Scott Goodmanson says it will add to the vibrancy of the community and their access to green spaces.
“This is an excellent example of the power of community coming together to advocate for the betterment of the City,” said Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson.
“As a growing community, neighbourhood spaces like these are more important now than ever. I hope this encourages residents to continue to participate in public engagement opportunities.”
Lone Oak Park includes a new playground, walking loop, grass area, picnic tables, bike racks, and an environmental restoration area.
These features were decided upon based on a community engagement campaign conducted by the City of Langford, who asked community members what kinds of amenities would best serve them.
This new park sits on .4 acres of property, which was dedicated to the City as parkland because of the subdivision of two lots on Mill Hill Road prior to incorporation back in 1992.
The City says that the playground features 20 different play elements and it promotes strategic thinking and physical development.
It also features a sensory play wall for children with diverse needs who seek sensory stimuli.
According to Langford staff, this was one of many projects undertaken by the parks department.
Some other projects include the renovation of Porcher Park, Glen Lake Park and Desmond Park, along with improvements which are coming to the Centennial Park tennis courts and the Langford Lake boat launch.
Have you been to the park yet? What did you think of the playground? Let us know in the comment section below.
Those familiar with Butchart Gardens and the year-round bliss it provides will not be surprised in the slightest by its recent achievement!
A UK-based hotel chain, Premier Inn, has used eye-tracking technology to analyze how eye-catching 48 different flower fields around the world are when in full bloom.
In other words, they analyzed how long people stared at photographs of the blooms for, took the average ‘fixation time’ and compiled the data into the list you’re about to see!
In their final findings, titled ‘The world’s most beautiful flower fields’, we see Butchart Gardens displayed next to famous world-renowned gardens—confirming just how significant this iconic landmark is, and why people travel to see it.
(Butchart Gardens)
Taking home 4th place, Butchart Gardens falls closely behind Crested Butte Wildflower Festival in the US and Monet’s Garden at Giverny in France (both tied for second), and Torres del Paine National Park Daisy Flower Field in Chile in first place.
Butchart Gardens all began with one woman’s passion for landscaping and gardening, her hopes to create an oasis from a former limestone quarry in her backyard becoming the legacy we know today.
It all began in 1904 when Robert and Jennie Butchart moved to Vancouver Island to build a cement plant on a rich limestone deposit at Tod Inlet.
Soon after, the cement production exhausted the resources at the limestone quarry, and Jennie then manifested a grand sunken garden that still exists as one of the Gardens’ many attractions today.
It’s now a National Historic Site with over 900 varieties of plants awaiting visiting eyes.
Also included amongst the attractions are the Japanese Garden, the Tea House, the Rose Garden, the Seed and Gift Store and much more.
Other gardens included on the list include Mainau Island, Germany taking fifth place; Wild Lupins Lake Tekapo, New Zealand coming in sixth; and Kaas Plateau, India in seventh.
If you wish to see the full Premier Inn list of top-ranking gardens globally, you can check out the results here.
Another restaurant has announced that they are closing their doors for good, just on the heels of Shatterbox Coffee and Smith’s Pub.
This time, it is Chorizo & Co. who have had the unfortunate task of announcing that their restaurant is closing down.
Owners Stephen Quigley and Dave Brooks announced their closure on Tuesday, April 16th via Instagram.
“To all of our followers, it is with a heavy heart that we must inform you that Chorizo & Co. will be closing [its] doors,” wrote Quigley and Brooks.
“We have made the difficult decision to sell the restaurant.”
The current owners say that they have already found someone to take over their location on Fort Street and that the new owners have a new concept and idea for the space.
Because of this, Chorizo & Co.’s last service will be on Saturday, May 18th, giving them time to pack up and get the space ready to change hands.
“We would like to say that it has been an absolute pleasure to have had the opportunity to live our dream and operate a restaurant in this city amongst some of the very best,” wrote Quigley and Brooks.
“We thank every single one of you who have stopped in over the past five and a half years. You’re what made all of this so special.”
Quigley and Brooks hope that those who have enjoyed the space and the food will try to stop in one last time before their closing date, and that those who have never gotten to eat there might come by and try it out before it is gone.
“Thanks again for being such an incredible community, we truly could not have done it without you,” they concluded.
The City of Victoria has officially opened up registration for all summer camps this year!
There are several camps to choose from this year for kids aged from 3 to 14-years-old and the City says that registration fills up fast.
“From outdoor explorations to creative workshops, our camps offer a diverse range of activities designed to ignite imaginations, foster friendships and create lasting memories for your children,” said the City of Victoria in a media release.
“Immerse your little ones in a world of excitement as they embark on adventures led by experienced instructors who prioritize safety and fun.”
There are Swim and Splash camps for kids to learn swimming skills and have fun with their peers at the pool, there are playground camps for kids to play different types of games like Survivor, Ninja Academy, Space Race and Into the Wild and there are specialty camps as well.
Some of the specialty camps include activities like learning computer skills, claymation, video game creation and app building and there are engineering camps where kids can learn to build robots or play Dungeons and Dragons.
The sports camps include skateboarding skillbuilding, scootering, soccer, roller skating, basketball, tennis, ultimate frisbee or a combination of some of these sports.
For skateboarding, there is also a girls and LGBTQIA2S+ only opportunity to learn to skate.
Kids can also engage in longer camps such as a camping trip up near Tofino.
This is just the tip of the iceberg in the camps that are available this summer throughout July and August.
The City says their goal is to have every kid feel free to engage in the recreation opportunities of their choice in a safe, meaningful and inclusive manner.
They say that families who need one-on-one inclusion support for their kids can take part in a summer camp inclusion program which started on Monday, April 15th.
These families can have their kids have up to three weeks of inclusion support at no extra cost, so they can share in the same experiences as every kid taking part in summer camps.
Check out all the camps available this summer through the City of Victoria’s camp guide here.
And remember that camps fill up to capacity quickly so don’t procrastinate!
As 4/20 approaches, the anticipation for cannabis enthusiasts across British Columbia intensifies, including the capital city.
Amongst the plethora of cities embracing the high life, Victoria stands tall as the pinnacle of cannabis culture in the province.
Uber Eats’ latest insights unveil Victoria’s reign as the foremost destination for cannabis connoisseurs, marking it as the first and foremost “dopest” city in BC.
Since April of last year—when cannabis delivery services were made available via Uber Eats in BC—the province has seen a surge in demand for safe and convenient access to these kind of products.
Victoria, with its vibrant culture and progressive attitude towards cannabis, emerges as the frontrunner in this budding industry.
From the historic charm of downtown to the scenic beauty of its coastal surroundings, Victoria provides the perfect backdrop for cannabis enthusiasts to indulge in their favorite strains.
Among the top ordering trends in Victoria and across the province, the demand for premium cannabis strains is notably high. Tiger’s Blood takes the crown as the most sought-after strain, embodying the essence of BC’s cannabis scene with its potent blend of flavors and effects.
Following closely behind are iconic strains like Rolls Choice, Ghost Train Haze, Pink Kush, and Blue Dream, each offering a unique experience for consumers seeking the finest quality cannabis.
Beyond Victoria’s leading role in cannabis consumption, Uber Eats’ data sheds light on other notable trends shaping the industry across British Columbia. From the popularity of pre-rolls and edibles to the rising demand for flower (bud), consumers are exploring a variety of consumption methods to suit their preferences.
Furthermore, the collaboration between Uber Eats and local cannabis retailers has revolutionized the way Canadians access cannabis products, offering a safe and reliable delivery option for adults aged 19 and above. By leveraging Uber Eats’ extensive network, cannabis retailers in Victoria and beyond have been able to expand their reach and connect with a wider audience of cannabis enthusiasts.
As we celebrate cannabis culture this 4/20, Victoria stands as a testament to the growing acceptance and normalization of cannabis in British Columbia. With its vibrant community and progressive outlook, Victoria leads the way forward, inspiring other cities to embrace the ever-evolving landscape of cannabis legalization and consumption.
The top five dopest cities in BC for orders:
Victoria
North Vancouver
Vancouver
Port Moody
New Westminster
The top five dankest strains ordered in BC:
Tiger Blood
Sativa 20% Plus – Weed Me Grind
Sourz by Spinach – Strawberry Mango
Indica 20% Plus – Weed Me Grind
Ghost Train Haze
The most popular ways to consume (Cannabis products ordered the most in Canada)
Happy Wednesday, Victoria—we’re almost over the hump!
Raise your spirits at Fernwood Inn’s comedy night, dance your heart out at band KSAR’s birthday party, or catch another incredible and unique theatrical show at Intrepid Theatre’s ‘Incoming Festival’!
In case you’ve forgotten, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit is still on and awaits your curious eyes.
Here’s 5 things to do in and around Victoria on Wednesday, April 17th:
Come prepared to dance Victoria, this’ll be a birthday celebration unlike any other!
Local band KSAR officially turns one-year-old and they’re hosting a party with special guest, violin weilding sorceress iLLann.
In case you haven’t had the pleasure of listening to KSAR yet, their song is described to have strong balkan, middle eastern dance and afrobeat influences that are interlaced with contemporary pop, indie rock, and chamber folk styles.
This live show will be colourful and exuberant, fun, danceable and emotionally charged!
Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and can be purchased here.
The Township of Esquimalt Parks is coordinating an Earth Day celebration that will include working with schools and community members to raise awareness for environmental impact and keeping our forests healthy.
Activities will include invasive species removal, planting local species, trail building and more.
Contact them for details on how you can get involved!
Where: Highrock Cairn Park
When: Wednesday, April 17th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Returning for its second year, Intrepid Theatre is thrilled to present their Incoming Festival, a new festival with brand new performances promised to inspire, shock and excite.
It will take place from Thursday, April 11th to Saturday, April 20th across a couple of different theatres downtown!
Ticket prices vary by show, so you can purchase individual tickets or buy their three-day pass.
Similar to other Intrepid Theatre shows, Incoming Festival will offer their “Pay-What-You-10” tickets—which means that 10% of show tickets will be only $10.
Where:
Metro Studio Theatre, 1411 Quadra Street
Intrepid Studio, #2 1609 Blanshard Street
Festival Hub, #2A 1609 Blanshard Street
When: Thursday, April 11th to Saturday, April 20th—showtimes vary
Community favourite exhibition, Wildlife Photographer of the Year has returned to the Royal BC Museum as of March 1st!
This exhibit uses the power of photography to raise awareness around animal advocacy and environmental conservation while showcasing some of the world’s best nature photography.
Grab your family and friends and see what was worthy of display this year up!
Where: Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street
When: Opened Friday, March 1st and runs until June 2nd during museum hours
From far and wide, members of different galactic alliances, kingdoms, realms and worlds came together in peace to celebrate Langford’s inaugural Island FanCon on April 13th and 14th!
Attendees and curious passerby were hailed by the array of incredible cosplay costumes lining up in front of the building to enter the world of FanCon.
Once inside, guests were treated to a number of celebrity special guests, panel conversations, endless amounts of merch that stretch the imagination and much more.
Vendors offered more than just merch—in fact, Kreative Ink had a tattoo booth set up, indulged by none other than ‘The Mountain’ Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson and his wife, Kelsey Henson. It was a great way to pass the time while Björnsson did photo-ops!
Additionally, there was a red carpet set up for anyone wanting to strut their stuff for the cameras. It was open to all ages and included scheduled timeslots so everyone would get the chance to walk.
Without further ado, we’ve compiled a list of 22 captures from this weekend’s inaugural Island FanCon in Langford—let’s start with the celebrities that were present!
(Jessica Darrow at Island FanCon / Photo by Nevada Alde)
Jessica Darrow is a singer and actress known for voicing the character Luisa Madrigal in Disney’s Encanto and for playing Mikki Easton in Fifteen-Love.
(Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson at Island FanCon / Photo by Nevada Alde)
Best known for his role as Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane on the beloved fantasy series Game of Thrones, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson shared screen time with names like Pedro Pascal and Lena Heady.
The series was his first major actor role and led to screen time in subsequent projects with stars such as Mike Tyson and Alexander Skarsgård.
Below is a photo of his wife, Kelsey Henson getting a tattoo from a Kreative Ink artist.
(Kreative Ink tattooing Kelsey Henson at Island FanCon / Photo by Nevada Alde)(Emily Swallow at Island FanCon / Photo by Nevada Alde)
Emily Swallow plays the Armorer on the smash hit series The Mandalorian as well as its spinoff series The Book of Boba Fett. The character has become a beloved character in the Star Wars universe and has been instrumental in the show’s catch phrase “This is the Way”.
She also stars as the recurring character Amara in the wildly popular series Supernatural and was the voice of Lisa Tepes on the Netflix cartoon iteration of Castlevania.
Police and search and rescue crews are searching Englishman River Falls Park for a missing 75-year-old Parksville man.
The family of John Mathers’ reported him missing Monday afternoon, and his vehicle was located later that day, around 7 p.m., at the park in Errington, south of Parksville.
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue joined Oceanside RCMP in a search of the park and surrounding area on Monday evening, continuing into Tuesday morning at daylight.
Mathers is described as Caucasion, standing 5’10” tall, weighing 140 pounds, and balding with light-brown hair and a short beard.
He was wearing black sweatpants, a black jacket, a black ball cap and grey runners.
Anyone who sees Mathers or who has information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Oceanside RCMP at 250-248-6111.
A Victoria woman, Danielle Kliaman, was enjoying a vacation in Thailand when her vacation was cut short by a tragic incident.
The 21-year-old was allegedly hit by a drunk driver while riding a scooter she rented in Koh Phangan.
According to Danielle’s older sister, Jessica Kliaman, her right foot was “severely mangled” and now requires immediate surgery to save her foot.
Jessica says that although Danielle did have insurance, the expenses for her surgery, airlifting her and getting her back to Canada are predicted to exceed $150,000.
“Danielle is currently in Koh Samui and needs to be airlifted to Bangkok to undergo surgery,” said Jessica.
“Time is of the essence and the situation is critical. Without immediate intervention, she risks losing her foot entirely.”
For the time being, in order to save Danielle’s foot, the family is paying out of pocket and hoping to recoup some of their massive costs.
For that reason, the Kliamans started a GoFundMe page to help them not go into massive debt in order to save Danielle’s foot.
“We are humbly asking for your support to help save Danielle’s foot and bring her safely home to us,” Jessica wrote.
“Your donations will go directly towards covering her medical expenses and ensuring that Danielle receives the necessary treatment to recover from this devastating accident.”
Jessica provided an update on Monday, April 15th in which she said that Danielle had been airlifted to Bangkok successfully and undergone her first surgery.
Unfortunately, Jessica says that at this time it is unclear if Danielle’s foot will be able to be saved or not.
She says that Danielle needs at least four more surgeries before she can fly home to Victoria.
Thus far, the fundraiser has raised over $27,000 of their $150,000 goal.
Victorians who purchase sheets of 10 single ride BC Transit tickets will have to pay a little more starting next month.
Starting May 1st, BC Transit said they will be removing the discount applied to sheets of 10 single ride tickets in the Victoria Regional Transit System.
Currently, a sheet of 10 tickets costs $22.50, providing a slight discount from the full fare of $2.50 per ride. There are plans to eliminate the 10 ticket fare entirely later this year.
While no other fare costs are being changed at the moment, BC Transit recently concluded public feedback on possible fare increases for the Victoria system.
BC Transit proposed options ranging from raising single ride fares to between $2.75 and $3, increasing the day pass to $6 from the current $5, setting the month pass at $90 instead of $85, and adjusting the concession month pass to $55 from its current price.
The aim of the increase is to enhance the number of service hours in the Victoria system, leading to more frequent bus operations.
Tilt Phillips Backyard music series day two (Curtis Blandy/Victoria Buzz)
The Phillips Backyard concert series is back again this summer with a stacked lineup of international superstars, Canadian icons and local legends.
The two events will be named once again after Phillips beers Tilt, their lager and Reverb, their west coast IPA.
Tilt will take place between July 5th and 7th whereas Reverb will happen between August 9th and 11th.
The festival will kick off with Saint Motel and Half Moon Run headlining the first day, Friday, along with locals Ok Charlie, who were just featured as a Zone @91-3 band of the month.
Vancouverites Vox Rea and Hotel Mira are also slated to be openers, both of whom have shocked and awed Victorians at past Phillips Backyarders and Rifflandias.
The Saturday on Tilt weekend has Canadian pop icon Jessie Reyez headlining along with Flyana Boss, a hip-hop duo from Los Angeles.
Opening that show will be local band, LIINKS, along with BC’s SonReal and Teon Gibbs, who also blew people away with his soulful sound at last year’s Rifflandia.
This year, the festival pulled in none other than the mysterious Canadian cowboy himself, Orville Peck to headline Tilt on the Sunday, along with his good friend and collaborator Noah Cyrus.
Opening that show will be Vancouver’s own Haleluya Hailu, Nova Scotia’s Goldie Boutilier along with local country rockers, Born Reckless.
After the dust has settled from the first Phillips Backyard weekend, the first weekend in August will see the Black Pumas take the stage as Friday’s headliners.
They were supposed to play Rifflandia in 2022, but had to drop out of the lineup at the last minute. At that time they announced they weren’t breaking up, just going on hiatus as they cancelled all tour dates.
Along with the Black Pumas Friday’s show will be stacked with locals, Current Swell, the Bankes Brothers, Trophy Dad and Squamish’s own, Surf Hat.
Saturday will see hip-hop icon Earl Sweatshirt headline along with Cautious Clay, a soul and R&B performer from Cleveland.
Vancouver’s Jungle Bobby, Victoria’s TK The Artist and Astrocolor will also be playing on the Saturday.
The finale of the festival this year is as stacked as it’s ever been with Jungle headlining. They are a duo of producers based out of London, England who will likely be performing with a full band.
Along with Jungle, Sunday’s finale at Reverb will see DJ legends DRAMA take the Backyard’s stage with local openers Murge, recent Zone band of the month, Nicky MacKenzie and Posh Coat.
Who are you most excited to see this year at Phillips Backyard’s Tilt and Reverb? Let us know in the comments!
Here is a playlist with every act that is playing at Tilt and Reverb this year included:
A suspect remains at large after a stabbing in broad daylight in downtown Victoria Monday.
On Monday, April 15th, just before 10:30 a.m. VicPD officers were flagged down in the 600-block of Yates Street after some one had been stabbed.
VicPD said responding officers provided first-aid, and the man was transported to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Several sidewalks along Douglas and Yates Street were closed while police investigated.
Police said pedestrian foot traffic was disrupted in the area while three scenes were sectioned off and documented, and evidence was collected by the Forensic Investigative Services section.
There were no other victims, and there have been no arrests.
“BC Emergency Health services received a call at 10:27 a.m. today April 15th regarding a police incident on the 600 block of Yates street in Victoria. Two ambulances responded to the scene. Paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to one patient who was transported to hospital,” says paramedic public information officer Brian Twaites.
This was the seventh stabbing incident since March 1st in Victoria, with two incidents as suspected homicides.
In a statement, VicPD said each case is considered isolated there is no direct connection.
“Although the number and close frequency of recent stabbing events is concerning, it is not significantly higher than most other years, as indicated in the chart below, which details reports of all Assaults Involving a Knife during each Quarter over the past five years. It’s important to note that these numbers do not specifically indicate stabbings, but all assaults that involve a knife,” said VicPD in a statement.
VicPD said officers have increased patrols in the downtown core in recent months, including foot patrols.
VicPD are asking anyone who witnessed the event today, or anyone who may have CCTV footage of the event, to call them at (250)-995-7654 . To report what you know anonymously, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
According to the most recent rental report by Zumper, a platform for finding and leasing rentals throughout North America, rent is up by nearly 7% across Canada.
Specifically, the one-bedroom rate climbed 6.8% ($1,889 per month) and the two-bedroom rate increased 6.7% ($2,335 per month); however, these numbers are low compared to what the going rate for rent in Victoria is.
Holding onto the fourth most expensive major Canadian market title, Victoria’s current average rate for a one-bedroom home is $2,080 per month while a two-bedroom home will cost around $2,620.
Month-over-month, Victoria’s rent rate has increased by 2.5% for one-bedrooms and 2.2% for two-bedrooms.
On a year-over-year basis, the rate at which rent is increasing in Victoria is low when compared to other cities at 4% and 3.1% for one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms specifically.
Cities like Edmonton have been the reason why the yearly rates of increase are around double what they are monthly.
Over the last year, Edmonton’s average rent for a one-bedroom has gone up by 28.2% while two-bedroom homes have increased 22.3%.
Despite this rate of increase, rent in Edmonton will cost around $1,320 for a one-bedroom and a two-bedroom goes for approximately $1,590 per month.
This makes Edmonton the third least expensive major Canadian city, according to Zumper.
The most expensive city to rent in remains Vancouver.
In Vancouver, a one-bedroom costs around $2,650 per month, while a two-bedroom will cost someone $3,790 per month to rent.
Close behind Vancouver are Toronto and Burnaby, followed by Victoria with Halifax trailing closely.
Celebrations are in store as the Royal Canadian Air Force commemorated 100 years of service as a unique military entity on April 1st.
And what better way to do that than with the comeback of the Comox Air Show on May 18th, hosted by 19 Wing Comox.
“With just over a month to go, the excitement over this event is palpable. The Royal Canadian Air Force has a long and distinguished history with many proud traditions that merit recognition by all Canadians. Generations have served with distinction over the past century, and we look forward to honouring that history and celebrating our exciting future with the return of the Comox Air Show,” said Colonel JP Gagnon, 19 Wing Commander.
This free event will be held at 19 Wing/CFB Comox, with the gates opening from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members of the public are invited to come and enjoy aerial displays, tour static displays, and meet the personnel of 19 Wing Comox.
The event will feature military displays, food trucks, a Kids Zone, and more.
Aerial performers will include the CF Snowbirds, the CF-18 Demo Team, CH-149 Cormorant, and CP-140 Aurora, as well as the CC-130 Hercules performing a Search and Rescue para-drop.
Other performance aircraft include the KC-135 Stratotanker and CH-146 Griffon.
Invited static aircraft include the CH-148 Cyclone, the new Airbus 330, United States Coast Guard Jayhawk and Dolphin helicopters, as well as a USCG Hercules, and a PBY Canso from Canadian Heritage Warplanes.
Hey thrift shopping enthusiasts, get ready for some exciting news!
Another Value Village is set to open soon in the capital region.
The thrift store chain is expected to open a curated selection of goods in a boutique-style retail concept, providing a more streamlined shopping experience.
The new store will open later this year at Colwood’s Colwood Corners development.
Victoria Buzz has reached out to Value Village for more specific details on what customers can expect with this new location but did not hear back in time for publication.
According to details online, the company’s “boutique” offering will have fewer categories of items than the main Value Village in downtown Victoria because it’s a smaller space.
Most Value Villages require loading bays and warehouse-like square footage to accommodate all of the receiving and sorting that takes place.
The company, well-liked by bargain hunters and thrifty shoppers, has faced criticism in recent years due to its elevated prices and disassociation from charitable causes.
“We are a for-profit company that champions reuse. Shopping in our stores doesn’t support any nonprofit,” the company notes on its site. “We pay nonprofits for your stuff, helping them fund programs in our communities.”
Are you looking forward to the second location opening in Colwood? Let us know in the comment section below.
Victoria and Vancouver Island have a lot of musical talent, and Victoria Buzz wants to highlight some of the best and brightest local artists and bands.
Every Monday, there will be a fresh ‘New Music Monday’ article to help people find and support local artists and bands that are up-and-coming, well established or hidden gems!
For this endeavour, Victoria Buzz has partnered with our good friends at CFUV 101.9 FM, UVic’s campus radio station, to find and select the musicians and bands for this regular column.
This week, Blush. is the New Music Monday highlight!
The band has been playing together for only six months with the full lineup of Anton Wilson on guitar and vocals, Eric Josephs on drums, Renata Baldwin on keys and Rosie Said on bass.
In that time they have managed to record and release their first EP, Still Wet.
This EP is a nostalgia-fueled take on shoegaze and alternative indie rock that has been a favourite on the CFUV airwaves since its February release.
The band started with Wilsons and Josephs before getting a couple of their coworkers in on the Blush., as all four members work at The Courtney Room in downtown Victoria.
According to Wilson, Still Wet was inspired by music he had been writing on acoustic guitar before he had help from the rest of the band on fleshing out a fuller sound.
“I’ll kind of come to the band with an idea for a song and it’s actually really cool to see how they transfer from acoustic to plugged in with distortion,” Wilson told Victoria Buzz.
Wilson says he was listening to a lot of acoustic focussed artists such as Big Thief and Alex G as well as melodic “floaty and ethereal” bands like Built to Spill while writing Still Wet and that sound really translates to the EP.
With their first release, the band said they really just wanted to get something out there and even though they love these songs and continue to play them in their live set, they feel as if they have already grown so much since their February release.
“It really felt like a timestamp situation,” Wilson said.
“They aren’t exactly who we are now, but that’s who we were and we just wanted to capture that.”
Josephs and Wilson decided that of the songs they recorded on Still Wet, they wanted to highlight “Software Update.”
“We wrote this song when we first started jamming and it was such a bad song,” Wilson laughed.
He says the lyrics were not resonating with himself or the band and it was too fast when they wrote it, so the band decided to take it back to the drawing board.
Wilson and Josephs worked together to slow the song down by coming up with a slower drum beat and then Wilson says he got a new pedal that offered his guitar tone additional delay and reverb.
As for the lyrics, Wilson completely rewrote them and set the song in a different direction.
“I really wanted to capture Victoria with it,” he said.
“I wanted it to be more chill, laid back, you know, take it in, I just kind of pictured being by the water.”
Themes of rebirth also worked their way into this song which Blush. says is ultimately what they wanted Still Wet to be about—as if the band is still wet from being reborn as a group through this project.
They also say that they are really proud of the song “a snail house for big dog.”
“I think that one is a cool song to pick out of the EP as well because it is very indicative of the music we’re playing more recently,” Josephs explained.
“It’s a lot more rock and roll maybe.”
Josephs says that in their earlier written songs he was hitting the drums softly to compliment the more folk-focussed songs, but with “a snail house for big dog” he gets to hit a bit harder and the dynamics of their songs change.
“It’s like woah, this is fun, this is cool—look at how much space this makes and how we can open it all up,” said Josephs.
“It was a fun song to tape and I think it’s a lot more the style of music we’re playing now.”
Blush. will be playing a couple shows this summer after taking a short hiatus in May to tighten up some songs and work in order to get back in the studio whenever they have the opportunity.
In June, they are heading up-island to play a show at Tofino Brewing Company on the 27th, but before that, they’ll be playing a smaller show here in Victoria on June 7th at Little Fernwood Gallery.
CFUV is a non-profit campus and community radio station that plays a ton of local music of all kinds across Vancouver Island. If you like to support local music they are an amazing resource with a plethora of new local tunes in their arsenal.
Both Wilson and Josephs say that CFUV is a huge part of the Victoria music community and that they couldn’t be dining what they are dining without a resource like them.
“CFUV is a staple in our community for live music,” Wilson told Victoria Buzz. “They’ve taken us in with open arms and been really encouraging to us.”
“They’ve taken the time to uplift such a broken music community here in Victoria.”
He also says that he believes there will be a revival of the music scene since so many venues have been lost and that CFUV will be at the forefront of that revival because of their programming and the shows they put on.
“Their community, they’re just a really great organization that fills a much needed niche in Victoria’s music scene,” Josephs added.
Tune into CFUV 101.9 FM on air or online!
Let us know what you think of Blush. in the comments below.
For families with children 0-5 years old. Join for story time! Each week, the facilitator will read a story and lead the group in songs and rhymes. Sign-up weekly.
Where: Esquimalt Recreation Center, 527 Fraser Street
From the minds behind The Intouchables comes a comedy. The film centres on Albert and Bruno, two friends with compulsive spending habits who are drawn into environmental activism by the promise of free food and beer rather than any political conviction.
In September of last year, the VEC launched a new project, ‘Bands!Bands!Bands!,’ that would help foster new relationships within the local music scene and because of its successes, it has been expanded.
This event is a music series that takes place once per month on a Tuesday night.
Where: The Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad Street
When: Tuesday, April 16th from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Following their memorable tour to three renowned UK cathedrals and churches last summer, the Christ Church Cathedral Young Choristers are now gearing up for an exciting journey to Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Enjoy a night of music bingo, where proceeds will contribute towards their upcoming trip in summer 2025.
Indulge in a complete food and drink menu throughout the evening.
Victoria’s passion for soccer is infectious, and if the packed stands at Pacific FC’s home-opener this past weekend were any indication—we’re only just getting started.
The buzz around town is real, and a lot of that has to do with Pacific FC’s more-than-stellar roster—but did you know that along with their impressive game play on the pitch, a few of the players have an incredible social media game too?
Many of the PFC’s players have some intriguing backstories to go along with their attractive Instagram feeds, and we’re bringing you 5 PFC players you should absolutely be following on Instagram AND on the pitch—that is, if you’re not following them already!
A recent addition to the Pacific FC Roster, Aly Ndom joins Pacific FC for the 2024 season. Hailing from just north of Paris, France, Ndom brings some international flair to the Trident’s squad. Having launched his career in France playing against some of the biggest names in world soccer—including Brazilian superstar Neymar—Ndom will certainly be a big addition to the Island team.
Plus, he’s worth a follow on Instagram for his carefully curated black and white aesthetic alone.
Kicking off his 5th season with the team, Josh Heard grew up playing soccer in Victoria with Lakehill Soccer Association before being drafted by the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.
Heard made his way back to the Island to join Pacific FC in 2020 and hasn’t looked back, becoming the captain of the team in 2023. Heard also helps coach in the Pacific FC youth programs and is always happy to stop for a photo or an autograph!
A fan favourite due to his high-flying play and unique on-field look, sporting a signature headband, Kunle Dada-Luke is a player who will get you out of your seat. T
he fastest player in the Canadian Premier League, Dada-Luke has drawn comparisons to fellow Canadian speedster Alphonso Davies. Dada-Luke’s headband has become iconic and you can find fans sporting their own KDL Headbands at Starlight Stadium on game days.
Affectionately known as TMG amongst teammates and fans alike, Thomas Meilleur-Giguère is entering his fifth season with Pacific FC while stepping into a leadership role within the squad. Born and raised in Repentigny, Quebec, TMG is a no-nonsense figure on the pitch, leading the Tridents’ backline into battle each week. A Canadian Youth Team International Player, Meilleur-Giguère brings a level head and a wealth of experience to the PFC squad.
Off the pitch, Meilleur-Giguère is a proud doggy dad to his pup Whisky and can often be found at local dog parks in Langford!
Okay, so he’s not technically a player, but you’ll still find him on the pitch every game—and on Instagram!
The first employee of Pacific FC, Head Coach James Merriman has been with the club from day one. Starting off as the Assistant Coach, he took over the reins as Head Coach in 2022 and has led the team into a playoff spot under his two seasons in charge.
Born and raised in Cedar, Merriman embodies the easy-going yet hard-working spirit of Islanders. His passion for his community is shown through his work as a Board Member of Hope & Health who work to bring access to sport for development and social impact opportunities to Indigenous youth on Vancouver Island.
Pacific FC’s season has quite literally just kicked off, but season and single game tickets are still available. Join the hype and take part in all the action this season with 15 home games at Langford’s very own Starlight Stadium!
(What the future location of Cedarwood Inn & Suites will look like / GMC PROJECTS)
The time has come to bid farewell to Sidney’s Cedarwood Inn, a cherished staple of the community for 49 years.
For almost half a century, the inn had stood as a beacon of hospitality along the waterfront, its walls echoing with the laughter and stories of guests from far and wide.
The iconic hotel situated along the waterfront was sold in 2020, and since then, there have been ongoing plans to develop the property into more homes for the community.
Plans are in motion to transform the property into a vibrant residential and commercial hub. Acquired by GMC Projects, the future vision quickly materialized with a mix of condominiums, townhomes, and commercial spaces.
Located at the corner of Lochside Drive and Weiler Avenue, this project introduces a three-storey condominium building accommodating 49 units, complemented by a café or eatery overlooking the intersection.
The condominiums will offer a range of one-bedroom to three-bedroom plus-den layouts, catering to various preferences and needs.
Adjacent to the condominiums, along Weiler Avenue, will see a collection of 48 two-and-a-half-storey townhomes. These residences, featuring two to three bedrooms, are tailored for families and will feature ocean views.
Last week, the Cedarwood Inn announced they would be closed for good as of Sunday April 14th. Throughout the entire weekend, the motel sold off items ranging for picture to chairs that would go towards the Sidney Food Bank.
As part of the conditions of Sidney council’s approval, the developer will be contributing approximately $167,800 to community park acquisition and improvement.
Council has approved a residential development with different types of housing options at the current site of Cedarwood…
While details remain sparse, VicPD have confirmed another stabbing investigation is underway near the intersection of Douglas and Yates Street in downtown Victoria.
Footage from the scene shows emergency responders attending to an individual, who is later transported away in an ambulance.
The incident occurred just before 10:30 a.m. Monday morning. Photos sent to Victoria Buzz also show two other sections of Douglas Street closed, including outside of Shoppers Drug Mart.
“Officers responded to a report of a stabbing near Douglas Street and Yates Street. The victim was transported to hospital and no arrests have been made at this time,” police said in a statement.
“As the investigation is in the early stages, further details are not available but we may have more to share later,” said VicPD in a statement.
Traffic is not being impacted by the closure between Yates and Johnson Streets.
Victoria Buzz has reached out to BC Emergency Health Services for condition on the victim.
No arrests have been made.
This stabbing comes after two other fatal stabbing in the downtown area over the last month, once which occurred last week.
On April 10th at around 4 a.m., VicPD were called to a report of a stabbing in the 2900-block of Douglas Street.
Officers arrived at the scene to find one man suffering from stab wounds. Officers and BC Emergency Health Services paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to the victim, but he succumbed to his injuries—the suspect remains at large.
Since March 12th, there have been five stabbings in total.
On April 16th, 2016, a public health emergency was declared by the BC government regarding the amount of British Columbians dying of toxic drugs.
Since that time, month-over-month and year-over-year the numbers of toxic drug-related deaths have only increased, despite several efforts made by the Province.
With tomorrow marking the eighth anniversary of this public health emergency, Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley has come out to decry the policies and efforts made by the BC NDP government.
“Eight years ago, our province was forced to confront the grim reality of the unregulated, highly toxic, and lethal drug supply,” said Furstenau.
“Yet, despite the ongoing severity of this emergency, the response from this government remains woefully inadequate. I am deeply concerned about the politicization of the crisis and the unwillingness of government to scale up the response.”
“If it’s an emergency, treat it as one,” she added.
This equates to 1,776 deaths per year, 34 deaths per week and around 5 deaths per day for the eight year time span.
“We cannot ignore the underlying factors that contribute to this crisis. Deepening poverty and despair are driving more British Columbians into situations where they are at risk,” Furstenau continued.
“We must remain focused on dismantling the conditions that lead to such vulnerabilities and on combating the deadly nature of the illicit-toxic drug supply that is taking too many lives.”
She says that Indigenous communities have been hit especially hard by the public health emergency and toxic drug deaths.
According to the BC Greens, between 2015 and 2021 in Canada, life expectancy for First Nations has decreased by seven years.
“Even more alarming, between 2019 and 2021, there was a further decline of nearly six years—a stark contrast to the one-year decrease experienced by other BC residents,” Furstenau explained.
“The time for half-measures is over. We need serious, compassionate, and evidence-based solutions that address both the supply of toxic drugs and the social conditions that fuel this crisis,” she concluded.
The current BC government has invested millions into supportive housing facilities for substance-users and rehabilitation initiatives across the province.
The Conservative Party of BC would see substance users forced into mandatory rehabilitation while completely reverting any harm reduction-based approaches.
Similarly, the BC United Party would see substance users put into ‘compassionate involuntary treatment and end any harm reduction safe supply programs currently operating in the province.
Do you think enough is being done about the toxic drug crisis in BC? Let us know in the comments.
The BC government and Council of the Haida Nation (CHN) came to an agreement over land disputes that have lasted decades this weekend as the Province has officially shifted the ownership and jurisdiction of Haida Gwaii to the Haida Nation.
The Province says this is a historic agreement as it is the first of its kind which will provide a staged implementation of the land transfer to ensure stability and certainty for all those living on Haida Gwaii.
This agreement has been in the works since 2021.
An important aspect of this agreement is that it explicitly protects and maintains private property rights and existing government services and infrastructure operating in Haida Gwaii.
This includes private properties, local governments, public infrastructure, programs and services, highways, airports, ferry terminals, health care and schools.
Additionally, Haida Gwaii residents will continue receiving municipal services and paying property taxes in the same way they do prior to this agreement.
Lastly, the agreement stipulates that Provincially issued leases, permits and other approvals to use Crown lands and recreational access will remain in effect over a several-year transition period.
The Province says that future management of these permits, leases and approvals will be negotiated down the road with input from communities, businesses and residents of Haida Gwaii.
“Reaching this agreement has been no small feat,” said Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, President of the Haida Nation.
“It’s really a monumental stride, building on the work of past leaders of the Haida Nation and BC. We have always asserted our sovereignty to Haida Gwaii and the surrounding waters.”
Alsop says that with this agreement in place, the Nation is able to work toward implementing our title without conflict, based on respect.
Now that this agreement has been made, the BC government will be introducing legislation to uphold the deal later this month.
Another unsuccessful attempt was made to rescue the stranded and recently orphaned orca calf near a Vancouver Island community on Saturday, April 13th.
kʷiisaḥiʔis, also known as Brave Little Warrior, has been stuck in a lagoon near Zeballos since March 23rd when her mother was beached and died, despite efforts to save her from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the Ehattesaht First Nation and surrounding communities.
The main deterrent of getting the young calf out of the lagoon has been a sandbar which blocks the mouth of the lagoon—kʷiisaḥiʔis’ only way out of the body of water.
During Saturday’s operation, six vessels and fifty personnel were on site for the rescue operation, including Ehattesaht First Nation, DFO and Vancouver Aquarium marine mammal rescue experts, equipment operators and ground staff.
The DFO says their plan was to coax the calf into shallow waters from the deeper parts of the lagoon she has been spending most of her time.
From there, they would put her in a sling and transport her by truck onto a barge which would take her 19 kilometres out of the lagoon entrance and into the open ocean waters.
The operation began at 6 a.m., but reportedly was shut down at around 12:45 p.m. because the DFO said it became clear that she would not leave the deeper parts of the lagoon.
According to the DFO, she is incredibly intelligent and spirited for a juvenile orca. She has learned from the attempts to corral her over the last three weeks and has actively avoided capture.
“She is remarkably adaptable to the tools and tactics we have used to date. And we should never underestimate the intelligence of these animals,” said Paul Cottrell, the DFO’s expert on marine mammal rescue.
Despite the failed effort, the operation gave veterinarians from the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Society say it gave them an opportunity to observe the orca’s breathing and swimming.
They determined she is in good health, has normal breathing, is swimming well and doing long dives lasting up to six to eight minutes.
The DFO added that it is unclear if she is feeding, although food is available to her in the lagoon.
Following the latest rescue attempt, the DFO say they and their collaborators are rethinking their next steps and strategies.
In the lagoon the orca is trapped in, weather, remoteness and tides continue to be obstacles that make timing difficult in any attempt to coax the calf out.
More to come as the DFO continues to try to rescue kʷiisaḥiʔis.
A brand new era is about to begin for the Royal Canadian Navy with the arrival ceremony for HMCS Max Bernays, the first Harry DeWolf-class Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessel to be transferred to Canada’s Pacific Fleet.
The vessel departed Halifax on March 11th. Its journey took it through the storied Panama Canal and along the Pacific coast and is expected to arrive at its new homeport in Esquimalt at around 10:30 a.m. on Monday morning.
The vessel is the first of four being built at Irving Shipyards in Halifax and is the first Harry DeWolf-class Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessel to be transferred to Canada’s Pacific Fleet.
Residents can expect to spot the ship in Esquimalt Harbour roughly 11 a.m.
Enjoy a little snippet of our transit of the Panama Canal!🇵🇦🇵🇦🇵🇦Profitez d'une petite vidéo de notre passage du canal de Panama!🇵🇦🇵🇦🇵🇦#RCN #MarineRoyaleCanadienne #WeTheNavy
The Capital Regional District (CRD) has approved an amendment to the water conservation bylaw which impacts the entire Greater Victoria region.
According to the CRD, the high and instantaneous demand for water at 4 a.m., 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. has gotten out of hand on residential watering days.
This could be from many people starting their sprinklers to water their gardens at the same time, as dictated by the CRD’s current rules.
“These demands impact the drinking water system’s ability to maintain adequate flow, pressure, and highwater quality standards,” said the CRD in a media release.
“To reduce peak demand during summer morning periods, the Bylaw has been amended with a new overnight lawn watering schedule for timed irrigation systems and changes to the watering day for public, institutional, and community playing fields.”
The CRD says that specifically they would like people to avoid having their watering system start at exactly 4 a.m., 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. to mitigate the issue.
So, the new allowable watering time for timed/automatic irrigation is anytime from 12:01 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the established watering days.
Additionally, the new watering time for municipalities to water public, institutional or community playing fields is any day other than Wednesday. This has been decided in an effort to eliminate overlap with residential lawn watering days where the largest peak demands are seen.
“We continue to have ample water supply to meet the needs of the communities that are supplied drinking water by the Regional Water Service”, said Gord Baird, Regional Water Supply Commission Chair.
“Adding an overnight watering window under the Bylaw and encouraging landowners and
residents to switch timed irrigation systems to this new expanded window will help to better manage peak morning flows, reduce the possibility of turbidity events, and help alleviate impacts related to high demand due to heat events.”
The new bylaw amendments will come into effect on May 1st.
Saanich Police has released a traffic advisory on Friday afternoon for the 3800 block of Wilkinson Road.
The busy Saanich road has been closed to traffic as they investigate an accident involving two vehicles, and traffic is being diverted at both intersections of South Valley Drive.
The call came in at around 1:30 p.m., and officers are currently asking people to avoid the area and find an alternative route.
No further information has been provided at this time. Police have confirmed that updates will arrive once Wilkinson reopens.
At around 12:45 p.m. the DFO and Ehattesaht First Nation decided to cancel the operation last minute.
This is because according to the Ehattesaht, kʷiisaḥiʔis simply decided that she is not ready to be moved.
“There were a number of methods employed this morning to coax her into the shallow end of the lagoon and at each coordinated manouvre she evaded and returned to the area she has been hanging out in,” said the Ehattesaht First Nation in a statement.
“It is during efforts like this that many of us are truly humbled at the intelligence, adaptability and resilience of the orca.”
“No matter how much we study these amazing creatures the more we realize how little we know. We are always amazed us with how quickly they learn,” the Nation added.
Experts who were on site this morning say that kʷiisaḥiʔis appears to still be in good health, and breathing well.
For the remainder of the afternoon, the Nation’s cultural leaders will sing to the whale from a canoe.
ORIGINAL:
Brave Little Warrior, also known as kʷiisaḥiʔis, has been stuck in a lagoon near Zeballos for over two weeks now after her mother died while showing her how to hunt.
The lagoon has just one entrance and exit which has been blocked by the very sandbar which her mother was beached and died on.
Countless efforts have been made by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the Ehattesaht First Nation and their neighbouring communities to aid the young, orphaned orca calf get out.
So far, all attempts have been unsuccessful, in large part due to the challenging location, weather conditions and tides.
In the interim, kʷiisaḥiʔis has been being fed seal meat and has been seen eating birds she hunted in the lagoon.
In the last major update, the DFO said that her skin pigment was beginning to change, which may alarm some people upon first glance, but this is simply because the salinity of the lagoons waters are different than that of kʷiisaḥiʔis’ regular habitat in the ocean.
Today, on Friday, April 12th, the DFO announced that after many long days of planning, an operation will be conducted to airlift the young whale out of the lagoon so she can be reunited with her family pod which has been spotted and tracked nearby.
“The rescue team is working to initiate the rescue and relocation of the whale in the lagoon near Zeballos,” said the DFO in a media release.
“We appreciate the level of interest we all have in a successful rescue operation. However, the rescue team needs their focus to do this.”
The DFO asks all interested parties near the location to respect all road closures and to keep away from the area to ensure the operation’s success.
Following the operation, the DFO will announce the status of kʷiisaḥiʔis’ rescue, but said that until the mission is complete, no updates will be provided.
VicPD have reported the arrest of a woman for allegedly embezzling millions from a non-profit organization she worked for in 2023.
Galyna Kulykova, a former bookkeeper at a non-profit organization in Victoria, has been arrested and charged with defrauding the organization of a staggering $1.7 million.
The arrest, conducted by officers from the VicPD’s Major Crime unit in December 2023, came after an extensive investigation into financial irregularities.
According to reports, Kulykova allegedly orchestrated the scheme by systematically wiring funds from the non-profit’s accounts to her personal ones, a practice that went unnoticed for an extended period.
VicPD said the fraudulent activities were uncovered during a routine audit conducted by the organization in early December last year.
With the assistance of various agencies, including the RCMP, Canadian Border Services Agency, and US Customs and Border Protection, officers were able to intercept Kulykova at Vancouver International Airport as she attempted to re-enter Canada.
Subsequently, charges of Fraud Over $5,000, Theft Over $5,000, and falsifying documents were laid against her.
“I’m proud of the officers involved for their prompt investigative work and coordination with other agencies to make this arrest and recover funds,” said VicPD Chief Del Manak.
“This is a clear example of how our efforts put money back into the hands of citizens and businesses in Victoria and Esquimalt.”
While progress has been made in recovering stolen assets, investigators are continuing their efforts to retrieve the remaining amount.
It has been revealed that a significant portion of the embezzled funds was utilized to acquire various assets, including gold, cryptocurrency, and a new vehicle.
Moreover, concerns have been raised regarding the possibility of additional organizations falling victim to similar fraudulent schemes orchestrated by Kulykova.
Police are urging any potential victims or individuals with pertinent information to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. Those with information can contact the E-Comm Report Desk at (250) 995-7654 extension 1, referencing file number 23-45435.
Alternatively, anonymous tips can be submitted to Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or online.
Immerse yourself in the fabulous experience of carnival wonder and goodies this month!
Mayfair Shopping Centre has announced the return of the annual West Coast Amusement fair for its third consecutive year, and will once again provide entertainment for young thrill seekers and families alike!
Enjoy the tasty treats and carnival rides at this family-friendly outing from Thursday, April 25th to Sunday, April 28th.
This year the fair will return to its popular location at the corner of Finlayson and Blanshard Street, in the Mayfair Shopping Centre parking lot.
If you’re only looking to explore the fair, you’re in luck—the fair is free to enter with fees only charged for the use of the Midway rides, food and games!
The ‘unlimited ride’ wristband is $47 per person and can be purchased here, just remember that the wristband cost does not include food or games.
They’ll be selling wristbands at the door too—the price for this is to be announced soon!
West Shore RCMP are currently investigating numerous complaints of fraud involving the resale of concert tickets on Facebook.
In a media release, police said they have received at least four complaints regarding a fraudulent scheme occurring on Facebook Marketplace and within local Facebook Community Groups.
Those who fell for the scam told police that they contacted the seller who purported to have Taylor Swift concert tickets for sale, and subsequently sent money to the seller, only to not receive the tickets.
Police believe that the Facebook account used to advertise the tickets for sale was hacked.
“Unfortunately, this fraud has multiple victims who have lost money, along with the real Facebook user whose account was hacked and their identity assumed and used to defraud people,” said Cpl. Nancy Saggar, West Shore RCMP Media Relations Officer.
Police are continuing their investigation and asking other potential victims and anyone with information regarding the suspect to come forward by calling West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264.
With a hop, skip and a jump, we’ve arrived at the weekend, Victoria!
It’s predicted to be a little sunny this weekend, so make sure you soak in some much-needed rays between marvelous events happening around the city.
Some highlights include the Pacific FC’s home opener game at Starlight Stadium, the much-anticipated Island FanCon, a massive youth entrepreneur market, and more!
Plus, tune into Intrepid Theatre’s ‘Incoming Festival’ if you haven’t already! It launched on Thursday, April 11th and will run until Saturday, April, 20th.
For all of this and more, here’s 11 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend—April 13th and 14th:
Keepers of book lore, TV series obsessors, comic book collectors, and everyone in between—this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Langford’s inaugural Island FanCon event is coming to City Centre Park this weekend, from Saturday April 13th to 14th, featuring big-name visitors, workshops, cosplay galore and much more.
Their celebrity guests feature ‘The Mountain’ Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson from Game of Thrones and Mandalorian star Emily Swallow!
Jess Darrow from Encanto, Jon Cor from The Flash, UFC star Forrest Griffin and more will also be present!
Take a look at the daily schedules to find your must-try workshops and experiences. Day passes are $32 or you can get a weekend pass for $55—tickets can be purchased here.
Returning for its second year, Intrepid Theatre is thrilled to present their Incoming Festival, a new festival with brand new performances promised to inspire, shock and excite.
It will take place from Thursday, April 11th to Saturday, April 20th at Metro Studio Theatre, located downtown!
The festival will feature a mix of local and touring artists, including some people that regulars may recognize and others that are making their debut!
Ticket prices vary by show, so you can purchase individual tickets or buy their three-day pass.
Similar to other Intrepid Theatre shows, Incoming Festival will offer their “Pay-What-You-10” tickets—which means that 10% of show tickets will be only $10.
(Ingrid Hansen / Photo by Helene Cyr)
Where:
Metro Studio Theatre, 1411 Quadra Street
Intrepid Studio, #2 1609 Blanshard Street
Festival Hub, #2A 1609 Blanshard Street
When: Thursday, April 11th to Saturday, April 20th—showtimes vary
Don’t miss the opportunity to miss an iconic award-winning Australian pop-rock band, Lime Cordiale, at Capital Ballroom for two back-to-back shows!
Known for their clever lyrics and catchy hooks, members of Lime Cordiale are thrilled to bring more of their infectious melodies to North America for their headline tour.
The tour follows the release of their newest single, “Pedestal”—attendees can expect to hear it come to life on stage as well as previous hits.
Tickets are $29.50, you can find Saturday’s here and Sunday’s here.
This marvelous event celebrating the beauty of sculpture is being put on by the Township Community Arts Council (TCAC) in collaboration with the Vancouver Island Sculptors Guild (VISG)!
Sculpture Splash show and sale kicked off on Thursday, April 11th and will run until Sunday, April 14th—so there’s still plenty of time to check it out if you’re unable to on Friday.
This Saturday, April 13th, over 200 middle and high school youth will be taking over the Bay Centre to present what they’ve spent months making and repurposing.
The market is filled to the brim with unique and exceptional talent, and most importantly, you’ll be supporting local young entrepreneurs!
This exciting day will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—plenty of time to take in everyone’s work and find some new goodies to take home.
Known as ‘Kidovate,’ attendees will get the chance to learn about what these intelligent minds have been up to and the dozens of business decisions they’ve had to grapple with to get there.
Gavin working on preparing his Dhalia tubers for Kidovate 2024 (Courtesy of Dr. Claudia Smith)
Stunning vocalists Diane Pancel and Kim Greenwood are thrilled to present “Doris and Judy – Together” at Hermann’s Jazz Club!
This double-tribute for Doris Day and Judy Garland will feature Ashley Wey on piano, Ryan Tandy on bass, Barrie Sorensen on saxophone and Jon Miller on drums.
Together, the musicians will showcase a mix of energetic Broadway duets, soulful ballads, enchanting harmonies, and powerful solo performances!
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online or in person.
(Hermann’s Jazz Club / Facebook)
Where: Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street
When: Saturday, April 13th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Pacific FC’s home opener officially kicks off this weekend—and you’re invited.
This Saturday, April 13th, the club will face the Halifax Wanderers in a Coast-to-Coast matchup—a rematch of the first-ever Pacific FC match, won by Pacific FC with a score of 1-0.
In fact, Pacific FC have won every home opener match in their history, outscoring their opponents 6-1 all-time. The proof is in the stats—this is a game you don’t want to miss.
You can grab your tickets for the home opener online here—but don’t wait, they’re selling fast!
April represents many things: a new beginning, the blooming of flowers or disappearance of snow, and honouring community in a number of ways!
Plus, as many of you may already know, it is also Earth Month—the time to celebrate the natural beauty we enjoy every day being on this planet.
There are many ways in which we can do this too, including going for a spring walk, helping the Victoria Green Team with invasive species removal, beach cleanup and more!
If you have time this Sunday, take the time to look into how you would like to participate, or just take a moment to enjoy the outdoors.
Born in Victoria, but now based out of Lethbridge, Alberta, Shaela Miller is returning home for the first time since 2019 as she tours across the country.
This tour is in support of her most recent release—her third album, After The Masquerade, which came out this March.
Miller is an accomplished and widely renowned presence in Canada’s alt-country and Americana music scene and has also found success abroad.
Her latest release is a firm step in a different direction as After The Masquerade is a synth-infused, 80s nostalgia take on modern alternative-country music.
Some of her big successes through the years is she’s had her music featured in several popular TV programs, such as HBO’s True Blood and CBC’s Heartland.
Miller has also toured through top-tier festival circuits and has had the well-deserved opportunity to support Matthew Good on tour.
Now she’s midway through her Canadian headlining tour to share her new sound and record with the country.
Miller and her band will be in Victoria coming up on Thursday, April 18th at Lucky Bar.
“It’s been too long,” Miller told Victoria Buzz. “It is my home town after all.”
“The last few times we played in Victoria, we played at the Northern Quarter. We loved playing there, but sadly it is my understanding that it no longer exists.”
Miller says she and her band have also had the opportunity to play at fellow island-based, alt-country icon Carolyn Mark’s Farm Fest in both 2018 and 2019.
Their opening act at the Lucky Bar show are locals as well, Sail Cassidy.
They are self-described indie-rockers who are influenced heavily by acts such as The National and Lou Reed.
“We asked Sail Cassidy to support our shows because we love what they’re doing and think their overall sound and vibe aligns with ours,” Miller said.
“I’m really excited to share the stage and get to know them.”
In addition to the show at Lucky Bar, Miller and her band are playing up-island. They are playing at The Duncan Showroom in Duncan on April 15th and The Queen’s in Nanaimo on April 17th.
Miller says she is excited to bring her band to Vancouver Island and show them some of her old haunts and see some fold she hasn’t seen in too long.
“Me and the guys are going to dip our bodies in the freezing cold ocean,” she exclaimed. “Or maybe just drive out to the Sooke potholes, which should be slightly less freezing, but just as beautiful.”
“I also hope to see some friends and family. Maybe do some record and vintage clothes shopping. Buy some fudge.”
Listen to her new record, After The Masquerade below and make sure to catch one of her shows while she is back on the island!
SENĆOŦEN information display at SMONEĆTEN Campground (Gulf Islands National Park Reserve / Facebook)
If you’re looking to expand your knowledge of the Indigenous peoples whose traditional territory we live, work and play on, this is for you!
The Sidney Museum is thrilled to host the travelling exhibition, Our Living Languages: First Peoples’ Voices in BC from April 15th to July 24th.
There will be a blessing ceremony from the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council on opening day at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 15th.
This special exhibition has been collaboratively designed by the First Peoples’ Cultural Council and the Royal BC Museum, celebrating the resilience and diversity of Indigenous languages.
In Our Living Languages, you will learn what communities across the province are doing to actively ensure the survival of 34 different Indigenous languages and the importance of keeping them alive and thriving.
In turn, you will also expand your own vocabulary and appreciation for these languages, as they are a vital part of culture, identity and connection.
“Languages, especially the languages we grow up with, are powerful and potent markers of identity and culture,” a media release reads.
“BC, one of the planet’s most linguistically diverse regions, is known as a linguistic “hotspot” because of the diversity and vitality of the First Nations languages in BC.”
Visitors will weave through interactive stations, both video and audio, creating an immersive opportunity to capture the complexity of these languages and the communities that work tirelessly to document and revitalize them.
To note, the Sidney Museum wanted to specifically highlight the local W̱SÁNEĆ language, SENĆOŦEN.
Dave Elliot noticed a decline in the use of SENĆOŦEN amongst his people due to government policies and residential schools.
So, in 1978, he created the SENĆOŦEN alphabet and since then, W̱SÁNEĆ communities have undergone tremendous efforts to carry this forward through school programs and adult lessons.
Learn all about that and more at the Sidney Museum!
As the weekend arrives, Victoria residents have every reason to rejoice as Environment Canada is calling for a week of sunshine and double digit temperatures.
With a forecast calling for 16°C, it’s shaping up to be the perfect opportunity to soak up some Vitamin D and revel in the beauty of the outdoors.
Kicking off the weekend, Friday’s weather may start off on a slightly cloudy note. However, the clouds are expected to dissipate by noon, making way for clear skies. With winds shifting to the north at 20 km/h in the afternoon, the mercury is forecasted to climb to a high of 13°C.
The arrival of truly glorious weather will start on Saturday, with the sun taking center stage.
Victoria can expect a high of 16°C, though areas near the water may experience slightly cooler temperatures around 13°C.
(Environment Canada)
Sunday continues the trend of splendid weather, with clear skies and abundant sunshine. However, be prepared for some gusty winds accompanying the sunny conditions. Despite the breezy weather, temperatures are expected to get to a high of 14°C during the day.
As the night falls, Victoria can anticipate clear skies and a low of plus 4°C,, providing ideal conditions for stargazing or evening strolls.
Looking ahead, the remainder of the week promises to be equally delightful, with sunny skies prevailing and temperatures ranging from 11°C to 16°C.
Whether it’s enjoying a leisurely walk in the park, basking in the warmth of the sun at the beach, or simply relishing the beauty of nature, Victoria residents have an abundance of opportunities to savour the outdoor splendor that this forecast brings.
That’s it for the late night hangs, cheap corndogs and good vibes that were so well curated by those who ran Smith’s Pub on Courtney Street.
On Thursday, April 11th, one of downtown’s best watering holes, Smith’s Pub officially and permanently closed after posting a notice on their door thanking their patrons for their support.
The notice they left on their door read:
“It’s been a great run, a very great run, and we’re so appreciative to all our staff, friends and customers and everyone who supported us over the last 17 years.”
“We didn’t want to go out like this but things happen.”
As soon as word got out on the closure, people turned online for answers and speculation as to why one of the city’s favourite spots had closed.
Earlier in the week, the business had posted on Instagram about trivia night taking place on Thursday at the pub, and has yet to post anything on social media about the closure.
Some people have been speculating online claiming Smith’s Pub’s assets were frozen overnight and they were forced to close immediately, giving their staff same day notice of termination.
Many have expressed that 2024 will be a year in which many small local businesses may be forced to close.
This is in part due to the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans being due in January, which made several businesses have to pay back money they didn’t have, or not pay them back at all.
Aside from the speculation, most people have been expressing true and heartfelt loss over the pub closing its doors.
Until the owners or management come out and say what happened to force their hand like this, it is unclear why exactly the abrupt close came about.
As part of the 2017 exhibition at Royal BC Museum, visitors could see the customized van (with sleeping compartments, a kitchen and carpeted interior) that followed Terry Fox as he ran across the country to raise money for cancer research. (Photo ItkasanImages/Victoria Buzz)
Today, the Terry Fox Centre and the Royal BC Museum (RBCM) announced they have entered into a long-term partnership that will bring an extensive collection of national treasures to Victoria.
The collection that the RBCM will become stewards of contains belongings and keepsakes of Fox’s, gathered throughout his short life, as well as memorabilia from the 1980 Marathon of Hope.
In this collection are a number of iconic items owned and worn by Fox, including the shoes and prosthetic leg he wore on his daily marathons.
The iconic van that was used for the Marathon of Hope is also a part of this extensive collection.
“For 44 years, Terry Fox has been an inspiration to Canadians and we are thrilled to be entrusted with the stewardship of this important collection,” says Tracey Drake, CEO of the RBCM.
“The Royal BC Museum is proud to work alongside the Terry Fox Centre and Fox family to safeguard and preserve Terry’s legacy, and dream, for future generations.”
According to the Terry Fox Centre, they have been looking for a suitable steward of the ‘All Things Terry’ collection and the opportunity to partner with the RBCM was too good to pass up.
Fox moved to BC from Manitoba when he was just 8-years-old and spent the better part of his life here, to both the Centre and the RBCM saw it fitting that they take care of his collection.
“We are excited by how our partnership with the Royal BC Museum will assist us in our efforts to engage Canadians and people worldwide with Terry’s story of hope, courage and determination,” says Darrell Fox on behalf of the Terry Fox family and the Terry Fox Centre.
“Terry is not with us physically, but his shoes, leg, sock and Marathon of Hope t-shirts, together with thousands of other artifacts, will inspire future generations to pursue their dreams while giving back.”
Friday, April 12th marks the 44th anniversary of Fox setting out on his Marathon of Hope, in which he would run the equivalent of a marathon a day until he ran from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Vancouver.
His cancer spread and he had to halt his efforts in Thunder Bay, Ontario on September 1st.
In total he ran 5,373 kilometres and inspired millions of people to continually run the ‘Terry Fox Run’ which has become the biggest one-day cancer fundraiser in the world.
This collection is considered part of a 20-year long-term partnership and will officially remain in the ownership of the Fox family, while the RBCM can display the memorabilia as they choose during that time.
As of this publication, they have not yet announced official plans to display the collection.
The featured photo of this article is from the 2017 exhibition at the RBCM where some of the many items acquired were on display, including Fox’s custom van.
Nanaimo RCMP are seeking witnesses after a teen was attacked with a baton during an altercation last month.
On March 21st at around 10:40 p.m., in the 2500 block of Labieux Road, a 15-year-old girl was assaulted by another young woman.
According to police, the 15-year-old knew her assailant. She sustained non-life threatening injuries after being struck with a baton.
Investigators believe a group of young people witnessed the altercation and that someone allegedly recorded the incident on video.
As the investigation continued, police noted that the young woman and another female fled by flagging down a passing motorist on Labieux Road, who then drove them to a residence on the 600 block of 2nd Street in Nanaimo.
On March 22nd, officers arrested the young woman, who was also a minor and had received minor injuries from a bladed weapon used during the altercation.
Police are now requesting the help of anyone who may have witnessed the altercation or have video footage of the incident to come forward.
Additionally, if you gave a ride to these two young women from Labieux Road to the residence on 2nd Street, contact Nanaimo RCMP at (250) 754-2345.
According to the Church of Latter-day Saints, a Mormon temple may be getting built in Greater Victoria in the coming years.
The Mormon Church reportedly announced their intention to build a temple her at their annual general conference this year, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Victoria’s temple was among 14 other temples they announced they will be building.
According to the Church, this will be the 11th temple across Canada when completed and it will be just the second for BC.
In a media release, the Church of Latter-day Saints said that the first of their members, William and Maria Copley, came to Vancouver Island in 1875.
They came from the religion’s then-headquarters of Fillmore, Utah and claimed to have made their first Christian convert in 1887 when a member of the legislative assembly, Anthony Maitland Stenhouse chose to be re-baptized as a Mormon.
The Church says that now, they have around 2,000 members in Victoria alone and thus, the congregation requires a new place of worship.
One Victoria-based member of the Church, Christine Hitchmough, said in a release that she travels monthly by ferry to worship in the Vancouver temple.
“I can hardly wait to walk through the doors of the house of the Lord in Victoria,” she said.
The Vancouver temple was finished in 2010 and other Canadian temples are located in Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Montreal, Toronto and Halifax with a future temple in Lethbridge being announced in April of last year.
The specific location, or municipality they plan on building in around Greater Victoria has not yet been announced.
(Tony Wrestles a Stranger, Incoming Festival / Courtesy of Intrepid Theatre)
Happy Friday, Victoria!
If you’re looking to spend your evening dancing, Lucky Bar has an extra special pop punk night with three multiple local bands, and OK Charlie is back at Darcy’s Pub for their weekly jam!
In more of an observational mood? No problem! Head down to the Gorge Park Pavilion to check out some sculptures, or sit back and watch another amazing Intrepid Theatre show for their Incoming Festival.
Here’s 5 things to do in and around Victoria on Friday, April 12th:
This marvelous event celebrating the beauty of sculpture is being put on by the Township Community Arts Council (TCAC) in collaboration with the Vancouver Island Sculptors Guild (VISG)!
Sculpture Splash show and sale kicked off on Thursday, April 11th and will run until Sunday, April 14th—so there’s still plenty of time to check it out if you’re unable to on Friday.
This event is free for the public to attend!
Where: Gorge Park Pavilion, 1070 Tillicum Road, Esquimalt
Returning for its second year, Intrepid Theatre is thrilled to present their Incoming Festival, a new festival with brand new performances promised to inspire, shock and excite.
It will take place from Thursday, April 11th to Saturday, April 20th at Metro Studio Theatre, located downtown!
The festival will feature a mix of local and touring artists, including some people that regulars may recognize and others that are making their debut!
Ticket prices vary by show, so you can purchase individual tickets or buy their three-day pass.
Similar to other Intrepid Theatre shows, Incoming Festival will offer their “Pay-What-You-10” tickets—which means that 10% of show tickets will be only $10.
Where:
Metro Studio Theatre, 1411 Quadra Street
Intrepid Studio, #2 1609 Blanshard Street
Festival Hub, #2A 1609 Blanshard Street
When: Thursday, April 11th to Saturday, April 20th—showtimes vary
Popular local band OK Charlie rocks Darcy’s Pub every Friday!
They bring the best of both modern and retro to the stage, always playing songs that fill dance floors, excite crowds, and leaves people feeling fantastic.
No tickets necessary, just arrive ready to have a great time!
Celebrate visual artist Amy Frank’s new exhibition, The Wisdom of Wonderland at the Arts Centre at Cedar Hill.
Within this powerful collection of pieces, she explores her own experience with mental health struggles and addiction to create a surreal adventure for her viewers.
“This show is not just about my journey—it’s an invitation to start a conversation. My story is one of resilience, personal empowerment, and hope, evocatively showcased by both my visual and written works,” Frank notes on the event page.
The Wisdom of Wonderland opened on April 3rd and will remain on display until April 28th.
Where: Arts Centre at Cedar Hill, 3220 Cedar Hill Road
When: Friday, April 12th from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Carmine playing at the VEC for Bands!Bands!Bands! on March 19th. (Photo by @_ezee_/Instagram)
Ever since 2003, the Victoria Event Centre (VEC) has been a pillar of the local music scene in Victoria and those who run the non-profit venue make sure to be constantly innovating the ways in which they support artists getting their start.
In September of last year, the VEC launched a new project, ‘Bands!Bands!Bands!,’ that would help foster new relationships within the local music scene and because of its successes, it has been expanded.
This event is a music series that takes place once per month on a Tuesday night.
It is meant to feature bands of different sounds and backgrounds in order to allow the artists to have an accessible launchpad for their music, as well as to ensure bands were being paid a fair price so they can better invest in themselves.
“We felt like there was a gap in the community for new and emerging bands to really get a chance to grow their audience and perform in larger venues,” said Leyla Sutherland, Executive Director of the VEC.
“It’s really nice to see different artists meet and collaborate.”
This endeavour was originally launched because the City of Victoria provided them with project funding through the Victoria Music Strategy, and now it has received additional funding from Creative BC.
Now they have additional funding and are expanding the music series through December, when originally, their City funds would have run out after April, according to Sutherland.
Sutherland told Victoria Buzz that because of this new funding, they are doing a second call-to-action for local bands and musical artists to apply and play a Bands!Bands!Bands! show.
“The Creative BC money has really allowed us to expand the artists’ fee so now we are offering what essentially works out to $150 per band member,” she explained.
That amount is paid to each band member up to around five or six members, according to Sutherland. She joked with Victoria Buzz that number is the most people the stage can fit anyhow.
In order to make the shows as accessible as possible, every Bands!Bands!Bands! show is all-ages and the VEC provide the backline to artists so all they need to bring are their instruments and drum sticks, plug in and play.
Sutherland says the VEC also tries to choose bands or artists through a lens of equity, ensuring that members of the BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities don’t get pushed to the back of the line.
There is an online application online for those who want to play a Bands!Bands!Bands! showcase.
“We need some pieces of information like people’s stage plot, images, some links to some recording of their music—it doesn’t have to be professional, we just want to make sure the band is real,” Sutherland laughed.
In the form, applicants have the option of self-identifying themselves as a member of one of these groups.
“The project is really trying to focus on presenting and supporting more artists of colour, more BIPOC, queer and trans performers as well as people with disabilities and just a broader range of perspectives,” she added.
Sutherland says this process is to ensure that the VEC is maintaining a really balanced and diverse music series which reflects what the community looks like.
She also says the benefits of this project allow for not only community building and paying artists well for their work—for which the night was intended—but it has also had other benefits that were not necessarily intentional, however are beneficial to the music scene.
“We’ve recommended some of our Bands!Bands!Bands! bands to play as openers when we have touring acts come through,” she explained.
“We benefit tremendously from knowing who’s out there, who’s trying new stuff, who’s making cool music.”
Over the past eight months, a total of 32 bands have played Bands!Bands!Bands! and another 28 will have the opportunity before the project’s funding ends and the last showcase takes place in December.
Next week on Tuesday, April 16th, the featured bands for volume eight of the series will be:
Silverton are a hard blues-grunge power trio from Colwood who describe themselves as “a trip, a journey to the past, with raging overdriven guitars, punchy bass that will shock you to the floor, booming drums that rattle your soul like cannons and haunting vocals that will swirl your mind.”
Anne Martina is a singer-songwriter who says she makes heartfelt music with meaningful lyrics and catchy melodies. She writes songs with themes of love, loss and coming-of-age. Martina recently released her debut EP, If I Could Talk About It.
Black Treacle is a self-described alternative rock duo who hail from Esquimalt. They say they are inspired by the experimentation of Brian Eno and the emotional vulnerability of The Cure and Elliott Smith.
Sweet Delirium is a four-piece project who play “an eclectic blend of shoegaze, dream pop, post-punk and R&B who try to incorporate atmospheric soundscapes into their live show.
Check out the next showcase and if you play in a band or perform as a singer-songwriter, apply to play one of the next Band!Bands!Bands! showcases.
Gavin working on preparing his Dhalia tubers for Kidovate 2024 (Courtesy of Dr. Claudia Smith)
Prepare your wallet and your heart, this is a wholesome and exceedingly impressive event you won’t want to miss!
This Saturday, April 13th, over 200 middle and high school youth will be taking over the Bay Centre to present what they’ve spent months making and repurposing.
The market is filled to the brim with unique and exceptional talent, and most importantly, you’ll be supporting local young entrepreneurs!
This exciting day will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—plenty of time to take in everyone’s work and find some new goodies to take home.
Known as ‘Kidovate,’ attendees will get the chance to learn about what these intelligent minds have been up to and the dozens of business decisions they’ve had to grapple with to get there.
Kidovate is a free youth entrepreneurship initiative through UVic’s Gustavson School of Business that mentors kids typically aged 11 to 17.
Aurora making dog treats for Kidovate 2024 (Courtesy of Dr. Claudia Smith)
The program launched in 2019 with 26 participants and has since grown exponentially.
“I’m so excited about joining the Kidovate community, and Saturday’s Market Day. It’s something I’ve been looking forward to all year,” said Isla Solbakken, age 11, who has been preparing succulents and other botanicals to sell.
“Kidovate is my first time selling goods with other kids and I look forward to learning from, and potentially collaborating with, other young entrepreneurs like me.”
In addition to Solbakken’s succulents, other entrepreneurs include 13-year-old Savannah Levins selling her greeting cards and colour changing glasses; 13-year-old Rafael M. with 3D keychains for sale; 17-year-old Jayden Pleasants with a mix of vintage clothing; and 11-year-old Marliss Ahokas will be selling canvases and notebooks.
Plus, 9-year-old Anders has decided to sell baked goods and will be donating all proceeds to the Victoria Hospital Foundation in memory of his dad.
Cofounder Dr. Brock Smith commented on Canada needing more entrepreneurs, and that Kidovate allows the space for youth to learn-by-doing and grow into themselves and their ideas—taking those skill sets into adulthood and continuing to inspire others.
“It takes a community to create an entrepreneur,” added Cofounder Dr. Claudia Smith.
“Kidovate is all about helping kids try entrepreneurship on for size, and helping them discover that it is a skill that can be learned and not a personality trait.”
Last year, hundreds of customers are said to have visited the Kidovate Market Day, and they’re hoping this year will draw in more!
The more people that these youths get to interact with, the more social skills they gain and the more successful they become.
Additionally, the kids are taught that giving back to the community and having social responsibility is an important part of becoming a good entrepreneur. So, they’re encouraged to choose a local charity to support by donating a portion of their earnings.
The resources that are provided through Kidovate include a graphic novel workbook, access to UVic student mentors and a learning guide for teachers and parents.
To learn more about this entrepreneurship initiative, you can visit the Kidovate website.
