Local Entertainment

The Gabriola Lanterns of Wonder festival will return to honour and celebrate the community’s essential workers on Aug. 20. (Bill Pope photos)

Lantern festival will illuminate Gabriola Island

GLOW, as presented by Gabriola Arts Council, to be held Aug. 20

Toronto-based queer stand-up comedian Laura Piccinin will show her narrative storytelling of ‘Lesbihonest’ in Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter between Aug. 12-21 as part of the Nanaimo Fringe Festival. (Submitted photo)

Queer stand-up comedian will ‘tell all’ at Nanaimo Fringe Festival

Laura Piccinin brings ‘Lesbihonest’ to the festival, which starts this week

Nanaimo singer Lauren Spencer-Smith appeared on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ Aug. 8 as a musical guest, and played her latest single Narcissist, which dropped midnight July 29. (Photo credit Todd Owyoung/NBC)

Nanaimo’s Lauren Spencer-Smith performs new single on ‘The Tonight Show’

Teen singer was the musical guest on Monday, Aug. 8, on Jimmy Fallon’s late-night talk show

Willie Nile and his band will play Nanaimo’s Queen’s Hotel on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 7-9 p.m. (Cristina Arragoni photo)

New York rocker playing Nanaimo as part of rare West Coast tour

Willie Nile and his band performing at the Queen’s on Aug. 13

Willie Nile and his band will play Nanaimo’s Queen’s Hotel on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 7-9 p.m. (Cristina Arragoni photo)
Sarah Varro, left, James Vickers and Ezra Beaton play the Doors’ Roadhouse Blues at the Queen’s Hotel during the July 31 Sunday Blues Jam session. They’ll play the Nanaimo Summertime Blues Festival as the New Blues Showcase on Aug. 13 between 1-2 p.m. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)

Youth talent will get a share of the stage at Nanaimo Summertime Blues Festival

Festival happening Aug. 11-14 at Maffeo Sutton Park

Sarah Varro, left, James Vickers and Ezra Beaton play the Doors’ Roadhouse Blues at the Queen’s Hotel during the July 31 Sunday Blues Jam session. They’ll play the Nanaimo Summertime Blues Festival as the New Blues Showcase on Aug. 13 between 1-2 p.m. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
Multi-instrumentalist and loop artist Alex Maher will play the Nanaimo Bar Thursday Aug. 11. (Photo by Lauren Brett)

Loop artist returns to Nanaimo following EP release

Alex Maher will play the Nanaimo Bar on Aug. 11

Multi-instrumentalist and loop artist Alex Maher will play the Nanaimo Bar Thursday Aug. 11. (Photo by Lauren Brett)
Jacksun Fryer, left, and Carlow Rush of Vancouver Island’s Funkanometry have advanced to live shows in ‘America’s Got Talent.’ Pictured here, the two at the Vancouver Island Exhibition in 2021. (News Bulletin file photo)

Funkanometry advances through ‘America’s Got Talent’ to live shows

Dance duo secure a spot as one of the 55 final contestants

Jacksun Fryer, left, and Carlow Rush of Vancouver Island’s Funkanometry have advanced to live shows in ‘America’s Got Talent.’ Pictured here, the two at the Vancouver Island Exhibition in 2021. (News Bulletin file photo)
Julio Becerra, left, Quetzalin Dominguez, Harry Gonzalez and Fernando Bujanda of Lost Nebula will play the Globe Hotel on Aug. 6 as part of a cross-Canada tour. (Kinady Navarro photo)

Mexican progressive alternative rock band to play Nanaimo as part of cross-Canada tour

Lost Nebula will play the Globe Hotel Aug. 6 in support of ‘Created in the Image of God’ album

Julio Becerra, left, Quetzalin Dominguez, Harry Gonzalez and Fernando Bujanda of Lost Nebula will play the Globe Hotel on Aug. 6 as part of a cross-Canada tour. (Kinady Navarro photo)
Jocelyn Pelletier, left, Mark Brodhagen, Kim Heppell, Art Vipond and Bruce Nichols will return, alongside the VIU Mariner Spirit Team, to the Queen’s Hotel in Nanaimo on Aug. 5. (Submitted photo)

Country rock band teaming up with VIU Spirit Team line dancers

Tailgate, a Comox-Campbell River band, will play a full four-set night Aug. 5

Jocelyn Pelletier, left, Mark Brodhagen, Kim Heppell, Art Vipond and Bruce Nichols will return, alongside the VIU Mariner Spirit Team, to the Queen’s Hotel in Nanaimo on Aug. 5. (Submitted photo)
Judy MacNeal in her home on July 22 where she's spent countless hours hand painting and hand sculpting lawn bowling bowls once destined for the dump. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo artist gives new life to old lawn bowls

Judy MacNeal has creatively upcycled 85 lawn bowls over the past few years

Judy MacNeal in her home on July 22 where she's spent countless hours hand painting and hand sculpting lawn bowling bowls once destined for the dump. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
Author Robin Fisher holds a copy of ‘Wilson Duff: Coming Back, A Life’ which biographies the “pioneering efforts” of B.C. anthropologist Wilson Duff. Fisher will hold a VIU ElderCollege talk on Sept. 17 on the subject of the White and Bob case, which is noted in the book. (Submitted photo)

Nanaimo author tells of B.C. anthropologist and advocate for Indigenous rights

Robin Fisher’s ‘Wilson Duff: Coming Back, A Life’ was released this spring

Author Robin Fisher holds a copy of ‘Wilson Duff: Coming Back, A Life’ which biographies the “pioneering efforts” of B.C. anthropologist Wilson Duff. Fisher will hold a VIU ElderCollege talk on Sept. 17 on the subject of the White and Bob case, which is noted in the book. (Submitted photo)
Ned Saric, left, Spencer Cleave, Aidan Snider, Ellen Crossley, Matt Shamas, Dave Bamford and Luis Meneses make up the Victoria roots reggae band Phonosonics. The seven-piece ensemble will perform at the Cline Agri-Heath Centre farm in Nanaimo for the fundraising Crop Circle concert series on Saturday, Aug 6. (Photo by Joel Appugliese)

Farming co-op putting on ‘Crop Circles’ music festival fundraiser in Nanaimo

All-day event happening Aug. 6 at Cline Agri-Heath Centre farm

Ned Saric, left, Spencer Cleave, Aidan Snider, Ellen Crossley, Matt Shamas, Dave Bamford and Luis Meneses make up the Victoria roots reggae band Phonosonics. The seven-piece ensemble will perform at the Cline Agri-Heath Centre farm in Nanaimo for the fundraising Crop Circle concert series on Saturday, Aug 6. (Photo by Joel Appugliese)
Alison Marie’s memoir My Anchor of Hope: A Journey of Restoration, Redemption and Freedom is available at Chapters. She is donating $5 per book sold in August to Haven Society. (Photo submitted)

Nanaimo author helping charity through memoir sales

Alison Marie’s memoir ‘My Anchor of Hope’ examines domestic violence and trauma

Alison Marie’s memoir My Anchor of Hope: A Journey of Restoration, Redemption and Freedom is available at Chapters. She is donating $5 per book sold in August to Haven Society. (Photo submitted)
Ceramist Hazel Dean will be at the Nanaimo Pottery Co-op’s Outdoor Summer Tent Sale at Country Club Centre on July 30. Her work will include summer vintage berry bowls, strawberry and sunflower mugs and more functional and colourful pieces with a modern vintage flair. (Submitted photo)

Nanaimo Pottery Co-operative to hold summer tent sale

Sale to be held at Country Club Centre July 30

Ceramist Hazel Dean will be at the Nanaimo Pottery Co-op’s Outdoor Summer Tent Sale at Country Club Centre on July 30. Her work will include summer vintage berry bowls, strawberry and sunflower mugs and more functional and colourful pieces with a modern vintage flair. (Submitted photo)
Nanaimo Art Gallery curator Jesse Birch considers the work of olfactory artist Megan Hepburn in the ‘Fielding Road’ exhibit on view in the gallery until Oct. 2. (Mandy Moraes/New Bulletin)

Nanaimo Art Gallery hosting exhibit based on responses to late artist’s work

Olfactory art, sculptures, film and more part of ‘Fielding Road’ exhibit

Nanaimo Art Gallery curator Jesse Birch considers the work of olfactory artist Megan Hepburn in the ‘Fielding Road’ exhibit on view in the gallery until Oct. 2. (Mandy Moraes/New Bulletin)
Award winning stand-up comedian John Beuhler is ready to make people laugh at the Corner Lounge in Nanaimo on July 29 as part of a tour of Vancouver Island. (Photo courtesy Shimon Photo)

Stand-up comedian will try for laughs at Nanaimo’s Corner Lounge

John Beuhler performing July 29 as part of Vancouver Island tour

Award winning stand-up comedian John Beuhler is ready to make people laugh at the Corner Lounge in Nanaimo on July 29 as part of a tour of Vancouver Island. (Photo courtesy Shimon Photo)
Janis Harper will launch her debut novel ‘Jonas and the Mountain: A Metaphysical Love Story’ at the Nanaimo Harbourfront Library on July 23. (submitted photo)

Author holding book launch for debut novel at Nanaimo Harbourfront Library

Janis Harper’s ‘Jonas and the Mountain: A Metaphysical Love Story’ launches July 23

Janis Harper will launch her debut novel ‘Jonas and the Mountain: A Metaphysical Love Story’ at the Nanaimo Harbourfront Library on July 23. (submitted photo)
Matt Aasen, left, Simon Paterson, Al Murray (seated), Patrick Courtin, Andrew Cullen and Nico Rhodes (not pictured) make up the Mahogany Swing Band that will play the Unitarian Hall in Nanaimo on July 23. (Submitted photo)

Nanaimo swing band to host dance lesson and jazz performance

The Mahogany Band and Harbour City Swing partner for July 23 event

Matt Aasen, left, Simon Paterson, Al Murray (seated), Patrick Courtin, Andrew Cullen and Nico Rhodes (not pictured) make up the Mahogany Swing Band that will play the Unitarian Hall in Nanaimo on July 23. (Submitted photo)
John P. Whitelaw will launch his ‘Elusive Birds of the Tropical Understory’ photography book at the Nanaimo Museum on July 20 at 7:30 p.m. (submitted images)

Nanaimo photographer launches book on ‘difficult to see’ tropical birds

John P. Whitelaw’s book to launch July 20 at Nanaimo Museum

John P. Whitelaw will launch his ‘Elusive Birds of the Tropical Understory’ photography book at the Nanaimo Museum on July 20 at 7:30 p.m. (submitted images)
Former Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre will play Nanaimo’s Port Theatre July 24 in celebration of the band’s Aqualung album’s 50th anniversary. (Submitted photo)

Jethro Tull guitarist coming to Nanaimo for ‘Aqualung’ 50th-anniversary tour

Martin Barre and touring band will play the Port Theatre on July 24

Former Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre will play Nanaimo’s Port Theatre July 24 in celebration of the band’s Aqualung album’s 50th anniversary. (Submitted photo)