Arts and Entertainment

Tyler Scott Hoover, a professional Spider-Man cosplayer and model, is pictured in the classic costume of the Marvel comic superhero. In August 2022, as the iconic character marks 60 years in the vast, imaginative world of comic books, movies and merchandise, fans like Hoover reflect on Spider-Man’s appeal across race, gender and nationality. (Tyler Scott Hoover via AP)

As Spider-Man turns 60, fans reflect on diverse appeal

‘We should always be open to the possibilities’

 

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

 

Singer Maggie Martin has taken social media by storm with more than 3.5 million likes on TikTok. Her latest release Never Blue has been picked up by Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. (Contributed - Maggie Martin)

Vancouver Island singer Maggie Martin racks up 3.5 million likes on TikTok

Langford resident didn’t let the grass grow under her feet during pandemic

 

Tamara Stanners at Vancouver's Zulu Records- Lia Crowe photography

Among the stars

Painting, producing and performing all part of Constellation Festival co-organizer’s artist pursuits

  • Jun 24, 2022
Tamara Stanners at Vancouver's Zulu Records- Lia Crowe photography
Peggy Baker will perform her latest production ‘Unmoored’ in Nanaimo at the Malaspina Theatre on May 29. In her spoken word and movement piece, she hopes to open discussions on mortality and disability. (Photo by Aleksandar Antonijevic)

Dance piece coming to Nanaimo will delve into caregiving and mortality

Peggy Baker’s spoken-word and movement piece ‘Unmoored’ will show at the Malaspina Theatre on May 29

Peggy Baker will perform her latest production ‘Unmoored’ in Nanaimo at the Malaspina Theatre on May 29. In her spoken word and movement piece, she hopes to open discussions on mortality and disability. (Photo by Aleksandar Antonijevic)
Jason Heit teaches a class at the Island MMA Training Centre in Victoria. Heit moved back to the Island in 2007 after spending four years as a security guard for various A-list celebrities. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Island man’s journey took him from the boxing ring to supplying security to the stars

Drew Barrymore, Nicholas Cage, Robbie Williams: Victoria’s Jason Heit was by their side

Jason Heit teaches a class at the Island MMA Training Centre in Victoria. Heit moved back to the Island in 2007 after spending four years as a security guard for various A-list celebrities. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
The Islands Folk Festival will be back this summer at Providence Farm in Duncan on July 23, 2022. (Citizen file)

Islands Folk Festival back in Cowichan boasting big lineup

Festival coming Saturday, July 23

The Islands Folk Festival will be back this summer at Providence Farm in Duncan on July 23, 2022. (Citizen file)
Carl Longstaff and Laura Kelsey will play the Nanaimo Bar on Saturday, May 7, in a return from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photos submitted)

Singer-songwriters share stage in upcoming Nanaimo show

Laura Kelsey and Carl Longstaff will play the Nanaimo Bar on Saturday, May 7

Carl Longstaff and Laura Kelsey will play the Nanaimo Bar on Saturday, May 7, in a return from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photos submitted)
Clare Twiddy, left, and Kaylar Chan form the Vancouver-based rage-funk band Raincity. They’re coming to Port Alberni’s Rainbow Room for a show on April 30, 2022. (PHOTO COURTESY RAINCITY)

Raincity launching 5-date tour funkifying Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island tour a homecoming for Parksville singer

Clare Twiddy, left, and Kaylar Chan form the Vancouver-based rage-funk band Raincity. They’re coming to Port Alberni’s Rainbow Room for a show on April 30, 2022. (PHOTO COURTESY RAINCITY)
The 39 Steps with Aidan deSalaiz, Felix LeBlanc, Caitlin Driscoll and Alexandra Brynn is on stage at the Chemainus Theatre April 22-May 22. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Review: Fast-paced Chemainus Theatre show just plain funny

The 39 Steps will have you guffawing at regular intervals

The 39 Steps with Aidan deSalaiz, Felix LeBlanc, Caitlin Driscoll and Alexandra Brynn is on stage at the Chemainus Theatre April 22-May 22. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The cast of the Louisiana Hayride Show brings new songs and characters to Nanaimo’s Port Theatre on May 1 at 7 p.m (Photo submitted)

Louisiana Hayride Show brings new show and personalities to Nanaimo

Concert to be held at the Port Theatre on May 1

The cast of the Louisiana Hayride Show brings new songs and characters to Nanaimo’s Port Theatre on May 1 at 7 p.m (Photo submitted)
Writers can enter the Islands Short Fiction Contest until April 30. (Stock photo)

Writers still have time to enter Islands Short Fiction Contest

Nanaimo Arts Council extends deadline until month’s end

Writers can enter the Islands Short Fiction Contest until April 30. (Stock photo)
Pharis and Jason Romero headline the Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival to be held at Laketown Ranch in Youbou on June 17 to 19, 2022. (Laureen Carruthers photo)

Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival back in June

Headliners Pharis and Jason Romero, The Lonesome Ace Stringband and more

Pharis and Jason Romero headline the Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival to be held at Laketown Ranch in Youbou on June 17 to 19, 2022. (Laureen Carruthers photo)
Will Smith cries as he accepts the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for “King Richard” at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

At a pugnacious Oscars, Apple’s feel-good ‘CODA’ triumphs as best picture

Drama erupts as Will Smith slaps presenter Chris Rock

Will Smith cries as he accepts the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for “King Richard” at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Wu Tang Clan are considered by many to be the best hip hop or rap group in the world. Facebook

Wu-Tang Clan, The Glorious Sons, Arkells and more headline Laketown Shakedown 2022 in Cowichan

This is the first year back for the festival since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020

Wu Tang Clan are considered by many to be the best hip hop or rap group in the world. Facebook
Josef Jacobson climbs under his desk at the Nanaimo News Bulletin office during a Great B.C. Shakeout earthquake drill. He’s decided to move farther away from the fault line. (News Bulletin file photo)

COLUMN: Arts editor will remember Nanaimo’s active arts and culture scene

Nanaimo News Bulletin’s arts editor Josef Jacobson moving on after four and a half years

Josef Jacobson climbs under his desk at the Nanaimo News Bulletin office during a Great B.C. Shakeout earthquake drill. He’s decided to move farther away from the fault line. (News Bulletin file photo)
Jenna Woldenga is creating animation for a retelling of a Dungeons and Dragons game. (Contributed)

Summerland-raised animator’s Kickstarter campaign raises $2.5 million

Jenna Woldenga is retelling a Dungeons and Dragons campaign in a series of animated Youtube videos

Jenna Woldenga is creating animation for a retelling of a Dungeons and Dragons game. (Contributed)
Darius Rucker is the headliner for Sunfest 2022. (Photo courtesy of dariusrucker.com)

Darius Rucker to headline Sunfest 2022

Cowichan Valley also welcomes Dallas Smith, Billy Currington Hardy, Kip Moore

Darius Rucker is the headliner for Sunfest 2022. (Photo courtesy of dariusrucker.com)
Although it won’t be Samson pulling the train this year, the Christmas Express is back at the BC Forest Discovery Centre for 2021. (Citizen file)

Christmas Express train rides back in Duncan for 2021

Travel through thousands of twinkling lights at the BC Forest Discovery Centre

  • Dec 3, 2021
Although it won’t be Samson pulling the train this year, the Christmas Express is back at the BC Forest Discovery Centre for 2021. (Citizen file)
‘In My Head’ was written by Riley Ingham (Rylis), Christofer Lampson (Young Negrensé), Tristan Renaud, produced by Renaud, mixed by Elijah Merrett-Hitch, and mastered by Colin Leonard. (Courtesy of Yuzzynet)

Vancouver Island group’s song remembering lost friend to benefit Crisis Centre BC

Cowichan musicians to release ‘In My Head’ Nov. 16, in memory of friend lost to suicide

‘In My Head’ was written by Riley Ingham (Rylis), Christofer Lampson (Young Negrensé), Tristan Renaud, produced by Renaud, mixed by Elijah Merrett-Hitch, and mastered by Colin Leonard. (Courtesy of Yuzzynet)