Josef Jacobson

Vancouver Island Symphony principal violinist Calvin Dyck and the string orchestra present ‘Slavonic Sweets’ at the Port Theatre. (Photo courtesy Diamonds Edge Photography)

Nanaimo’s Vancouver Island Symphony presents largest concert in two years

22-member string orchestra presents ‘Slavonic Sweets’ at the Port Theatre

Vancouver Island Symphony principal violinist Calvin Dyck and the string orchestra present ‘Slavonic Sweets’ at the Port Theatre. (Photo courtesy Diamonds Edge Photography)
Vancouver Island Symphony artistic director Pierre Simard is stepping down at the end of the 2021-22 season. (Photo courtesy Dirk Heydemann)

Vancouver Island Symphony conductor stepping down

Pierre Simard says after 14 years with the symphony it’s time to ‘pass the baton’

Vancouver Island Symphony artistic director Pierre Simard is stepping down at the end of the 2021-22 season. (Photo courtesy Dirk Heydemann)
The Life Journey Singers – John Bullas, Carolyn Franklin, Jennie Jones, Sharon Horncastle, Dorothy Mandy and Brian Short (from left) – have been serenading workers at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital since last fall. (Photo courtesy Jim Horncastle)

Vocal group serenading Vancouver Island hospital workers on a weekly basis

Life Journey Singers have been performing outside Nanaimo hospital since last fall

The Life Journey Singers – John Bullas, Carolyn Franklin, Jennie Jones, Sharon Horncastle, Dorothy Mandy and Brian Short (from left) – have been serenading workers at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital since last fall. (Photo courtesy Jim Horncastle)
Nanaimo singer Lauren Spencer-Smith’s new single is the “breakup anthem” ‘Fingers Crossed.’ (Photo courtesy Laurie Ann Smith/Millenium Media)

Vancouver Island singer Lauren Spencer-Smith tops iTunes chart with new single

‘Fingers Crossed’ streamed more than 34 million times in first week

Nanaimo singer Lauren Spencer-Smith’s new single is the “breakup anthem” ‘Fingers Crossed.’ (Photo courtesy Laurie Ann Smith/Millenium Media)
Nanaimo children’s author Lois Peterson’s latest book is ‘Shelter: Homelessness in our Community.’ (Photo courtesy Louroo Photography)

Vancouver Island author pens children’s book on homelessness

Nanaimo’s Lois Peterson to bring latest book ‘Shelter’ on virtual classroom tour

Nanaimo children’s author Lois Peterson’s latest book is ‘Shelter: Homelessness in our Community.’ (Photo courtesy Louroo Photography)
The Vancouver Island Symphony will perform Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky’s suite ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ this coming April. (Photo courtesy Heydemann Art of Photography)

Vancouver Island Symphony seeking art inspired by music inspired by art

VIS to hold exhibition by Island artists based on Mussorgsky’s ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’

The Vancouver Island Symphony will perform Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky’s suite ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ this coming April. (Photo courtesy Heydemann Art of Photography)
Two teenagers attempt to trap and kill a monster in an “iconic” scene from the Netflix program ‘Stranger Things’ recreated by Nanaimo man Todd Cameron using vintage toys . (Photo courtesy Todd Cameron)

Netflix enlists Island man to recreate ‘Stranger Things’ scenes with vintage toys

Todd Cameron replicates ‘iconic scenes’ from TV series using figurines, Lite-Brite

Two teenagers attempt to trap and kill a monster in an “iconic” scene from the Netflix program ‘Stranger Things’ recreated by Nanaimo man Todd Cameron using vintage toys . (Photo courtesy Todd Cameron)
Tom Cochrane and Red Rider was a headliner at the 2019 Vancouver Island MusicFest in Courtenay. Photo by Terry Farrell

Study finds Vancouver Island arts sector generates $900 million annually

Vancouver Island Economic Summit presentation looks at convergence of arts and business

Tom Cochrane and Red Rider was a headliner at the 2019 Vancouver Island MusicFest in Courtenay. Photo by Terry Farrell
Nanaimo children’s author and illustrator Lindsay Ford’s latest book is ‘Lonely Doug.’ (Photo courtesy Bread and Clutter)

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

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

Nanaimo children’s author and illustrator Lindsay Ford’s latest book is ‘Lonely Doug.’ (Photo courtesy Bread and Clutter)
Nanaimo country singer Joel Lee has released his third single, ‘This Party Ain’t Over.’ (Photo courtesy Lance Sullivan/Concept Photography)

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

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

Nanaimo country singer Joel Lee has released his third single, ‘This Party Ain’t Over.’ (Photo courtesy Lance Sullivan/Concept Photography)
Gabriola Island-based writer Libby Gunn has been long-listed for the CBC Non-fiction Prize for her short story ‘Whitefish.’ (Photo courtesy Diane Simpson)

Gabriola Island writer long-listed for CBC Non-fiction Prize for second time

Libby Gunn ponders connection to land and family in short story ‘Whitefish’

Gabriola Island-based writer Libby Gunn has been long-listed for the CBC Non-fiction Prize for her short story ‘Whitefish.’ (Photo courtesy Diane Simpson)
Nanaimo bluesman David Gogo (right) teamed up with Toronto musician Steve Marriner on his latest album, ‘Silver Cup.’ (Photo courtesy Lance Sullivan Concept Photography)

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

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

Nanaimo bluesman David Gogo (right) teamed up with Toronto musician Steve Marriner on his latest album, ‘Silver Cup.’ (Photo courtesy Lance Sullivan Concept Photography)
Nanaimo acting coach Jacqui Kaese won her first Leo award for casting the Vancouver Island-made film ‘All-In Madonna.’ (Photo submitted)

Island acting coach wins B.C. film award for casting Island-produced film

Jacqui Kaese receives first Leo Award for work on film ‘All-In Madonna’

Nanaimo acting coach Jacqui Kaese won her first Leo award for casting the Vancouver Island-made film ‘All-In Madonna.’ (Photo submitted)
More than 50 Gabriola Island women over 50 are posing nude for the Faerie Goddess Mothers of Gabriola charity calendar. (Photo courtesy Diane Green)
More than 50 Gabriola Island women over 50 are posing nude for the Faerie Goddess Mothers of Gabriola charity calendar. (Photo courtesy Diane Green)
Surrey country singer Tyler Joe Miller is headlining the Vancouver Island Exhibition main stage. (Photo courtesy Wes Mack)

Rising Surrey country singer to headline VIEX main stage

Tyler Joe Miller makes first Island appearance since releasing his own music

Surrey country singer Tyler Joe Miller is headlining the Vancouver Island Exhibition main stage. (Photo courtesy Wes Mack)
Nanoose Bay author Vince Ditrich’s debut novel is ‘The Liquor Vicar.’ (Photo courtesy Alec Watson)

Island author and former Spirit of the West drummer releases first novel

Vince Ditrich’s ‘The Liquor Vicar’ will be available as of Aug. 17

Nanoose Bay author Vince Ditrich’s debut novel is ‘The Liquor Vicar.’ (Photo courtesy Alec Watson)
Nanaimo man Todd Cameron and his son Jack play with a miniature replica of Schitt’s Creek Cameron made from vintage children’s toys. (Photo courtesy Nicole Cameron)

B.C. man builds miniature ‘Schitt’s Creek’ out of vintage children’s toys

Nanaimo’s Todd Cameron previously had viral success with stop-motion video

Nanaimo man Todd Cameron and his son Jack play with a miniature replica of Schitt’s Creek Cameron made from vintage children’s toys. (Photo courtesy Nicole Cameron)
Peter Hudson and Tyler Bob (from left) are the organizers of Orange Day in the Bay. (Photo submitted)

Mid-Island festival offering music, comedy and support for residential school survivors

‘Orange Day in the Bay’ taking place on Canada Day in Snaw-Naw-As First Nation

Peter Hudson and Tyler Bob (from left) are the organizers of Orange Day in the Bay. (Photo submitted)
Nanaimo children’s book author and illustrator Lindsay Ford’s latest book, ‘Candy Bar War,’ recounts the time children protested the rising price of chocolate. A mural commemorating the protest is on display in Chemainus. (Photo courtesy Joseph Lyons)

Author tells true story of the B.C. kids’ post-war candy protest that swept the country

‘Candy Bar War’ tells the tale of when chocolate jumped from 5 to 8 cents and the kids didn’t take it

Nanaimo children’s book author and illustrator Lindsay Ford’s latest book, ‘Candy Bar War,’ recounts the time children protested the rising price of chocolate. A mural commemorating the protest is on display in Chemainus. (Photo courtesy Joseph Lyons)
Nanaimo-raised artist Brendan Lee Satish Tang built a life-size 1984 Ford F-150 truck out of watercolour paper as part of his Reluctant Offerings exhibition at the Nanaimo Art Gallery. (Josef Jacobson/News Bulletin)

B.C. artist makes offering of Ford F-150 sculpture to his ancestors

Brendan Lee Satish Tang presents ‘Reluctant Offerings’ at Nanaimo Art Gallery

Nanaimo-raised artist Brendan Lee Satish Tang built a life-size 1984 Ford F-150 truck out of watercolour paper as part of his Reluctant Offerings exhibition at the Nanaimo Art Gallery. (Josef Jacobson/News Bulletin)