Behind the haunting: Timber Timbre creeps on

WHAT: Timber Timbre
WHERE: Alix Goolden Hall
WHEN: Tuesday, May 31, 7:30 p.m.
HOW MUCH: $20 at Ditch Records, Lyle’s Place or ticketweb.ca

BC Festivals attract local and international talent

Tall Tree Music Festival, Port Renfrew, B.C.
June 24–26, 2011
talltreemusicfestival.com Tickets: $80–$120

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Vancouver author’s work explores his generation

Dennis E. Bolen is gearing up for his book tour phase.

“Nineteen years ago, when I started out, it was a three-week thing. But now, with social media and all the permutations of getting the word out, it goes a year,” said the Vancouver author.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Belfry's piano piece full of hilarity, nostalgia

It seems that piano lessons are an entrenched part of North American culture. Everyone has that friend who was pressured into piano lessons by their parents – the one who had to practice their ivory tiled trade while the rest of the kids were outside playing games. Usually the child resented the instrument more and more as their social life became increasingly important, and their parents would finally relent from sheer persuasive exhaustion, thus ending the weekly charade of forced piano lessons.

Tokyo Police Club expand jurisdiction to Island

WHAT: Tokyo Police Club
WHERE: Sugar Nightclub
WHEN: Sunday, April 24, 8 p.m.
HOW MUCH: $23 at Ditch Records, Lyle’s Place or ticketweb.ca

Physical music celebrated with annual day

At a time when, for many of us, our music collections only exist digitally, it’s nostalgic to remember the days when youth spent hours hunting in a record store for the perfect piece of vinyl. For those that miss those good ol’ days, fear not: on Saturday, April 16, the world celebrated the fourth annual Record Store Day.

Coyote’s catches success with hectic schedule

Ivan E. Coyote has earned a break.

The award-winning author has produced six short story collections, one novel, three CDs, four short films and recently co-edited an anthology called Persistence: All Ways Butch and Femme. But she’s not about to sit back and relax.

Local band burns bright for the Nintendo set

Callianne Bachman and Andrew Juurinen have been accused of ruining The Chronicles of Narnia.

Toews’ new novel explores Mexico, Mennonites

Miriam Toews doesn’t know how to use Twitter.

The award-winning novelist, whose new book, Irma Voth is being released in April, recently signed on to the social networking site to help promote her work. But she’s still working out the kinks.

Hobo With A Shotgun will blow you away

Hobo With A Shotgun is by far the goriest, most excessive film ever to come out of Canada (and yes, I include Black Christmas and Ginger Snaps).

Insidious: a great scare

In the past few years I have become something of a horror movie aficionado, so when someone generously donated their free Insidious passes to me, I was excited. And the flick did not disappoint.

Local musician keeps calm amidst frenetic life

“I can’t force anything. I just go with it.” London Fog in hand, Jessica Benini exudes a calm that defies her hectic schedule.

UVic theatre grads present political comedy

WHAT: Chairs: A Parable
WHERE: Metro Studio (1411 Quadra)
WHEN: March 30 – April 2, 8 p.m.
HOW MUCH: Tickets $21 or $10 student rush (day of show only), intrepidtheatre.com

Victoria band makes waves at home and beyond

WHAT: Rocky Mountain Rebel Music album release
WHERE: Rehab Nightclub
WHEN: Thursday, March 31, doors at 9 p.m.
HOW MUCH: $9

Victoria’s tartan takeover

Scottish history and influence in Victoria will be celebrated as part of the Tartan Week Celebrations from April 2 to 9. Events around town throughout the week will give people an excuse to embrace their inner Scot.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Mother Mother delight Victoria audience once again

Victoria loves Mother Mother. If the last three years of sold-out, two-night shows have proven anything, that’s it.

Handsome Distraction catch your musical attention

After going through a few different incarnations, Handsome Distraction is finally settled and ready to focus on taking their music to the next level.

Victoria writer’s novel imagines Island disaster

WHAT: Book launch for Steven Price’s Into That Darkness
WHERE: UVic Bookstore
WHEN: Thursday, March 24, 7:00 p.m.
HOW MUCH: Free

Dining for charity

Going out for lunch usually just fills you up. But on Thursday, March 24 it’s also a way to help provide Victoria-area residents living with HIV and AIDS with a nutritious meal.

Cultural sequel slightly stale

When West is West premiered at the Odeon in downtown Victoria on March 21, the house was packed, and there was a hum of anticipation in the air.