Yum-tum-tum hey! Come on and cheer!
It can be dangerous to admit you love Christmas songs, but at the same time nobody can claim to completely hate them either. Truth be told, the prospect of Mariah Carrey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” being played over and over (and over and over and over) again is enough to dread Dec. … Continued
The Shining and other holiday classics
Everyone knows about It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and A Christmas Carol. These are the traditional classics of a traditional holiday. Even A Christmas Story has become an oft-repeated favourite, and most families have their annual film choice already made. But if you’re looking to try something new, allow me to suggest that this season you take … Continued
A peek behind the scenes with Taylor Bates of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
Taylor Bates, who is in his first year in the Theatre diploma program at VIU, says “I have been doing shows for years so I knew when I heard there was a play going on I had to be a part of it in one way or another.” However, when he auditioned as a mandatory … Continued
VIU’s Art and Design students host annual sale, Dec. 5
This holiday season why not consider buying local art? On Wednesday, Dec. 5 the Art and Design department will be holding its annual Student Art Sale, a one-day-only event not to be missed. A range of artists with different styles and techniques can be found on our very own campus, with paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics, … Continued
Voices Through Time: Letters of The Great War
On Friday, Nov. 16, five days after honouring the memory of soldiers on Remembrance Day, VIU students, faculty, and members of the community filled the Malaspina Theatre to listen to History professor Dr. Stephen Davies’ lecture, “Voices Through Time: Letters of The Great War.” In the presentation, which was the third installment in the Fall … Continued
Review: Skyfall ( 5 stars )
Sean Connery. George Lazenby. Roger Moore. Timothy Dalton. Pierce Brosnan. Now Daniel Craig. Casino Royale introduced us to Craig as “The New Bond.” Quantum of Solace may have stumbled, but he was still “A Bond.” Now Skyfall shows us that Craig is “The Bond.” Perhaps it is because Craig is more actor than movie star; … Continued
At The Skylines: The Secrets of Life
Six young men from Southern California make up heavy metal band At The Skylines. They have combined their diverse musical influences, from jazz to classic rock, to create their first album, The Secrets of Life. There is a definite heavy energy throughout the record that is consistent with the expectations of metal music. However, it … Continued
Review: Cloud Atlas (4 stars)
4 stars “Remarkable,” “Convoluted,” “Entertaining,” “Sprawling,” “Masterful,” “Transcendant,” and “Guaranteed to divide,” are the words the critics have been using to describe Cloud Atlas. I prefer what was said by the film’s three directors, Tom Tykwer, Lana Wachoswki, and Andy Wachowski (creators of The Matrix and Run Lola Run), when they premiered the six-minute first … Continued
Review: The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs
Western Edge Theatre put on a production of Mike Daisey’s The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs at Headliners theatre on Oct. 26–28. The title made me think this play was going to talk about Steve Jobs and tell the story of his life. That was not the case—not even close. The one-man play … Continued
Review: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Leon Potter’s production of Tom Stoppard’s 1966 play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (RGAD), which ran at the Malaspina Theatre from Nov. 1–10, keeps the audience questioning reality. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are originally minor characters from Hamlet that Stoppard has taken and successfully created a completely different style of play using many of the same … Continued
Ann Kipling: The Solitudes of Placement
There is a definite shift in atmosphere upon leaving the wet, rainy outdoors to enter the Nanaimo Art Gallery on the VIU campus. The gallery is always a quiet escape, but there is an additional sense of peace that resonates from this season’s exhibition, brought forward by artist Ann Kipling’s line drawings in “Ann Kipling: … Continued
Events for readers and writers
Nov. 17: New book launch VIU professor Marilyn Bowering and former-professor Kate Braid will be launching their newest books at 1 p.m. on Nov. 17 at the Nanaimo Museum. Journeywoman: Swinging a Hammer in a Man’s World is Kate Braid’s memoir of her time as a journeywoman carpenter. In 1977, Braid applied to be a … Continued
Art Bites: Holiday Craft Fairs
It’s that time of year again—support local artisans and find unique gifts to give this holiday season at upcoming craft fairs across the island. Attend one or attend them all, spanning from traditional in Errington to trendy in Victoria, originality is guaranteed at every event: Parksville’s Winterfest & Craft Fair will take place Friday, Nov. … Continued
Wreck-it-Ralph: Interview with Director Rich Moore
“Why aren’t you guys studying? How do you have time to listen to some guy talk about cartoons when you’re in college?” Rich Moore, director of Disney Animation Studio’s newest release Wreck-it-Ralph, joked in a conference-call interview based off questions from student newspapers across North America, which was moderated by Disney Animations Communications Director Amy … Continued