Rachel Stern

Author A.A. Riley and Shalema Gantt, Nanaimo African Heritage Society president, discuss Riley’s book Introducing Sophia Firecracker during the kick off event for Black History Month held Thursday at Nanaimo North Library. Activities continue throughout the month of February.

VIDEO: Black History Month in Nanaimo celebrates diversity

Nanaimo African Heritage Society hosts events throughout February.

Author A.A. Riley and Shalema Gantt, Nanaimo African Heritage Society president, discuss Riley’s book Introducing Sophia Firecracker during the kick off event for Black History Month held Thursday at Nanaimo North Library. Activities continue throughout the month of February.
The Cowichan Musical Society presents Oliver!, a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’s novel Oliver Twist at the Port Theatre.

Cowichan Musical Society presents Oliver! at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre

Oliver!, a musical based on Charles Dickens's novel Oliver Twist, shows in Nanaimo Feb. 11-12.

The Cowichan Musical Society presents Oliver!, a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’s novel Oliver Twist at the Port Theatre.
Flotsam & Jetsam, created by Ross Desprez and Tobin Stokes premieres Tuesday (Jan. 31) at Malaspina Theatre.

Folk music tells West Coast history

NANAIMO – Flotsam and Jetsam takes the stage at Malaspina Theatre.

Flotsam & Jetsam, created by Ross Desprez and Tobin Stokes premieres Tuesday (Jan. 31) at Malaspina Theatre.
Denie MacIlquham, 13, peeks out from inside the Chinese lion dance costume. Guests at the Robbie Burns and Chinese New Year Celebration can expect to see the traditional dance and a lion sword dance.

Robbie Burns and Chinese New Year Celebration held in Nanaimo

10th annual Nanaimo event fuses Chinese and Scottish cultures.

Denie MacIlquham, 13, peeks out from inside the Chinese lion dance costume. Guests at the Robbie Burns and Chinese New Year Celebration can expect to see the traditional dance and a lion sword dance.
Joanne Rowland and Ash Chandler-Pease star in Switzerland, presented by Western Edge Theatre.

Western Edge Theatre presents Switzerland – a psychological thriller

Western Edge Theatre company's production of Switzerland debuts in Nanaimo Friday (Jan. 20).

Joanne Rowland and Ash Chandler-Pease star in Switzerland, presented by Western Edge Theatre.
Chantelle Norris, founder of Nanaimo Contemporary Ballet, leads dancers in a rehearsal for the company’s debut performance, Endeavour, which shows Saturday (Jan. 21).

Nanaimo Contemporary Ballet creates production focusing on Syrian refugee crisis

Endeavour is Nanaimo Contemporary Ballet's debut performance.

Chantelle Norris, founder of Nanaimo Contemporary Ballet, leads dancers in a rehearsal for the company’s debut performance, Endeavour, which shows Saturday (Jan. 21).
Mike Allen and Miles Black are touring  across Vancouver Island performing songs from the duo’s latest album Bob’s Piano, which is a tribute to the late jazz pianist Bob Murphy.

Jazz musicians Mike Allen and Miles Black perform in Nanaimo

Duo tours Vancouver Island promoting latest album Bob's Piano, which honours Canadian jazz pianist Bob Murphy.

Mike Allen and Miles Black are touring  across Vancouver Island performing songs from the duo’s latest album Bob’s Piano, which is a tribute to the late jazz pianist Bob Murphy.
Pierre Simard, artistic director of the Vancouver Island Symphony, says the Classical Spirit concert will showcase classical composers.

Classical composers featured during Vancouver Island Symphony concert

Vancouver Island Symphony performs during Classical Spirit concert at Nanaimo's Port Theatre.

Pierre Simard, artistic director of the Vancouver Island Symphony, says the Classical Spirit concert will showcase classical composers.
Big Wreck performs in front of a sold-out crowd at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre Wednesday (Jan. 25) and in Victoria at Distrikt night club. The Nanaimo show is the band’s kick-off concert for its North American tour.

Big Wreck performs in Nanaimo during sold-out show

Big Wreck's Vancouver Island tour stops include Nanaimo and Victoria.

Big Wreck performs in front of a sold-out crowd at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre Wednesday (Jan. 25) and in Victoria at Distrikt night club. The Nanaimo show is the band’s kick-off concert for its North American tour.
Witch Problems? is an animated short film about a Chinese-Canadian witch named Sage who dreams of becoming a film director.

Witch Problems? is a female-centric and ethnically diverse comedy

Carla Mah, who was born and raised in Nanaimo, is writing a co-producing the short film Witch Problems?

Witch Problems? is an animated short film about a Chinese-Canadian witch named Sage who dreams of becoming a film director.
Crimson Coast Dance Society’s upcoming season begins with The Mars Hotel, created by Dumb Instrument Dance, which shows Jan. 29.

VIDEO: Crimson Coast Dance Society unveils new season

Nanaimo dance company's first show of the season The Mars Hotel shows Jan. 29 at the Port Theatre.

Crimson Coast Dance Society’s upcoming season begins with The Mars Hotel, created by Dumb Instrument Dance, which shows Jan. 29.
Paul Myrehaug, left, Pete Zedlacher, Dan Quinn and Craig Campbell perform during the Snowed In comedy tour.

Snowy tour full of laughter

Snowed in Comedy Tour stops at Nanaimo's Port Theatre Friday (Jan. 13).

Paul Myrehaug, left, Pete Zedlacher, Dan Quinn and Craig Campbell perform during the Snowed In comedy tour.
Occupational Hazards, by Roneen Marcoux, shows as part of TheatreOne's Emerging Voices series Tuesday (Jan. 10).

Nanaimo playwright Roneen Marcoux debuts Occupational Hazards

Dramatic reading of Occupational Hazards is part of TheatreOne's Emerging Voices series.

Occupational Hazards, by Roneen Marcoux, shows as part of TheatreOne's Emerging Voices series Tuesday (Jan. 10).
Maino performs at the Queen’s in Nanaimo Sunday (Jan. 8). It is his only show on Vancouver Island during his Canadian tour.

Rapper Maino visits Nanaimo during cross-Canada tour

Maino's only show on Vancouver Island is in Nanaimo at the Queen's Sunday (Jan. 8).

Maino performs at the Queen’s in Nanaimo Sunday (Jan. 8). It is his only show on Vancouver Island during his Canadian tour.
Nanaimo’s Danny Bristol recently won a Joey Award in the monologue category and also received a nomination for Young Actor in a Short Film Award for a leading role in His First Time during the third annual Joey Awards gala.

Nanaimo’s Danny Bristol wins Joey Award

Young Nanaimo actor wins Joey Award for best monologue and is attending Studio 58 in Vancouver.

Nanaimo’s Danny Bristol recently won a Joey Award in the monologue category and also received a nomination for Young Actor in a Short Film Award for a leading role in His First Time during the third annual Joey Awards gala.
Lorna McLellan, James Dean, back, and Brian March star in Roaring Heart Theatre’s production of The December Man.

Roaring Heart Theatre makes debut in Nanaimo

Nanaimo's newest theatre company Roaring Heart Theatre presents The December Man Jan. 5-8.

Lorna McLellan, James Dean, back, and Brian March star in Roaring Heart Theatre’s production of The December Man.
The Phil Dwyer Trio, consisting of Phil Dwyer, left, Ben Dwyer on bass and Hans Verhoeven on drums, not pictured, performs at the Lighthouse Bistro and Pub on Tuesday (Jan. 3) at 7:30 p.m.

Phil Dwyer Trio performs in Nanaimo at the Lighthouse Bistro

The Phil Dwyer Trio plays a mix of original and classic jazz songs.

The Phil Dwyer Trio, consisting of Phil Dwyer, left, Ben Dwyer on bass and Hans Verhoeven on drums, not pictured, performs at the Lighthouse Bistro and Pub on Tuesday (Jan. 3) at 7:30 p.m.
Naomi Beth Wakan celebrated three years as Nanaimo’s inaugural poet laureate earlier this month during a special event at the Port Theatre. Nanaimo’s new poet laureate and the first youth poet laureate will be appointed in January.

Nanaimo poet laureate Naomi Beth Wakan says farewell

Nanaimo's inaugural poet laureate Naomi Beth Wakan is nearing the end of her three-year term.

Naomi Beth Wakan celebrated three years as Nanaimo’s inaugural poet laureate earlier this month during a special event at the Port Theatre. Nanaimo’s new poet laureate and the first youth poet laureate will be appointed in January.
Adam Pflueger, Strong Nations customer sales representative, and Terri Mack, CEO of Strong Nations, hold some of the books the company has created since it was founded five years ago.

Strong Nations one of the largest online aboriginal books stores in North America

Strong Nations founded five years ago by Nanaimo residents Terri Mack and Ken Mack.

Adam Pflueger, Strong Nations customer sales representative, and Terri Mack, CEO of Strong Nations, hold some of the books the company has created since it was founded five years ago.
Nanaimo-born actress Jodelle Ferland stars in Women Seen, a short film that examines how women are represented and portrayed in media and film.

Nanaimo-born actress Jodelle Ferland stars in short film Women Seen

Short film Women Seen examines how women are represented in screen-based media.

Nanaimo-born actress Jodelle Ferland stars in Women Seen, a short film that examines how women are represented and portrayed in media and film.