MUSIC
What: Nanaimo International Jazz Festival
Where: The Port Theatre, 125 Front St. (Nanaimo)
When: Oct. 25, 7 p.m. (future performances Nov. 1 and 10)
Tickets: $30 ($15 for livestream) from or 250-754-8550
Why: Nanaimo鈥檚 annual international jazz festival happens on two fronts this year, with both in-person concerts (at The Port Theatre) and livestreams on the intinerary. The festival, now in its second week, continues Monday with headliner Laila Biali, a Juno Award winner from Toronto who will be joined at this performance by Andrew Homzy鈥檚 NOLA Nighthawks. The festival continues with online/in-person concerts Nov. 1 and Nov. 10. Visit for the full line-up.
MUSIC
What: Himalayan Bear, Ashley Shadow and David P. Smith
Where: Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad St.
When: Friday, Oct. 22, 9 p.m. (doors at 8)
Tickets: $25 from
Why: This line-up is a psych-country/indie-folk fan鈥檚 dream, with a troika of acts who each command the stage in unique ways. Himalayan Bear 鈥� the most established of the bunch 鈥� is led by 91原创 singer-songwriter Ryan Beattie, whose Victoria roots run deep on his band鈥檚 powerful new album, Factual Past. The night鈥檚 co-headliner, Beattie鈥檚 partner, Ashley Shadow, also has an excellent new record to promote, which should make for a memorable night at the Victoria Event Centre. Victoria gem David P. Smith, a Tom Waits-ian fireball, opens the evening.
THEATRE
What: Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land
Where: 91原创 College of Performing Arts Performance Hall, 1701 Elgin Rd. (livestreamed performances are also available)
When: Oct. 21 through Oct. 24
Tickets: $29 from
Why: A new season of productions from students in the 91原创 College of Performing Arts鈥� Studio Ensemble gets underway tonight with Stan Lai鈥檚 Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land, directed by 91原创鈥檚 Derek Chan. The 1986 original, which is regarded as one the top contemporary productions in Chinese theatre history, mixes slapstick, farce and drama into a story about double-booked troupes with only days to rehearse before opening night. The production is the perfect life-imitating-art experience for CCPA students, who are tasked with overseeing every aspect of this truly original piece on its way to the stage.
