Culture

This Aug. 13, 2020, photo shows a logo for Netflix on a remote control in Portland, Ore. Netflix is launching a development program exclusively for diverse Canadian writers in film and television. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, file)

Netflix launches development program for diverse Canadian writers

Writers from underrepresented groups get paid mentorship and consultation sessions

 

First People’s Cultural Council CEO Tracey Herbert, right, responds to a provincial funding announcement for Indigenous language, art, culture and heritage revitalization at the legislature June 14. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

B.C. commits $35M to continue revitalization of Indigenous languages, arts, culture

First Peoples’ Cultural Council learning initiatives to be funded

 

Quebec Premier François Legault responds to the Opposition during question period, Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at the legislature in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

Use of French at home is only one indicator of language health: Quebec demographers

Whether children of immigrants integrate into French or English more important, expert says

 

Ethnic dance groups and food kiosks are in store at Centennial Square June 4 to 6, as Folktoria returns to an in-person event after two years of virtual celebrations. (Folktoria/Facebook)

Folktoria festival making cultural return to downtown Victoria

Multicultural dance and food festival set for June 4 to 6 in Centennial Square

Ethnic dance groups and food kiosks are in store at Centennial Square June 4 to 6, as Folktoria returns to an in-person event after two years of virtual celebrations. (Folktoria/Facebook)
Gatka performance during Gurdwara Singh Sabha’s Khalsa Day celebration on May 1. (Courtesy of Manmeet Kaur Gill)

VIDEO: Khalsa Day brings over 3,000 to Sikh temple road, prompts call for larger celebration

The day carries significance for the Sikh harvest and national founding

Gatka performance during Gurdwara Singh Sabha’s Khalsa Day celebration on May 1. (Courtesy of Manmeet Kaur Gill)
An example of Sikh art that will be on display at the Royal BC Museum on Saturday, April 23. (Photo courtesy of Jindi Singh)

Sikh Heritage Month theme of Saturday exhibition at Royal B.C. Museum

Sikh artifacts on display April 23, talks and performances also part pf special day

An example of Sikh art that will be on display at the Royal BC Museum on Saturday, April 23. (Photo courtesy of Jindi Singh)
Jim Maxwell, president of the Victoria Highland Games Association and Ian Booth, president of the Victoria Scottish Community Centre Society stand inside the under-construction Craigflower Community and Performing Arts Centre on March 31. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Scottish community centre set to open this fall in View Royal

Unique building to serve Victoria Highland Games Association, wider community

Jim Maxwell, president of the Victoria Highland Games Association and Ian Booth, president of the Victoria Scottish Community Centre Society stand inside the under-construction Craigflower Community and Performing Arts Centre on March 31. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
A new City of Victoria grant program has been created to help fund accessibility related upgrades for arts and culture venues. (Courtesy Intrepid Theatre)

City of Victoria to help finance accessible spaces for arts and cultural groups

New grants aim to boost accessibility at performance and rehearsal venues

A new City of Victoria grant program has been created to help fund accessibility related upgrades for arts and culture venues. (Courtesy Intrepid Theatre)
Terry Lee, left, Edmond Wong and Daniel Low of the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club perform eye dotting ceremony as part of the virtual Chinese New Year celebration online Feb. 1. (Courtesy Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club)

VIDEO: Victoria club awakens cubs for virtual Chinese New Year lion dance

Young performers of Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club usher in Year of the Tiger

Terry Lee, left, Edmond Wong and Daniel Low of the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club perform eye dotting ceremony as part of the virtual Chinese New Year celebration online Feb. 1. (Courtesy Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club)
Pam (Parminder) Virk was given an appreciation award by the District of Saanich for her dedication to bringing the community together through the Punjabi Cultural Community of Victoria. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Saanich woman honoured for bringing diversity and culture to Greater Victoria

Pam Virk and the Punjabi Cultural Community of Victoria also active in philanthropy

Pam (Parminder) Virk was given an appreciation award by the District of Saanich for her dedication to bringing the community together through the Punjabi Cultural Community of Victoria. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Pulcherie Mboussi is the founder and executive director of the African Arts and Cultural Community Contributor Society and the ISSAMBA Centre in Victoria. (Photo courtesy Pulcherie Mboussi)

Black in BC community needs survey looks to boost equity for Black B.C. residents

Victoria-led survey tied to B.C.’s commitment to International Decade for People of African Descent

Pulcherie Mboussi is the founder and executive director of the African Arts and Cultural Community Contributor Society and the ISSAMBA Centre in Victoria. (Photo courtesy Pulcherie Mboussi)
Huu-ay-aht First Nations Hereditary Chief Derek Peters said he appreciates the care and protection of the nations’ cultural treasures, and that it is time they return home. (PHOTO COURTESY HUU-AY-AHT FIRST NATIONS)

Vancouver Island First Nation plans repatriation of Royal BC Museum treasures

“We are just scratching the surface of reconciliation by bringing some of our treasures home.”

Huu-ay-aht First Nations Hereditary Chief Derek Peters said he appreciates the care and protection of the nations’ cultural treasures, and that it is time they return home. (PHOTO COURTESY HUU-AY-AHT FIRST NATIONS)
Former Victoria mayor Alan Lowe, Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes and Victoria Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe enjoy a sunny day in Fan Tan Alley, site of a Chinese Canadian Museum pop-up exhibit. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Fan Tan Alley museum pop-up celebrates Chinese heritage; Saanich to contribute

District looks to contribute financially to Chinese Canadian Museum project in Chinatown

Former Victoria mayor Alan Lowe, Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes and Victoria Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe enjoy a sunny day in Fan Tan Alley, site of a Chinese Canadian Museum pop-up exhibit. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
The Inter-Cultural Association of Victoria has created Tools for Equity, a workplace racial equity program developed in partnership with Canadian Heritage and the United Way of Southern Vancouver Island. (Facebook/ICA)

Racial equity training available this fall for Greater Victoria organizations

Resource aims to address workplace disparities, barriers placed upon immigrants, people of colour

The Inter-Cultural Association of Victoria has created Tools for Equity, a workplace racial equity program developed in partnership with Canadian Heritage and the United Way of Southern Vancouver Island. (Facebook/ICA)
A screenshot of the First Peoples Cultural Councils First Peoples’ Map. (First Peoples Cultural Council)

Online resource blends B.C.’s Indigenous language, art and culture

North Saanich advisor says initiative supports urgent need to preserve Indigenous languages

A screenshot of the First Peoples Cultural Councils First Peoples’ Map. (First Peoples Cultural Council)
Jimmy Smits arrives at a special screening of “In the Heights” during the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Friday, June 4, 2021. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

‘In the Heights’ lifts hopes for a Latino film breakthrough

Hype for summer blockbuster has brought great expectation for Latinos in the United States

Jimmy Smits arrives at a special screening of “In the Heights” during the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Friday, June 4, 2021. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Vedrana Ascroft, artist and gallery owner, sits in her Aquamaris Art Gallery in Duncan. Don Denton photo

When the world needs more beauty

Artist Vedrana Ascroft curates her Aquamaris Art Gallery

  • Apr 2, 2021
Vedrana Ascroft, artist and gallery owner, sits in her Aquamaris Art Gallery in Duncan. Don Denton photo
Barbara Hudlin, left, and aunt Bernice Alexander get together for a photo on Doug Hudlin Day at Jerry Hale Field, the home of National Little League baseball in Victoria. Doug Hudlin, a Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame umpire, and Bernice were cousins and all three are descendants of Charles and Nancy Alexander, two of the first Black pioneers to arrive in Victoria in 1858. (Photo courtesy Barbara Hudlin)

Black family matriarch hopes to pass down stories of Greater Victoria heritage

Sidney’s Bernice Alexander encourages everyone to look into Black history this month

Barbara Hudlin, left, and aunt Bernice Alexander get together for a photo on Doug Hudlin Day at Jerry Hale Field, the home of National Little League baseball in Victoria. Doug Hudlin, a Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame umpire, and Bernice were cousins and all three are descendants of Charles and Nancy Alexander, two of the first Black pioneers to arrive in Victoria in 1858. (Photo courtesy Barbara Hudlin)
Ellen Lyons, with husband William, was a pioneer in collecting and selling fine art photography. Lia Crowe photography

Ellen Lyons, A Pioneer In The Art Of Collecting Photographs

The William Lyons Gallery of Photography opened in 1979

  • Dec 18, 2020
Ellen Lyons, with husband William, was a pioneer in collecting and selling fine art photography. Lia Crowe photography
Victoria Hindu Parishad and Cultural Center will host two nights of virtual Diwali celebrations amid the pandemic featuring dancers, singers and may other performers. (Photo submitted by Sridevi Ganti)

Diwali festival goes virtual in Greater Victoria

Victoria Hindu Parishad and Cultural Center opts for two nights of online performances

Victoria Hindu Parishad and Cultural Center will host two nights of virtual Diwali celebrations amid the pandemic featuring dancers, singers and may other performers. (Photo submitted by Sridevi Ganti)