Arts Archives – The Discourse.

Colliding Canyons' Brendan Holm, Will Hills, Jordan Koop (of the Noise Floor recording studio), Arlen Thompson and Arlen Brown stand outside under a tree for a band photo last year.

Q&A: Psychedelic instrumental rock band Colliding Canyons on 10 years as a fixture in the Nanaimo scene

By Julie Chadwick ● Nanaimo ● August 1, 2023

‘The diversity and quality of art being produced here is astounding,’ says band member Will Hills.

Latest in Arts

The Nanaimo Fringe Festival banner is installed in the lead up to the 2021 festival.

Nanaimo Fringe Festival director steps down after community calls out transphobic online speech

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● July 13, 2023

The artistic managing director will continue to advise so the August event proceeds as organizers vow to investigate community safety concerns this fall.

Frankie Bouchier and Joshua Holloway, two white men, rest heads against one another as they both look at the camera and smile.

Love ‘knows no distance’ in Joshua and Frankie’s debut musical

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● May 24, 2023

Distance, an online love story turned musical, tells the true story of Frankie Bouchier and Joshua Holloway’s relationship.

Actors Nyiri Karakas and Ben Sanders performing in Chemainus Theatre Festival’s Gaslight. Ben is tied to a chair, eyes closed in panic. Nyiri is hunched over standing in front of him, clutching a pair of scissors.

Review: Gaslight is clever, cheeky and (sometimes) creepy

By Julie Chadwick ● Vancouver Island ● May 12, 2023

Updated for a modern audience, the play is both a conversation-starter and tantalizing stage thriller, reviews Julie Chadwick.

From local comedy to international dramas, Vancouver Island Short Film Festival has it all

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● April 18, 2023

Returning to in-person viewing while keeping their online streaming, Vancouver Island Short Film Festival celebrates its 18th year. The Discourse gives a review of what films you can expect to see.

2019 Nanaimo Record Show guests peruse records in a large hall. Even with how large the hall is, it's still packed with vendors and guests.

‘You never know what you’re going to find’ at the Nanaimo Record Show

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● April 11, 2023

The Nanaimo Record Show brings music lovers and vendors from around the Island and Lower Mainland together to find gems for their collections.

What is Sacred: A chat with Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun

By Julie Chadwick ● Vancouver Island ● April 6, 2023

A conversation with Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun about his latest gallery showing, making the sacred visible and the anthropology of pizza boxes.

Artist Rod Corraini wearing a mask and holding up one of his plague family paintings as he looks to the left of the camera and seems to be smiling at someone.

Rod Corraini’s PD and Hazmat: A Love Story

By Julie Chadwick ● Nanaimo ● April 4, 2023

Nanaimo artist Rod Corraini discusses pandemic hoarding, isolation and the humour one can find in a bad situation.

Zircus designer and owner Al Murray in front of their textile table with completed briefs and juggling balls.

Drummer Al Murray juggles up theatre, jazz, underwear and punk

By Kerilie McDowall ● Nanaimo ● March 28, 2023

At just 34 years old, the musician’s performance resume reads like that of a 65-year-old drummer-veteran. Now they’ve added clothing designer to the list.

An artist with a mic sits on a speaker at the airport with the runway covered in a light blanket of snow and open blue skies.

Zimbabwean rapper Alpha Centauri lights up

By David Owen Rama ● Nanaimo ● March 21, 2023

With several genre-blending singles set to launch this year, the Nanaimo-based hip-hop artist reflects on the revelations that helped propel his craft.