Entertainment

In this handout photo provided by Sotheby's Auction House, the auction for Banksy's "Love is the Bin" takes place in London, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. A work by British street artist Banksy that sensationally self-shredded just after it sold for $1.4 million has sold again for $25.4 million at an auction on Thursday. “Love is in the Bin” was offered by Sotheby’s in London, with a presale estimate of $5.5 million to $8.2 million. (Haydon Perrior/Sotheby's Auction House via AP)

Shredded Banksy artwork sells for $25.4 million at auction

Price a record for the artist, and close to 20 times the piece’s pre-shredded price

In this handout photo provided by Sotheby's Auction House, the auction for Banksy's "Love is the Bin" takes place in London, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. A work by British street artist Banksy that sensationally self-shredded just after it sold for $1.4 million has sold again for $25.4 million at an auction on Thursday. “Love is in the Bin” was offered by Sotheby’s in London, with a presale estimate of $5.5 million to $8.2 million. (Haydon Perrior/Sotheby's Auction House via AP)
Nanaimo children’s author and illustrator Lindsay Ford’s latest book is ‘Lonely Doug.’ (Photo courtesy Bread and Clutter)

Vancouver Island children’s author writes about famous fir tree ‘Lonely Doug’

Writer and illustrator Lindsay Ford releases 10th children’s book

Nanaimo children’s author and illustrator Lindsay Ford’s latest book is ‘Lonely Doug.’ (Photo courtesy Bread and Clutter)
Jody Wilson-Raybould published a political memoir called “Indian” in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

Former MP Jody Wilson-Raybould among finalists for $60K public policy book prize

Inaugural finalists announced for the Balsillie Prize for Public Policy

Jody Wilson-Raybould published a political memoir called “Indian” in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
This undated photo released by Netflix shows South Korean cast members, from left, Park Hae-soo, Lee Jung-jae and Anupam Tripathi in a scene from “Squid Game.” Squid Game, a globally popular South Korea-produced Netflix show that depicts hundreds of financially distressed characters competing in deadly children’s games for a chance to escape severe debt, has struck a raw nerve at home, where there’s growing discontent over soaring household debt, decaying job markets and worsening income inequality. (Youngkyu Park/Netflix via AP)

‘Squid Game’ strikes nerve in debt-ridden South Korea

Raising disturbing questions about the future of one of Asia’s wealthiest economies

This undated photo released by Netflix shows South Korean cast members, from left, Park Hae-soo, Lee Jung-jae and Anupam Tripathi in a scene from “Squid Game.” Squid Game, a globally popular South Korea-produced Netflix show that depicts hundreds of financially distressed characters competing in deadly children’s games for a chance to escape severe debt, has struck a raw nerve at home, where there’s growing discontent over soaring household debt, decaying job markets and worsening income inequality. (Youngkyu Park/Netflix via AP)
Andy Hillhouse, left, and Pierre Schryer, right, will play for the Oceanside Folk Roots Club at the Qualicum Beach Community Hall on Friday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. (Submitted photo)

Pierre Schryer and Andy Hillhouse set to play at Oceanside Folk Roots Club on Oct. 15

Duo takes the stage at the Qualicum Beach Community Hall

Andy Hillhouse, left, and Pierre Schryer, right, will play for the Oceanside Folk Roots Club at the Qualicum Beach Community Hall on Friday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. (Submitted photo)
This photo provided by Jeopardy Productions Inc. shows “Jeopardy!” contestant Matt Amodio during a taping of the popular game show. Amodio’s historic run on “Jeopardy!” ended on Monday’s show, leaving the Yale doctoral student with 38 wins and more than $1.5 million in prize money. (Jeopardy Productions Inc. via AP)

Matt Amodio’s history-making run on TV’s ‘Jeopardy!’ ends

Contestant ends 38-week game show run as the show’s third biggest money winner

This photo provided by Jeopardy Productions Inc. shows “Jeopardy!” contestant Matt Amodio during a taping of the popular game show. Amodio’s historic run on “Jeopardy!” ended on Monday’s show, leaving the Yale doctoral student with 38 wins and more than $1.5 million in prize money. (Jeopardy Productions Inc. via AP)
After an 18-month live theatre hiatus, ECHO Players presents the comedy ‘Yesteryear’, live on stage at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach, through Oct. 24. (Don Emerson photo)

REVIEW: ‘Yesteryear’ from ECHO Players is hilariously uplifting and uproariously funny

Show runs through Oct. 24 at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach

After an 18-month live theatre hiatus, ECHO Players presents the comedy ‘Yesteryear’, live on stage at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach, through Oct. 24. (Don Emerson photo)
Coombs artist Joan Larson in her home studio, working on a new piece for her ‘Race Track’ series. (Submitted photo)

Coombs artist Joan Larson exhibiting at 2 art centres in Parksville Qualicum Beach region

Submission in a national juried competition wins award

Coombs artist Joan Larson in her home studio, working on a new piece for her ‘Race Track’ series. (Submitted photo)
Jeff and Rina Puska are planning a grand opening for their boutique and “cuddle farm” later in October. It features two sheep named Boots and O, among other animals. (Photo by Tyler Hay)

Vancouver Island family brings ‘cuddle farm’ to life in original children’s book

‘We wanted a place where people could just put their phones down and have this magical experience’

Jeff and Rina Puska are planning a grand opening for their boutique and “cuddle farm” later in October. It features two sheep named Boots and O, among other animals. (Photo by Tyler Hay)
Kwakiutl chief Calvin Hunt working on the 30-foot totem pole. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)

VIDEO: New Coast Guard station totem making a statement on the North Island

Kwakiutl chief Calvin Hunt’s latest pole is taking shape outside Port Hardy

Kwakiutl chief Calvin Hunt working on the 30-foot totem pole. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)
Nanaimo country singer Joel Lee has released his third single, ‘This Party Ain’t Over.’ (Photo courtesy Lance Sullivan/Concept Photography)

Vancouver Island country singer keeps the party going with new song, music video

Nanaimo’s Joel Lee’s latest single is ‘This Party Ain’t Over’

Nanaimo country singer Joel Lee has released his third single, ‘This Party Ain’t Over.’ (Photo courtesy Lance Sullivan/Concept Photography)
Jann Arden, alongside “Jann” castmates Sharon Taylor (left) and Charlie Kerr (right), is shown in a handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Derek Heisler

Jann Arden says while COVID-19 is very real, it won’t ever exist on her TV sitcom

Canadian sitcom star decided the pandemic wouldn’t exist in her TV version of the real world

Jann Arden, alongside “Jann” castmates Sharon Taylor (left) and Charlie Kerr (right), is shown in a handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Derek Heisler
Student Okanagan Film Fest returns April 29. Photo: Pixabay

Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes crews vote to authorize strike

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees authorize first strike in its history

Student Okanagan Film Fest returns April 29. Photo: Pixabay
Oceanside Running Club Association president Paul Watson visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (PQB News photo)

PQBeat: A chat with Oceanside Running Club Association president Paul Watson

Discussion includes club activities, COVID-19 and more

Oceanside Running Club Association president Paul Watson visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (PQB News photo)
As a BC Culture Days event, the McMillan Arts Centre (MAC) in Parksville held an unveiling of 10 canvasses for their Exquisite Corpse Collaborative Art Project on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in the Upstairs Lounge of the Parksville Quality Foods. The art project had three different artists working on separate thirds of a single canvas, who could not see what their collaborators had done, or who they collaborated with. An online auction for the canvasses will be held through the MAC website (mcmillanartscentre.com) until 8 p.m. on Oct. 6, 2021. Pictured at right is ‘Understanding the Distorted Scallwag’ by Rosemary Fontenla, Patricia Duthie and Lynn Page. Pictured left is ‘Squirming Connections That Uplift’ by Liz Roy, Michelle Manke and Natalie Miles. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Parksville’s McMillan Arts Centre holds unveiling of 10 canvasses for ‘Exquisite Corpse’ project

Three different artists work on separate thirds of a single canvas

As a BC Culture Days event, the McMillan Arts Centre (MAC) in Parksville held an unveiling of 10 canvasses for their Exquisite Corpse Collaborative Art Project on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in the Upstairs Lounge of the Parksville Quality Foods. The art project had three different artists working on separate thirds of a single canvas, who could not see what their collaborators had done, or who they collaborated with. An online auction for the canvasses will be held through the MAC website (mcmillanartscentre.com) until 8 p.m. on Oct. 6, 2021. Pictured at right is ‘Understanding the Distorted Scallwag’ by Rosemary Fontenla, Patricia Duthie and Lynn Page. Pictured left is ‘Squirming Connections That Uplift’ by Liz Roy, Michelle Manke and Natalie Miles. (Mandy Moraes photo)
New Shepard booster landing in preparation for last week’s successful launch with Jeff Bezos and others onboard. Photos courtesy of Blue Origin Jeff Bezos’ space travel company, Blue Origin, announced Monday that William Shatner will blast off from West Texas on Oct. 12. (Photo courtesy of Blue Origin)

Captain Kirk boldly goes where no Star Trek actor has gone before

William Shatner, 90, poised to become the oldest person in space in rocket launch next week

New Shepard booster landing in preparation for last week’s successful launch with Jeff Bezos and others onboard. Photos courtesy of Blue Origin Jeff Bezos’ space travel company, Blue Origin, announced Monday that William Shatner will blast off from West Texas on Oct. 12. (Photo courtesy of Blue Origin)
After an 18-month live theatre hiatus, ECHO Players presents the charming comedy ‘Yesteryear’, live on stage at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach, from Oct. 7 to Oct. 24. (Don Emerson photo)

‘Yesteryear’ shares the message that love can be lovelier the second time around

ECHO Players comedy opens Oct. 7 in Qualicum Beach

After an 18-month live theatre hiatus, ECHO Players presents the charming comedy ‘Yesteryear’, live on stage at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach, from Oct. 7 to Oct. 24. (Don Emerson photo)
The cloakroom gallery at the McMillan Arts Centre in Parksville will show a digital exhibit of the Society of Canadian Artist’s Juried Exhibition and Competition until Oct. 24, 2021. On the right, first-place winner Michael Griffin’s ‘The Weight of the World’ is displayed on one of the six monitors. On the left, second-place winner Cher Pruys’ ‘The Artist.’ (Mandy Moraes photo)

Special SCA juried exhibition on display at McMillan Arts Centre in Parksville

Firefighter from Richmond took first place in national competition

The cloakroom gallery at the McMillan Arts Centre in Parksville will show a digital exhibit of the Society of Canadian Artist’s Juried Exhibition and Competition until Oct. 24, 2021. On the right, first-place winner Michael Griffin’s ‘The Weight of the World’ is displayed on one of the six monitors. On the left, second-place winner Cher Pruys’ ‘The Artist.’ (Mandy Moraes photo)
Lashana Lynch, from left, Daniel Craig, Lea Seydoux and Cary Joji Fukunaga pose for photographers upon arrival for the World premiere of the new film from the James Bond franchise ‘No Time To Die’, in London Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Reaching pre-pandemic levels, ‘Venom’ debuts with $90.1M

The result constituted the best news for movie theaters in more than 18 months

Lashana Lynch, from left, Daniel Craig, Lea Seydoux and Cary Joji Fukunaga pose for photographers upon arrival for the World premiere of the new film from the James Bond franchise ‘No Time To Die’, in London Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Cheryl DeWolf, gift shop manager of the McMillan Arts Centre, hold a copy of the Oceanside Community Arts Council’s latest project, the ‘Artful Appies & Afters’ cookbook, on Sept. 29, 2021. (Submitted photo)

Oceanside Community Arts Council creates ‘Artful Appies & Afters’ cookbook

Book goes on sale Oct. 9, 2021, as part of fundraiser

Cheryl DeWolf, gift shop manager of the McMillan Arts Centre, hold a copy of the Oceanside Community Arts Council’s latest project, the ‘Artful Appies & Afters’ cookbook, on Sept. 29, 2021. (Submitted photo)