Music

The first ever Optimist International Musical Happiness Competition is open to kids aged 11 to 18. (needpix.com)

Scholarship money up for grabs in Optimist International’s musical happiness competition for youth

Competition in recognition of International Day of Happiness, open to kids 11 to 18

 

Vancouver’s Blonde Diamond is one of dozens of B.C. bands who received a SoundON grant during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Lauren Zbarsky photo)

$500,000 more funds available to struggling B.C. musicians amid COVID pandemic

Successful applicants will receive $5,000 SoundOn grants in as early as a month

 

Opera tenor Isaiah Bell. Lia Crowe photography

In Studio with tenor Isaiah Bell

Solo opera comes to British Columbia

  • Jan 22, 2021

 

FILE - In this March 19, 2007 file photo, music producer Phil Spector and his attorney, Roger Rosen, right, leave Los Angeles Superior Court for a break during the start of jury selection in Spectors’ murder trial. Spector, the eccentric and revolutionary music producer who transformed rock music with his “Wall of Sound” method and who was later convicted of murder, died Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at age 81. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)

Phil Spector, famed music producer and murderer, dies at 81

Spector was convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson in 2003

FILE - In this March 19, 2007 file photo, music producer Phil Spector and his attorney, Roger Rosen, right, leave Los Angeles Superior Court for a break during the start of jury selection in Spectors’ murder trial. Spector, the eccentric and revolutionary music producer who transformed rock music with his “Wall of Sound” method and who was later convicted of murder, died Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at age 81. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)
In a whirlwind of a year, Sarah Shaw and her husband met, married, moved to Victoria and bought a sailboat that they plan to move onto in April. (Courtesy of Sarah Shaw)

Silver linings: Vancouver Islanders share their positive pandemic experiences

Health risks, social isolation and economic impact real, but some people have found a bright side

In a whirlwind of a year, Sarah Shaw and her husband met, married, moved to Victoria and bought a sailboat that they plan to move onto in April. (Courtesy of Sarah Shaw)
A live performance from KISS is available to live stream for fans through the Abbotsford Centre.

KISS-ing 2020 away with the Abbotsford Centre

New Year’s Eve stream from hall of fame rockers offered by Abbotsford Centre

A live performance from KISS is available to live stream for fans through the Abbotsford Centre.
Malakai sings James Taylor’s “Steamroller Blues” in a performance at the Duncan Showroom that caught the attention of the legendary songwriter himself. (Screenshot)

VIDEO: Young B.C. singer catches the eyes and ears of James Taylor

Legendary singer-songwriter posts two videos of 11-year-old Malakai to Instagram

Malakai sings James Taylor’s “Steamroller Blues” in a performance at the Duncan Showroom that caught the attention of the legendary songwriter himself. (Screenshot)
Mick Sherlock visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studios. (Peter McCully photo)

PQBeat: Talking music with Billy Shakespeare’s Mick Sherlock

Podcast: Qualicum Beach musician came to area from Calgary

Mick Sherlock visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studios. (Peter McCully photo)
Several Juno award statues sit in the photo room before the awards show, in Ottawa, Sunday, April 2, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Juno Awards move Toronto show date to May 16, 2021 amid COVID-19 pandemic

Whether any of the Juno events can be held indoors is yet to be determined

Several Juno award statues sit in the photo room before the awards show, in Ottawa, Sunday, April 2, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Port McNeill councillor Derek Koel busts a rap to help promote the town’s active transportation plan. (Facebook video screenshot)

VIDEO: Vancouver Island councillor makes rap video to promote active transportation plan

Active transportation is a personal matter for councillor Derek Koel.

Port McNeill councillor Derek Koel busts a rap to help promote the town’s active transportation plan. (Facebook video screenshot)
In this screen shot provided by ABC on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, Taylor Swift accepts the award for artist of the year at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (ABC via AP)

Taylor Swift wins top prize at AMAs, says she’s re-recording music

Swift beat out Bieber, Post Malone and Roddy Ricch to win the top award

In this screen shot provided by ABC on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, Taylor Swift accepts the award for artist of the year at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (ABC via AP)
The grand piano donated by Howie Meeker in 2002 still remains at The Old School House Arts Centre. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Qualicum Beach arts community members fondly recall Howie Meeker’s love of music

Hockey legend died on Nov. 8 at the age of 97

The grand piano donated by Howie Meeker in 2002 still remains at The Old School House Arts Centre. (Mandy Moraes photo)
Liam Docherty, left, and Gerry Barnum, right, at the 2019 Texada Blues and Roots Festival on Texada Island. (Submitted photo)

13-year-old Qualicum Beach musician nominated for prestigious 2020 Maple Blues Award

Docherty hopes for support from PQB voters to help bring award to Vancouver Island

Liam Docherty, left, and Gerry Barnum, right, at the 2019 Texada Blues and Roots Festival on Texada Island. (Submitted photo)
From left: Ingrid Chiang, bassoonist; Emma Ringrose, oboist; and Risa Tonita, pianist, will perform for TOSH’s livestreamed Music on Sunday concert series on Oct. 25. (Photo submitted)

Classical musicians play in TOSH’s Music on Sunday concert series

Ingrid Chiang, Emma Ringrose, Rista Tonita to perform

From left: Ingrid Chiang, bassoonist; Emma Ringrose, oboist; and Risa Tonita, pianist, will perform for TOSH’s livestreamed Music on Sunday concert series on Oct. 25. (Photo submitted)
Jennifer Bate, executive director of Parksville’s McMillan Arts Centre, visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)

PQBeat: A chat with Jennifer Bate of Parksville’s McMillan Arts Centre

Podcast: Discussion includes COVID-19 issues, singing in a rock band and more

Jennifer Bate, executive director of Parksville’s McMillan Arts Centre, visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)
Cover art for Elise Boulanger's upcoming singe, Cigarettes Et Rose. Photo by Laura Baldwinson (submitted photo)

Nanaimo chamber-folk-pop Elise Boulanger releases new single

Cigarettes et Rose ‘encourages inclusivity for all people’

Cover art for Elise Boulanger's upcoming singe, Cigarettes Et Rose. Photo by Laura Baldwinson (submitted photo)
Musician pledges to support food bank during pandemic

Musician pledges to support food bank during pandemic

Crissinger to perform at Parksville’s Music Cafe on Oct. 17

Musician pledges to support food bank during pandemic
FILE - This Jan. 17, 1993 file photo shows the band Van Halen, from left, Michael Anthony, bass guitar, Sammy Hagar, lead singer, Alex Van Halen, drums, and Eddie Van Halen, lead guitar in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

Guitarist Eddie Van Halen dead at age 65 after long battle with cancer

Rocker had formed Van Halen in the 1970s with his brother

FILE - This Jan. 17, 1993 file photo shows the band Van Halen, from left, Michael Anthony, bass guitar, Sammy Hagar, lead singer, Alex Van Halen, drums, and Eddie Van Halen, lead guitar in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)
Screen capture from the latest Berwick Qualicum Beach music video, ‘BQB On The Catwalk’, created in celebration of National Seniors Day on Oct. 1. (Submitted)

Berwick Qualicum Beach seniors strut their stuff on the catwalk

Latest fun music video a takeoff on campy 1991 hit ‘I’m Too Sexy’

Screen capture from the latest Berwick Qualicum Beach music video, ‘BQB On The Catwalk’, created in celebration of National Seniors Day on Oct. 1. (Submitted)
Elise Estrada in video posted to YouTube.

Reincarnation, baby! Music-making B.C. couple celebrate ‘miracle’ pregnancy

‘I (said) to Adam, ‘I really think this is your brother reincarnated,’ Elise Estrada says

Elise Estrada in video posted to YouTube.