Mandy Moraes

May 15, 2024 | saobserver.net | Dillon White |Mandy Moraes

Rebecca Strong is now $1 million richer after being crowned the winner of Citytv’s “Canada’s Got Talent” Season 3. The Indigenous singer from Prince Albert, Sask., claimed the reality competition’s first million-dollar prize in a two-hour finale featuring eight finalists. Viewers across Canada voted to determine the winner of what Citytv’s parent company, Rogers, billed as the biggest cash prize in Canadian television history.

May 14, 2024 | chemainusvalleycourier.ca | Mandy Moraes

A Coast Salish visual artist will have three signature pieces on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City until next year. A release for the exhibit, called Grounded by Our Roots, noted that Snuneymuxw and Hupacasath artist Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun, was chosen as one of five up-and-coming Indigenous artists who draw inspiration from their cultural traditions.

May 13, 2024 | ladysmithchronicle.com | Mandy Moraes

A Nanaimo musician has dug her way into the grave business of paranormal activity. Or, at least, wrote the theme music for it. Last year, vocalist Elise Boulanger was commissioned to create a signature piece for the seven-part StoryHive docuseries Spirit Seekers, which explores claims of paranormal activities surrounding six Nanaimo locations. “I was excited about the idea, just because I like haunting things,” Boulanger said. “I find that they’re very alluring and captivating to the ear.

Mar 20, 2024 | ladysmithchronicle.com | Mandy Moraes

A Nanaimo-based film festival will see a handful of changes for its 19th year. The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival will span two days, Friday-Saturday, March 22-23, at Vancouver Island University’s Malaspina Theatre, culminating in the Goldie Awards on the last day. Festival director Zoey Heath said submissions poured in from across the country and internationally.

Feb 1, 2024 | saobserver.net | Mandy Moraes

A Vancouver Island singer’s dream became reality when he flew across the country and sang the national anthem at an NBA game in January. Two days before the game, Raymond Salgado, who was a finalist in last year’s season of Canada’s Got Talent, was asked to take centre court at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena for the Toronto Raptors versus Chicago Bulls game on Jan. 18. The opportunity was a twist of fate since the scheduled singer was unable to perform and the request came on short notice.