Mike Devlin

Victoria

Rap since '86. LA Lakers since '87. Times Colonist since '96. “After the havoc that I'm gonna wreak, no more words will critics have to speak.”

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Articles

Artistic director Michael Shamata will bid adieu to the Belfry Theatre in 2026

2 days ago | timescolonist.com | Mike Devlin

Michael Shamata will step down next year from his post at the Belfry Theatre, where he has been the artistic director since 2007. Shamata, 69, revealed his plans Monday night during a donor appreciation event at the Fernwood theatre. The Toronto-born writer-director will leave the non-profit performing arts company in September 2026, following the close of its 50th anniversary season.
Crystal takes Cirque du Soleil to new heights

1 week ago | timescolonist.com | Mike Devlin

Where: Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard St.When: May 8–18Tickets: $50-$165 from the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre box office (250-220-7777) or selectyourtickets.comCirque du Soleil’s Crystal has been on the road since 2017, but its new-car smell has yet to wear off for Roberto Larroude. The senior publicist for Cirque du Soleil has worked on numerous productions by the Montreal-based circus arts company, dating back several years.
Critic’s picks: Rigoletta; Dancing Queen; Professor Alice Roberts

1 week ago | timescolonist.com | Mike Devlin

Where: Baumann Centre, 925 Balmoral Rd.When: May 9-10Tickets: $17.50 from the Royal McPherson box office (250-386-6121) or rmts.bc.caWhy: Montreal clowning duo Rigoletta — a nod to Verdi’s iconic Rigoletto, no doubt — will give two inventive hour-long performances this weekend for families with youth ages 7-12 years-old in mind.
Rifflandia 2025 announces lineup including Alessia Cara, Public Enemy

1 week ago | timescolonist.com | Mike Devlin

Organizers announced the line-up for Rifflandia’s 2025 edition Wednesday morning, revealing a roster of talent that includes everything from classical music to a phalanx of hip-hop, punk, and pop acts. Alessia Cara, Public Enemy, Descendents, Sleater-Kinney, NxWorries, The Dead South, Charlotte Cardin, Walk Off The Earth, Maribou State, and TroyBoi are among the notables who will perform Sept. 11-14 at the Matullia Lands site in Rock Bay.
For Liberty Larsen, magic is a family affair

1 week ago | timescolonist.com | Mike Devlin

Where: The Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St., VictoriaWhen: May 7-9Tickets: $49.25-$112 from the Royal McPherson box office (250-386-6121) or rmts.bc.caLiberty Larsen is a late bloomer by magic standards, having succumbed to the art form after decades of resisting it. Larsen is midway through her first tour with Champions of Magic at the age of 37, which is an incongruous proposition for the fourth-generation magician.
Victoria and Langford beer festivals not happening this summer

1 week ago | timescolonist.com | Mike Devlin

A pair of annual festivals produced by the Victoria Beer Society — including one deemed Canada’s longest-running beer festival — have been postponed due to costs, according to organizers. The Langford Beer Festival, which arrived in 2022, and the Great Canadian Beer Festival, which celebrated its 30th edition last year, are both off the books for this summer, based on a decline in attendance and uptick in operating costs.
Yo-Yo Ma brings musical plea for peace to The Royal Theatre

2 weeks ago | timescolonist.com | Mike Devlin

Where: The Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St.When: Sunday, May 4, 7:30 p.m.Tickets: Sold-outWhen the Victoria Symphony announced its 2024-25 season in July, a number of mark-your-calendar events immediately jumped off the page. The season went on to exceed expectations, with a multitude of sold-out events and highlight-reel moments, including live-to-picture performances of the film scores to Home Alone and The Princess Bride and a showstopping recital by British-Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt.
Phillips Brewing serves throwback as tribute to festival

2 weeks ago | timescolonist.com | Mike Devlin

Where: Phillips Tasting Room, 2000 Government St., VictoriaWhen: Thursday, May 1, 4 p.m.Admission: FreePhillips Brewing is celebrating its summer staple in style Thursday with a late afternoon/early evening event at the brewery’s tasting room on Government Street. The Phillips Backyard Throwback Party is a tribute to the company’s much-loved outdoor venue, a converted brewery parking lot that is home to the annual Phillips Backyard Music Festival during evenings and weekends in the summer.
Critic’s picks: UVic gathering, Short Circuit film fest, Kaleid Festival

2 weeks ago | timescolonist.com | Mike Devlin

Where: Phillip T. Young Recital Hall and UVic Visual Arts Building, University of VictoriaWhen: Thursday, May 1, 1 p.m.Admission: FreeWhy: A three-day gathering at the University of Victoria of more than 60 Indigenous artists, scholars, and museum directors closes tonight with a free event held at Phillip T. Young Recital Hall and UVic Visual Arts Building.
Explore: Pickleball tourney, astronomy event, clothing swap

2 weeks ago | timescolonist.com | Mike Devlin

The sport of pickleball grows more robust with each passing year, as does its audience of spectators — which is good news for this weekend’s inaugural Sooke Paddle Battle. The Sooke Pickleball Club event takes place May 3-4 at SEAPARC Recreation Centre in Sooke. The divisions are separated into Men’s & Women’s Doubles (May 3) and Mixed Doubles & Mixed Doubles 55+ (May 4). Six temporary courts will be set up for the matches, which begin at 8 a.m. each day.