Entertainment

Actors Ben Lewis (left) and Blake Lee are shown in a scene from the film “The Christmas Setup.” (Bell Media photo)

Canadian Ben Lewis stars in Lifetime’s first LGBTQ holiday film, ‘Christmas Setup’

Ottawa-shot film stars Ben Lewis as a New York lawyer who returns home to Milwaukee with his best friend

Actors Ben Lewis (left) and Blake Lee are shown in a scene from the film “The Christmas Setup.” (Bell Media photo)
South Surrey novelist Tanya E. Williams at the time of the release of the third installment of her Smith family trilogy in 2019. (C.J. Armitage photo)

Ghosts of the past inspire contemporary novel

Tanya E. Williams ‘All That Was’ tells uplifting tale of navigating grief

South Surrey novelist Tanya E. Williams at the time of the release of the third installment of her Smith family trilogy in 2019. (C.J. Armitage photo)
Native American actress Stefany Mathias poses for a photo in Vernon, British Columbia Canada on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2020. ABC’s “Big Sky” is struggling to address Native American criticism of the drama series. Mathias was hired for the role and asked to act as a consultant, which she said included reviewing set decorations. (Tony Butler via AP)

‘Big Sky’ stumbles in addressing Native American criticism

The quick turnaround for episodic TV makes revisions possible but not advisable

Native American actress Stefany Mathias poses for a photo in Vernon, British Columbia Canada on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2020. ABC’s “Big Sky” is struggling to address Native American criticism of the drama series. Mathias was hired for the role and asked to act as a consultant, which she said included reviewing set decorations. (Tony Butler via AP)
video
Schitt's Creek leads Canadian Golden Globes nominations
Indigenous illustrator of new Marvel comic inspires hundreds
Dan Levy: 'Schitt's Creek' Emmy wins 'like a dream'
10 facts about the 'Star Wars' universe for May the 4th
See More Videos 
Members of a Semiahmoo Grade 9 jazz band rehearse for the band program’s upcoming online Christmas and Winter concert. (Wayne Ablitt photo)

Semiahmoo Secondary jazz bands swing out online

Chistmas concert available for streaming

Members of a Semiahmoo Grade 9 jazz band rehearse for the band program’s upcoming online Christmas and Winter concert. (Wayne Ablitt photo)
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)
Dancer Carolyn Currey performed to O Holy Night on Thursday (Dec. 10) at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford. (Screengrab from video)

VIDEO: Ballerina presents surprise park performance in Abbotsford

Carolyn Currey dances to Christmas classic O Holy Night

Dancer Carolyn Currey performed to O Holy Night on Thursday (Dec. 10) at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford. (Screengrab from video)
Jennifer Tiles’ banners are on the lamp post beside Laura’s Coffee Corner, among other locations, while the works of Tracy Hetherington and Niki Singleton can be found in West and East Beach. (City of White Rock photo)

Banner year for three White Rock artists

City project provides opportunity for expression

Jennifer Tiles’ banners are on the lamp post beside Laura’s Coffee Corner, among other locations, while the works of Tracy Hetherington and Niki Singleton can be found in West and East Beach. (City of White Rock photo)
Cat Levan says she loves Christmas — “not just the tinsel, lights and gifts, but the whole idea that there is a time of year when people give a little more, care a little more and open up their hearts to others.” (submitted photos)

Surrey singer feels ‘The Joy of Christmas’ with two new songs and an old favourite

Cat Levan’s new EP follows ‘Double Life’ debut last spring

Cat Levan says she loves Christmas — “not just the tinsel, lights and gifts, but the whole idea that there is a time of year when people give a little more, care a little more and open up their hearts to others.” (submitted photos)
Surrey resident Morna Edmundson (foreground, in black) directs the Vancouver-based Elektra Women’s Choir. (submitted photo)

On the year’s darkest day, animated ‘Light’ in concert by Elektra Women’s Choir

Virtual performance of 70 voices and more on Dec. 21

Surrey resident Morna Edmundson (foreground, in black) directs the Vancouver-based Elektra Women’s Choir. (submitted photo)
TEASER PHOTO Agam Darshi, filmmaker and actor.

Agam Darshi dishes on Netflix-run ‘Funny Boy’ and filming her own movie during COVID

Part-time Surrey resident stars in Deepa Mehta-directed drama set in Sri Lanka

TEASER PHOTO Agam Darshi, filmmaker and actor.
Image from Ranj Singh’s video for his song “Restless Nights,” posted to YouTube.com.

VIDEO: Surrey musician’s ‘Restless Nights’ features Dr. Henry, Dix in song about loss, grief

‘I lost my older brother and wanted to write a song that would capture my grief,’ Ranj Singh says

Image from Ranj Singh’s video for his song “Restless Nights,” posted to YouTube.com.
Hilarapy, founded by stand-up comedian and professional counsellor Lizzie Allan (left) has adapted to the challenges of 2020, and the ongoing pandemic, by moving all of its comedy-as-therapy sessions and events – and creating new ones – online. (Contributed photo)

White Rock-based Hilarapy continues comedy-therapy online

Seasonal events highlight graduates, ‘laughing yoga’ parties

Hilarapy, founded by stand-up comedian and professional counsellor Lizzie Allan (left) has adapted to the challenges of 2020, and the ongoing pandemic, by moving all of its comedy-as-therapy sessions and events – and creating new ones – online. (Contributed photo)
Image posted to the website pne.ca/winterlights

PNE’s WinterLights set to open; Robson Square skating is cancelled for now

Drive-thru event at East Vancouver fair site

Image posted to the website pne.ca/winterlights
Surrey’s Naked Stage theatre company will read a version of “Maybe This Christmas Means a Little Bit More” for online broadcast from Dec. 21 to 24. Cast and crew involved in the performance are, clockwise from bottom right, Bridget Browning, Tony Loyer, Kelly Thompson, Kailea deLeon, Colleen McGoff Dean, George Stone, Gordon Law and Joyce Gillespie. (submitted photos)

Surrey’s Naked Stage aims to grow audience as COVID forces shows online

Christmas-themed reader’s theatre show to be presented free on YouTube from Dec. 21-24

Surrey’s Naked Stage theatre company will read a version of “Maybe This Christmas Means a Little Bit More” for online broadcast from Dec. 21 to 24. Cast and crew involved in the performance are, clockwise from bottom right, Bridget Browning, Tony Loyer, Kelly Thompson, Kailea deLeon, Colleen McGoff Dean, George Stone, Gordon Law and Joyce Gillespie. (submitted photos)
Cast members of White Rock Players Club’s Once Upon A Panto: The Legend of Shenanigans - now to be presented online - include (left to right) Sam Silver (Queen Regina), Stefani Delisimunovic (Rumpelstiltskin), Dann Wilhelm (Mother Goose) and Fiorella Artoni (Emma Goose). Fred Partridge photo

All is not lost: White Rock and Surrey shows go online for Christmas

Some in-person events on Peninsula continue under COVID-19 conditions

Cast members of White Rock Players Club’s Once Upon A Panto: The Legend of Shenanigans - now to be presented online - include (left to right) Sam Silver (Queen Regina), Stefani Delisimunovic (Rumpelstiltskin), Dann Wilhelm (Mother Goose) and Fiorella Artoni (Emma Goose). Fred Partridge photo
Samara Bortz directs one of Crescent Choirs’ six choral groups at a 2019 concert. Chris Leach photo

Crescent Choirs host sing-along Zoom carolling

Participatory online concert scheduled from 4-5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13

Samara Bortz directs one of Crescent Choirs’ six choral groups at a 2019 concert. Chris Leach photo
A rendering of Cloverdale Athletic Park’s field house, for which Surrey Public Art is asking for creative window wrap proposals. (City of Surrey)

Artist’s proposals sought for fieldhouse project

Surrey Public Art looking for creative vinyl window wraps

A rendering of Cloverdale Athletic Park’s field house, for which Surrey Public Art is asking for creative window wrap proposals. (City of Surrey)
Nicoletta Baumeister at work in her South Surrey studio in 2014. File photo

Arts Council of Surrey seeks photos of ‘work-in-progress’ for online magazine

Artists working in relative isolation can still inspire one another, council notes

Nicoletta Baumeister at work in her South Surrey studio in 2014. File photo
Catherine Lough Haggquist, owner of White Rock-based The Drama Class, has been honoured with the Lorena Gale Woman of Distinction lifetime achievement award by UBCP/ACTRA. Contributed photo

Lifetime achievement award for owner of White Rock’s Drama Class

Catherine Lough Haggquist receives Lorena Gale Woman of Distinction honours

Catherine Lough Haggquist, owner of White Rock-based The Drama Class, has been honoured with the Lorena Gale Woman of Distinction lifetime achievement award by UBCP/ACTRA. Contributed 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