Category: Uncategorised

An artist haven on a wild coastline

May 9, 2019

Jordan Dyck Explores Gabriola Island ‘The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man.’ The act of seeking these places is becoming a lot more difficult than ever before. However, there are still environments that allow for that unique feeling of connectedness to the outdoors in a modern world. One of those places, is Gabriola Island, otherwise known, as the Isle of the Arts. A small island that’s a 15-minute ferry ride distance from Nanaimo, Gabriola Island hosts a deeply embedded arts community that thrives on this wild coastline. An artists haven, Gabriola […]

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Festival Nanaimo Celebrations

March 5, 2019

The Signs of Seasonal Change in Nanaimo The days are getting longer bringing with them better weather and the sights and sounds of seasonal change. New spring bulbs and floral buds are breaking free every day. As seedlings start to push through sun-touched soils and new growth paints the landscape in various hues of green, we receive a sense of vitality that comes with rebirth/new life – and what better way to revel in this uplifting and refreshing energy than through the act of celebration. What is Festival Nanaimo? Stradling the spring equinox (20th March 2019), Festival Nanaimo is a […]

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The Grand Whiskey Bar

March 5, 2019

Nearly every man, woman, and child across this great nation knows Nanaimo for the sweet n’ chewy dessert that bears its name, but what if we told you that this great city had another bar worthy of a little recognition? While not a dessert, the Whiskey Bar at the Grand Hotel, Nanaimo is surely something worth buzzing about. Home to “the only fully-fledged bar of its kind on the Island,” says Manager Susie Sirri, this unique establishment offers over 75 different bottles of the much-beloved drink. From traditional single malt Scotch to more intricate blends and exotics from places like […]

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A Winter Travel Guide to Nanaimo, BC

January 28, 2019

Exploring Nanaimo with Julia Crawford I’ve always been drawn to British Columbia’s coastal communities. They tend to capture my imagination, from the quaint and slightly dilapidated buildings that have weathered decades of moisture in the salty sea air to the eccentric characters—whether real or historic—that hold a million stories you will never get to hear. In the summer, these coastal communities promise secret beaches and warm, shallow waters. But in the winter, the mild climate means you can walk through a still-green forest surrounded by the heady scent of fir and pine. While I’m familiar with many of the towns […]

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The Thanksgiving Weekend Studio Tour – Gabriola Island, Nanaimo, BC

October 1, 2018

Link: The 2018 Gabriola Island Thanksgiving Weekend Studio Tour Date: October 6-8, 2018 Location: Gabriola Island Come autumn, the forest lights up in all the shades of yellow, orange, and red. The landscape becomes like a painting, the moody fall weather rolling in over the hills, the forests enshrouded by mist, and the water dark and foreboding. Its powerful images like these that inspire many of the amazing works of art found up and down the coast. Locals and visitors alike know that there is no shortage of artistic talent throughout Vancouver Island & the Gulf Islands. And just a […]

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Longwood Stock – 5 Facts About Beer

September 17, 2018

5 Interesting Facts About Beer The oldest surviving recipe for beer can be found in a ancient sumerian poem called Hymn to Ninkasi. This piece of literature dates back nearly 4,000 years. Pilsner “is the most popular beer in the world.” – Spruce Eats Beer can also be a dessert… at least at Cold Front where they use beer from Longwood Brewery in their Chocolate Stoutnik flavoured gelato 😛 Nanaimo hosts an annual beer run which takes place in April each year. “Cenosillicaphobia is the fear of an empty beer glass.” – Factslides *To prevent yourself from a cenosillicaphobic-induced panic […]

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The Nanaimo International Jazz Festival

September 17, 2018

It’s only natural that Nanaimo, with it’s rich and vibrant music scene, play host to such an incredible event as the Nanaimo Jazz Festival. Last year was the first of these festivals; this year, in 2018, it returns for the second time to welcome performers from across the globe. On September 21-23, musicians will gather in our pocket of Vancouver Island for a tremendous weekend of musical performances and celebration. Recently, we connected with Festival Administrator Jill Smith, to learn more about this incredible event. Here is what we found out: Last year was the inaugural Nanaimo Jazz Festival; what […]

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M-Con – Nanaimo’s Comic-Con

September 17, 2018

There’s nothing better than a weekend of nerding out, and this year’s M-Con (Nanaimo’s very own comic con) did not disappoint. Although we are still a full year away until the next one, here is a teaser to get your mind thinking about M-con 2019. To get some more info on the event, we contacted Addy Davies, M-Con Organizer. Here is what we found out: The Story Behind M-Con What is the history/ story behind M-Con Nanaimo? We simply wanted an awesome event on Vancouver Island, to benefit our local communities and to help our future generations through a comic-con […]

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Locals Know Nanaimo

July 31, 2018

Aaramë from the Nanaimo Art Gallery What is there to do on a rainy day in Nanaimo? Brave the rain and explore nature I’ve lived on the BC coast my whole life, so I’m not afraid of the rain. If it’s a big winter storm, it’s fun to go up to Bowen Park and see how high the river has come up or to go for a walk around Westwood Lake or Morell Nature Sanctuary. I love to bring my camera as there is always something interesting growing in the forest. The trees also usually provide a bit of shelter from […]

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The Nanaimo Summertime Blues Festival

July 25, 2018

August 23-26, 2018 The Nanaimo Summertime Blues Festival returns to the harbour city August 23 – 26. Highlighting a long list of top musicians from across Vancouver Island – many of whom are international stars in their own right – this incredible event will showcase some of the very best in Blues. To learn more about this rockin’ festival, we contacted Gerold Haukenfrers from the Nanaimo Blues Society to ask some questions. Here is what we found out: About the Blues We asked Gerold, “what about the blues is so awesome?” This is what he had to say: “Blues music […]

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