Clutching an old copy of the Sooke News Mirror, magician Guy Simmons tells his audience he’s about to perform the classic torn-and-restored newspaper trick – but with a twist.

“Because I tell you exactly how it’s done,” he says.

“But before I show you this, I want you to know that everything that I say is absolutely true – except the lies, of course,” he adds with a wink.

He begins to rip the pages into strips, insisting he’s only pretending, then pressing the paper into a tight, small parcel.

“But this was all a trick, and I really haven’t done that,” he says.

Then, with a quick flick of his wrists he shakes open the paper, magically restored, as if nothing had ever happened.

Cue rapturous applause.

It’s an illusion Simmons has performed countless times over a magical career that has spanned decades – one of his favourites, he says.

But after years away from the spotlight, he’s returning to performing for reasons that go beyond entertaining a crowd.

Like the newspaper he brings back together, the 74-year-old hopes revisiting his old stagecraft wizardry might help him rebuild some joy in his own life – though he knows it won’t be as simple as waving a magic wand.

Recent years have been hard on him. Ongoing legal proceedings following a relationship breakdown have left him without a home, living aboard his boat in Sooke, about a half-hour west of Victoria, since late 2023.

Now, with more legal costs looming, he’s facing the possibility of having to sell the boat too.

“So I’ll be homeless,” he said.

“I’ve been having a really bad, bad year and been very depressed.”

While he has been receiving mental health support, Simmons has decided he needs to take an active role in helping himself.

It was a chance meeting with a palliative care nurse that gave him the idea to return to magic – not for applause this time, but for healing.

“I thought maybe I should go out and do a little bit of my magic act for people that are maybe worse off than I am – maybe that’ll make me feel better,” he said.

Now he’s hoping to bring his act to local retirement homes, hospitals and palliative care units, offering a few moments of wonder to people who might need it most.

“Everyone needs magic at this time of year.”

Simmons’ love of magic stretches back to childhood, when his uncle and “an old lady” he knew taught him card tricks. That early fascination carried him into a life spent creating, performing and dreaming up illusions.

His early career began performing in front of children to build confidence and learn how to hold an audience.

As his skills grew, so did his ambitions. He connected with other magicians, including his longtime mentor, the late Len Ventus – a founding member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians – and with other like-minded friends, he formed a troupe called the Magic Alliance, performing as the Wizard of the North.

In the late 1980s and through the ’90s, they staged everything from close-up magic to large-scale illusions, appeared on television, and even performed at the International Brotherhood of Magicians convention in Montreal. Their act also earned them a spot on the front page of The Linking Ring, a respected magic journal.

“We were doing crazy stunts, building wild props – just creating all the time,” he recalled.

Simmons recalls performing one of magic’s most notorious stunts, the bullet catch, using a real pistol and a bullet with the initials of an audience member carved into it.

His first wife Leeann would fire the shot, Simmons would “catch” the bullet in his teeth and spit it onto a plate. “It was the most dangerous trick in the world. “That’s how I broke my tooth,” he jokes, pointing to one of his front teeth.

Simmons wasn’t just a performer; he was a builder. An artist by nature, he designed and fabricated his own illusions, sets and props.

For years, he poured his creative energy into a personal project in Richmond Hill, transforming his childhood home into what he called the Magic Castle, part workshop, part museum, part TV-set-in-progress.

He and a small team of artists and builders produced everything from jewelry to large custom pieces for clients, including props and architectural features for Toronto collector Bill Jamieson’s private museum of oddities.

But a septic hip infection in 2010 derailed everything. The two-year recovery forced him to abandon the Magic Castle, sell the house, and let go of his long-planned television projects.

He shifted from performing illusions to flipping homes to earn a living – work that eventually brought him to Sooke.

Still, he never lost his love for magic. What draws him in, he says, isn’t just the sleight of hand, but the storytelling and the chance to make someone smile, to spark a moment of wonder.

“I like telling stories, making people laugh,” explained Simmons. “If someone walks away happy – if they say, ‘Wow, how did you do that?’ – that makes me happy too.”

Anyone who can help Simmons connect with an audience that would benefit from some magic in their lives, can email him: gwiz@lenvintus.com.

The all-girl rock band came to town after the city won a SiriusXM Music Town contest.

Thousands of free tickets were scooped up for the sell-out show Nov. 27 at Kal Tire Place North.

Sirius greeted guests with glow bracelets, glowing backdrops, and two rock bands performing late into the night.

Their hit Last Girls at the Party drew Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming on stage to dance with the girls.

“Mayor Cumming, I love that man,” lead singer Jordan Miller said on stage.

Locally-born daysormay opened for The Beaches, who performed most from their latest No Hard Feelings.

The Canadian JUNO Award winning ladies formed in Toronto in 2009 and are ade up of Miller, Kylie Miller, Leandra Earl and Eliza Enman-McDaniel.

“The event marked the culmination of a nationwide search that saw over 470 Canadian towns nominated. Vernon earned the top spot thanks to compelling nomination stories, strong community rallying, and unwavering local spirit,” said Emma Weber on behalf of SiriusXM Canada.

“The electric atmosphere was a reflection of Vernon’s vibrant music culture and community pride.”

While in town The Beaches also checked out local shops and eateries.

“We explored a bit, we went to Eatology a lot,” said Jordan of the popular downtown restaurant.

The Beaches are back on tour in February overseas, starting in Netherlands and travelling across Europe, Australia and the U.S. for most of the year, with a trip back home for the JUNO Awards March 29.

Richard Comely was at Curious Comics in Nanaimo on Wednesday Nov. 26, and the store’s Langford location on Friday, Nov. 28.

Captain Canuck was created in the 1970s by Comely and Ron Leishman, who wanted to make a patriotic Canadian superhero. Captain Canuck, also known as Tom Evans, is a former RCMP officer who was exposed to alien experimentation while on a Scouts camping trip, giving him superpowers which he uses on missions for the Canadian International Security Organization.

“I met Ron Leishman in 1971 in church,” Comely said. “I call him the co-creator, he actually didn’t do any work on the comic, didn’t do any writing or any art, but if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have done it … We would get together, and the first thing he said to me is, ‘There should be a Canadian superhero, why don’t we have our own?’”

As the years passed, these ideas turned to ink on a page, and Captain Canuck was born. His name would go on to be associated with Canadian identity, and in 1995 a postage stamp was made in the character’s honour. In 2018 the Royal Canadian Mint released a Captain Canuck $20 silver coin that sold out the day of release.

“When I was first creating the character way back in late ‘74 it was kind of constructing something with a recipe. I knew I wanted certain characteristics and I wanted certain facets of his character, like I wanted him to have some Aboriginal blood in his veins … and the traits I wanted him to have we would consider typical, maybe ideal, characteristics like politeness – we’re overly polite – less violent, less prone to use firearms. All of that goes into the character.”

This past winter, Comely published a cover featuring the captain giving U.S. President Donald Trump a scolding, with an empty speech bubble allowing fans to decide what they wanted the superhero to say.

“A lot of Canadians look to Captain Canuck as a symbol in this situation with the States … He’s not being super violent here, he’s being Canadian, but sternly Canadian,” Comely said. “The story literally went around the world about this cover, my aunt in England saw it on the BBC and I got a phone call from Australia, but something that a lot of people aren’t aware of is that 80 per cent of our sales of Captain Canuck are in the United States.”

Despite the number of American fans, Comely said he never received any pushback from south of the border, and soon afterward, he created a limited-edition poster of Captain Canuck holding Trump by his collar in one hand, and the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, in the other. At the time, Musk was a close confidant of the American president, but the relationship was short-lived and now Comely said the picture can be interpreted as the hero pulling the two apart, “like, ‘OK you guys, cut it out.’”

When No Kings protests began against Trump, Comely said protesters in Californians reached out to him for permission to use the image on placards, which he granted.

“One of the signs said ‘Hands off Canada’ and that was in a big demonstration in California,” he said. “Even Americans were looking at Captain Canuck as symbolic.”

Comely’s book The Captain And I, covering the history of Captain Canuck, is set to be released next summer, along with a collaboration with the gang from Archie Comics.

These metal pioneers have been a staple of the music world since dropping their debut album in 1985, and will now be performing for their Canadian fans a final time before calling it quits.

But before they do, they have one last new project coming our way, with the self-titled album set to release on Jan. 23, 2026.

This is the 17th studio album in Megadeth’s 40-year history and is the only album to include guitarist Teemu Mantysaari, who was brought on to replace Kiko Loureiro in 2023.

Although the current lineup of the band looks quite a bit different from its early years, lead singer and guitarist Dave Mustaine is still at the forefront of the group.

Rounding out the band on this farewell tour will be bassist James LoMenzo, drummer Dirk Verbeuren, and Mantysaari on guitar.

The Canadian leg of this final tour begins in mid-February and carries on through the beginning of March, with a total of 12 shows.

The upcoming Canadian dates include:

Feb. 15 – Victoria, B.C. (Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre)

Feb. 17 – Abbotsford, B.C. (Rogers Forum)

Feb. 18 – Kelowna, B.C. (Prospera Place)

Feb. 20 – Calgary, Alta. (Scotiabank Saddledome)

Feb. 21 – Edmonton, Alta. (Rogers Place)

Feb. 24 – Saskatoon, Sask. (SaskTel Centre)

Feb. 25 – Winnipeg, Man. (Canada Life Centre)

Feb. 28 – London, Ont. (Canada Life Place)

March 1 – Ottawa, Ont. (Canadian Tire Centre)

March 3 – Halifax, N.S. (Scotiabank Centre)

March 4 – Moncton, N.B. (Avenir Centre)

March 6 – Quebec City, Que. (Videotron Centre)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Megadeth (@megadeth)

Joining Megadeth for these shows will be fellow Big Four thrash metal band Anthrax, as well as Exodus.

Both of these American bands have also undergone significant lineup changes throughout their careers, and have new albums planned for 2026.

While the Canadian portion of this tour is less than three weeks long, Mustaine has revealed in previous interviews that he expects the full farewell tour to last multiple years.

For tickets to any of the upcoming Canadian shows, visit www.megadeth.com/pages/tour.

The Newton-raised, Nashville-based Brokop and band performed a “Hometown Hall of Fame” concert to recognize her Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame induction two months ago in Kelowna.

At Shannon Hall in Cloverdale, a jean jacket-wearing Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke proclaimed “Lisa Brokop Day” in honour of the Princess Margaret Secondary grad of 1991, for making “significant contributions” to Canadian music.

Locke presented a framed plaque that says Brokop “continues to inspire generations of musicians and fans, with her legacy deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of Surrey.”

The 300-capacity hall was decorated in Vegas showroom style for the concert, co-presented by Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair.

“Today is a special day,” Locke said. “We’ve already done a proclamation at (city) council, but I’m going to read it out today as well, because this is just so very special for us in Surrey.”

Locke is a longtime fan of Brokop’s music.

“You know, my daughter and I used to stalk Lisa when she was doing the circuit around this area,” Locke said as the crowd laughed.

“That was you?” Brokop replied without missing a beat.

The moment is shown in video posted to manager/promoter Cris Schandl’s Facebook page, along with performance clips.

Vancouver Island musician Chase Varnes, 14, also performed, as did One More Girl.

The evening concert gave Brokop a chance to return to her old stomping grounds, not far from where her parents live.

Hall of Fame induction is “kinda funny,” Brokop told the Now-Leader in September, “because at first I was thinking, ‘Oh, how exciting, what an honour, and I get to be in this lineup of all these great people that came before me, like Anne Murray and kd lang, you know, some of my favourites.’ Then it’s like that feeling, ‘Well, does that mean my days are numbered?’ I don’t feel like it, there’s still a lot going on in my world, probably more than there has been in awhile.”

Brokop’s music career began in Surrey four decades ago at age seven. In 1990 she was 17 when her first single, “Daddy, Sing to Me,” entered the Canadian charts.

She started out performing with her family before going solo as a teenager, landed a starring role in Harmony Cats, signed with Capitol and Sony/Columbia Records and earned an Academy of Country Music nomination.

Now a three-time CCMA Female Artist of the Year winner, Brokop has collected Gold-certified albums, U.S.-charting singles and hits recorded by Reba McEntire, Pam Tillis and Terri Clark. She continues to write and record music of her own, and also tours tribute shows including The Legendary Ladies of Country Music and The Patsy Cline Project, with husband Paul Jefferson.

Call of the Wild “is a series filmed here in Revelstoke about the incredible dogs and people who make our town such a special community,” producer Celine Rytz shared on Facebook Monday, Nov. 24, the day before the series went live.

Along with Rytz and her dog Fella, the masterminds behind the series, the locally filmed episodes showcase everyone “from playful puppies inspiring local artists, to bush camp companions in remote tree-planting camps, to the local life-saving avalanche rescue teams.”

Rytz, a certified first aid instructor for pets, owns Backcountry Aid + Rescue Kit (BARK) that provides dog owners with training and resources for adventures in the bush. She’s also a dogsled musher and volunteer ski patroller for Revelstoke Mountain Resort, and alongside Fella owns a cat named Skiptooth.

READ: Okanagan Humane Society rescues 21 abandoned cats from Cariboo property

In a trailer posted Monday, Rytz explains that Revelstoke’s untamed nature shapes community members’ bonds with their four-legged friends, which in turn deepens Revelstokians’ respect for the rich wilderness around them.

The trailer shows snippets of dogs of various breeds and colours touring the city’s streets, visiting local businesses, adventuring along snowy slopes and dense rainforest, and strolling along the Illecillewaet Greenbelt and Columbia River.

“Thanks to everyone in the community who pitched in and helped make this series possible!” Rytz said.

Eight episodes of Call of the Wild, each featuring different dogs and owners, are available now on YouTube at TELUS STORYHIVE. Dog lovers can watch the trailer at youtube.com/watch?v=JVCx-n3DPJs.

The Irish classical-pop trio will hit the stage at Bell Performing Arts Centre on Thursday (Nov. 27), followed by concerts in Nanaimo (Port Theatre, Nov. 29), Sidney (Mary Winspear Centre, Dec. 1) and Kelowna (BC Community Theatre, Dec. 2), then travel east for two weeks.

Singers Matthew Gilsenan, Daryl Simpson and George Hutton blend centuries-old ballads with takes on contemporary favourites.

Their fall tour promises “a festive celebration of Celtic charm, timeless favourites, and heartfelt storytelling,” raves a news release from Eric Alper.

“For me,” says founding member Matthew Gilsenan, “every concert is about connection — sharing a song, a story, and leaving the world a little brighter.”

Tickets for the concert in Surrey are priced from $40.40 on bellperformingartscentre.com.

Just released was a new version of “The Holy City,” composed in 1892, on celtic-tenors.com.

Most people will know the pop-rock band for their international hit 1998 song “Iris”, which earned them three Grammy nominations and multiple other award nominations.

That nostalgic sound will be making its way across Canada in the spring of 2026, with the American duo and their touring band members stopping off at a total of 15 cities north of the border.

Three of these shows will be in B.C., with the full list of Canadian stops including:

March 19 – Victoria, B.C. (Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre)

March 20 – Abbotsford, B.C. (Rogers Forum)

March 22 – Kelowna, B.C. (Prospera Place)

March 23 – Calgary, Alta. (Scotiabank Saddledome)

March 25 – Edmonton, Alta. (Rogers Place)

March 26 – Saskatoon, Sask. (SaskTel Centre)

March 28 – Winnipeg, Man. (Canada Life Centre)

March 30 – Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. (GFL Memorial Gardens)

April 1 – Oshawa, Ont. (Tribute Communities Centre)

April 2 – Hamilton, Ont. (TD Coliseum)

April 4 – London, Ont. (Canada Life Place)

April 6 – Ottawa, Ont. (Canadian Tire Centre)

April 8 – Laval, Que. (Place Bell)

April 10 – Halifax, N.S. (Scotiabank Centre)

April 11 – Moncton, N.B. (Avenir Centre)

While the band will be playing their mega hits, they’ll also have plenty of newer music to share with the audience, including tracks from their “Summer Anthem” EP, which was released back in August.

Joining the Goo Goo Dolls on this tour is Dashboard Confessional, who are best known for their early 2000s hits “Vindicated” and “Hands Down”.

Tickets for the upcoming Goo Goo Dolls and Dashboard Confessional can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.ca/goo-goo-dolls-tickets/artist/735190.

The ’80s hard rock band returns to BC Place Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, three nights after a concert Wednesday, Aug. 26 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

On this tour, the only other Canadian show for Axl Rose and gang is Aug. 5 at Toronto’s Rogers Stadium.

For tickets, the North American Nightrain Fan Club presale runs for a day starting Dec. 2, followed by general sales Friday, Dec. 5 at 10 a.m., on gunsnroses.com/tour.

The world tour includes a special performance at L.A.’s Rose Bowl, marking a return to the iconic venue for the first time in over 30 years.

On Dec. 2 the band will release two new songs (“Nothin” and “Atlas” via Geffen Records), on the heels of a Live Era ‘87-’93 boxset.

The current version of Guns N’ Roses features Rose (vocals, keyboards), Duff McKagan (bass), Slash (lead guitar), Dizzy Reed (keyboard), Richard Fortus (rhythm guitar), Isaac Carpenter (drums) and Melissa Reese (keyboard).

A few weeks ago, AC/DC also announced a Vancouver concert at BC Place next summer, on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, on their continuing “Power Tour” tour of the world.

Next summer BC Place will also rock with the Dave Grohl-led Foo Fighters on Sept. 20, with Queens of the Stone Age opening.

The “King of Pop” musical is focused on the making of Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous world tour, giving show-goers a glimpse of his creativity and collaborations.

High-energy performances and snappy choreography are pretty much guaranteed, but don’t go expecting a deep dive into the controversies that plagued Jackson later in life.

More focused on music and than the man’s full story, the show is recommended for ages 8 and up. Run time is two hours, 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. Warning, MJ includes theatrical haze and fog as well as a significant amount of strobing effects.

‘MJ’ brings Michael Jackson hits to Vancouver stage for 6 days starting Tuesday via @BACTouring.

High-energy performances are promised, just don’t go expecting a deep dive into controversies.

PREVIEW: https://t.co/ZUtMtT51r1 pic.twitter.com/nDZ8eNaXrj

— Tom Zillich (@TomZillich) November 21, 2025

Created by director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ is first among Broadway Across Canada’s touring shows in 2025-26. Five-show season packages are sold for $305 and up on BroadwayAcrossCanada.ca.

Up next, in January, is Moulin Rouge, Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film come to life onstage. Another musical set in France, the classic Les Misérables returns to the QE Theatre in the last half of March, followed by the family fun of the ABBA-powered Mamma Mia! (late-May dates) and the game-inspired musical-mystery Clue (July/August 2026).