Sept 1 - Taylor Swift event never had confirmed venue

Good morning !

We’re just about to hit the Labour Day long weekend. I remember when that signalled it was time for The Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy. And time to go back to school.

They don’t do the telethon anymore, but that school thing is still happening.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 24 / 12

Tomorrow: ☀️ 22 / 13

Sunday: 🌧️ 19 / 13 

7-day forecast

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Light to moderate smoke expected.

🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Company behind cancelled Taylor Swift and ABBA events says venues were never confirmed

The company behind two well-publicized, local events—an ABBA drag brunch and a Taylor Swift themed experience—that mysteriously didn’t happen last weekend says it scrubbed the shows because there wasn’t enough interest.

“Due to low ticket sales the event was cancelled and as such, no venue was confirmed,” Shelley Allan, a spokesperson with Hidden Media Network, wrote in an email.

The handful of people who bought tickets were disappointed to find out the shows were scrubbed, but they weren’t the only ones to be surprised.

Management at the venue purported to host the events—The Loft Pub at the Day’s Inn on Gorge Road East—only found out about the shows when people started calling to find out more.

“I knew nothing about it,” said Conor Fleck, co-owner of The Loft Pub at the Day’s Inn on Gorge Road East. “Nowhere it mentioned the hotel either, just had the address 229 [Gorge Road East], which I don’t even think mentioned the hotel’s name.”

Hidden Media Network issued a statement in which it blamed the venue mix-up on an “internal error.”

Allan said all ticket buyers were sent both an email and SMS advising that the Taylor Swift event slated for Aug. 27 was postponed until Oct. 28, and the ABBA event, scheduled for Aug. 26, was being moved to a later date.

On the Taylor Swift event’s updated page, the venue is listed as a “secret location.”

Read Sarah Madsen’s full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Hwy 4 reopens to two-way traffic, after closures for the last three months.

NEWS

Affordable housing for veterans gets new operators

The South Vancouver Island Housing Society (SVIHS)—the same non-profit that runs seniors-living home Legion Manor Victoria—is taking over day-to-day operations of Veterans House Victoria in Colwood.

Veterans House Victoria (VHV), formerly Cockrell House, which opened in 2010, offers transitional housing for veterans experiencing homelessness.

The 2023 Point in Time Homeless Count in Victoria found that 6.7% of unhoused people identified as veterans, though SVIHS representatives believe this number to be conservatively low.

Many veterans transitioning to civilian life face an increased risk of mental-health issues, substance use, and homelessness, but they can receive help to get back on their feet at VHV with stays lasting one to two years, said Rod Hughes, SVIHS president.

“Dealing with [operational stress injuries] takes time, takes patience, and goodwill,” he said. “So we’re hoping we can provide this for individuals so they can launch themselves back into what they want to do.”

In addition to affordable suites, VHV workers connect residents with Veterans Affairs Canada and Island Health to ensure they take advantage of available care.

“What we’re trying to do is get them safe, get them looked after and give them an opportunity to transition back into society,” Hughes said.

SPONSORED BY UNITED WAY SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND

United Way's annual campaign kick-off

Join United Way Southern Vancouver Island on September 14, at Centennial Square, Victoria, for its 2023 fundraising campaign.

From 11am to 2pm, they will be featuring three amazing local food trucks, offering live music and traditional cultural performances by the Lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Dancers and Imprint performers from the Intercultural Association. They will also be hosting a raffle and Community Quest scavenger hunt. Enjoy live entertainment, snack on free popcorn, and enter to win spectacular prizes.

This event is open to all, and in addition to the fun and festivities, it is an excellent opportunity to connect with inspiring community partners and people dedicating themselves to doing good work in our great community.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🎧 Basement Closet Sessions on CFUV: An hour of live performances of any music genre, especially highlighting local artists. Friday, 3-4pm.

💪 Why get a body composition scan? A Dexa scan gives you a complete picture of your bone density, lean mass, and fat tissue, and helps identify health risks. Now at Tall Tree Health.*

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

UVic student media blocked by Meta
The university’s student-run newspaper The Martlet and radio station CFUV have felt Meta’s response to Canada’s Online News Act. Meta-owned social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram—have hidden news content from viewers in Canada. CFUV reports a 90% drop in audience reach on Instagram. [Times Colonist]

BC Ferries hits another whale
The Northern Expedition hit a humpback Tuesday—the second time in less than a month a ferry has struck a whale on the same route. First Nations are calling for speed reductions for all ships, including BC Ferries. [CHEK]

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh visits UVic
Singh discussed his party’s cost-sharing housing proposal in which the federal government, educational institutions, and provinces would each pay one-third of the cost to build homes for students. [Times Colonist]

Ride-hailing driver suspected of being impaired
BC Highway Patrol RCMP stopped the driver two weeks ago near Douglas and View after his vehicle changed lanes unsafely. He faces Motor Vehicle Act and Passenger Transportation Act charges—and potentially criminal ones.

Cougar warnings for Gordon Head, Mt. Tolmie areas
Saanich police received calls that a cougar was spotted in Mt. Tolmie Park on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Responding to an unrelated call Thursday, an officer came face-to-face with a cougar.

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Christmas Installers at The Butchart Gardens

• Community Engagement Manager at Dance Victoria

• Accounting Technician at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa

• Out of School Care Worker at Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group

• Delivery Driver at Otto Logistics

• Buyer Seed & Gift Store at The Butchart Gardens

• Comfort Advisor (Outside Sales) at Sasquatch Heat Pumps

• Early Years Manager at Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group

Looking for more openings? See 40+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

Hiring? Post your job to have it featured here, and fill your opening fast!

SPONSORED BY PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA

Full-Flavoured Opera on sale now

Pacific Opera Victoria's season of full-flavoured opera is on sale now! 3-opera subscriptions starting at $75, single tickets starting at $30.

Wagner’s Die Walküre | October 12 – 21
Golijov’s Ainadamar | February 21 – 27
Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro | April 3 – 9

Buy tickets and subscriptions here!

🗓️ Things to do

🎤 Cold Fame and Shale at Lucky's: The two bands will be joined by Posh Coat tonight, 7-10:30pm.

🎸 Two Bobs & A Mule at Butchart Gardens: The musicians will play the music of Bob Dylan on the open-air stage tonight, 8pm.

⛵ Classic Boat Festival: View 100 boats in the Inner Harbour today until Monday.

🎉 Out There Art Festival: The music, performance, and art festival runs today until Sunday at Jackson Park.

🖼️ Eunmi Conacher at The Avenue Gallery: The exhibition of the painter’s contemporary impressionist and expressionist work opens today until Sept. 8.

👠 Icesis Couture: The Canada’s Drag Race Season 2 winner performs tonight. Doors 8pm, show 9pm.

🎙️ The Blue Hearts at Hermann’s Jazz Club: The trio will perform traditional acoustic blues tonight. Doors 5:30pm, show 7-9:30pm.

✒️ Jay Hanscom at Gallery Merrick: The artist’s exhibition has its opening night tonight, 6-9pm.

😂 The Crowd Work Show at The Mint: The improvised stand-up show with Alex Forman and Nash Park is tonight. Doors 7pm, show 8pm.

🎶 Good Party: KICKOFF: This festival celebrates DIY musicians and artists. Today until Sunday.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: 260 Islanders killed by toxic drugs in 2023, Labour Day weekend events, arrest made in arson investigation, and more. [Aug. 31]

COVID variant BA. 2.86 found in Fraser Valley in Canada’s first confirmed case of the potentially more infectious variant.

Saanich reopens heat pump financing program, offering up to $12K to those who switch to an electric heat pump.

Pic-A-Flic closing sale: Rentals are over, but you can still purchase DVDs before the iconic video store shuts its doors in September—DVDs are $40 each, with the price dropping each week.

Purple reigns over Victoria City Hall: If you’re wondering why City Hall was lit up purple last night, it was to mark International Overdose Awareness Day, a worldwide initiative to raise awareness, reduce stigma of drug-related deaths, and acknowledge the grief of family and friends of those who have died.

That’s it!

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