Dec 5 - Music to return to Hermann's Upstairs next year

Good morning !

I’m happy to offer some good news about Victoria’s music scene today, after a year of plenty of not-so-great news. The former Hermann’s Upstairs venue, which has sat quiet since closing in March, will once again host live music events when The Coda opens there next year. Read all about the new venue in today’s first story.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

New live music venue moving into former Hermann’s Upstairs space

It’s been a tough year for the city’s music venues, with two popular venues—Hermann’s Upstairs and the Victoria Event Centre—closing and Quadratic Sound ending its event offerings.

But it looks like 2025 is going to come in on a high note. 

The former Hermann’s Upstairs venue on View will soon be occupied by The Coda, a music and entertainment venue that will host live shows in its two-room setting. One room will have an intimate atmosphere, with a 100-person capacity, while the room next to it will host larger events with a capacity of 200+.

The Coda team, led by local music fans Al Smith and Christina Morrison, will rent the space from the city, which purchased it from the Arts on View Society in March. Smith has spent the last 30 years working as an entrepreneur, strategist, and photographer in Victoria, while Morrison has been performing music in the city since she was 14. She’s also the director of Salsa Caliente, a touring Victoria dance company that hosts events internationally. 

With their combined experience in business and performing arts, they say they’re hoping to create a “truly world-class music venue” that will operate for years to come.

“We have a deep love for live music and appreciation for musicians,” Smith said in a release. “True live music venues have been slowly disappearing in our city, so we decided to do something about it.” 

Morrison said she wants the venue to be a place where live music fans can “truly connect with the music they love.”

“Our goal with The Coda is to create a space Victoria can be proud of, where musicians and live music are valued,” Morrison said.

Victoria Coun. Matt Dell, known for championing Victoria’s art scene, announced The Coda’s takeover of the space on X (formerly Twitter), saying he’s “beyond excited” the council supported his request for the city to buy the space after Hermann’s Upstairs shut down. He called it “one of the most broadly popular community acquisitions [council] made this term.”

The venue is slated to open sometime early next year, though an exact date has not been announced. According to a release from Morrison and Smith, bands and promoters have already begun reaching out to book the space for next year.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

More cucumbers recalled: Pamela brand cukes were shipped to BC and Alberta and are being recalled due to salmonella concerns. [Details]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

Local MP Randall Garrison makes emotional resignation announcement

Garrison, aged 73, had already announced he would not run again for Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke, the riding he has held for 14 years. He now says that he has a family doctor again after waiting for four years, and that he is following that doctor’s advice by prioritizing his health and retiring. 

His departure will take effect in January, per a release, presumably allowing it to fall within the 9-month window before a fixed election—in which a byelection does not need to be held. His district office said in a release that constituent services will continue uninterrupted. Sooke Mayor Maja Tait will be the NDP's new candidate in 2025.

Emotional farewell speech in House of Commons

Granted extra time for a final address, Garrison wondered aloud at his journey, becoming choked up as he said he was still “astonished” that “a queer kid from a farm in Nebraska and from a working-class family riven by domestic violence and child abuse” went on to become an MP.

He thanked his supporters; his husband; and the influences of original NDP leader Tommy Douglas, who got him to join the party, and former leader Jack Layton, who convinced him to run despite Garrison’s misgivings about whether the riding would accept an openly gay representative. 

Garrison cited pride in work he did as an MP to help protect Southern Resident orcas, fund Esquimalt harbour cleanup, ban conversion therapy, and ban discrimination over gender identity under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Watch his speech, and the tribute speeches that others made for him from across party lines, at CPAC. 

SPONSORED BY PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA

A fantastical journey awaits you

Pacific Opera Victoria presents The Little Prince, a magical opera inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s timeless tale. This heartfelt production is perfect for all ages, with $15 Youth Tickets available.

Embark on a journey through love, loss, and friendship, brought to life with enchanting music and vibrant visuals. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a story that has captured hearts for generations, reimagined in Rachel Portman's operatic masterpiece.

"We will learn to draw sheep, experience the love of roses, and explore our world through the eyes of the prince, reminded and humbled by the fact that, perhaps, 'no grown-up will ever understand.'" – Brenna Corner, Artistic Director

Performances run February 19–25 at the Royal Theatre. Tickets are available now.

Recommended for ages 8+.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🍂 Fairies at work? Leaves found raised on little mud platforms at Fairy Lake, likely caused by changing water levels and not the lake’s namesake mythical creatures. [Facebook photos]

🐋 Natural wonders: Diver drops camera into water near Barkley Sound, accidentally captures a humpback whale hunting alongside sea lions.

🗞️ In Other News

Police shoot suspect in 7-Eleven after stabbing in downtown Vancouver
Responding to a call just before noon that a man had stolen alcohol from a restaurant and that several people had been stabbed, police found the suspect in the convenience store. Video shared with CTV News appears to show three VPD officers—two drawing handguns and another holding a Taser—cornering the suspect behind the counter. Reportedly, 10 shots can be heard ringing out. Police now say one person was stabbed and another injured—neither seriously—but the suspect was pronounced dead. [CTV] 

Province to force Sooke to make bylaw changes for housing
The municipality voted last week against the changes, which would allow small-scale multi-unit housing on single-family lots, aligning with provincial legislation to add more housing options. Municipalities were required to pass bylaw changes by June 30, but Sooke received an extension until Dec. 16 after requesting a postponement until the end of 2030. Sooke is the only community in the province to vote down the required changes; the province plans to step in. [The Westshore]

Man-made ‘nests’ may have saved Island bird species
When the Western purple martin—a key species for pest and bug control on the Island—nearly went extinct in the 1980s after invasive species took over their nesting spots, a group of conservationists in Cowichan Valley attempted to get the native birds to nest in wooden boxes—and it worked. Now, the program has grown throughout Island communities, with the bird exclusively nesting in more than 800 man-made nests. Many of these need replacing, and for the past two months, volunteers in Nanaimo have dedicated hundreds of hours to making 95 new nests that keep invasive birds out. [VI Free Daily]

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🗓️ Things to do

🌙 Night Market at The Mint: Join the carnival of local creativity and flavours at The Mint, with pottery, prints, jewelry, and more for sale today. 5-9pm. [Info]

🎄 Harbour Holiday Light Up: Enjoy light displays, hot chocolate, decorated cookies, and seasonal offerings from vendors at the Inner Harbour today. 5-7pm. [Info]

🎺 The New Swiftsure Big Band with Brenda Morie: Get swept away with this evening of jazzy Christmas hits at Hermann’s today. 7pm. [Info]

☕ Thrift Sale and Community Coffee: Shop second hand treasures and enjoy a coffee with neighbours at Oak Bay United Church tomorrow. 9am-1pm. [Info]

🎶 Love Me Jeje: An Afro-R&B Experience: Dance the night away to Afrobeats and R&B tunes at Medusa Shot House tomorrow. 9pm. [Info]

🎵 Cool Nights, Warm Hearts: Listen to heart-warming choral tunes at Holy Trinity Church in Sooke tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

❄️ Langford Station's Winter Village Market: Get ready for a magical evening, featuring photo opportunities with Santa, hot dogs & hot drinks, live music, and more. Sat. 3-8pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: Bad-weather driving on the way; Langford council moves Y decision to Dec. 16; CEO Williams stepping down from GVCC; And more. [Capital Daily] 

New multi-use housing project on Burnside almost ready. [Capital Daily]

John Horgan’s memorial service announced for Dec. 15. [BC gov’t.]

Islanders all set for Taylor Swift in Vancouver. [Times Colonist]

Salt Spring Island No. 38 on Travel Lemming’s 2025 top 50 travel destination list.

Saanich Rec registration now open for winter-spring general programming.

That’s it!

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