Good morning {{First name}}!

Awful news to start with:
A husband and father of two is dead after a workplace incident in Saanich.
Two men installing piping were trapped inside a trench when a retaining wall collapsed on Monday. Both men were buried, and while one was rescued, 50-year-old Chuck Spence tragically did not survive.
CHEK News has the details and a tribute from his family.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: 🌦️ 7 / 3

Tomorrow: ⛅ 9 / 4

Friday: 🌤️ 10 / 5

7-day forecast

One of Victoria’s most popular festivals is set to return this summer—and it’s bringing some of its most notable headliners yet. The Phillips Backyard Music Festival will take place at its namesake brewery July 10-12.

While the fest will only be one weekend this year—it previously took two weekends, with shows in July and August—it will have popular contemporary artists and long-time legends on the main stage.

Chance the Rapper will bring his Grammy-winning music, including his buzzy underground mixtapes and critically acclaimed albums. The rapper will headline the first night on the Friday.

Indie darling Father John Misty—another Grammy winner—will return to the capital city for the first time since he performed at the now-defunct Rock the Shores festival in Colwood in 2015. Misty, who previously drummed for Fleet Foxes under his real name, Josh Tillman, was in the early days of his alter-ego 11 years ago, opening for TV on the Radio and Jane’s Addiction. Now, he has top billing on the Saturday.

Rock heavyweights Modest Mouse will close out the weekend on the Sunday, with their signature high-energy performance style, though they’ve mellowed out considerably since their controversial days of drunken shows and on-stage self-harm. Now, they’re seasoned performance veterans, bringing hits like “Float On” and “Lampshades on Fire.”

In addition to the headliners, the lineup features plenty of Canadiana. Montreal’s Wolf Parade—who have seen a spike in popularity thanks to their song “I’ll Believe in Anything” being used during two pivotal scenes in Heated Rivalry—will perform Sunday. So will Vancouver alt-rockers Fake Shark. 

Local legends Jon and Roy will showcase their laid-back Island tunes on Saturday, and fellow Victorian Sophia Stel will perform her gritty pop sound on Friday.

Friday will also have Duckwrth, the genre-defying American artist, bringing his unique, “feel-good” music, according to the Phillips Backyard team. 

The festival’s organizers say this year’s show will have “affordable prices, great drinks, delicious food, and immaculate vibes.” They’re also promising “ample flush toilet facilities”—a rarity at music festivals. 

The Music BC stage will return, showcasing even more homegrown talent, which is to be announced at a later date. Single-day tickets will cost $125 (taxes and fees included), and full-weekend passes will go for $325.

Blanshard major delays: southbound down to one lane from Caledonia to Bay today for milling.

Blanshard southbound lanes from Caledonia to Bay will be closed Friday and Saturday for paving.

Blanshard northbound lanes from Fisgard to Bay will be closed tomorrow for paving.

Street closure: Vista Heights from Rise to Cook, until April 3.

Lane closures:
Cook at Kings, until April 3
Cook at Summit, tomorrow

E&N Regional Trail: potential delays between Hereward and Devonshire for BC Hydro work.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

At 150 to 200 people, it won’t compare in size to what will be happening in the United States on Saturday, but Victorians are ready to march in solidarity with the No Kings movement in what could be the biggest single day of protest in US history. 

More than 3K protests are planned for the US alone and Victoria is joining other international centres, including Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, London, and Paris, in taking to the streets to counter the rise of authoritarianism under the second Trump regime. 

To list the crotch kicks and perceived assaults the current US government has delivered to democracy would take some time, Martin Girard, one of the organizers of No Tyrants Victoria, tells Capital Daily, so he offers two for starters.

“I would say deploying the military and paramilitary forces on US soil is among the most concerning,” he says, before quickly adding the Trump regime’s preoccupation with election integrity, which many see as a way of discouraging people from voting.

“This is most alarming, and our own politicians are taking notice of this,” Girard says, pointing to the Alberta government’s decision to introduce additional ID requirements for voters.

The Alberta government says it’s to improve voter confidence. Girard calls it voter suppression—and an example of democracy receding, just not as loudly as it has south of the border.

Earlier this month, Sweden’s V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg—one of the world’s largest social science data collections on the quality of democracy—released a report that said if things don’t change fast, the US is in real trouble.

“If it continues like this, democracy [there] will not last another six months,” Staffan Lindberg, a V-Dem spokesperson, told Radio Canada International.

“The current US administration has been undercutting institutionalized checks and balances, politicizing civil service and oversight bodies, and intimidating the judiciary, alongside attacks on the press, academia, civil liberties, and dissenting voices,” Lindberg said. Under Trump, the report says, “the level of democracy in the USA has fallen back to the same level as in 1965,” before gains in civil rights.

Girard says the key to preserving democracy is to get involved by either marching… or running. “One thing that Canadians can do to safeguard their democracy is run for office.”

Girard—who is disabled and has been living in supportive housing after being homeless for five years—is doing both. He’s marching on Saturday. And the 47-year-old is running for the Victoria council in October.

“If our politicians will not stand up to Trump, then basically it's up to us to run for office and uphold our own democratic values.”

🤣 John Mulaney plays Victoria in November. Tickets on sale this morning & Friday. 

🎞️ Canadian premiere of Nos plumes today at UVic.

🚣 45th Paddle for the Kids for Easter Seals Summer Camp. [Donate here] 

🎼 Illuminare: Wings of Silence featuring the Emily Carr String Quartet. [Coming in May]

🌿 New from Mateína: A zero sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean energy—no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

🍺 Free Spirit Victoria is tomorrow. [Info]

*Sponsored Listing

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Victoria 4-year-old Michael Dunahee disappeared 35 years ago
The little boy was last seen on March 24, 1991, near the playground of Blanshard Elementary School on Hillside, which now houses The Summit residential care facility. Extensive searches were launched, but Michael was never found. On the 30th anniversary of his disappearance, VicPD released a dedicated tip portal and an updated age-enhanced sketch to show what Michael may look like. More than 125 people have registered for Sunday’s 35th annual Michael Dunahee Keep the Hope Alive Drive 5K walk/run, scheduled for 9:30am. [CHEK]

First Snowbird jet ever will be restored and displayed in North Saanich
The Canadair CT-114 Tutor was Snowbird 1, the lead aircraft when the Snowbirds started flying in 1971. Before that, it was a lead solo jet for the RCAF Golden Centennaires, the Snowbirds’ aerial predecessors. Most Tutors are privately operated, and the majority have been retired. It was a feat to acquire the plane, which will receive a new engine and be repainted to its original colours. The BC Aviation Museum is hoping to raise $80K to cover the costs of transporting, reassembling, and restoring the aircraft. [Times Colonist] 

$2 bet turns into half a million bucks for lucky View Royal casino visitor
Victoria resident Curtis R. won the money at the casino, but he was actually on his phone when he did it. He had gone to Elements Casino to play some poker, and while he waited for a friend to join him, he made a $2 online wager on MegaJackpots Cash Eruption via PlayNow, BCLC’s online gambling platform. He was stunned to see his slots picks come back in the form of a $550,690 prize. Plans are for a new truck and a trip to Disneyland. [Black Press / BCLC]

🎶 UJAM Club Night Latin Night: Musicians are invited to perform a Latin number backed by the UJAM house band—salsa, bossa nova, samba, and more—or just enjoy the atmosphere. Hermann's. Tonight. Doors 5:30pm, show 7-9:30pm. [Info]

📑 Clifton Joseph Dubzz: Poet-at-Large: One of the founders of Canada's dub poetry movement, Clifton Joseph brings his outspoken and insightful written work to the stage. The Coda. Tonight. Doors 6pm, show 6:30-8:30pm. [Info]

🎵 Delhi 2 Dublin: The Vancouver fusion band celebrates 20 years of their signature "Subcontinental Pop"—a high-energy blend of Bhangra, Celtic, reggae, and electronic sounds. Mary Winspear Centre. Today. Doors 7pm, show 7:30pm. [Info]

🌊 Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop: Design a wearable piece of jewelry using locally sourced sea glass—with no experience necessary. Maritime Museum of BC. Tomorrow. 5:30-7pm. [Info]

🎻 Alan Doyle with The East Pointers: Great Big Sea's Alan Doyle brings his foot-stomping Already Dancing tour to Victoria, joined by JUNO-winning PEI folk duo The East Pointers. Royal Theatre. Friday & Saturday. 8pm. [Info]

🌱 Time on the Land & Creating Together: A Pearson College student showcase and fundraiser, sharing reflections, artistic pursuits, and personal stories developed during an experiential learning week on lək̓ʷəŋən Territory. Open Space Arts Society. Friday. 7-9pm. [Info] 

🏫 Confident Parenting: A Waldorf Workshop Series. The four bodily senses and your family culture temperaments. Your child’s soul needs. How to tell—more than read—stories. How to mean what you say. The Dock. Saturday. 10am-11:30am. By donation. [Info]

🎼 Of Weather Movements by Paul Walde with a live string quartet. Part of Walde's Weather Conditions exhibition at Legacy Art Gallery. Saturday. 1pm. Arrive before 12:45pm. Free. [Info]

🚴 Great Ride of Return: Fundraiser for the Gaza Sunbirds, the para-cyclists delivering aid against all odds to displaced Gazans. Meet at Broadview United Church. No sign-up. Sunday. 1:15pm. [Info]

Tuesday’s headlines: BC Ferries reduces schedule this week after a string of mechanical issues; Risks of relying on fossil fuels are highlighted amid war, says climate expert; English exam glitch prevents Victoria-based Scottish midwife from practising. [March 24]

Island actor Carrie Anne Fleming, known for roles in Supernatural and iZombie, has died at 51. [Times Colonist] 

Private island for sale near Salt Spring is now $385K cheaper at $965K. [CHEK]

Banfield Park trail section closed through Thursday. [Details]

Galloping Goose will be temporarily closed between Island Hwy and Watkiss Way starting April 6. [CRD]

Interested in volunteering or running an event at Luxton Fair? Sign up here for more info.

Great blue herons and kingfishers enjoy a sunny day in the Somass Estuary. [Facebook photos]

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