Harry Corro

JOURNALIST

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

100 Mile Free Press •

'He's so High': Tal Bachman relishes one hit, touring with dad and family life in B.C. - 100 Mile Free Press

Singer-songwriter Tal Bachman, best known for his 1999 hit She's So High which garnered him international success, has found a new home and a renewed sense of joy on southern Vancouver Island.
Since moving from Cadboro Bay in 2020, Bachman and his family have settled into the peaceful rhythm of North Saanich.
"It's really nice out here," Bachman shared, highlighting the tranquility of the area.
Living with his wife, KoKo and their adorable four-month-old baby, Dahlia, Bachman describes his daugh...
Grand Forks Gazette •

VIDEO: New course ushers in Taylor Swift era at B.C. University - Grand Forks Gazette

Taylor Swift's 150th performance, the last stop on The Eras Tour, will take place on Dec. 8 at Vancouver's B.C. Place Stadium.
Swift has sold over $1 billion worth of tickets during her 60-date, five-continent tour since her debut performance in Glendale, Arizona.
While the Eras Tour is ending, one B.C. university is entering its "Taylor Swift Era."
Starting January 2025, the University of Victoria will be offering a course on the newly minted billionaire.
English 240 – Major Author: Taylor Swif...
Kelowna Capital News •

B.C musician Jesse Roper giving away his van ahead of 2025 tour - Kelowna Capital News

To most, a van is, well, just a van. But to touring musicians like Jesse Roper and the Pretty Good Band, a van means so much more.  
It's their mode of transportation. It's where their gear lives, it's where they live. It’s also where the good stuff happens.  
“One time I got $350 worth of Greek food in Saskatoon from (The Guess Who frontman) Burton Cummings,” recalls Roper. “That was awesome. I was broke as hell and I ate that for days.”
The soul-blues singer-songwriter admits that travelling i...
Sooke News Mirror •

Victoria singer to dedicate upcoming show to Billy Joel's speedy recovery - Sooke News Mirror

Victoria singer-songwriter Leif Bradshaw was deep in preparations for an upcoming performance when news broke that shook the music world: Billy Joel, the legendary "Piano Man," had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and would be cancelling all upcoming concerts.
The announcement, made on Friday, May 23, sent ripples of concern throughout the 76-year-old icon's fan base.
NPH, a neurological disorder, affects the brain and can lead to difficulties with hearing, balance and vis...
Kelowna Capital News •

Professor Dracula: An interview with B.C.'s (academic) vampire - Kelowna Capital News

Andrew Murray is not a vampire. He is, however, the professor who teaches the wildly popular "GMST454: A Cultural History of Vampires" class, which is a course offered under the English department and Germanic studies at B.C.'s University of Victoria.  
He doesn't mind being called Professor Dracula or a vampire, but he prefers Andrew. 
When we sat down with him to chat in his office on the second floor of the Clearihue Building, the oldest academic building on campus, he was particularly self-e...
Oak Bay News •

VIDEO: Father's legacy echoes through the strings of North Saanich luthier - Oak Bay News

For Sigurd Sabathil, a move to North Saanich six years ago wasn't just about being closer to his family.
It was about rekindling a lifelong passion and carrying on a legacy that began in Bavaria and has resonated across continents through the elegant sounds of the harpsichord.
Since moving from Bowen Island, Sigurd has kept himself busy organizing and revitalizing a harpsichord manufacturing company he inherited from his father, Simon.
The 86-year-old widower immigrated to Canada with his family...
The Northern View •

B.C. Second World War veteran fondly remembers time as an 'Ack Ack Girl' - The Northern View

The synopsis of a book by English author Sylvia Broady, published in February of this year reads:
“Determined to do her bit for the war effort, Yorkshire lass Evie Sinclair leaves her island home to become an Ack Ack Gunner Girl, defending Britain from Luftwaffe attacks.”
Except for the island home, Lily Bales, now a resident of Vancouver Island town of Sidney, could very well be the protagonist in the book “The Gunner Girls– Evie's Story.”
Lily’s story is one of courage.
In April 1941, a new ki...
Oak Bay News •

Central Saanich author's new book offers a buzzworthy guide to mindfulness - Oak Bay News

Central Saanich author and nature preschool educator, Cynthia Mackey, has released her latest children's book, If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe, a vibrant and lyrical exploration of mindfulness, nature and overcoming anxiety.
The book, paired with stunning illustrations by Vikki Zhang, aims to teach children (and adults) how to navigate life's unexpected moments with grace and courage.
It opens with the whimsical advice: "If a bumblebee lands on your toe, pretend you are freeze dancing and the m...
Kelowna Capital News •

Vancouver Island vet pens book of life lessons learned from 40 years around animals - Kelowna Capital News

After nearly 40 years of caring for animals, Dr. Michael High, a beloved veterinarian who recently retired, has released Rear View Wisdom: Life Lessons from Treating Animals, a collection of stories drawn from his experiences.
High's journey to Sidney began in February 1988, escaping the harsh Saskatchewan winter for a job interview.
"I came out here, and the cherry blossoms are in bloom, and the people I was interviewing with went out to buy a fresh salmon to barbecue and buy something at the b...
Kelowna Capital News •

Victoria Indigenous artist brings hip hop to the healing process - Kelowna Capital News

Every Friday at 9:45 a.m., Alex Taylor-McCallum walks into a room at Victoria's New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community ready to share his most vulnerable self with a group of men who have struggled with addiction.
He sits in the 'circle of trust' and initiates a series of check-ins in which the nine men in the room alternately share their thoughts.
The 32-year-old award-winning artist and advocate of Indigenous culture is facilitating 'Healing & Story Telling through Hip Hop Lyricism’ at the r...
Trail Times •

VIDEO: Oyez, Oyez, Oyez: B.C. town crier ready to give his voice a rest - Trail Times

Sidney’s town crier is stepping down after nearly three decades of service saying he has been “honoured” to serve the town.
Kenny Podmore, 81, has been making public announcements and proclamations for the southern Vancouver Island community for 26 years and will officially retire Dec. 31.
After obtaining permanent residence in Canada, he joined Bert Stevens as the city's deputy town crier in 1998. Podmore has attended numerous high-profile events in Sidney since being appointed the official tow...
Today in BC •

B.C. author's animal adventure novel zooms to Amazon bestseller status - Today in BC

Diana Schaffter, a Vancouver Island-based author, is still trying to let it sink in: the success of her debut novel, Armando & the Amazing Animal Race, which has soared to the top of Amazon's bestseller lists in both Canada and the United States.
Released on May 20, the novel has captivated readers, reaching audiences as far afield as the UK, Italy, Germany and India.
"Wildly inventive, imaginative and inspiring," a review on Amazon read. "Couldn't put it down," stated another.
The book's five-s...