Entertainment

Minion characters Kevin, left, and Bob pose on the 86th floor observatory deck at the Empire State Building to celebrate the upcoming film “Minions: The Rise of Gru” on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

‘Minions’ set box office on fire with $108.5-million debut

Film on track to be one of the biggest-ever July 4 weekend openings

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Otto the Minion in a scene from "Minions: The Rise of Gru." (Illumination Entertainment/Universal Pictures via AP)

Review: In ‘Rise of Gru,’ Minion mayhem reigns and will make fans happy

5th instalment of the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise delivers what the audience wants

FILE - R. Kelly appears during a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago, Sept. 17, 2019. R&B legend R. Kelly is entering another phase of his well-publicized downward spiral with a sentencing in a New York City courtroom Wednesday, June 29, 2022, that could put him behind bars for a quarter century or more. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool, File)

R&B star R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in sex trafficking case

Singer and songwriter was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking last year

Picture of the Vancouver art gallery from 2014. (Kay Yamagishi/Flickr)

Sustainability and world class art to meet in new Vancouver Art Gallery building

Federal government kicks in $29 million to help fund ‘passive house’ arts centre in downtown Vancouver

Picture of the Vancouver art gallery from 2014. (Kay Yamagishi/Flickr)
Ukrainian Yana Zlot will be performing at the Pass Creek Gospel Music Festival. Photo: Submitted

Pass Creek Gospel Music festival to benefit Ukraine relief efforts

Event will take place July 23 - 24

Ukrainian Yana Zlot will be performing at the Pass Creek Gospel Music Festival. Photo: Submitted
A cyclist rides past a film set for the movie “Deadpool 2” in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017. A 15-month dispute in British Columbia’s film and television industry has ended with the ratification of a new contract for creative and logistical people working on productions shot in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Lengthy dispute in B.C.’s film and TV industry ends with new contract

Annual wage increases, National Truth and Reconciliation Day as statutory holiday among details

A cyclist rides past a film set for the movie “Deadpool 2” in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017. A 15-month dispute in British Columbia’s film and television industry has ended with the ratification of a new contract for creative and logistical people working on productions shot in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Xyólheméylh’s youth art/writing contest this year asked ‘What does being Indigenous mean to you?’ (Submitted)

Winners announced for B.C.-wide art, writing contest for Indigenous youth

Youth asked ‘What does being Indigenous mean to you?’ as the topic contest

Xyólheméylh’s youth art/writing contest this year asked ‘What does being Indigenous mean to you?’ (Submitted)
FILE - Boston Pops Conductor John Williams conducting the orchestra in Boston in 1980. Williams, 90, is devoting himself to composing concert music, including a piano concerto he’s writing for Emanuel X. This spring, he and cellist Yo-Yo Ma released the album “A Gathering of Friends,” recorded with the New York Philharmonic. (AP Photo, File)

Movie music maestro John Williams, 90, steps away from film, but not music

After more than six decades of making bicycles soar, sending panicked swimmers…

FILE - Boston Pops Conductor John Williams conducting the orchestra in Boston in 1980. Williams, 90, is devoting himself to composing concert music, including a piano concerto he’s writing for Emanuel X. This spring, he and cellist Yo-Yo Ma released the album “A Gathering of Friends,” recorded with the New York Philharmonic. (AP Photo, File)
R&B singer Jully Black is photographed in Toronto on Friday January 17, 2020. Black is hitting the road – to compete on the next edition of “The Amazing Race Canada.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Jully Black hits the road for this summer’s edition of ‘The Amazing Race Canada’

Singer-songwriter, producer and actress racing on latest edition of the show, set to launch July 5

R&B singer Jully Black is photographed in Toronto on Friday January 17, 2020. Black is hitting the road – to compete on the next edition of “The Amazing Race Canada.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Dr. Bonnie Henry. (Submitted Photo)

PODCAST: Dr. Bonnie Henry discusses COVID-19 and what’s next for B.C.

TODAY IN B.C.: One-on-one chat with provincial health officer

Dr. Bonnie Henry. (Submitted Photo)
FILE - Bill Cosby arrives for a sentencing hearing following his sexual assault conviction at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown Pa., on Sept. 25, 2018. Jurors at a civil trial found Tuesday, June 21, 2022, that Cosby sexually abused a 16-year-old girl at the Playboy Mansion in 1975. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Civil jury finds Bill Cosby sexually abused teenager in 1975

Judy Huth, who is now 64, awarded $500,00

FILE - Bill Cosby arrives for a sentencing hearing following his sexual assault conviction at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown Pa., on Sept. 25, 2018. Jurors at a civil trial found Tuesday, June 21, 2022, that Cosby sexually abused a 16-year-old girl at the Playboy Mansion in 1975. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
FILE - Bill Cosby arrives for a sentencing hearing following his sexual assault conviction at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown Pa., on Sept. 25, 2018. Eleven months after he was freed from prison, 85-year-old Cosby will again be the defendant in a sexual assault proceeding, this time a civil case in California. Judy Huth, who is now 64, alleges that in 1975 when she was 16, Cosby sexually assaulted her at the Playboy Mansion. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Bill Cosby civil trial jury must start deliberations over

Judge allowed juror to leave after Friday for a prior commitment

FILE - Bill Cosby arrives for a sentencing hearing following his sexual assault conviction at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown Pa., on Sept. 25, 2018. Eleven months after he was freed from prison, 85-year-old Cosby will again be the defendant in a sexual assault proceeding, this time a civil case in California. Judy Huth, who is now 64, alleges that in 1975 when she was 16, Cosby sexually assaulted her at the Playboy Mansion. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Longtime B.C. sports media personality Bob Marjanovich will present his podcasts via Black Press media. (Submitted art)

B.C. sports media legend ‘The Moj’ joins Black Press Media’s podcast team

Marjanovich also slated to pen sports-related column

Longtime B.C. sports media personality Bob Marjanovich will present his podcasts via Black Press media. (Submitted art)
Prince George painter Erin Stagg received a grant for her 12 paintings that celebrate Métis culture in B.C. (Derek Robitaille - Métis Nation British Columbia)

VIDEO: Prince George painter taps the ‘intangible spirit’ of Métis culture

Erin Stagg’s paintings of strength and resilience on display in Surrey this summer thanks to grant

Prince George painter Erin Stagg received a grant for her 12 paintings that celebrate Métis culture in B.C. (Derek Robitaille - Métis Nation British Columbia)
This Aug. 13, 2020, photo shows a logo for Netflix on a remote control in Portland, Ore. Netflix is launching a development program exclusively for diverse Canadian writers in film and television. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, file)

Netflix launches development program for diverse Canadian writers

Writers from underrepresented groups get paid mentorship and consultation sessions

This Aug. 13, 2020, photo shows a logo for Netflix on a remote control in Portland, Ore. Netflix is launching a development program exclusively for diverse Canadian writers in film and television. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, file)
FILE - Musician Taylor Hawkins appears at One Love Malibu in Calabasas, Calif., on Dec. 2, 2018. Foo Fighters will honor the rock band’s late drummer Taylor Hawkins with a pair of tribute concerts in September — one in London and the other in Los Angeles. The twin shows will take place Sept. 3 at London’s Wembley Stadium and Sept. 27 at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Hawkins died March 25, 2022, during a South American tour with the rock band. He was 50. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

Members of Queen, the Police, Rush to honour late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins

London-based tribute concert reveals an all-star collection of rock stars

FILE - Musician Taylor Hawkins appears at One Love Malibu in Calabasas, Calif., on Dec. 2, 2018. Foo Fighters will honor the rock band’s late drummer Taylor Hawkins with a pair of tribute concerts in September — one in London and the other in Los Angeles. The twin shows will take place Sept. 3 at London’s Wembley Stadium and Sept. 27 at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Hawkins died March 25, 2022, during a South American tour with the rock band. He was 50. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)
Todd Maliteare, Bruce Cameron and Dr. David Suzuki. (Submitted/file photos)

PODCAST: David Suzuki gets charged up over electric vehicles

TODAY IN B.C.: Columnist Bruce Cameron and builder Todd Maliteare also talk EVs

Todd Maliteare, Bruce Cameron and Dr. David Suzuki. (Submitted/file photos)
This image released by Disney/Pixar shows character Buzz Lightyear, voiced by Chris Evans, in a scene from the animated film “Lightyear,” releasing June 17. (Disney/Pixar via AP)

Review: Sorry, Pixar’s movie ‘Lightyear’ is a buzzkill

Buzz tries to skate by on name recognition

This image released by Disney/Pixar shows character Buzz Lightyear, voiced by Chris Evans, in a scene from the animated film “Lightyear,” releasing June 17. (Disney/Pixar via AP)
Nanaimo singer Lauren Spencer-Smith took the stage at Wembley Stadium in London, England, on Sunday, June 12, as part of the Summertime Ball show. (Lauren Spencer-Smith/TikTok image)

Emerging teenage B.C. pop star makes debut at U.K.’s legendary Wembley Stadium

Lauren Spencer-Smith performed at the Summertime Ball this past weekend in London, England

Nanaimo singer Lauren Spencer-Smith took the stage at Wembley Stadium in London, England, on Sunday, June 12, as part of the Summertime Ball show. (Lauren Spencer-Smith/TikTok image)
FILE - This image released by Disney/Pixar shows character Buzz Lightyear, voiced by Chris Evans, left, and Alisha Hawthorne, voiced by Uzo Aduba, in a scene from the animated film “Lightyear,” releasing June 17. The United Arab Emirates on Monday, June 13, 2022, banned the upcoming Pixar animated feature “Lightyear” from showing in movie theaters amid reports that the film includes a kiss between two female characters. (Disney/Pixar via AP, File)

United Arab Emirates bans Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ from showing

Animated Disney movie includes a female character kissing her female partner

FILE - This image released by Disney/Pixar shows character Buzz Lightyear, voiced by Chris Evans, left, and Alisha Hawthorne, voiced by Uzo Aduba, in a scene from the animated film “Lightyear,” releasing June 17. The United Arab Emirates on Monday, June 13, 2022, banned the upcoming Pixar animated feature “Lightyear” from showing in movie theaters amid reports that the film includes a kiss between two female characters. (Disney/Pixar via AP, File)