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Critic's picks: Parasite, SALT New Music Festival, Nautical Disaster

Arts writer Mike Devlin picks his favourite upcoming events, including a black-and-white screening of Parasite at UVic on Thursday night.
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Cho Yeo-jeong, left, and Kang-ho Song in a scene from Parasite. NEON

PARASITE: BLACK & WHITE EDITION

Where: Student Union Building, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd.

When: Thursday, Sept. 5, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $9 ($8 for students, seniors, and children)

Why: Five years after its initial release, Parasite still packs a punch. The hit Korean black comedy-thriller by Bong Joon-ho is must-see entertainment, even if you’ve watched the masterpiece at some point. This particular version (taken from the Criterion Collection release of the film) is being screened in black-and-white — a curious but appealing bit of cinematic reinvention, as the original made effective use of colour (blood red, especially). Don’t take our word for it: Parasite was up for six Oscars in 2020, and won four — best picture, director, original screenplay, and international feature — on its way to grossing $262 million worldwide, on a meagre $11 million budget. The opportunity to see the film in a new, high-contrast light should not be skipped.

SALT NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL

Where: University of Victoria, various venues

When: Sept. 7-20

Admission: Free (must register in advance at eventbrite.com)

Why: The free SALT New Music Festival covers a lot ground on the University of Victoria campus in the coming weeks, with four concerts and one workshop on tap through Sept. 20. Programmed by Tsilumos Ensemble conductor Ajtony Csaba, the series features several world class performers, including the Emily Carr String Quartet and mezzo-soprano Marion Newman, both of whom appear opening night (Sept. 7). Other programming includes a showcase for contemporary solo and chamber works (Sept. 9), a nighttime park performance at Finnerty Gardens (Sept. 14), a Zodiac-inspired musical look at climate change (Sept. 16), and workshop focused on narratives in music inspired by Indigenous knowledge (Sept. 20). For more information, visit tsilumos.org.

NAUTICAL DISASTER

Where: Odd Fellows Hall, 1315 Douglas St.

When: Saturday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m.

Tickets: $33.28 from eventbrite.com

Why: Fresh off an impressive turn at last weekend’s Langford Rocks festival, Victoria’s tribute to the Tragically Hip continues its busy summer with a concert at Odd Fellows Hall. Nautical Disaster’s setlist is heavy on core hits from the original band’s catalogue, which is a smart move; the Kingston, Ontario legends have not performed together in eight years, and will not do so ever again following the death of singer Gord Downie in 2017. For those still jonesing for in-person performances of Fifty-Mission Cap, New Orleans is Sinking, and Courage, here’s your shot.

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