A successful entertainment supplement that has been part of the Nelson Star for the past two years is expanding to become its own stand-alone regional publication.
Since the launch of {vurb} in February 2012, a total of 125 weekly issues have been printed and distributed every Friday with the Nelson Star. Next week will see the launch of the new monthly product, but won’t mean the end of an arts and entertainment section, listings and features in the Star.
“We’re making {vurb} bigger and better, and expanding its reach,” explained Nelson Star publisher Karen Bennett, who is overseeing {vurb}’s growth. “We want to reassure Nelson readers that they will still see arts and entertainment covered in the Star, this change will mean expanded reach into the other West Kootenay communities.”
Beginning in May, {vurb} will be printed monthly and distributed in shops throughout the West Kootenay. Its headquarters will remain in Nelson.
“Communities throughout the region are developing themselves as cultural hubs, and we want to reflect that in the new scope of {vurb},” Bennett said.
{vurb} will now include events happening throughout the West Kootenay — from art openings at the Langham Cultural Centre in Kaslo to the latest shows coming to the Charles Bailey Theatre in Trail or the Miners’ Hall in Rossland, and everywhere in between. There will also be book and movie reviews, reports on new technology, food and drink columns, and an extensive monthly event calendar.
Art and entertainment venues are invited to send in material they’d like included in the May edition of {vurb}, including event listings and articles. Submissions can be sent to vurb@nelsonstar.com until Sunday, April 27.
The May issue of {vurb} will be distributed in shops throughout the West Kootenay.
If you’re interested in advertising rates or carrying copies at your business, email Bennett at publisher@nelsonstar.com.
For updates from {vurb}, follow the newspaper on Twitter, @KootenayVurb, or go to facebook.com/kootenayvurb.