Literary and visual artists are joining forces for a new exhibition at the Anvil Centre Community Art Space.
The new show, which is presented by LitFest New West in partnership with the City of New Westminster’s arts services, pairs local artists and writers. Each artist creates a work that is inspired by a text-based piece – all working from the theme of “community.”
Visual artists in the show are Barb Webb, Clarissa Argueta, Danielle Bobier, Elena Zhukova, Iris Mes-Low, Jacky Hosford, Leah Floyd, Susan Greig and Franci Louann. Literary artists are Alan Girling, Janet Kvammen, Alan Hill, Elaine Avila, Anna Camporese, Gayle Mavor, Julia Schoennagel, Lisa Strong and Celeste Snowber.
Their work will be on display from April 1 to June 2. An opening reception is set for Saturday, April 1 from 3 to 5 p.m.
See www.anvilcentre.com for more.
ART FOR KIDS
Local kids are invited to get their hands on art in the next ArtsToGo workshop.
The Arts Council of New Westminster runs the free workshop series to introduce kids and families to a wide range of arts and artists. The next one is coming on Sunday, April 2 from noon to 3 p.m. at Royal City Centre.
Kids will have a chance to join local painter Merril Hall for a big collaborative painting project – stop by the ArtsToGo station and you can add your own brush strokes to the group piece. The final painting will be on display at River Market on Saturday, April 15.
Also coming up is an ArtsToGo community workshop at Lord Kelvin School on Wednesday, April 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. It’s free and open to everyone who wants to join in a hand drum workshop with Rhythm Resource.
Check out www.acnw.ca/artstogo for more on the workshop series.
MUSEUM OF NOSTALGIA
A local photographer’s glimpses into the past are on the walls of Plaskett Gallery this month.
Jesse Cahill’s photographs are on display in Museum of Nostalgia, which runs April 1 to 28 at the gallery at Massey Theatre.
Cahill, a New Westminster-based professional musician and photographer, took the photos in a variety of towns between 2013 and 2017 while on tour. Most are shot with a medium-format film camera, capturing street scenes that emphasize what Cahill calls the “fading uniqueness” of towns and cities.
“For the most part they are locations that were within walking distance of either our hotel or performance venue,” she said. “There are a few, however, that involved stops in the middle of nowhere and the patience and good humour of my bandmates.”
An opening reception is set for Saturday, April 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. See www.masseytheatre.com.
COLLEGE CONCERTS
Music lovers, take note: Douglas College has several concerts set for spring.
The music department is holding an awards benefit concert on March 31, featuring the Douglas College choirs and concert band. Tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for seniors. Students are free.
On April 6, it’s Current Sound Waves VI, featuring compositions and recordings by students in the music technology diploma program. It also features performances by the Douglas College Midi Ensemble. It’s free.
On April 7, there’s another free concert – this one a student composition concert, featuring works written and performed by music students, directed by Doug Smith.
On April 10, jazz fans can check out big band music from the Douglas College Night Band and Dues Band. Tickets are $10 general, or $5 for seniors. Students are free.
All the concerts are set for 7:30 p.m. at the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre, on the fourth floor north at the college’s New West campus at 700 Royal Ave.
See www.douglascollege.ca/artsevents for details.
TRAVEL TALES
Love to travel? Love to write? Get some insight into travel writing at a course in New Westminster.
Ruth Kozak is offering Travel Writing Basics, a five-week course exploring how to write and publish travel stories. It’s happening at El Santo Restaurant in the back room, at 680 Columbia St., running Thursdays from April 6 to May 4, 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
The course costs $50.
Email [email protected] or call 604-254-9711. You can find out more at www.ruthkozak.com.
HONG KONG EXILE
Remy Siu has been fascinated by the interplay of sound and dance for years. Now, his work is front and centre at a new show playing at the Firehall Arts Centre in April.
Siu, who grew up in New Westminster, is responsible for sound composition and media design for Room 2048, a production created by the interdisciplinary arts company Hong Kong Exile.
The company – made up of Siu, Milton Lim and Natalie Tin Yin Gan – also has ties to New Westminster, with a residency at River Market in 2012 and support from the Anvil Centre for this latest work.
Room 2048 is a multimedia dance theatre piece that explores the sociopolitical realities surrounding Hong Kong, which was handed over from the British back to Mainland China on July 1, 1997. At the time, the declaration stipulated a 50-year period of “one country, two systems,” during which time Hong Kong could retain its language and identity. The year after this period is 2048.
“Room 2048 is an imaginary site of refuge and of celebration for the Cantonese diaspora,” explains Tin Yin Gan, the choreographer, in a statement. “By revealing the homeland we do not have and the history we do not know, I seek to honour what we, as first and second generation, are losing and have lost. What do we choose to hold on to? This work celebrates our collective communal longing.”
The work is performed by Lim, Michelle Lui and Alex Tam.
It’s onstage April 11 to 15, Tuesday to Saturday at the Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova St., Vancouver. See www.firehallartscentre.ca or call 604-689-0926 for information and tickets.
CONCERT BAND PERFORMS
Music lovers, check it out. The Royal City Concert Band is offering up a spring performance on Saturday, April 22 at 2 p.m.
The afternoon concert, at Queens Avenue United Church, includes marches, movie tunes, traditional band music and works by small wind ensembles.
Tickets are available at the door and cost $15, or $10 for seniors and students. Kids under 12 are free.
Queens Avenue United Church is at 529 Queens Ave. Free parking is available a half-block down the hill at city hall. Check out www.queensavenue.org for information.
If you have an item for Lively City, send it to Julie, [email protected]. You can also find her on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
