Close your eyes and think of Hawaii.
For those who love the big sounds of a tiny guitar, there's something just for you in downtown New West this week.
The Heritage Ukulele Club is bringing a free show to the Heritage Grill on Tuesday, July 24, from 8 p.m. till midnight.
Enjoy a song circle from 8 to 9 p.m., hear musicians Ana Bonbon, Teresa Marie and Phil, Gorehound and Jimy Now, and take advantage of food and drink specials.
Stick around for the door prize, and you might even go home with your very own ukulele courtesy of Bonerattle Music.
The Hertiage Ukulele Club is organized by Gord "Gorehound" Smithers (guitarist for Deadcats, Swank, ReBeat Generation and Wichita Trip). The group meets Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m. in the backroom at the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St. If you're a ukephile, contact Gord to reserve your spot: herita [email protected].
CULTURAL CRAWL
Poetry, high tea, dancing, historical walks and hometown city pride are just a few of the cultural flavours to savour at the eighth annual New Westminster Cultural Crawl on Aug. 11 and 12. From the public library to art galleries and parks across town, the weekend event will be jam-packed with a feast for the senses. Sponsored by the B.C. Cultural Crawl, this event is a self-guided exploration of arts and cultural experiences celebrating unique art and artists around town.
For more information, visit www.newwestcul turalcrawl.com, or www. bcculturalcrawl.com for a list of festivals and events happening throughout B.C. starting Aug. 6.
CONTEST SEEKS YOUNG WRITERS
For aspiring young New Westminster writers, there's no reason to lament cold, cloudy summer days indoors.
The fifth annual Junior Authors Short Story Contest is on now.
Youth aged 10 to 17 in B.C. are eligible to enter this contest sponsored by B.C. writer and storyteller, Laura Thomas.
There's also a special incentive category for children aged six to nine. Last summer, the contest received a record 80 entries from 16 municipalities across the province.
There is no fee to enter, and there are no restrictions on subject matter. So no excuses kids; keep your minds and your pencils sharp this summer, and let your imaginations run wild.
Entries can be mailed to JA Short Story Contest c/o South Delta Recreation Centre, 1720-56 St., Delta, B.C., V4L 2B1.
The contest deadline is Aug. 31, and winners will be announced in late September.
For more information, contest rules, and past winning stories, visit www.laurathomascom munications.com.
NEW FACES
For those of you who've been out of the loop, Royal City arts star, Julie MacLellan, is off for a year on maternity leave.
On Friday, July 13, Julie and her husband, Steven Makuch, had a baby girl named Charlotte Mia Rose Makuch at Royal Columbian Hospital.
Congratulations to the new parents, who live in New Westminster.
I'm happy to introduce myself - Marelle Reid - as Julie's fill-in for the next 12 months.
I'm looking forward to keeping you up-to-date on arts and entertainment in the Royal City, and I hope to hear from you with tips, press releases and general opinions.
There's so much to see and do in this city, and I'll keep these pages filled with the latest happenings in this, the hippest town east of the Georgia Strait.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send it to reporter Marelle Reid by email at editorial@royalcityrecord. com, by fax to 604-444-3460 or mail it to 201A-3430 Brighton Ave., Burnaby, B.C., V5A 3H4.
