ON NOW
To Sunday, Dec. 22
Touch of Winter, an exhibition by New West Artists at the Plaskett Gallery, Massey Theatre. Gallery is at 735 Eighth Ave., open 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, by appointment or during productions at the theatre. Info: www.masseytheatre.com or 604-517-5900.
History in Relief, featuring a series of intricate wood relief cuts by Raymond Taylor, on display at the Gallery at Queen’s Park, from Dec. 4 to 22 and then again from Jan. 8 to 26. Gallery open Wednesdays 1 to 8 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays 1 to 5 p.m. Info: www.acnw.ca or @artscouncilnw on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
To Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020
Nature: Larger Than Life, an art show by the Garden Gals, in the Art in the Atrium gallery at Queensborough Community Centre, 920 Ewen Ave.
To Sunday, Jan. 5
Winter Celebrations at Anvil Centre, with a daily roster of free family activities and entertainment of all kinds. Weekday events start at 3 p.m., weekends at 10 a.m. Visitors can walk the lantern labyrinth, take part in hands on arts activities, and watch a variety of performances. Highlight events include a kickoff party on Dec. 19 featuring the Fugitives and Will’s Jams, a Festivus for the New West of Us comedy show on Dec. 20, Solstice Pride Ball on Dec. 21, and a Family Closing Dance Party on Jan. 5. For the full daily schedule, see www.anvilcentre.com.
It’s a Wonderful Life, a new musical adaptation by Peter Jorgensen based on the screenplay by Frank Capra, presented by Patrick Street Productions at the Anvil Centre Theatre, with matinee and evening options. Earlybird discounts if tickets purchased by Nov. 1. Full details at www.patrickstreetproductions.com.
To Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020
echoes, an exhibition at Burnaby Art Gallery, featuring the work of six artists from across the continent. Gallery open Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Special events in connection with the exhibition include a Stewardship Workshop and an Upcycled Art Making Workshop for kids (aged five to 16, with parent) on Saturday, Jan. 18, and a panel discussion on Sunday, Jan. 19. For full details, see www.burnabyartgallery.ca. The gallery is at 6344 Deer Lake Ave.
To July 2020
Nikkei, a year-long exhibition at the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre, explores the personal stories of individuals and families of Japanese descent: unique stories of arrival, heroism in the face of racism, the resilience of community and the experience of generations. The core exhibit will rotate through more than 30,000 photographs, 35 metres of textual records, 500 oral history recordings, 100 film reels and more than 2,500 artifacts and artworks. The Nikkei Centre is at 6688 Southoaks Cres. See www.nikkeiplace.org for details.
UPCOMING
Saturday, Dec. 21
A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol, 7:30 p.m. at Massey Theatre, bringing the holiday classic to life with giant masks and whimsical puppets. Tickets: 604-684-2787 or through www.masseytheatre.com.
Christmas Reprise XVII New Westminster, presented by the Vancouver Cantata Singers at Queens Avenue United Church, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10 to $35. Info: www.vancouvercantatasingers.com.
Sunday, Dec. 22
The Nutcracker, presented by Royal City Youth Ballet at Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave., with shows at 1 and 4 p.m. Tickets through www.ticketsnw.ca or 604-521-5050. Info: www.royalcityyouthballet.org.
Monday, Dec. 23
Meet the artist behind the dog fences, Margaret Halsey, 5 to 7 p.m. at 329 Devoy St., New West. Buy a copy of Cherry Lane Canines and Cats or Dogs of Sixth and Devoy and Friends, order a painting of your pet, buy a postcard or original watercolour or acrylic painting, and more. All for a cause: 25% of all sales will go toward sponsorship of a puppy for B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs, 25% to Citizen Canine Companion Society.
Monday, Dec. 30
Meet the artist behind the dog fences, Margaret Halsey, 5 to 7 p.m. at 329 Devoy St., New West. Buy a copy of Cherry Lane Canines and Cats or Dogs of Sixth and Devoy and Friends, order a painting of your pet, buy a postcard or original watercolour or acrylic painting, and more. All for a cause: 25% of all sales will go toward sponsorship of a puppy for B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs, 25% to Citizen Canine Companion Society.
Friday, Jan. 3 and Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020
Snow White: A Traditional British Panto, presented by Royal Canadian Theatre Company at the Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave., with relaxed sensory performance on Friday night. Info: www.rctheatreco.com. Tickets: www.ticketsnw.ca or 604-521-5050.
Sunday, Jan. 5 to Saturday, April 4
Seriously Surreal, an art exhibition by Artists in the Boro at the Art in the Atrium gallery at Queensborough Community Centre, 920 Ewen Ave. Info: www.artistsintheboro.ca.
Tuesday, Jan. 14
The Shoplifters, an Arts Club on Tour production at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St. Tickets at www.ticketsnw.ca or 604-521-5050. Info: www.artsclub.com.
Monday, Jan. 20 to Saturday, Jan. 25
Burnaby Photographic Society print display, in the lobby at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave. Info: www.bpsphoto.ca.
Saturday, Jan. 25
Burnaby Photographic Society 24th annual showcase, audiovisual show at 7 p.m. in the James Cowan Theatre at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave. Tickets $20, contact showcase@bpsphoto.ca or phone 604-318-9369, or see www.bpsphoto.ca.
Music at Queens concert series features Van Django, acoustic string ensemble, 7:30 p.m. at Queens Avenue United Church, 529 Queens Ave., New Westminster. Tickets $25 regular, $20 students/seniors, $10 for children (kindergarten to Grade 7). Info: musicatqueens@gmail.com or 604-522-1606, or see more at www.queeensavenue.org.
Duo Solisti performs at 7:30 p.m. at Anvil Centre Theatre as part of the Vancouver Chamber Music series. The duo features cellist Brannon Cho and violinist Yoojin Jang. For tickets and information, see www.anvilcentre.com.
Friday, Jan. 31
Begonia onstage at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave. Tickets $25, buy through tickets.shadboltcentre.com or 604-205-3000.
Saturday, Feb. 8 and Sunday, Feb. 9
The Shoplifters, an Arts Club on Tour production at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave. Tickets at tickets.shadboltcentre.com or 604-205-3000. Info: www.artsclub.com.
ONGOING
Call for exhibition proposals from artists or art collectives (minimum three people) to display at the Anvil Centre Community Art Gallery in 2020. Exhibitions are two months in duration. Indigenous and emerging artists, and those who have not participated in the past, are encouraged to submit proposals. Provide names and contact information of all artists; three to five jpeg or PDF images of proposed artworks by each artists; list of artworks identifying artist names, work titles and dimensions; exhibition statement; and current CV for each artist. Submission must be in by 4 p.m. on Jan. 23. Email Todd Ayotte, tayotte@newwestcity.ca.
Call for proposals for artists in residence at The Gallery at Queen’s Park in 2020. Both established and emerging artists, living and/or working in New Westminster, are invited to apply. This is an artist development program, and no experience is needed. The arts council will offer the chance to use the Lower Studio space for free, in exchange for a weekly public programming event to engage the community. The opportunity is open to both individual artists and arts organizations. Deadline for submission is 4 p.m. on Jan. 31. For full details, see www.acnw.ca (under News).
Literary and visual artists (creative non-fiction, poetry, photography) sought for a new exhibition, Changing the Conversation: Reflective Empathy and Public Discourse on Social Housing, coming to the Amelia Douglas Gallery and Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre at Douglas College in March 2020. Arts Council of New Westminster has an open call for submissions until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Artists with lived experience of homelessness, poverty and substance use are particularly encouraged to submit. Info: www.acnw.ca (under News) or 604-525-3244.
Meditation at the Gallery, sessions every Sunday from 8 to 9 a.m. at The Gallery at Queen’s Park, led by Lyn Sakari. By donation, with suggested donation of $10, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Info and registration through www.tinyurl.com/MeditationQP2019 or www.sitwithsakari.com.
Call for committee members: Seniors Expressions Through the Arts, to volunteer with the Arts Council of New Westminster alongside the seniors coordinator. Committee members must be aged 55 and up. For all the details and application information, see www.acnw.ca under News.
Spoken Ink reading series, hosted by the Burnaby Writers’ Society, is at the Deer Lake Gallery on the third Tuesday of the month (except July and August). For info and writers’ news, see www.burnabywritersnews.blogspot.com.
Children’s handbell choir invites new ringers in grades 3 to 7 to take part. Group meets Mondays from 3:45 to 5 p.m. at Queens Avenue United Church, 529 Queens Ave., New Westminster. Children from New West and surrounding areas are welcome; no charge. Info: musicatqueens@gmail.com.
The Flame New West seeks storytellers for a new season of storytelling evenings at the Plaskett Gallery – new storytellers, veteran performers and all in between are welcome to apply. Three more sessions are coming up on Sunday evenings: an “adult” edition on March 1 and two regular evenings on Dec. 8 and June 14. Email flamenewwest@gmail.com with questions, pitches and more.
Love to sing? The Maple Leaf Singers are inviting people to audition for the dynamic show chorus. All voices welcome. Call 778-245-4445 or email joinus@mapleleafsingers.com. For more on the choir, see www.mapleleafsingers.com.
Spoken Ink reading series, the third Tuesday of each month (except July and August) at Deer Lake Gallery, 6584 Deer Lake Ave., presented by the Burnaby Writers’ Society, with featured readers plus open mic. Info: burnabywritersnews.blogspot.com.
Writers meet-up, hosted by the local writing organization The Other Eleven Months, which has been hosting write-ins around the Lower Mainland for 12 years. Sessions run Wednesdays from 5 to 8:50 p.m. at the Tommy Douglas library branch (7311 Kingsway) for writers of all kinds. Drop in, no registration required. Info: www.bpl.bc.ca/events.
Drop in and do art, at the New West Artists Gallery, 712 C 12th St., Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. Bring your own art supplies and paint, draw, sketch, doodle, colour or whatever you like, $2 or by donation. Info: www.newwestartists.com.
Calling all artists: New Westminster Environmental Partners is calling for artists to create work inspired by the Brunette River and its tributaries, for an exhibition at the Plaskett Gallery in March 2020. Artists working in all mediums are invited to submit. For info, email the.nwep@gmail.com.
New Westminster Photography Club meets on the first and fourth Tuesdays of the month, 7 p.m. at Centennial Lodge, Queen’s Park. Info: www.nwphoto.org.
Gentlemen of Fortune Chorus is looking for new men to join the a cappella group, focused on singing in barbershop harmony style. The chorus has moved to Burnaby and now meets Tuesday evenings at 7:25 p.m. at Cliff Avenue United Church, 1600 Cliff Ave. Interested potential singers and guests are always welcome at rehearsals (enter rehearsal hall from rear parking lot). See www.gof.bc.ca for details.
Life drawing sessions, Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. at the New West Artists/Royal City Arts Alliance gallery at 712C 12th St. Bring your own drawing tools and paper; cost $2. Hosted by Lavana La Brey. RSVP at 604-525-4566 or email lavanalabrey6@gmail.com.
Artists in the Boro is seeking applications for six-week exhibitions in the Art in the Atrium gallery space at Queensborough Community Centre. For submission information and to apply, see www.tinyurl.com/ArtInTheAtrium2019.
Queens Avenue United Church Bell Ringers welcomes new adult members who can read music. The group meets Thursdays from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Call Virginia at 604-597-3894 or email musicatqueens@gmail.com.
Circuit Fridays, featuring underground house music with DJ’s Darius Kramer, Dezyman and Hixz, with special guests, the second and last Friday of the month at Magnetiq Nightclub, 27 Church St., $10 at the door, doors 9:30 p.m.
Burnaby International Folk Dancers, meets Tuesdays at Charles Rummel Centre, 3630 Lozells Ave. Info: 604-522-7468 or burnabyfolkdance.org.
Queen’s Academy offers a non-profit musical theatre program in Burnaby for children aged two to 12. Registration now open at queensacademy.weebly.com.
Volunteers required to help the Burnaby Arts Council in a variety of capacities, including gallery attendants for Deer Lake Gallery, 6584 Deer Lake Ave. Info and application: www.tinyurl.com/BACGalleryVolunteers.
Dance and laugh the night away with round dance and/or square dance lessons. Round dancing is choreographed ballroom dancing done in a circle; lessons Sunday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Charles Rummel Hall, 3630 Lozells Ave. Modern square dancing is done to modern music with groups of eight people in a square; lessons Tuesdays from 7 to 8:20 p.m. at the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion, 6871 Roberts St. Couples and singles welcome, no special clothes required. For info, contact Pat at 604-521-7497.
Poetry New Westminster, presented by Royal City Literary Arts Society on Sundays, 2 to 4 p.m. (except holiday weekends) at the Heritage Grill back room, 447 Columbia St. Each Sunday features two poets and an open mic. Search for Poetry New Westminster on Facebook for the latest schedule.
Paint and Sip Nights at 100 Braid Street Studios, offering a night of beverages, refreshments and a chance to receive step-by-step instruction from a professional artist to create your own painting. Each night costs $35, or $60 for two adults registering together, and runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. A variety of upcoming themes are offered. See www.100braidststudios.com.
Email entertainment listings to jmaclellan@newwestrecord.ca.
