No, I haven’t forgotten you! A big apology to anyone whose event information has been waiting in my files – I was off unexpectedly sick for a couple of weeks, but I’m back and catching up now.
And, as always, it’s great to see just how much is going on in this wonderful city of ours.
Here are some highlights from the files:
ARE YOU PITCH-PERFECT?
OK, movie lovers and singers, this one’s just too much fun!
New Westminster’s Landmark Cinemas are hosting their first community A Cappella Sing-Off on Friday, May 15 – in celebration of the release of the upcoming Pitch Perfect 2 (which, for those who missed the first one, takes place in the world of competitive a cappella singing).
Teams can perform an a cappella song in hopes of winning the $1,500 grand prize of a private karaoke party on the big screen at Landmark Cinemas for 20 friends.
The sing-off takes place starting at 6 p.m., and the movie will screen following the contest.
Anyone interested can email the theatre at [email protected] and include their group name, number of participants (must be at least four), contact info and song choice. You must apply by May 10.
Check out www.landmarkcinemas.com for details.
FOR ART LOVERS
It seems only fitting that a retrospective of the work of Joseph Plaskett be part of the 65th anniversary celebrations for the Massey Theatre.
The theatre’s Plaskett Gallery - yes, named for the very same Joe Plaskett – is hosting the retrospective of works created by Plaskett between 1943 and 1958.
It opened May 5 and continues in the gallery until June 30.
Many local residents will already be familiar with Plaskett, an internationally renowned artist who was born in New Westminster in 1918 and grew up in Sapperton.
He kept studios in Paris and London but returned often to New West to visit friends and family before his death in 2014.
The gallery is welcoming volunteers to help introduce visitors to Plaskett and his work – if you knew him, if you love his work, if you have stories to share or if you’d just like to know more about him, you’re welcome to give the gallery a call at 604-517-5900.
The Plaskett Gallery is at Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave. It’s open Tuesdays to Saturdays from noon to 2 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m., plus during performances at the theatre. Check out www.masseytheatre.com for more details – or just stop in to check it out.
A CABARET SUCCESS
VanDeca is going from success to success these days, it seems.
The New West-based choral ensemble held a successful Cabaret on the Keys fundraiser on Saturday, April 18, raising money for the Pianos on the Street program – which will bring an outdoor piano to River Market again this summer.
The cocktail party-style concert at River Market was sold out with 75 guests, who had a chance to enjoy canapes, door prizes, a silent auction and a 50-50 draw along with the VanDeca performance.
“The hall ended up being really beautiful, the food was tasty, and the performances were magical,” writes the choir’s Stephanie Lam.
The event raised more than $2,200.
If you missed the event (as I did, since I was singing in my own choral concert that evening), then you’ll want to note Saturday, May 30 on your calendar. VanDeca’s holding its next concert, A Boy and a Girl, at 7:30 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church in Sapperton.
Repertoire will include the Eric Whitacre piece that gives the concert its name, as well as an eclectic program that includes traditional choral works alongside upbeat modern pop songs by Bruno Mars and TLC. The concert will include arrangements by choir members.
Greens and Beans deli will be catering the reception.
Tickets are $20 at the door or $15 in advance. See www.vandecachoir.com for more information or to buy tickets.
POP IN TO THE GALLERY
Have you been to the Anvil Centre’s New Media Gallery yet? If not, there’s no time like the present to swing by and check out the latest exhibition, POPart.
The exhibition opened May 2 and runs to July 26.
It features the work of four artists: William Lamson, Karina Smigla-Bobinski, Ceal Floyer and Martin Creed.
“POPart invites you to think beyond the object & the medium and journey into an exploration of ideas and constructs,” notes a write-up about the exhibition “How do you interpret the measure of air in a space, is the inventive imagination sparked by the prospect of destruction, how is the shifting role of artist and audience revealed, how do these works relate to the history of art, how do we perceive truth ?”
The New Media Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. It’s on the third floor at the Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St. Drop in or check out more info at www.newmediagallery.ca.
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
Here’s one for the poets.
You may wish to check out Message in a Bottle, a poetry workshop offered by the Royal City Literary Arts Society on Saturday, June 6,
The three-hour workshop (2 to 5 p.m.), led by Fran Bourassa, will give you a chance to work on editing one of your poems that best represents you: “your style, your voice, your message in a bottle to the world,” as a write-up notes.
Writers will have a chance to get feedback from the other participants, and participants will talk about the craft of poetry as they workshop each poem.
It’s $25 for members, $40 for non-members and takes place at 737 Sixth St. (enter at rear). Pre-register by emailing [email protected].
THE BEST LAID THEATRICAL PLANS
Here’s an early heads-up for local musical theatre lovers – if you had the good fortune to catch Patrick Street Productions’ Out of a Dream at the Anvil Centre, then you’ll want to put this one in your calendars for fall.
The New West-based theatre company is partnering with Touchstone Theatre on a brand-new Canadian musical, The Best Laid Plans, based on the award-winning satirical novel by Terry Fallis.
A write-up on the company’s website notes that the story takes place in and around Ottawa during the run-up to a federal election, when Liberal speechwriter Daniel Addison is tasked with finding a candidate to run – and lose – in a Conservative riding.
Veteran playwright Vern Thiessen is writing the libretto, and the score and lyrics are being created by Ben Elliott and Anton Lipovetsky. Katrina Dunn, artistic director of Touchstone Theatre, is the dramaturge, and Patrick Street’s co-artistic producer, Peter Jorgensen, will direct.
It’s set to run Sept. 17 to Oct. 3 at the York Theatre in Vancouver, and tickets will be on sale soon.
Meantime, don’t forget that Patrick Street Productions is holding its Taste of Italy gala fundraiser at Federico’s Supper Club on May 20. You’ll get a great dinner and a sneak peek at The Best Laid Plans!
Keep an eye on www.patrickstreetproductions.com for all the news.
ORBISON TRIBUTE
Only the Lonely. Crying. Oh Pretty Woman.
If any of those song titles just provoked an outburst of singing, then you’ll definitely want to save Saturday, June 13 in your calendar.
The Lonely, a tribute to Roy Orbison, is coming to New West’s own Anvil Centre Theatre at 777 Columbia St.
“The Lonely are a group of experienced musicians and performers who share a deep appreciation of the music of Roy Orbison,” notes a write-up about the band. “The band approach the music with hu7mble spirit and desire to recreate the sounds and feel of the original recordings.”
Doors for the Anvil Centre show will open at 7 p.m., with show at 7:30 p.m. Buy tickets at www.ticketsnw.ca or call 604-521-5050.
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Do you have an item for the Lively City? Send arts and entertainment suggestions to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
