New artwork is taking flight in the Community Art Space at Anvil Centre.
The gallery is playing host to a new exhibition, Things With Wings, from Jan. 30 to March 30. An opening reception is set for Friday, Feb. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m.
The seven-woman show features work by Lavana La Brey, Liz Dehn, Janet Kvammen, Teresa Morton, Julia Schoennagel, Betteanne Wilson and Elena Zhukova.
The artists’ work explores both the natural world and the realm of imagination.
“Through realistic representations or metaphorical, mythological allusions, this exhibition ponders the relationship between gravity and solidity, freedom and repression, body and spirit,” says a write-up about the event. “Flying offers an entry into the themes of beauty and metamorphosis, freedom and freewill, fear and fascination.”
You can find out more at www.anvilcentre.com – or just stop in to check out the exhibition at 777 Columbia St.
ARTSTARTS RETURNS
Here’s one for the families with small folks: ArtStarts is back at River Market with its weekend workshop series, and this weekend (Sunday, Jan. 29), kids can enjoy a magical session with author Kallie George.
George is the author of the Magical Animal Adoption Agency books, which feature a host of magical animals – dragons, unicorns and more. Kids can join in a storytelling session in a fairytale fort, then make their own magical egg.
The workshop runs twice, at 11 a.m. and at 1 p.m., in the community square (upstairs). It’s aimed at kids aged five and up, but everyone is welcome.
It’s free, and you’re encouraged to arrive early since the workshop series is always popular.
Check out www.rivermarket.ca for more.
NEW WEST ACTORS IN MUSICAL
New West actors are taking to the stage in a Burnaby production of The Little Mermaid.
Align Entertainment is staging the musical – based on the popular Disney film – from Feb. 3 to 18 at the Michael J. Fox Theatre.
Robin Sukorokoff and Bronwyn Williams are part of the cast for the family-friendly show, which features the popular songs from the movie – Under the Sea, Kiss the Girl, Part of Your World and more – plus extras for the stage version.
Young and old alike will enjoy the story of Ariel, the mermaid princess who becomes a human girl to seek adventure and love above the water. It stars Elyse Maloway as Ariel, with Colton Fyfe as Prince Eric, Damon Calderwood as King Triton, Erin Matchette as Ursula, Julio Fuentes as Sebastien and Chris Adams as Scuttle.
The theatre is at 7373 MacPherson Ave., Burnaby. For more information, see www.alignentertainment.ca.
SYMPHONY FOR SMALL FOLKS
Are there small people in your house who love music? Don’t forget about the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Tiny Tots series, which makes a return to the Anvil Centre Theatre on Feb. 4.
Let Your Music Shine! With Lisa and Linda (a.k.a. Lisa Grace and Linda Sebenius) returns to the stage for the concert, which runs twice: at 10 a.m. and at 11:30 a.m.
The Mother Goose Goes To the Symphony concert will combine favourite symphony classics with favourite rhymes – all accompanied by a brass trio.
The concerts are aimed at the toddler and preschooler set, with a caregiver.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $7 for children and $2 for babies. Buy through www.ticketsnw.ca.
The Anvil Centre is at 777 Columbia St.
CRAFT A MONSTER
Here’s a cute one for the crafty kids in your household.
The Anvil Centre is hosting a Cuddly Monster Crochet workshop for the eight- to 12-year-old crowd on Saturday, Feb. 4. It’s set to run from 10 a.m. to noon.
Kids will learn crochet basics and make their own cuddly crochet monster to take home. Supplies and equipment are provided, and the workshop costs $30.
The Anvil Centre is at 777 Columbia St. For information or registration, see www.anvilcentre.com.
LOCAL PERFORMER IN TEEN THRILLER
A New Westminster performer is onstage in a new teen thriller coming to the stage as part of the PuSh Festival.
Rashi Grewal, a 19-year-old recent high school grad from New West, is part of the cast for Concord Floral, which is onstage Jan. 25 to 29 at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre in Vancouver. It then moves to Surrey Arts Centre for shows on Feb. 3 and 4.
Concord Floral, by Jordan Tannahill, was shortlisted for the 2016 Governor General’s Award. The story is based on 14th-century Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron, in which 10 youth flee the Black Death and escape to an abandoned villa for 10 days, where they keep each other alive by telling one another stories.
In this modern, updated version, the teens escape to a massive abandoned greenhouse, seeking refuge from a “plague they have brought upon themselves,” as a press release tells it. All the cast members are youth actors from around B.C.
Check out www.pushfestival.ca for more details.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
