The Arts Council of New Westminster is reaching out to help performing arts students at Douglas College.
The arts council recently donated $8,000 to the college, bringing its Arts Council Scholarship up to $36,000.
Rick Carswell, president of the Arts Council of New Westminster, said in a press release that membership of the council covers all areas of the arts, but recently the performing arts has received a greater focus.
"We try to focus on our strengths, and we are strong in the visual arts and getting stronger in the literary arts, so with Douglas's reputation in the performing arts, this scholarship donation makes perfect sense," he said.
The money for the donation came from the council's key donors and supporters, including Hilda Cliffe and Tony Antonias.
Andrée St. Martin, executive director of the arts council, said the council chose to fund a scholarship to help recognize and encourage excellence.
"The productions at Douglas are very professional, from acting to the stage sets, music and dance - and it is all right here in our community," she said.
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Music lovers, here are a couple more dates to mark on your calendars.
The Music at Queens concert series is continuing with two more fantastic offerings: the West Coast Symphony on Sunday, April 27 and Phoenix Chamber Choir on Saturday, May 3.
Queens Avenue United Church is hosting the symphony, under conductor Yariv Aloni, in a concert that includes Mendelssohn's St. Paul Overture, Brahms' Double Concerto and Sibelius' Symphony No. 3.
Anne Goldsmith and Pam Aloni are featured on violin and cello.
Admission is by donation.
Phoenix Chamber Choir, meanwhile, continues its 30th anniversary season under the guidance of director Graeme Langager. The concert repertoire ranges from the baroque to the contemporary, including many Canadian works.
Phoenix, for those not familiar with the choir, is an acclaimed ensemble that has been a three-time finalist in the European Broadcasting Union's Let the Peoples Sing competition, as well as winning the CBC Choral Competition in Canada arecord 12 times.
(Incidentally, I'm quite excited about this one because, as regular readers may know, I spent a couple of seasons singing with Phoenix. Although I've since departed to spend time raising my toddler, I can still guarantee the choir will put on an excellent concert. Plus, they're very cool people. Just buy your tickets already.)
Tickets are $20 regular, $15 for students and seniors or $10 for children.
Both concerts start at 7:30 p.m. Call 604-522-1606 for tickets or information. Queens Avenue United Church is at 529 Queens Ave.
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Do you know someone in the New Westminster arts community who deserves to be seen in the paper?
We've started up a new profile series, Fill in the Blanks, that gives interesting folks from the arts and entertainment community a chance to introduce themselves to readers.
It's already proving to be very popular, but I always welcome suggestions about interesting people to profile.
Please, don't be shy - if you'd like to be featured, or you know someone who should, send me an email, [email protected], with a few details and contact information.
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Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment suggestions to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
