Happy new year! Hard to believe that we're ushering in a new year already.
Fortunately for film buffs, that also means that the next instalment of Last Mondays at the Movies isn't too far away.
The Arts Council of New Westminster is continuing its film series at the Massey Theatre on Monday, Jan. 26, with a 7:30 p.m. screening of The Trip to Italy.
The film follows the adventures of a restaurant reviewer and his friend as they set off on a tour of Italy. It's described as "a savoury mixture of character comedy, spectacular landscapes (and) interaction with the surroundings using ancient history as rich comedy fodder."
Want to check it out? Just pop in to the Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave.) on movie night. You can buy your $9 ticket at the door.
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If you love to sing and you're parenting a young child, then this may be just the place for you.
Music Box Music and Theatre Academy is hosting a new community choir for adult amateur singers. The non-auditioned group doesn't require any prior musical knowledge - just the desire to sing in a group.
Children and babies are welcome to come along (and sing along, too).
Everyone interested is invited to check it out, by donation, in the month of January. It will meet on Mondays at 10 a.m. through January (and longer if there's enough interest), in the food hall at River Market.
And a reminder to parents of young kids - Music Box also hosts a free drop-in mini-music class for wee ones from babies up to five-year-olds. Caregivers join in the singing, stories, instruments and other fun, while kids of all ages can learn from each other. That's on Fridays at 10 a.m.
Check out www.musicboxnw.ca for more details.
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Have you always had a hankering to write? Or are you already a writer but just looking for some advice on getting better at your craft?
You might want to check out an upcoming workshop to get you pointed in the right direction.
The Royal City Literary Arts Society is offering up The Stuff of Stories, with facilitator Lois Peterson, on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Peterson has taught creative writing at the community, school and college levels for more than 20 years, and she has had numerous articles and short stories published internationally - not to mention her seven books for children and youth.
Her interactive workshop will look at the classic advice of "show, don't tell," exploring the tangible, concrete elements of stories as a way to incorporate metaphor and expand possibilities and connections.
There will be discussion, writing and list-making, and participants should bring along the first three pages of a piece of fiction or memoir.
The workshop runs from 1 to 3 p.m. in the MLA's office at 737 Sixth St. There's free parking behind the building; enter from the back. Check out www.rclas.com for all the details.
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And another one for the writers out there - if you want to share your work with other folks, why not check out the Royal City Literary Arts Society's short story open mike nights?
The sessions are hosted by Margo Prentice, and they run on the second Wednesday of the month at Renaissance Bookstore at 43 Sixth St. Writers can bring short stories or excerpts from books or journals to read, and storytellers are also welcome. Everyone is also invited to just pop in to listen.
You can email [email protected] if you want more info - or just stop in to enjoy. Check out www.rclas.com for more.
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Interested in poetry?
The Poetry Wars study group is continuing for the new year, with its next meeting coming up on Saturday, Jan. 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Renaissance Bookstore.
Carol Shillibeer leads the group, which explores Canada's literary environment. Group members meet monthly to discuss poems, reviews, texts and commentary - all with an eye to becoming better poets.
Email Carol at [email protected] or just show up at the meeting to check it out. Renaissance Bookstore is at 43 Sixth St., downtown, and the drop-in is free.
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Calling all artists.
The Arts Council of New Westminster is inviting artists to submit applications for its 2015/16 season of exhibitions.
Artists will be considered for both the main arts council gallery, at Centennial Lodge in Queen's Park, and for satellite galleries.
The exhibition season runs from March 2015 to November 2016, and applications must be in by Feb. 15.
Artists must fill out an application form, provide eight to 10 slides or photos or a DVD of their work, plus an artist's statement, along with a CV.
Call the office at 604-525-3244 or check out the website at www.artscouncilnewwest.org for more information.
