Are you ready to go all in for the arts?
The Arts Council of New Westminster is holding its Royal Flush fundraiser on Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 6 to 10 p.m. at MATCH Eatery and Public House.
The fundraiser is billed as a “celebration of the arts” and will include a silent auction, live painting by local artists Danielle Bobier and Pierre Kaufman, music created by local musician HARGOW (Wes Koopmans) and visual projections by local artist Tetsuomi Anzai.
Money raised at the event will be used to help the arts council’s outreach and education programs including the new ArtsToGo program and LitFest New West.
There are only 60 tickets available, so purchase soon. Tickets are $25 and include burger and beer.
MATCH Eatery is at the Starlight Casino on Gifford Street, Queensborough.
Check out www.artscouncilnewwest.org for all the details and the link to Eventbrite ticket sales.
ANVIL CENTRE SEEKS ART
Here’s one for local artists and art groups.
The Community Art Space at Anvil Centre is accepting group proposals for its 2017 exhibition schedule. The space is open to emerging and established artists who live in New West or have a studio practice in the city, working in two-dimensional media.
Groups of three or more artists are invited to make their proposals for a two-month exhibition in 2017. Exhibitions can also include a chance for outreach programs, such as artist talks and workshops.
Submissions are chosen by a jury, and the deadline to submit is March 7. For full details, check out www.tinyurl.com/AnvilCentreProposals.
KIDS HAVE FUN WITH CHARLOTTE
They’re building the next generation of theatregoers in the best possible way – by bringing kids in to have fun.
The Massey Theatre just hosted a huge day of workshops for local kids, led by performer Charlotte Diamond and her son Matt – who were in town over the weekend for a CD launch concert at the Massey.
More than 900 preschool and primary students were part of the fun last Thursday, with a workshop at 10:30 a.m. for the preschool crowd and 1:30 p.m. for the primary kids.
Participating classes got songbooks, CDs and colouring sheets three weeks in advance so they could all get ready for the occasion – and the Massey’s Andree St. Martin reports it was a great success.
“All the students were familiar with the songs and had a great time in the sing-along with Charlotte and her son Matt,” St. Martin wrote in an email to the Record.
The Diamonds have just released Diamonds by the Sea – check out www.charlottediamond.com for more details.
A BURLESQUE VALENTINE
Looking for a way to celebrate Valentine’s Day in glamorous style?
Damask Burlesk is returning to New Westminster for a special Hearts and Garters performance at the Columbia Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 13.
The show is described as a “fun, funny and romantic burlesque romp for Valentine’s Day. A perfect night out with your loved one in a glamorous showroom with amazing performances.”
The lineup includes such performers as Cherry on Top, Audrey Hipturn, Hella Tang, Ruby Slickeur, Mr. Yoyothrower and the ladies of Damask Burlesk – Minnie Peron, Luna Essence and Diamond Minx.
Advance tickets are $30 for VIP or $20 regular. At the door, tickets can be bought (regular only) for $25.
ARTS AT ONE
Do you love music? Are you in or near downtown New West at lunchtime?
You may want to swing by Douglas College for the free Arts at One concert series, which features 1 p.m. concerts in the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre.
The next concert, coming up Feb. 18, is Café Terrace at Night: French Melodies, featuring mezzo-soprano Melanie Adams, tenor Clinton Stoffberg and pianist Alyssa Stoffberg, with artwork by Isaiah Karesa.
On Feb. 25, it’s Intavolatura, featuring Guzmán Ramos on classical guitar and theorbo (and what’s a theorbo? You ask – well I asked, too, and it turns out it’s a long-necked instrument in the lute family. You learn something new on this job every day).
On March 3, it’s time for España, with Barrie Barrington on piano.
And the season is set to wind up with a series of student concerts – Douglas College ensemble concert on March 24 and student showcase concerts on March 31 and April 7.
Douglas College is at 700 Royal Ave., and the theatre is in room 4100, fourth floor north.
WRITE ON!
OK, writers, sharpen those pencils and boot up those laptops, because the Royal City Literary Arts Society’s Write On! Contest is back.
The annual writing contest is open for submissions until April 1, and writers can contribute work in three categories: fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
Fiction and non-fiction entries are limited to 1,500 words and poetry to one page, single-spaced at maximum. Entries are $10 per submission for members or $20 for non-members, with a maximum of three submissions per person in total (across all categories).
Prize money is available: $100 for first, $50 for second and $25 for third.
All judging is anonymous, and last year’s three winners – Elizabeth Schofield in fiction, Alan Girling in poetry and Christina Myers in non-fiction – will be the judges.
Winners will be announced April 15. First-place winners are invited to read at LitFest New West, and winners and honourable mentions will be published in the society’s e-zine, Wordplay at Work.
See www.rclas.com for all the submission and payment details.
SLUSH-PILE SUCCESS
Ever wondered what happens to that slush pile at a literary press?
Find out at an upcoming workshop offered by the Royal City Literary Arts Society.
Susan Pieters is leading Slush-Pile Confidential on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. She’ll look at what the “slush-pile” is, how it works and how long you should expect to wait for a response if you’ve sent off a manuscript.
You can get some insight into what catches an editor’s eye and what can turn an editor off your story – and, once it’s accepted, what steps it will go through to become a published work.
She’ll discuss how to tailor your submissions using research and Duotrope, how to network in the publishing industry and how to edit your work.
The workshop is limited to 12, so register ahead by emailing [email protected]. The workshop will take place at the MLA’s office at 737 Sixth St. (entrance and parking at the back).
See www.rclas.com for more on local literary events.
ART SQUARED
It’s hip to be square.
Or squared, as the case may be.
New West Artists are offering up Art Squared, a new exhibition of square artworks by members, at the Gallery at Queen’s Park from March 2 to 27. An opening reception is set for Wednesday, March 2 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Arts Council of New Westminster’s gallery is at Centennial Lodge in Queen’s Park. It’s open Wednesdays 1 to 8 p.m., Thursdays to Sundays 1 to 5 p.m.
Check out www.artscouncilnewwest.org for more details.
Got an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment suggestions to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
