It's all about love at the Anvil Centre's next VIBE event.
The event, themed Love Hangover, is set for Thursday, Feb. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The VIBE events are a free series of socialize-and-schmooze nights that give people a chance to stop in and check out the Anvil Centre, as well as finding out what's new on the arts and culture scene in the city.
This particular event will feature classic love songs from the Century House Singers, pop-up readings from the Royal City Literary Arts Society, real-time wedding dress design and an Argentinian milonga (tango dance party) hosted by All-Tango.
And, perhaps most fun of all, you can also indulge in some "cathartic piñata smashing."
You'll also have full access to the New Media Gallery, the New Westminster Museum and the Community Art Space.
It's free, but RSVP'ing is recommended - call 604-527-4640 or email [email protected].
The Anvil Centre is at 777 Columbia St. Check out www.anvilcentre.com for more about it.
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And still more love on the arts front ...
Looking for a lovely Valentine's evening? Stop in to the Anvil Centre's New Media Gallery to check out the opening reception for Amour Fou.
The Feb. 14 reception will include complimentary chocolate (always a bonus!) and a cash bar, and it runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Sarah Joyce, director and curator of the gallery, describes the exhibition in an email as a "romantic, incandescent glory of an exhibition."
"Eleven international artists expose love in all its messy, destructive glory ... tied up in a big, stained bow of misbehaviour. Largescale projections will bathe in the white glow of an offkilter neon love note," the gallery website says. "Many of the works conjure up a potent cocktail of memory, cinematic history and celebrity identity. The gallery will be stripped back, its underbelly revealed. Deranged, dark and fertile ... filled with sound. Amour Fou charts an obsessive journey to love gone wrong."
Well, with a billing like that, how can you not be intrigued?
The exhibition, by the way, represents the work of artists from seven countries.
If you miss the opening reception, you can stop in to the New Media Gallery on the third floor of the Anvil Centre (777 Columbia St.). It's open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays. The exhibition runs until April 12, and admission is always free. To RSVP for the reception or find out more, email contact@newmediagallery. ca. Check out www.new mediagallery.ca.
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Also on the theme of love, 100 Braid Street Studios is hosting a special event on Valentine's Day - a Paint and Sip Love Birds Paint Night.
The evening will give people a chance to enjoy a glass of wine and light appies while painting their own masterpieces. The studio provides all the paint supplies, and the instructor will lead everyone step-by-step through the painting.
No painting skills are necessary - "just a fun evening that's almost more about the party than the paint," the studio promises in a write-up.
The class begins at 7 p.m and will wrap up at about 9:15 p.m.
Registration is $35 per adult, or $60 per couple (or two adult friends).
Another fun even at the studio is coming up on Friday, Feb. 13 - a class called Painting on Stone Really Rocks, which is open to adults and kids aged eight and up.
Artist (and studio owner) Susan L. Greig will help people try out a variety of techniques that can be used to create art for your garden, as gifts, as paperweights or as fridge magnets. Materials are included, but if you have a special rock you'd like to try painting on, you can feel free to bring it along.
Doors open at 6:45, and the class starts at 7 p.m., winding up around 9:15 p.m.
The studio also offers a host of other camps, classes and workshops for all ages. You can find out more about the studios at www.100braidststudios.com.
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Here are a couple for the wordsmiths and literary types out there ...
First off, don't forget that the Royal City Literary Arts Society is inviting submissions for its 2015 Write On! contest, which is open until March 15.
You can enter non-fiction or fiction of up to 1,500 words, or poetry of up to one page single-spaced.
There will be three cash prize winners in each category, as well as honourable mentions, and the first-place winners will be invited to read at the Lit Fest New West gala showcase in April.
Entry is $10 per entry for society members or $20 per entry for non-members, and multiple entries are allowed.
Check out www.rclas.com for all the details, or email [email protected].
Second, don't forget your chance to share your work with other word-lovers during the monthly Short Story Open Mike sessions hosted by Margo Prentice.
Writers are invited to drop in at Renaissance Bookstore, 43 Sixth St., from 7 to 9 p.m. to share short stories or excerpts from books, journals or essays. Storytellers are also welcome.
Or, if you prefer, you can turn out just to listen. Refreshments will be available at the bookstore coffee bar.
Email [email protected] for details.
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Are you a Massey Theatre kid?
If you have had any involvement with the Massey Theatre over the years - performing there, watching performances there, enjoying your grad ceremony there - or are just plain interested in its history and future, then be sure to get involved with the Massey Theatres' 65th anniversary celebrations this year.
Join in the fun at www.facebook.com/masseytheatrekid to stay updated about what's happening all year long.
Among the upcoming events are a filmmaking competition, Action : Take 65!, which is seeking works inspired by or documenting the Massey Theatre. Submissions will be due March 31.
Later in the year, a homecoming performance - featuring favourite moments from the Massey stage - is set for June 14, while a Great Pairings: Eyes on the Future event in October will pair senior and emerging performing artists.
Keep watching these pages as dates approach - and don't forget to make yourself an official Massey Theatre Kid on the Facebook page!
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
