A new choir can help singers discover the healing power of song.
Camp Kerry, a non-profit organization that specializes in bereavement care, is starting up a new community choir in New Westminster. The choir will meet Thursdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Douglas College.
It’s a non-traditional choir that’s intended to create an inclusive community for people dealing with experiences of illness, grief and loss. The group is led by Aspen Switzer, an accredited music therapist with extensive experience in directing community choirs and vocal ensembles.
Everyone is welcome, including children eight years of age and up, and no prior singing experience is required to join. The repertoire will be non-classical – usually contemporary folk tunes arranged in harmony.
Pre-registration is needed to take part in either of two upcoming sessions: the winter session running from Feb. 18 to April 7, or the spring session running May 5 to June 23. It will cost $50 per session for children and students, or $75 for adults.
Register at www.campkerry.org or call 604-553-4663.
GALLERY SESSIONS
Get into the musical groove at the Gallery in Queen’s Park.
The Arts Council of New Westminster is continuing its Gallery Sessions on Wednesday, Feb. 24 with a performance by the Drive By Poets, a trio of local musicians.
It’s set to run from 7 to 8 p.m. and it’s on a pay-what-you-can basis, with a suggested donation of up to $7.
Check out www.artscouncilnewwest.org.
EMILY DICKINSON ONSTAGE
Emily Dickinson fans will love this one.
A special Poetic Justice reading session is set for Sunday, Feb. 21, featuring actor Renée Bucciarelli as Emily Dickinson.
Bucciarelli, well-known locally as the artistic director of City Stage New West, has portrayed Emily Dickinson a number of times in the one-woman show The Belle of Amherst. She’ll be the featured reader at the session that runs from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Boston Pizza at Columbia Square.
There will also be an open mike; admission to the whole afternoon is by donation.
Check out www.poeticjusticenewwest.org.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
