And so a fantastic season of music begins ...
The West Coast Symphony is performing its season-opening concert this weekend as part of the Music at Queens concert series.
It's on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Queens Avenue United Church, 529 Queens Ave.
The symphony, under principal conductor Bujar Llapaj, opens its season with a program that features Richard Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries, Antonin Dvorak's Symphony No. 8 and Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1.
Joining the orchestra for the Bruch concerto is soloist Dominic Woo, who's currently the concertmaster of the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra.
Woo is an active soloist in both Canada and Europe, as well as a teacher in studios in North Vancouver, New Westminster and Richmond.
Admission to the concert is by donation.
And, incidentally, if you can't make it Saturday night, the orchestra is also performing the same concert Friday night, Oct. 3, at Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Vancouver.
Check out www.westcoastsymphony.ca for all the details.
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Do you get stuck in your own head when you write?
The Royal City Literary Arts Society wants to help you free the words.
The society hosts a regular WordPlay writing prompt group - not designed as a critique group, but rather as a place to get the poetry flowing.
The next session is set for Thursday, Oct 2 at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Grill, and the guest host will be Ekram Ibrahim.
Ibrahim is a journalist, poet and life coach from Egypt who moved to Vancouver in 2013.
"Wrap your mind around the writing prompts we provide. Try your hand at generating some fabulous first drafts, and free your poetic heart," the group says in a write-up.
The WordPlay groups run regularly on the first Thursday of each month.
Check out www.rclas.com for more details.
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You know that pile of writing you have gathering dust on your desk? It's time to share it.
Short story writers are encouraged to bring their work to an open mike night on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
The open mike is hosted by Margo Prentice, and it's open to those wanting to read short stories or excerpts from their book or journal. Storytellers are also welcome.
You're also welcome to just pop in and listen, and bring a friend. The session runs from 7 to 9 p.m.
It takes place at Renaissance Bookstore, where there's also a coffee bar with beverages and pastries. The shop is at 43 Sixth St., downtown.
Call 604-525-4566 or see www.renaissancebookstore.com, or check out www.rclas.com for the details.
The short story open mike nights run regularly on the first Wednesday of the month.
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Love poetry? You can hear some of the best from local poets and take in a book launch at this weekend's Poetic Justice session.
The Poetic Justice reading series runs Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m. in the backroom at the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St.
This weekend will feature readings by Donna Ross-Thengs, Sasha Wiley and Sho Wiley.
Ross-Thengs will also launch her new book, bone hide hair, just released by Silver Bow Publishing. Autographed books will be available to purchase.
Poetic Justice events also include an open mike.
Check out www.poeticjustice.ca for all the details.
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Are you crafty?
The Ladies' Auxiliary of the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 20 is looking for crafters to take part in an upcoming craft fair on Saturday, Nov. 3.
The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 707 12th St., and it costs $35 per table.
For more details or to take part, call marge at 604-521-8567.
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Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
