Their aim is to promote the performing arts, artists and venues throughout B.C. – and they’re off to a good start, by all accounts.
The Columbia Performing Arts Society put together its inaugural concert and membership drive on Sept. 20, with an All 4 You evening at the Columbia Theatre downtown.
Marlyne Marrese let us know about the amazing success of the concert, which included the Mojo Stars (Randy “Mojoman” Clarke on vocals, Mark Rankin on lead guitar, Rob Marr on bass and Shaun Soucy on drums, with J.T. Platt on Saxophone), Jayleen Stonehouse, Blu Mankuma and Juno Award winner Murray Porter.
“The All 4 You concert was a huge success,” Marrese wrote in a press release. “The artists played their hearts out, and the people in the audience were impressed by the music, how seamlessly the evening went, and how well it was organized.”
Other talents involved in the evening were the night’s core band: Shaun Soucy on drums, J.T. Platt on saxophone, Olaf de Shield on lead guitar and Trevor Andres on bass, plus young dancers from the Club F.U.C.I. TV show who joined Mankuma for three of his songs.
Desiree Dyck provided the backdrop, with a slideshow of photos by Bal Dosanj, put together by Doug Lucas.
The Columbia Performing Arts Society, by the way, is spearheaded by a board of directors that includes Marrese, along with president Doug Lucas, secretary Michael Hwang, treasurer Jayleen Stonehouse, director of photography Bal Dosanj and directors at large Randy Clarke, Desiree Dyck and Robbe Hardnette. Hardnette also MC’d the show.
Check out www.bccpas.org for more on the group or to get a membership form.
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Just because they’re tiny doesn’t mean they can’t love art.
New Westminster residents have a chance to check out work by the city’s littlest artists in the Art Splash Sculpture Show, running Oct. 10 to 24 at the atrium gallery at New Westminster Museum.
The youngsters, aged two to four (yes, you read that right) were part of the Anvil Centre’s fall Art Splash class. The fruits of their labours will be presented in this exhibition of their sculptural works.
“These budding artists will leave you inspired and intrigued,” a press release promises.
The museum is at the Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St. Check out www.anvilcentre.ca for all the details, or just drop in to check out the exhibition. It’s free and open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (until 8 p.m. on Thursdays).
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Damask Burlesk is inviting you to get into the Halloween spirit in an upcoming burlesque show at the Columbia Theatre.
Following on the success of their cabaret in May, the performers of Damask Burlesk are back with their newest show, Spooktacular Cabaret, on Saturday, Oct. 17.
“You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll scream,” promise the organizers, who are offering up a lineup that includes burlesque acts on a range of Halloween themes – werewolves, vampires, ghosts, the Rocky Horror Picture Show and more. Also in the lineup will be fringe festival star juggler Yuki Ueda and drag contortionist Vixen Von Flex.
And, for those who want to get into the real spirit of the night, there’s even an audience costume contest with prizes.
The Columbia Theatre is at 530 Columbia St. Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 for VIP seats, or $25 (regular seating only) at the door. It’s for ages 19 and up only.
Buy tickets through spooktacularcabaret.brownpapertickets.com.
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Love work in silver?
Workingsilver, the Sapperton studio, is holding a semiannual jewelry show and sale Oct. 24 and 25.
The two-day sale, running 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, will showcase the work of the studio’s instructors and students, with up to 20 artisans on hand to sell their work.
Workingsilver is a retail store and a studio that caters to both hobby and artisan silversmiths.
“Our classes focus on hand fabrication silversmithing, as wella s other handmade jewelry mediums (enameling, precious metal clay, casting, etching),” writes studio owner Kathy Brandon in an email.
Check out her website at www.workingsilver.com for all the details – or drop in to the studio to check it out for yourself. Workingsilver is at 131 East Columbia St.
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Do you have an item for Lively City? Send ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
