Eight young artists are bringing their original performance-based work to life in a new project at the New Westminster Museum and Archives.
The museum is inviting everyone to a free special performance of The Living Archive on Friday, Nov. 27, from 8 to 10 p.m.
A press release notes that the museum houses more than 35,000 historical photographs, and this project brings them to life by challenging eight young artists to respond to them with original performance-based work.
Led by local composer Remy Siu, a graduate of New Westminster Secondary School, the 12-week intensive program has also been guided by members of his company, Hong Kong Exile.
“The program is a really interesting opportunity to have close access to all of the materials in the New Westminster archive,” Siu says in the release. “Everyone has related the subject of ‘living archive’ to their practice, and I think audiences will see a nice diversity of work.”
The night includes songwriters, dancers, performance artists, composers, choreographers and new media artists. The performance takes place in the Anvil Centre Theatre, and people can drop in at any point to check it out.
Kids' art in exhibition
What are kids up to these days?
You can find out at the Anvil Centre’s Secret Gallery, in the New Westminster Museum.
The gallery is hosting Paint the Town, an exhibition by a group of nine- to 12-year-old artists who were part of the Anvil Centre’s fall Paint the Town program.
“These budding artists will leave you inspired and intrigued,” the gallery promises.
A collection of works in the exhibition will also be displayed outdoors, on the city’s waste and recycling bins.
Check out www.anvilcentre.com/events/paint-the-town or drop in to the gallery to check out the exhibition for yourself. It’s underway until Dec. 7 at 777 Columbia St.
Hip-hop with a message
You can enjoy hip-hop artists with a social justice message in the next free ArtStarts performance at River Market.
The free performance for kids is on Sunday, Nov. 29, with one session at 11 a.m. and a second at 1 p.m.
Metaphor is a crew of hip-hop artists who build community empowerment and social justice, according to a press release, and their latest show, Elements, combines poetry, rap, turntablism, beatbox, percussion and interactive music.
“As the artists perform their individual talents, the show begins to synthesize their skills and expose the power that is inherent when we all connect and unite,” the release says. “These artists use music and participatory games to explore themes of inclusion, exclusion, bullying and acceptance.”
You don’t need to pre-register, and the sessions are free. Check out www.artstarts.com/weekend for more information, or see www.rivermarket.ca to find out all about what’s happening at the market.
Portraits of a city
Love art? Love New Westminster?
You won’t want to miss a return of the New Westminster Celebration Portrait Series, on display until Dec. 22 at the Plaskett Gallery at Massey Theatre.
The series of portraits by artist Rosie Augustine was originally commissioned to recognize exceptional artists of New Westminster from the past and present, spanning the years from the early 1900s to today.
Augustine’s art is transferred to artist’s canvas or watercolour paper using the giclee fine art printing process.
Prints are available, signed by the artist, starting at $35.
Check out the exhibition at the gallery any time in opening hours: 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, or by appointment.
See www.masseytheatre.com for more.
Spirit of the season
Van Dop Gallery is getting into the spirit of the season.
The gallery is hosting an open house for its Spirit of the Season – the Art of Adornment this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jewelry artist Joanna Lovett and fibre artist Julie Pongrac will be on hand with their work, and visitors will be able to find festive treasures and hand-crafted ornaments and gifts.
The gallery is at 421 Richmond St. Check out www.vandopgallery.com for more information, or call 604-521-7887.
Veteran author launches book
A veteran author from New Westminster has released a new book.
Trevor Carolan was in town over the weekend to launch The Literary Storefront: The Glory Years, 1978-1985.
Carolan began writing at age 17 for The New Westminster Columbian, filing dispatches from San Francisco’s countercultural music scene. During the late 1960s he ran the Bohemian Orpheus, a Columbia Street coffee house that featured many top West Coast music acts of the period. He started his writing career right here in the city by freelancing for arts and music publications across Canada and the U.S., and he has since published more than 20 books.
“We emigrated to Canada in ’57, settled in New Westminster, and it’ll always be my hometown,” he said in a press release. “As a boy I was a maypole dancer at the celebrations in Queen’s Park, sang in the Lord Kelvin School choir, and played on the Lester Pearson football team. The Royal City produced a constant stream of fine athletes and artists. The late Joe Plaskett was our city’s art hero living in Paris, and it was Sam Roddan who got me started at creative writing in high school.”
The Literary Storefront: The Glory Years follows the story of Canada’s first non-profit literary centre, founded by Mona Fertig. The book has been released by Mother Tongue Publishing. Check out www.mothertonguepublishing.com for more.
Seriously Senior onstage
Getting older is serious business – or is it?
Golden Age Theatre is offering up a production of theatrical fun, Seriously Senior, at Century House on Dec. 4 and 5.
The production includes three one-act plays: Time Out, in a special return performance; Yogiisms, a monologue about Yogi Berra; and Profusion of Roses, a touching story about two older women.
Time Out is directed by Margo Prentice, with a cast including Joan Duffy, Muriel Grooves, Georgie Cole, Claudette Campbell, Elaine Nickel and George Bosnick. Yogiisms is also directed by Prentice, with Michael Anthony as the announcer. Profusion of Roses, directed by Anthony, features Betty Ann Wilson and Prentice.
Seriously Senior runs Friday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 5 at 1:30 p.m. at Century House, 620 Eighth St. Tickets are $8 for members, $10 for non-members, including refreshments and entertainment at intermission. You can buy them at the front desk at Century House.
They're laughing at old age
And here’s another from the “just being old is a laugh” files.
That’s not my quote, incidentally – it was one of the comments made when a new class started up as part of the Liberal Arts 55+ program at SFU: Finding Your Funny – Discover Stand-Up Comedy.
Janice Bannister, a New Westminster comic and comedy teacher and owner of Laughter Zone 101, leads the classes – and she’s showcasing the group’s talents in a show at Lafflines on Sunday, Nov. 29 at 2 p.m.
The Boomers, Zoomers and Seniors show features students aged 55 to 83, with jokes covering all aspects of the boomer and senior years.
“There will be no Depends jokes; those have all been done,” Bannister says. “This comedy material is authentic and covers a range of material dealing with families, technology, acceptance in the community and the good and bad parts of getting older.”
Tickets for the show are $15, with a $3 seniors’ discount. Check out www.lafflines.com.
Christmas on the air
Take a journey into the past for an old-time live radio show in a new performance at the Columbia Theatre.
Christmas on the Air: A Musical Revue, is onstage on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 1 and 7 p.m.
The night is led by radio broadcasters and co-hosts Red Robinson and Rick Cluff, with a cast of tribute artists, a band, swing dancers, elves and, of course, Santa Claus. The night is set in a radio studio, with the audience as, well, the audience. You can enjoy tunes of the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s courtesy of the talents of the Hot Mammas, Candus Churchill, Michael Sicoly, Aaron Wong and the On The Air Dancers, with the band featuring Tom Arntzen, Arnt Arntzen, Brian Newcombe, Buff Allen and David Say.
Check out www.facebook.com/OnTheAirAMusicalRevue or www.thecolumbia.ca for more, or call 604-522-4500 for tickets.
Christmas choir concert
It’s not Christmas until you’ve heard at least one choir singing – and I have just the one for you.
New Westminster’s own Amabilis Singers are offering up Christmas Joy on Saturday, Dec. 5.
The choir is fresh off a successful homecoming concert following a tour of Italy this past summer.
The afternoon concert promises to celebrate all the joyful magic of the Christmas season, with favourite carols and sing-alongs alongside other seasonal choral works – including such gems as Connor Koppin’s There Is No Rose, Will Todd’s Softly and Morten Lauridsen’s O Nata Lux.
Tickets are $20, or free for children under 12. You can buy from choir members, at the door or call 604-897-7258.
Check out www.amabilissingers.org for more details.
(And my usual disclaimer: Yes, indeed, I am an Amabilian. You’ll spot me hanging with the altos, so do come say hello if you come to the concert!)
Celebrate art at winter market
Love art? Be sure to check out the 100 Braid Street Studios Winter Arts and Craft Pop-Up Market.
The market is coming up on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Owner-artist Susan L. Greig and resident artists will be on hand for the day, and Greig has also invited a select group of artisans and craftspersons to join them for the occasion.
100 Braid Street Studios is a working art studio that offers a range of workshops and classes for people of all ages. It’s housed in a converted, 5,600-foot warehouse and former winery, in premises that have become known as a venue for all kinds of celebrations – as well as a fantastic place to check out art.
See www.100braidstreetstudios.com to find out all about the studio – or, better yet, drop in to the winter market to check it all out for yourself.
Carols and bells are back again
Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say, throw cares away …
Sorry, it’s coming up on Christmas, which means I can’t read the word “bells” without singing. My carolling digressions aside, however, be sure to mark Sunday, Dec. 6 on your calendars.
Queens Avenue United Church is once again hosting its popular Carols and Bells evening at 7 p.m., featuring handbell choirs from Burnaby, New Westminster and Surrey.
In between handbell performances, the audience gets a chance to join in and sing Christmas carols.
Tickets are available at the door or at www.queensavenue.org. Regular tickets are $20, with seniors and students for $15 and kids for $10. And, by the way, the organizers let us know that the concert is about 70 to 90 minutes long, without intermission, so even the young members of the family can get home for bedtime.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
