Here's a save-the-date for all musical theatre lovers out there - especially if, like me, you were a teenager in the 1980s.
New Westminster Secondary School is offering up Footloose the Musical at the Massey Theatre for five performances in February: Feb. 25, 26, 27 and 28 at 7 p.m., and Feb. 28 at 2 p.m.
It's the fourth musical for the production team that was responsible for Annie in 2008, Bye Bye Birdie in 2009 and Grease in 2011 - and, knowing NWSS, it's bound to be chock full of amazing talent.
If you don't know the story, then clearly you weren't a fan of the 1984 film (starring Kevin Bacon) on which it was based. In any case, it's an entertaining, teen-centred storyline that involves a kid from the big city who winds up in a small town and helps turn life a little bit upside-down for the inhabitants thereof - with lots of dancing en route.
Can't wait to see what NWSS makes of this one!
Tickets are $18 for adults or $15 for seniors, students and kids. See www.ticketsnw.ca to buy.
Keep your eyes on @nwssmusic on Twitter or see www.nwssmusic.com (and watch this site for more as the date approaches).
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A reminder to local art lovers of an event coming up at the Anvil Centre - don't miss an artist's talk in connection with the ongoing Let Me Count the Ways exhibition.
Karen Justice from Artists in the Boro will be on hand for the talk on Monday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m.
The Artists in the Boro have an ongoing group exhibition at the centre looking at the countless facets of love - with their inspiration point being the opening line of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's famous sonnet.
The exhibition includes painting, drawing, photography and textiles, and it features the work of 14 different artists.
Check it out in the Community Art Space at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St.
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Need a little help getting started with your writing?
The Royal City Literary Arts Society has a couple of ideas for you.
First up, don't miss out on the free series of poetry-generating events, called Wordplay.
Saskia Wolsak will be guest hosting the next session on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in the back room at the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St.
The sessions offer up writing prompts, designed to help participants get going on some first drafts. It's not a critique group - just a chance to get the writing going. Bring your own writing tools and paper.
For information, email [email protected] or see www.rclas.com for details.
Or, on Saturday, Feb. 7, you can check out Carol Shillibeer's workshop on Tarot and Storytelling.
A write-up about the event notes that tarot cards tell stories based on the elements - earth, air, fire and water - and based on "archetypal pathways to human purpose, deep meaning."
"What we'll discuss, and practise, are the methods by which you can access these stories, no matter your experience," it says.
The workshop runs from 2 to 4 p.m. at 737 Sixth St. - park and enter from the rear of the building.
Seating is limited, and the workshop is $20 for members or $35 for non-members. You can pre-register by emailing [email protected].
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Hot on the heels of The Trip to Italy, film lovers should be marking the next instalment of Last Mondays at the Movies in their calendars.
Get set for My Old Lady on Monday, Feb. 23, the next showing the Arts Council of New Westminster film series at the Massey Theatre.
My Old Lady tells the story of a New Yorker who discovers that the Paris apartment he inherited from his estranged father is already occupied by a refined retiree and her protective daughter.
With Kevin Kline, Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas in lead roles, the Israel Horovitz film seems destined to be well worth a night out.
Interested? Check out www.artscouncilnewwest.org for more details, or just turn out for the movie on Feb. 23 - all screenings start at 7:30, and tickets are $9 at the door.
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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.
