New Westminster’s poet laureate is releasing a new book.
Candice James is launching her ninth book of poetry, Merging Dimensions, in a special event at the Heritage Grill on Sunday, June 7.
The event opens at 1:15 p.m., with readings by James, along with Janet Kvammen, starting at 1:30 p.m. Discounted copies of the book will be available for sale at the event.
James is well-known around the city as a poet, writer, visual artist, musician and singer-songwriter. Along with being the city’s poet laureate (for her second three-year term), she’s also heavily involved with the Royal City Literary Arts Society and founded both the Poetry in the Park and Poetic Justice events.
Her new book is described as a “surrealistic offering of poetry crossing boundaries invisible and visible with brilliant and vivid imagery flowing throughout. It is a subliminal mix of raw bones and sparkling diamonds reflecting the many facets of mind, matter and spirit.”
Interested? Stop in to the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St., on Sunday, or find out more about James and her work at www.candicejames.com.
Top teen talent takes to stage
If you want to hear from some of the finest young musical talent in the city, then here’s your chance.
The 2015 NWSS June Revue is set for Tuesday, June 9 at 7 p.m. at the Massey Theatre.
The show features performances by the New Westminster Secondary School bands, mass choir and string ensemble, as well as a presentation of awards and scholarships.
It’s the culmination of the music department’s school year, and everyone’s invited to join in the fun – for a mere $8, it’s bound to be one of the best value tickets you can buy!
Check out www.nwssmusic.com, or buy tickets through www.ticketsnw.ca or call 604-521-5050.
Playing with words
Here’s one for the poets.
Don’t forget about the Royal City Literary Arts Society’s poetry drop-in series, WordPlay.
The WordPlay events give participants a chance to use writing prompts to generate some first drafts and, as the group says, to “free your poetic heart.”
Take along your writing tools and paper to join in the fun – and note, it’s not a critique group, just a chance to have some fun with words.
The next session is on Thursday, June 4 at 7 p.m. in the backroom at the Heritage Grill. Check out www.rclas.com for all the details about the WordPlay sessions.
Share your stories
So you’re more into short fiction than poetry?
The Royal City Literary Arts Society also has something for short story writers – a regular open mike night at the Renaissance Bookstore at 43 Sixth St.
The next session is on Wednesday, June 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. Writers are invited to share short stories or excerpts from books or journals, and storytellers are also welcome.
You can also just drop in to listen.
This month’s event is hosted by guest host Janene White. Check out www.rclas.com.
Warring over poetry
More fun with poetry! If you’re interested in taking a closer look at Canada’s literary landscape to help you in your own endeavours as a reader and writer of poetry, then you may want to check out Poetry Wars.
Carol Shillibeer leads the study group, with monthly meetings at 100 Braid Street Studios in New West – participants do readings on their own time and then gather for the monthly meetings to discuss what they’ve discovered.
The next meeting is Monday, June 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Check out www.rclas.com/events/recurring/poetry-wars for all the details.
Interactive theatre at the columbia
Get ready to laugh Aunt Biddy into her grave.
Lovers of interactive theatre will enjoy the next outing by Laughter Zone 101’s Janice Bannister– Aunt Biddy’s Wake, coming to Lafflines at the Columbia Theatre on June 12 and 13.
The interatctive play - in the style of Tony ’n’ Tina’s Wedding or last year’s Laughter Zone production of Aunt Martha’s FUNeral – was created by Coquitlam comic and playwright Nic Enright-Morin.
It traces the life and times of Aunt Biddy as her family gathers for an Irish wake – with her sister Patricia (Joan Koebel), her boarder Lina (Anna Clifford) and a former “dancer friend” (New West’s own Margo Prentice) among the guests.
Also joining in the fun are Mike Whittaker, Vanessa Woznow, Leigh Green, Richard Hamlinand Adam Tatelman. Bannister directs the fun – and, yes, the audience takes part too.
It’s onstage at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13. You can get tickets online at www.thecolumbia.ca or call 604-545-2262 to reserve. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
