Van Dop Gallery is marking Earth Day with an artist talk on Saturday, April 22.
Vancouver artist Desirée Patterson, whose photographic artworks are on display at the gallery as part of the Capture Photography Festival in April, will be on hand for a talk from 1 to 4 p.m.
Her digitally collaged works are designed to foster awareness of the importance of environmental preservation.
Van Dop Gallery is at 421 Richmond St. See www.vandopgallery.comor call 604-521-7887 for information.
POETRY CELEBRATION
World Poetry New West is celebrating Earth Day and National Poetry Month at its next gathering.
The event is set for Wednesday, April 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the New Westminster Public Library, 612 Sixth Ave. It will feature book launches by Bernice Lever and Neall Ryon. Other presenters include Candice James, Tony Antonias, Deborah Hardford, Seann Traviller and Father Kaleeg Hainsworth, with hosts Ariadne Sawyer and James Mullin.
As always, there’s an open mike, plus a free raffle and refreshments. For info, call 604-526-4927 or see www.worldpoetry.ca.
PAINT AND SIP
Want to try your hand at creating art? 100 Braid Street Studios is continuing with its series of Paint and Sip nights – offering beverages, appies and a chance to create your own painting, step by step, led by a professional artist.
Paint supplies and provided, and you don’t need any painting experience or skill – just your enthusiasm.
Among the nights coming up: Friday, April 21 – Van Gogh Blossoms; Friday, April 28 – Mount Baker and Cherry Blossoms; Friday, May 12 – Pacific Northwest Birch Trees; Wednesday, May 17 – Ode to Emily Carr; Friday, May 19 – Fraser River Tug Boat; and Friday, May 26 – Fraser River SkyBridge.
The paint nights cost $35, or $60 for two adults registering together. Email [email protected], call 778-886-5391 or see www.100braidststudios.com.
ANYTHING GOES!
Musical theatre fans, don’t forget about the Royal City Musical Theatre production of Anything Goes.
The Cole Porter classic is being brought to lavish life on the Massey Theatre stage in director Valerie Easton’s trademark dazzling style – starring the talents of New West residents Madeleine Suddaby and Daniel James White, along with Shannon Hanbury.
It’s on until April 23, so don’t delay in getting your tickets. Tickets are $48 regular, $38 for students and seniors, or $29 for children 13 and under. Shows are on Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Buy through www.ticketsnw.ca or call 604-521-5050, or see www.royalcitymusicaltheatre.com for more details.
GREAT GIG ROCKS
Remember the Great Gig in New West? The March 4 rock show at the Columbia Theatre assembled a stellar cast of musicians to bring to life the music of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, the Police and U2.
Its organizer, Michael Dunn, had his sights set on raising the profile of New Westminster as a nightlife destination and of raising some funds for the New Westminster Secondary School music program at the same time.
On that latter score, the gig certainly succeeded – Dunn was recently on hand at NWSS to present a cheque for $2,214 to band director Steve Clements. Also on hand were Great Gig sponsors Anita Dunn of Mila and Paige Clothing Boutique and Dave Vallee of Team Dave Vallee (Re/Max) real estate.
“This contribution is my way of helping support the great work they do to encourage appreciation of the arts and music in particular,” Dunn told the Record before the show.
Kudos to all involved.
BEHIND THE SCENES
You won’t see her on stage, but New West resident Elaina Austin is a critical part of Stage 43 Theatrical Society’s next production.
Austin serves as stage manager for BINGO!, the Daniel MacIvor play that Stage 43 is bringing to the stage as its entry into the Fraser Valley Zone Festival for community theatre groups.
The comedy follows five former classmates as they come together for their 30th high school reunion, featuring Leona Atkinson, Michelle Berg, Detton Lake, Aaron Davis and Pierce Ivan. It’s onstage at the Evergreen Cultural Centre, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, from April 27 to May 2.
Shows are on April 27 to 29 at 8 p.m., April 30 at 2 p.m., and May 3 through 6 at 8 p.m. Opening night includes a reception after the show.
Tickets are available through www.stage43.org/tickets or by calling 604-927-6555.
LITERARY HAPPENINGS
Writers and word lovers, take note – the Royal City Literary Arts Society has plenty of events coming up that will interest you.
On Tuesday, May 2, you can join host Nasreen Pejvack and featured reader Sapha Burnell for Tellers of Short Tales, a program of readings for fans of the short story genre. You can also take part in an open mike. It runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St.
On Thursday, May 4, in the Buy-Low Foods Community Room at Westminster Centre (555 Sixth St.), you can join in the Wordplay fun with host Alan Girling. It’s a monthly idea-generating drop-in series for writers; it’s not a critique group, so just bring your writing tools and be prepared to have fun. It runs from 7 to 9 p.m.
Then, on Saturday, May 13, Sherry Duggal leads a Writing and Healing workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Anvil Centre. That costs $15 for members, or $25 for non-members. Register by email [email protected].
You can find out more about all the events at www.rclas.com.
SONGWRITERS GATHER
Here’s another one from the Royal City Literary Arts Society – but this one’s for the songwriters.
The next Songwriters Open Mike night is happening on Tuesday, May 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the back room at the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St.
Enrico Renz, Lawren Nemeth and Poul Bech host the nights, which are open to anyone who wants to share their own original music with a friendly and appreciative audience. Food and beverages are available to order. For all the details, search out RCLAS New Westminster Songwriter Open Mic on Facebook.
CONSIDER THE LILIES
Choral music fans, don’t miss out on this one.
Lyric Singers are bringing their concert, Consider the Lilies, to Holy Trinity Cathedral on Saturday, May 6.
The concert features classical and contemporary choral music, featuring an arrangement of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah arranged especially for Lyric Singers.
The singers are directed by Nancy Rahn and accompanied by Betty Suderman and Chris Knopp.
The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Holy Trinity Cathedral is at 514 Carnarvon St.
Tickets are $20, or $18 for students and seniors. To reserve or for information, call 604-340-4353.
Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected].
