Want to hear from some emerging classical music stars?
The Music at Queens concert series is giving you the chance to do so this weekend when it presents On the Rise, a concert featuring young performers.
Performers include mezzo-soprano Jessica de Gaust, soprano Michelle D. Herrewynen, cellist Daniel Chung and guitarist Calvin Dool.
Tickets for the event are $20 regular, $15 for students and seniors, or $10 for children.
The concert takes place at Queens Avenue United Church, 529 Queens Ave., on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Check out www.queensavenue.org for more details, or call 604-522-1606.
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Poetry lovers may want to take note of a book launch this weekend.
Silver Bow Publishing is launching the Royal City Poets Anthology 2014, featuring poetry readings by contributors as well as an open mike session.
The event is hosted by Candice James, Janet Kvammen and Kyle McKillop.
The list of featured poets is extensive, including such familiar names as Trevor Carolan, Calvin Wharton, Dennis E. Bolan, Bonnie Nish, Alan Hill, Manolis, Franci Louann, Deborah Kelly, Gavin Hainsworth, Ariadne Sawyer and many, many more.
It's all happening in the backroom at the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St., from 1 to 4 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 14.
Also on the book launch front, local author Guy Allen is launching his third novel, Sun City, with a special event at Renaissance Books on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The launch event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at the bookstore, 43 Sixth St.
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It's beginning to look a lot like ...
Well, you know the rest.
In any case, the Artists in the Boro group is holding its first ever Christmas Art and Craft sale, and it's coming up quick - on Sunday, Nov. 23.
"Don't miss this exquisite event celebrating the artists in our midst and the imaginative delights they have to offer, from jewelry to paintings, yarn creations to original cards, and much more," a press release says. "Your holiday shopping can be a pleasurable experience."
The sale is running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the pleasant setting of the Queensborough Community Centre's Poplar Island Room.
For more, check out the website at members.shaw.ca/artistsintheboro.
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Oh, hello, did somebody say Colin Firth?
There I am innocently cruising around the Arts Council of New Westminster website and I find myself distracted by that very name and face.
Yes, turns out the divine Mr. Firth (er, was that editorializing?) is starring in the next Last Mondays at the Movies screening.
The Railway Man - also starring Nicole Kidman and Stellan Skarsgard - is on screen on Monday, Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Massey Theatre.
The movie, based on the memoir by Eric Lomax, tells the story of a middle-aged radio and railway enthusiast who must confront his past as a Second World War prisoner forced to work on the construction of the Thailand-Burma Railway.
Check out www.artscouncilnewwest.org to keep an eye on all the details. Tickets for the movie are $9 and can be bought at the door.
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A New West director is at the helm as Avenue Q returns to the Arts Club Theatre Company's Granville Island stage.
The adult-oriented puppet musical takes to the stage from Nov. 20 to Jan. 3, with Peter Jorgensen directing.
The musical follows the story of Princeton (played by Jeremy Crittenden), a bright-eyed college grad who arrives in New York City looking for love, a job and a purpose in life.
When he lands on Avenue Q, the only place he can afford to live, he meets a motley crew of neighbours - both human and puppet- and learns a few life lessons.
"The music is playful, the lyrics are outrageous, the script is hilarious, and the characters are delightful," Jorgensen said in a press release. "Underneath is colourful fur, a big, boisterous heart beats. Avenue Q is the perfect musical comedy - unless you are under 14 years of age."
And, yes, he's right about that - despite the puppets and the singing, this is no Sesame Street, so be prepared for very grown-up themes!
Check out www.artsclub.com for all the details.
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Here's another one for the art lovers out there.
The New West Artists group is holding an art show on Saturday, Nov. 29 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
The show runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and it will offer a wide range of artistic works - paintings, photography, cards, jewelry, mixed-media work and more.
And, yes, organizers are billing it as "a wonderful opportunity to do some Christmas shopping."
For those of us who go on Christmas strike until at least December the 20th, it will undoubtedly still be worth a visit to the Shadbolt to see the wonderful work being created by local talents.
If you haven't been, the Shadbolt Centre is at 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
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Do you know an artist who deserves to be in the spotlight?
You may have seen our ongoing series of artist profiles, Fill in the Blanks - in which various interesting folks from the arts and entertainment community fill out a brief questionnaire to let us know about themselves.
If you'd like to be included, or you know someone who should, drop me a line - email me at [email protected] or catch me on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
