The popular music series Uptown Unplugged continues this weekend with a special twist.
The Arts Council of New Westminster has partnered with Momentum Youth Movement to bring you live music featuring some very talented young performers.
On Saturday, from noon to 2 p.m. Atley King and Sam Baglieri will be at Westminster Centre, 555 Sixth St.
On Sunday, Gabrielle McCurdy-Foreman kicks things off at Royal City Centre, 610 Sixth St. McCurdy-Foreman is on from noon to 1 p.m. followed by Allie Melchert, on stage from 1 to 2 p.m.
Fringe fans: listen up!
Vancouver Fringe Festival is right around the corner, and this year two New Westminster folks are taking part in Awkward Stage Productions’ Cry-Baby: The Musical.
The production is being directed by New Westminster native Barbara Tomasic, who has previously worked for Gateway Theatre, Arts Umbrella, Studio 58 and Chemainus Theatre. She has a masters of fine arts in directing from the University of B.C. Joining Tomasic on set is current New West resident and costume designer Monica Emme.
Based on the 1990s cult film by John Waters, Cry-Baby follows the story of the “leather-clad delinquents” who have to face off against the conservative squares.
“Filled with unforgettable songs and a truly unique and fresh story. Cry-Baby, Allison and Baltimore’s juvenile delinquents will dance their way right into your heart,” notes a press release.
The musical stars Victor Hunter, Katrina Teitz, Daniel Curalli, Kelly-Ruth Mercier, SynthiaYusuf, Ali Watson, Krista Skwarok, Stephanie Wong, Charlotte Wright, Darren Dyhengco, Vuk Prodanovic, Max Borowski, Courtney Shields, Sidney Klips, Tosh Sutherland, Brownyn Williamsand Nathan Cottell.
Cry-Baby: The Musical is on stage Sept. 7 to 17 at the Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova St. Matinees are planned for Sept. 10 and 17 and there will be a half-price show on Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $14 each. For details on show times and tickets, go to tickets.vancouverfringe.com.
Get poetic
Poetic Justice, hosted by the Royal City Literary Arts Society, returns this weekend for its monthly reading and open mic session.
The event happens on Sunday, Aug. 20 at 11:30 a.m. at Boston Pizza, 1045 Columbia St. This month’s readings will come from New West resident Geoff Nilson and award-winning novelist and poet Aislinn Hunter.
Nilson is the author of four chapbooks, including In my ear continuously like a stream, which is due out this fall.
“His poems and essays have appeared widely in Canada and internationally, including Poetry is Dead, Event, Lemon House, The Rusty Toque and CV2,” notes a press release.
Hunter, meanwhile, just published her third book of poetry, Linger. She won the 2015 Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize and was a New York Times Editor’s Choice Book for her novel The World Before Us. Hunter was also recently selected to be a Canadian war artist and will travel with the military later this year.
As always, there will be an open mic portion following the guest authors. Be sure to get there early if you want a spot on the open mic list.
For more info, go to poeticjusticenewwest.org.
