World Poetry New Westminster is celebrating the life of Marie Joseph - mother of Qayqayt Chief Rhonda Larrabee.
The celebration is on tonight (Wednesday, June 25) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the New Westminster Public Library.
The evening will be hosted by Larrabee and Robbie Bandura, with Candice James and Tony Antonias on the bill.
The evening will feature music, stories and more, with an open mike dedicated to poems to or about Joseph.
The evening includes a raffle and refreshments, and it's free - everyone is welcome to drop in.
The library is at 716 Sixth Ave.
For more about World Poetry, check out www.worldpoetry.ca or call 604-526-4729.
*
Looking for a fun Sunday night out?
Don't forget that drag is back at the Heritage Grill.
The DRAG Show has premiered for the season and is running regularly for Sunday dinner shows.
The shows star Mz. Adrien and various special guests, promising "an evening of fabulous drag queens, great food and exceptional adult entertainment."
"It is so exciting to be back doing shows in New West at the Heritage Grill," says Adrien Cormier, a.k.a. Mz. Adrien, in a press release. "It is going to be a summer of good times and great drag!"
Doors open at 6 p.m. for the 7:30 shows. Cover is $10 at the door, and reservations are recommended.
Check out www.theheritagegrill.com or search "The Drag Show" on Facebook.
*
Here's another one for lovers of poetry.
The Arts Council of New Westminster Gallery is playing host to a double book launch on Saturday, July 12.
The event marks the launch of new books by Candice James and Manolis.
James, who's the city's poet laureate, has recently released her seventh poetry collection, Purple Haze, published by Libros Libertad.
"These poems situate the I/You of the lyric's spoken voice in a passionate, sometimes erotic, interrogation of imagination and feeling that is looking for answers," said Fred Wah, former Canadian parliamentary poet laureate.
Manolis (the pen name of Emmanuel Aligizakis) is releasing Autumn Leaves, published by Ekstasis Editions.
"Autumn Leaves is about longing and desire: the passing seasons, as summer turns into winter, permeate these lyrics with a finely tuned eloquence," says a press release. "The poems revel in the vitality of sensuous motion of language on a sea of thought."
Both James and Manolis will be on hand to read from their books, and personalized books will be available for purchase.
The reception will include a meet-and-greet with wine and cheese.
It runs 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Arts Council of New Westminster Gallery in Queen's Park.
*
Think writing is a clean occupation? Think again.
The Royal City Literary Arts Society is holding a special workshop called Wading Into the Swamp: Getting messy with writing.
Daniela Elza hosts the workshop on Tuesday, July 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the New Westminster Public Library.
Participants will write, share and listen (individually or in groups, depending on numbers).
"We will discuss the importance and the messiness of this generative process of writing and its discoveries," says a press release.
The workshop is free. Check out www.rclas.com for more details.
*
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
