Has it really been a year already? Yes, I'm back at my desk in the Record newsroom after a year's maternity leave, and I'm jumping back into arts coverage once again.
I'm hoping to keep hearing from all of you out there in the community who are performing, creating and otherwise engaging in the arts, so please don't be shy about getting in touch if you have something you want us to know about.
You can email me, jmaclellan royalcityrecord.com, find me on Twitter, @juliemaclellan, or friend me on Facebook, www.facebook.com/JulieLMacLellan.
Look forward to talking with you! Meanwhile, back to the business at hand ...
Concerts at quay "It doesn't get any better than this."
A press release notes that was the verdict of Ray Bonneville after performing July 13 performance in the Hyack Festival's second Concerts at the Quay.
Commenting to the audience on the location of the stage, Bonneville noted: "I have a train running in front of me and the river running in behind. Pretty cool venue."
The Hyack Festival Association is reminding everyone that the third and final concert in the series is set for Saturday, Aug. 3. It will feature the Delta-blues duo of Hans Theessink and Terry Evans.
A press release notes that the Dutch-born Theessink is a roots and blues institution in Europe, combining his rich baritone voice and unmistakable guitar work.
Evans is from the heart of Delta blues country - Vicksburg, Mississippi - and is known for his work as a longtime backing vocalist for Ry Cooder.
The two bring blues, gospel and soul to life with just their two guitars and two voices.
Their new release, Delta Time, is receiving acclaim.
For more about the concerts, see www.hyack.bc.ca.
Shakespeare onstage Brush up on your Shakespeare - and enjoy some sunshine at the same time.
Shadows and Dreams Theatre Company is returning to Queen's Park this summer with its production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, opening this weekend.
Shakespeare's comedy - featuring the scheming Sir John Falstaff and the women who decide to teach him a lesson - will be onstage at the bandshell on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Shows are on July 20, 21, 27, and 28, as well as Aug. 4 (no show on Saturday, Aug. 3).
Performances run rain or shine - as the company says, "If there's an audience, there's a
show." You can choose to sit on the benches at the bandshell or bring your own chairs or blankets to get closer to the action. It's free, and everyone is welcome.
Art at the library Artist Cliffe Milne is musing on the theme of consciousness in his ongoing art show at the New Westminster Public Library. Every Picture Tells a Story is on display on the second floor of the library until July 31.
His work utilizes a variety of media and techniques, including acrylic, watercolour, ink, mixed media and coloured pencil, and explores ideas ranging from philosophy, symbolism and abstract thought to the spirituality of yoga.
The show can be viewed at any time during library hours.
The library is at 716 Sixth Ave. and is wheelchair-accessible.
Outdoor poetry What says summer more than Poetry in the Park? The Royal City Literary Arts Society and the city's poet laureate, Candice James, are presenting another summer of Poetry in the Park events on Wednesday nights at the Queen's Park bandshell.
Each week includes scheduled readings from featured poets, as well as an open mike session.
The July 24 session features Darrel Shee, Lilija Valis, Val Parks and Helen Levasseur. The July 31 event includes Renee Saklikar, Ashok Bhargava, Bonnie Nish and Calvin Wharton, while the Aug. 7 event includes Dennis Bolen, Timothy Shea and Eva Waldauf.
The readings run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and it's free to drop in.
To stay on top of the weekly events, check out the group on
Facebook - search for "Poetry in the Park - New Westminster."
Open mike for songwriters The Royal City Literary Arts Society isn't just stopping with poetry - it's also promoting songwriters.
The group is hosting a Sunday night songwriter open mike at the Heritage Grill, 7 to 9 p.m., to give local songwriters a place to perform their original work.
Everyone is welcome to attend as an audience member or take part as a songwriter.
It's scheduled to run every Sunday until Sept. 15, so be sure to check it out.
Do you have an item of interest from the arts and entertainment scene? Send ideas to Julie by email, [email protected]. You can also find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
