The festival formerly known as Yam Jam is now called Momentum Youth Arts Festival, and this year it will be organized and run entirely by youth from New Westminster.
The three-day event starts this Friday, Nov. 2 and runs through Nov. 4 at Massey Theatre. There will be youth performances, exhibits, workshops, information sessions, interactive arts experiences and a jazz concert and dance.
Most of the workshops and events will be free with valid student ID.
Over the three days, youth will gain important public exposure and experience, learn through visual and performing arts, and celebrate individuality and the creative voices of youth.
A free concert will kick off the weekend on Nov. 2, with local talent performing spoken word, concert jazz, and a variety of other acts from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. before the headlining band, The Zolas, take the stage at 6: 30 p.m. and a jazz concert and dance starts at 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.
Workshops in various disciplines including music, acting, technical theatre and visual art continue from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 4.
Supporting the youth organizers of the festival are the Arts Council of New Westminster, Massey Theatre, NWSS fine arts department, the City of New Westminster Youth Services, and SD 40 Community Schools.
For more information or to register, contact the Massey Theatre box office at 604-521-5050 or ticket [email protected].
TOMSON HIGHWAY AT DOUG COLLEGE
Tomson Highway, the award-winning Cree playwright and author, will take the stage at Douglas College's New Westminster campus Nov. 6 in a free performance open to the public.
Best known for his plays The Rez Sisters and Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing, and his novel, Kiss of the Fur Queen, Highway is also an accomplished pianist and songwriter. His performance style combines lectures with live music and readings with songs.
"There are so many sides to him," said Allan Lysell, coordinator of the Douglas College theatre department, in a recent press release. "He has so many stories to tell and they all reveal something about the human condition. And he's funny. He's got such a twinkle - a wonderful sense of humour. This is a rare opportunity."
Highway will speak about Canadian and aboriginal literature, his award-winning play The Rez Sisters, and the role of the arts in Canadian society and aboriginal communities at 7: 30 p.m. in the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre at Douglas College, 700 Royal Ave.
Admission is free, but seating is limited.
Email Nassi Soofi, soo [email protected], to reserve seats.
YOUNG WRITER TAKES FOURTH
Results are in for the fifth annual Junior Authors Short Story Writing Contest, hosted by Laura Thomas Communications.
This year, 58 stories were submitted from 17 municipalities across the province and Shae Joshi of New Westminster - one of the youngest entrants - took fourth place in the highly competitive 14 to 17 age category.
Joshi's story, Searching Men, is a philosophical tale about a spirit searching for a place to call home.
"As for what placing fourth means to me, well, out of the amount of people competing, placing fourth feels pretty good, but it also means I'm going to have to step up my game and improve my writing, so next year I can walk away with first prize," Joshi said in a recent press release.
The annual contest is open to all youth in B.C. ages nine to 21.
For more information, as well as a full list of the 2012 finalists and contest rules for next year's contest, visit www.junior authorscontest.com.
Have an item for Lively City or a tip about an arts and entertainment story? Send it to Marelle Reid at [email protected] or fax to 604-444-3460.
