Up-and-coming opera singers are in the spotlight at the next Burnaby Lyric Opera concert.
The local opera company is offering up the first in its Sunday afternoon concert series on Sunday, Oct. 19 at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
The Opera Potpourri concert will feature highlights from the coming season of Sunday concerts and its upcoming February production of Puccini's Madama Butterfly.
The concert features Burnaby soprano Chloé Hurst, a familiar face on the Burnaby Lyric Opera stage, alongside Gina Morel, Matt Chittick, Jason Cook and Rose-Ellen Nichols.
The concert starts at 3 p.m., and tickets are $15. Buy through the Shadbolt box office at 604-205-3000.
The Shadbolt Centre is at 6450 Deer Lake Ave. Check out www.burnabylyricopera.org for more about the concert and the company.
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It's an abundance of riches for opera lovers in Burnaby - this month's Clef Society recital is also opera-themed.
The society's second recital of the season is set for Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. in Room 103 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
The recital features the UBC Opera Ensemble, under the direction of professor Nancy Hermiston.
Operatic students will perform well-known arias for various popular operas and operettas.
Clef Society membership isn't required for the recital - admittance is by donation, and refreshments will be served at intermission.
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Calling all knitters!
The Tommy Douglas branch of the Burnaby Public Library is hosting a Knit2gether gathering on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
It's an informal group that gives people of all ages and skill levels a chance to drop in to knit, crochet, stitch and chat.
Bring your own yarn, needles, scissors and supplies.
A limited number of needles and a limited amount of yarn will be available for those who want to give knitting or crocheting a try.
Tea is provided, and participants can bring cookies to share.
Knit2gether is free, and registration isn't required - just drop in to the library at 7311 Kingsway.
And, while you're at it, mark your calendars for the next Knit2gether sessions, coming up on Saturday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 13.
Check out www.bpl.bc.ca/events for info about this and other library programs.
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'Tis the season to get spooky.
There's plenty of ghoulish fun afoot for local families who want to get into the Halloween spirit.
Of course, Burnaby Village Museum is once again hosting its Haunted Village, running Oct. 23 to 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. each evening.
The event gives people a chance to enjoy the village at night - decorated in a "ghoulish, spooky, yet fanciful fashion," according to the museum. This year's decorations play with the themes of crows and Victorian steam punk.
You can enjoy treats, entertainment, dancing, a circus sideshow, carousel rides and a few other spooky extras (watch out for the mummies at the Burnaby Post printshop).
Tickets are $14 for adults, youth and seniors, and $9 for kids aged two to 12. Entrance includes trick-or-treating for kids and carousel rides.
For little ones who might not relish the more frightening aspects of Halloween, the village also offers a Kids' Carnival at the Carousel on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - with games, crafts and entertainment, plus unlimited carousel rides.
It's $6.50 per person, and children and adults must attend together. It's recommended for ages one and up.
Those interested in ghost stories and otherworldly happenings can once again attend the History and Hauntings walking tours of Deer Lake Park, and the five buildings in the area where mysterious happenings and hauntings have been reported.
It's aimed at those 15 and up, and it's $21.
The tours are on Thursday, Oct. 23 to Sunday, Oct. 26 at 9 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts is getting ready for a zombie attack.
Everyone is invited to join their "fellow members of the living dead" for a staged attack on the Shadbolt Centre on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Those taking part will meet at 11 a.m. at Hill Cottage, in costume (the cottage is at 6570 Deer Lake Ave - park at the Shadbolt Centre and follow the sign sat the East entrance). The "attack" will begin at noon.
Call 604-291-6864 to register for the information package.
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They're taking time to remember in song.
The Vancouver Orpheus Male Choir and the Coquitlam Chorale are joining forces for Lest We Forget, a remembrance concert on Saturday, Nov. 8.
The 7:30 p.m. concert is at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, at 8355 13th Ave. in Burnaby.
Tickets are $20 regular, $18 for seniors, $10 for students and free for children under 12.
They're available from the Coquitlam Chorale at info@coquitlamchorale.com, or the Orpheus info line at 604-515-5686.
Check out www.coquitlamchorale.com or www.vancouverorpheus.org for more details.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, jmaclellan@burnabynow.com, or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
