ON NOW
To Wednesday, April 30
YA Write!, the Burnaby Public Library's annual teen writing contest, invites submissions of short stories from young writers in two categories: younger teens (grades 8 and 9) and older teens (grades 10 to 12). Entrants must have valid Burnaby Public Library card, and entries can be no more than 1,500 words. This year's theme is a photo prompt called The Bridge - find it and all the details at www.tinyurl.com/BPLteen-writing.
To Sunday, May 4
Jesse Nishihata - Visual Storyteller, a retrospective of the work of the pioneering Japanese Canadian filmmaker, with a chance to select from several films to view in a private screening. At the National Nikkei Museum and Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cres. Open Tuesday through Sunday, admission by donation, see www.nikkeiplace.org or call 604-777-7000.
To May 18
Arts Alive, a showcase of student artwork, at Burnaby Art Gallery, 6344 Deer Lake Ave. Info: 604-297-4422, www.burnabyartgallery.ca
To June 22
Saskia Jetten, an exhibition of the work of the contemporary printmaker, upstairs at Burnaby Art Gallery, 6344 Deer Lake Ave. Info: 604-297-4422, www.burnabyartgallery.ca.
*
Friday, April 25
Opening reception for LitFest New West, featuring Double Exposure's Linda Cullen and Bob Robertson, 6:30 p.m. at New Westminster Public Library, 716 Sixth Ave. Reserve at 604-527-4667.
Jimmy Rankin, the acclaimed East Coast entertainer performs at 8 p.m. at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, $32/$27 students seniors in advance; regular prices $35 and $30. Tickets: 604-205-3000, www.shadboltcentre.com.
Happy Marriage Achieved, presented by Vancouver Cantonese Opera, 7 p.m. at Michael J. Fox Theatre, tickets $40, $50 and $60. Info: 604-764-8181, [email protected] or www.vancanopera.com.
Reel to Real, presented by Circa 51 Circus Troupe at the Vancouver Circus School second floor, River Market, New Westminster, bringing moments from the silver screen to life through circus performance, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.), $25. Purchase online via Eventbrite.ca or see www.vancouvercircusschool.ca for more details.
Friday, April 25 to Sunday, April 27
Lyrids Folk Dance Festival, at the Gizeh Centre, 3550 Wayburne Way, Burnaby, with a chance to learn new dances from Serbia and Turkey. New and experienced dancers welcome. Festival includes Balkan singing and drumming workshops, plus a dance party Saturday night featuring Kafana Republik. Catered meals featuring dishes from Serbia and Turkey, plus a marketplace selling music, costumes and more, are also part of the weekend. Sign up for the whole weekend for $175, or for individual workshops. Call Dale at 604-496-4236 or see wwwlyridsfolkddancefestival.org.
Saturday, April 26
LitFest New West, at Douglas College, with workshops and marketplace from 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Volumes of Authors and open mike from 5 to 7 p.m., and a literary showcase featuring keynote speaker Gary Geddes from 7 to 10 p.m., at Douglas College, 700 Royal Ave. Info: www.artscouncilnewwest.org, 604-525-3244.
Reel to Real, presented by Circa 51 Circus Troupe at the Vancouver Circus School second floor, River Market, New Westminster, bringing moments from the silver screen to life through circus performance, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.), $25. Purchase online via Eventbrite.ca or see www.vancouvercircusschool.ca for more details.
Sunday, April 27
Poetic Justice, 3 to 5 p.m. in the backroom at Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St., hosted by Franci Louann and featuring Ruth Hill, Alan Hill and Elliott Slinn. Info: www.poeticjustice.ca.
West Coast Symphony, performs at Queens Avenue United Church, 7:30 p.m., under conductor Yariv Aloni, featuring Anne Goldsmith and Pam Aloni on violin and cello. Admission by donation, 604-522-1606.
Book launch, for Burnaby poet Diane Tucker's Bonsai Love, 7 p.m. at the Cottage bistro, 4470 Main St., Vancouver, featuring Tucker and singer-songwriter Rodney DeCroo. Info: www.harbourpublishing.com.
Saturday, May 3
Phoenix Chamber Choir performs at Queens Avenue United Church, 7:30 p.m., with repertoire ranging from baroque to contemporary, under director Graeme Langager. Tickets at the door: $20 regular, $15 students/seniors and $10 children. Info: 604-522-1606.
Sunday, May 4
Led Zepagain, tribute to Led Zeppelin, 7:30 p.m. at the Massey Theatre, $32.50 plus service charges. Buy at 604-521-5050 or tickets.masseytheatre.com.
Poetic Justice, 3 to 5 p.m. in the backroom at Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St., hosted by Deborah Kelly and featuring Alan Girling, Jude Neale and Bonnie Nish, plus open mike. Info: www.poeticjustice.ca.
Tuesday, May 6
WordPlay, hosted by Royal City Literary Arts Society, 7 p.m. in the back room at the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St., New West. Wrap your mind around provided writing prompts and try your hand at generating some fabulous first drafts. Part of a free monthly drop-in series - not a critique group, just have some fun. Bring writing tools and paper.
Saturday, May 10
Songs of Sinatra, a tribute by Rick Valiant, with special tribute guests and the Blue Morris Swing Band, doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. in the Grand Room at the Columbia, 530 Columbia St., 604-525-2262, www.thecolumbia.ca. Tickets $25.
Sunday, May 11
Poetic Justice, 3 to 5 p.m. in the backroom at Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St., hosted by Sho Wiley and featuring Carleigh Baker, Frances Cabahug and Paul Falardeau, with open mike. Info: www.poeticjustice.ca.
Tuesday, May 13
Uploading Ebooks, a free workshop presented by Royal City Literary Arts Society and the New Westminster Public Library, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the library, 716 Sixth Ave. Perry Wilson shows how to get your book into Smashwords, Amazon, Kobo and other online retailers. Workshop is useful for self-publishers and indie publishers. Register at 604-527-4667 or email [email protected].
Saturday, May 24
Sixth annual Bloom Art Auction, at Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre, featuring traditional Japanese daruma, with auction, canapés, cash bar, entertainment, $25, or $20 for members, centre.nikkeiplace.org/daruma-art/
Sunday, May 25
Poetic Justice, 3 to 5 p.m. in the backroom at Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St., hosted by Franci Louann and featuring Lee Johnson, Susan McCaslin and Russell Thornton, with open mike. Info: www.poeticjustice.ca.
ONGOING
Young Queensborough artists, aged five to 12, invited to take part in an Art Invitational from Artists in the Boro. Create a work of art on 8X10 paper (plus a plain one-inch border for matting) on the theme of What I Like About Queensborough. Hand in your picture to the Queensborough Community Centre front desk at 920 Ewen Ave., attention Artists in the Boro, by Wednesday, April 30. On the back, print your name, title of picture and phone number, plus (if possible) an email address for your parent or guardian.
Burnaby Art Gallery off-site exhibitions at Burnaby Public Library branches: Portals of Time: The Best of Famous Empty Sky, underway at Bob Prittie (Metrotown) library branch to June 8; and Stuart McCall, photography, at the Mcgill Library, 4595 Albert St., to June 9. Info: www.burnabyartgallery.ca.
Burnaby Writers Society, 47th annual writing contest, on the theme of Wood. One-page submissions of prose or poetry welcome. Prizes of $200, $100, $50, plus honourable mentions, for work in any form or genre. $5 per entry, or $10 for three entries. Deadline: May 31. See www.burnabywritersnews.blogspot.com.
Songwriters open mike, every Sunday evening 7 to 9 p.m. at the Heritage Grill, in the backroom at 447 Columbia St., New Westminster, hosted by Enrico Renz and Lawren Nemeth. Bring songs to join in, or just stop by to listen. Poets also welcome for collaboration. Info: www.rclas.com.
Cameron Seniors Sunshine Sing-along group meets on alternating Mondays, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Cameron Recreation Centre, 9523 Cameron St. Sing along to old-time favourites with friends. Volunteer musicians sought - pianos, drums and other instruments. A piano and a drum set are available for use. For info, call Sue McIntyre at 604-297-4453 or email [email protected]
Line dancing, Mondays at 10 a.m. at Deer Lake United Church Hall, 5135 Sperling Ave. Beginners welcome. Call Georgie at 604-522-5647 for information.
Line dancing at Capitol Hill Community Hall, 361 Howard Ave., with new classes for beginners on Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon, starting Nov. 15. Call 604-655-8795 or 778-883-2628 for information.
Write From the Heart, a writers' group led by Ruth Kozak, 10 a.m. to noon at WAVES coffee shops, Begbie and Columbia streets, New Westminster, looking at memoir writing, some fiction and some poetry. New members always welcome.
Burnaby Scottish Country Dance Club, meets Mondays 7 to 10 p.m. at the Scandinavian Community Centre, 6540 Thomas St., Burnaby. New members welcome. No partners needed, no experience required. For info, drop in or call Gerry at 604-451-1161 or Rosemary, 604-298-6552. Info: www.rscdsvancouver.org/burnaby.html.
Modern square dancing, give it a try on Monday evenings at the Charles Rummel Hall, 3680 Lozells Ave., 7:30 p.m. No experience needed; come alone or with a partner or friends. Info: 604-939-2789.
Scottish Country Dance Class, Mondays at 7:30 p.m. at Edmonds Community Centre, 7282 Kingsway, 604-298-6552.
Scandinavian Folk Dancers, Wednesdays at the Scandinavian Centre, 6540 Thomas St., Burnaby, 6004-685-7405.
Melodious Mandolins, looking for new musicians, meeting at various locations in Burnaby, 604-433-2762.
Dance For Fun Club, the "Best Little Dance Club in Town," offers rock and roll nights Mondays, swing nights Wednesdays and ballroom nights Saturdays, all at the Heritage Hall, 728 12th St., New Westminster, Doors open at 6:30 p.m., beginner-intermediate lesson at 7:30 p.m., dance at 8:30 p.m. Info: [email protected] or 604-726-0153. Dances are $10.
Burnaby International Folk Dancers, meets Tuesday nights from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Charles Rummel Centre, 3630 Lozells, Burnaby. Learn folk dances from around the world in a friendly club environment. All levels welcome, no partners needed, drop-ins welcome. Info: 604-436-9475.
Writers Discovery Group, meets on the second Wednesday of the month from September to June, 10 a.m. to noon on the lower floor of the library, 716 Sixth Ave. All welcome. Chance to share your short stories, poems, articles or drafts of novels or plays in a group setting for feedback.
*
Send your arts and entertainment listings to [email protected], or [email protected].
