Lovers of choral music, mark Saturday, March 17 on your calendars.
Burnaby's own Phoenix Chamber Choir is presenting its spring concert, Visionaries, at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver.
"We have always held in awe individuals who have shown prophetic foresight and the ability to enter into unknown realms and dimensions," explains a notice from the choir.
Among the works will be the rarely heard Luminosity, by British composer James Whitbourne, a work for choir, organ, viola and tanpura, based on the writings of St. John, St. Teresa of Avila, Julian of Norwich and St. Isaac of Nineveh.
(The tanpura, by the way, is an Indian stringed lute-like instrument.)
Phoenix, directed by Burnaby's Ramona Luengen, is an acclaimed choir with multiple wins in the CBC National Choral Competition.
And, yes, full disclosure: I do happen to be singing in the alto ranks. (So if you come to the concert, be sure to come say hello!)
Other local singers involved include Burnaby residents Leanne Dalton (soprano) and Dale Owen (alto), as well as Burnaby music teachers Janet Kyle (alto) and Patti Fletcher (soprano).
Tickets are $25 regular, $20 for students and seniors (60 plus) and $10 for secondary school students. Groups of 10 or more can buy tickets for $15 apiece.
Order at www.phoenix chamberchoir.bc.ca or call 604-584-4755.
Want a sneak peek at the concert? Check out the choir's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ PhoenixChamberChoir, where a video has been posted.
MUSICAL FUN
A Burnaby actor will be in the spotlight in a new musical production in Vancouver.
Ghost Light Projects is offering up the fourth show in its season, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, running March 23 to April 1 at the PAL Theatre.
Burnaby's Aaron Lau is among the cast of the play - which is described as "South Park meets Desperate Housewives."
The play was originally presented at the 2004 New York Theatre Musical Festival.
A press release tells me it's about "agoraphobia, adultery, spray cheese, road kill, hysterical pregnancy, kleptomania, flan and disco."
"When Pippi, a stripper on the run, comes between Dr. Phil-loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her toll-collector husband, neighbours Betty, Lin and Pickles team up to save their friend's marriage," the release goes on to explain. "Most of the action takes place in a trailer park called Armadillo Acres in a little town called Starke in North Florida."
The cast also includes Jessica Kelly, Arne Larsen, Claire Lindsay, Shantini Klaassen, Lee McKeown and Erin Palm.
PAL Theatre is at 581 Cardero St.
Evening performances are at 8 p.m., with one matinee on March 31 at 2 p.m.
Tickets to the production are $25 and $30 and can be purchased at www. ghostlightprojects.com or by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006.
BUSY SEASON AT THE SHADBOLT
It's shaping up to be a busy spring at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
Here are a few highlights from the upcoming events calendar at the centre. Stay tuned for more details in future editions.
First up, it's FRESCO, running March 21 to 24, with evening performances at 8 p.m. and matinees on March 22 and 24 at 2 p.m.
The BellaLuna Productions presentation takes a look at the Italian internment during the Second World War.
Then, on Dec. 31, musician David Myles takes to the stage at 8 p.m.
A press release notes that Myles "showcases his love of experimentation as he combines pop hooks with great songwriting and a return to his first instrument, the trumpet."
Coming up in April, mark down April 20 and 21 to see Miss Caledonia.
The play, set in 1953, tells the story of Peggy Ann Douglas. Desperate to escape the drudgery of farm life, she decides she'll become a movie star - starting by winning the local pageant.
The play is on at 8 p.m. both nights.
The Shadbolt Centre is at 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
For tickets and information about anything happening at the Shadbolt, see www.shadboltcentre.com.
FOLK MUSIC, DANCE IN CITY
Lovers of folk music and dance, take note.
Perusing through a newsletter from the Rogue Folk Club, I came across a few Burnaby events you might be interested in.
On Monday nights, there's an ongoing Scottish country dance class at the Edmonds Community Centre, 7282 Kingsway, at 7: 30 p.m. Call 604-298-6552 for information.
On Tuesday, the International Folk Dancers meet at the Charles Rummel Centre, 3630 Lozells Ave., from 6: 30 to 9: 30 p.m. For information, contact burnabyfolk@ shaw.ca.
On Wednesdays, the Scandinavian folk dancers meet at the Scandinavian Centre, 6540 Thomas St.
Call 604-685-7405 for information.
Melodius Mandolins also meet on Wednesdays in various locations in Burnaby. They're looking for musicians - call 604433-2762.
And, for more about the Rogue Folk Club - which offers a host of live roots, folk and Celtic music events in Vancouver - check out www.rogue folk.bc.ca.
WRITING CONTEST UNDERWAY AGAIN
Writers, it's that time of year again.
The Burnaby Writers' Society is inviting submissions for its 45th annual writing contest.
The contest is open to all B.C. residents, and everyone is invited to submit one page on the theme of Earth.
Work can be in any form or genre, prose or poetry, as long as it is contained on one page.
The entry fee is $5, or three entries for $10, and the deadline for entries is May 31.
Prizes of $200, $100 and $50, as well as honourable mentions, will be awarded.
Winners will be announced in the fall, and winners will also be invited to take part in a special public reading.
For complete contest guidelines, check out www.bws.bc.ca or see burnabywritersnews. blogspot.com.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, jmaclellan@burnabynow. com. You can also follow her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan or check out her blog at www.burnabynow.com.
