An independent publishing company from Burnaby is celebrating a book launch next weekend.
The Write Room Press is holding a special event at the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. to mark the launch of Dreams, Guns and Gorillas, by Aliette Frank
The memoir is the story of an 18-year-old girl's experience studying mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda before the massacre of 1999.
"It is about her struggle to survive starvation, rape and abandonment in the jungle, the human ecological challenges the mountain gorillas face, and her dreamtime connection to the gorillas, which ultimately saves her," a press release says.
The launch will include a reading from the author and will feature a presentation of some of her artwork.
The Write Room is also holding a launch the following weekend, on Friday, Nov. 22, for Confronting the Red Devil and Other Stories About Cancer.
The memoir by Kerry Chuter will be launched in a special event at CityUniversity of Seattle in downtown Vancouver, 310-789 Pender St., Room 350. It takes place from 7 to 9 p.m.
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Burnaby talent is onstage in a new production at the Jericho Arts Centre.
Ron Blicq's Closure, directed by Bernard Cuffling, is onstage from Nov. 8 to Dec. 1.
It tells the story of Donald Barlow, an Englishman who decides to search for his father - a visiting Canadian serviceman during the Second World War. When the search agency hired by Donald at last tracks the man down, he denies any involvement with Donald's mother and refuses to meet with Donald.
Donald is played by Dave Campbell of Burnaby, and Donald's wife is played by fellow Burnabyite Kate Robbins. Fellow Burnaby resident Laura Miller plays their daughter.
Closure is on at the Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery St. in Vancouver, Thursdays through Sundays. Performances are at 8 p.m., except for two Sundays -Nov. 17 and Dec. 1 - when there is at 2 p.m. matinee only.
Tickets are $16 to $20, available at the door.
Check out www.unitedplayers.com for more details.
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Molly Bushell of Burnaby is living out a local-girl-makes-good story overseas.
Bushell is now in her second year at Newcastle University in the U.K., studying music and classical voice. She earned a scholarship to attend the university last year.
Bushell sang with the Vancouver Children's Choir for nine years and danced at HZ Ballet Classique in Burnaby for 15 years.
Her grandparents, Wayne and Colleen Ming, sent us an email to let us know about Bushell's successes.
Bushell, along with other Canadian music students, recently had a chance to meet with Gordon Campbell, Canadian High Commissioner in the U.K.
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I know, I know, it's far too early to be thinking about Christmas - but the season of concerts is beginning, and here's one to mark on your calendars now.
The Westminster Church Choir and friends are presenting Hallowed Manger Ground, by Gary Rhodes and Cliff Duren, on Saturday, Dec. 7.
The concert will feature a selection of new songs and seasonal favourites.
It's taking place at 715 p.m. at the Westminster SDA Church, 7925 10th Ave. in Burnaby. (Enter from 11th Avenue, off of Sixth Street).
The concert is for people of all ages and denominations. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. A freewill offering will be taken.
For more information, call 604-524-6969.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
