Want a glimpse into Japanese Canadian culture and a chance to enjoy some choral music?
The Sakura Singers are presenting a concert on Sunday, May 15 at 2:30 p.m. at the Michael J. Fox Theatre. The group is a mixed-voice chorus that sings primarily Japanese songs, both choral suites and folk songs. It formed in 1969 as an informal group of singers and became the Sakura Singers in 1973, incorporating as a society in 2006.
The concert is by donation, and doors will open at 2 p.m.
Check out www.thesakurasingers.org for more – or stop by the theatre at 7373 MacPherson Ave. to hear the concert for yourself.
OPERA STAR ON THE RISE
Remember Nicholas Burns? The 21-year-old Burnaby native was featured in this column in January when he was in contention for the Elizabeth Wirth Vocal Award, a prestigious prize at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music.
Well, as it turns out, he didn’t win – that honour went to Chelsea Rus of Abbotsford - but his dad, Jeffrey, emailed to let the NOW know that the young countertenor made an impressive appearance in McGill Opera’s Rodelinda.
Described by a McGill Daily reviewer as having “impeccable vocals and an enthralling stage presence” and “a voice that could compete with the pros,” Burns earned kudos for his performance in the difficult role of Bertarido.
Congratulations to Nicholas, and here’s to a career we’ll watch with interest.
PHOTO WORKSHOPS COMING
Interested in photography?
The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts has a couple of workshops coming up that may interest you.
On Saturday, May 14, Lurenda Mastromonaco leads a beginning photography workshop for “serious beginners who want to go beyond ‘point and shoot,’” as a course write-up says. Bring your own camera, manual, batteries and tripod. The session runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $60.
Then, on Sundays, May 15 and 29, Vendula Ralkova leads a two-session workshop called Photography Personalized, which will give people a chance to discover their own photographic style and fine-tune composition, ideas and execution. It’s set to run from 1 to 4 p.m. both days and costs $75.
You can find out more in the Shadbolt Centre’s Arts Guide (download one from www.shadboltcentre.com) or sign up at www.burnaby.ca/webreg. The barcode for beginning photography is 392968 and for Photography Personalized is 395665.
ART OPENING AT DEER LAKE
A reminder for art lovers about an art opening next weekend.
Deer Lake Gallery is opening Capturing the Essence, featuring abstract landscapes by Irma Soltonovich and Jenn Williamson, on Saturday, May 14. The opening reception is set to run from 2 to 4 p.m.
Deer Lake Gallery is at 6584 Deer Lake Ave., and it’s open Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., with free admission. See www.burnabyartscouncil.org for more.
DANCE CELEBRATIONS
Explore the world of dance in upcoming performances at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
The Shadbolt’s Continuum Dance Company is performing Here and Now on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14 at 8 p.m. in the Studio Theatre. Tickets are $12.
On Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, you can enjoy a celebration of dance with a youth dance program concert, A Day in the Life Of …, with one show at 11 a.m. and a second at 3 p.m.
Another youth dance program concert, Body Histories, is coming on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5, with shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets for those concerts are $12, and the shows are in the James Cowan Theatre.
Finally, on Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m., you can catch work by the Youth in Motion Dance Company in the Studio Theatre.
See www.shadboltcentre.com for more, or buy tickets through tickets.shadboltcentre.com.
LIVE MUSIC
Heads up for all you live music lovers: The next concert in the A Little Lunch Music series is coming to the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts on Thursday, May 26.
You can enjoy the Celtic stylings of Jocelyn Pettit and Allan Dionne, plus a lunch buffet (optional) at Encores Café. The concert is set for noon, and the buffet runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Music is free, and the lunch is $12.
See www.shadboltcentre.com for more information.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
