A local author is in the running for a top award in Canadian fantasy fiction.
Eileen Kernaghan is shortlisted for a 2015 Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic. The honour comes in the Young Adult category for her book Sophie, In Shadow (published by Thistledown Press).
Kernaghan is a member of the Burnaby Writers’ Society and well-known around the city for her many writerly roles, including work as an instructor at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
Her latest novel is set during the First World War and follows the life of an orphaned English girl, 16-year-old Sophie Pritchard, as she begins a new life in British India.
Check out www.eileenkernaghan.ca for more on the book and the author.
Kernaghan is shortlisted alongside Jonathan Auxier for The Night Gardener, Cecil Castellucci for Tin Star, Alyxandra Harvey for A Breath of Frost and Caitlin Sweet for The Door in the Mountain.
The winner receives a cash prize of $1,000 along with the Sunburst medallion.
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Here’s an exhibition of note for art lovers (and, for that matter, whisky lovers) in the city: Jack Akroyd, running from July 3 to Aug. 16.
The Burnaby Art Gallery is presenting a collection of Akroyd’s paintings and drawings, some from the city’s permanent art collection and others on loan.
The exhibition is underway in conjunction with the eighth book of The Unheralded Artists of B.C. series, The Life and Art of Jack Akroyd, by Peter Busby.
An opening reception and book launch is coming up Thursday, July 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Fireside Room at the gallery.
And here’s a definite save-the-date: you can also enjoy a curator’s tour and Scotch tasting on the verandah on Sunday, July 12 at 7 p.m. Tour the exhibit of Akroyd’s work with curator Ellen van Eijnsbergen, then join Andrew Starritt of Cask Strength for a Scotch tasting – all while the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra plays its Symphony in the Park concert as your background music.
You must register for that special event – it’s $50, and it’s for ages 19 and up only. Check out www.burnabyartgallery.caor call the gallery at 604-297-4422.
The gallery is at 6344 Deer Lake Ave. It’s open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is by donation, with a suggested donation of $5.
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Looking for a summer evening out?
The Arts Club Theatre production of Godspell has opened at the Granville Island stage – and a young Burnaby performer is in a central role.
Aubrey Joy Maddock is featured as John the Baptist in the pop musical that traces the story of Jesus and the apostles. She’s onstage in a cast led by Jennifer Copping as Jesus and Andrew Cohen as Judas.
The 1970s classic musical was composed by Stephen Schwartz (perhaps best known among today’s Broadway fans as the composer of the 2003 hit Wicked) and includes such well-known tunes as Day by Day, Learn Your Lessons Well and Turn Back, O Man.
It’s onstage at the Arts Club’s Granville Island Stage (1585 Johnston St.) until Saturday, Aug. 1. Shows are Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $29. Call 604-687-1644 or see www.artsclub.com.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
