Teens, get those cameras snapping.
The Burnaby Public Library is once again holding its Snapshot: Teen Photography Contest.
It opened Dec. 1, and entries are being accepted until Jan. 31.
The theme of this year's contest is Colour Your World.
The contest is open to teens in grades 8 to 12.
Photos will be judged on creativity, artistry and overall effect, as well as the quality of the photography and the aptness in terms of the theme.
The first-place winner receives a $100 Metropolis at Metrotown gift certificate, while the second-place winner gets a $50 gift certificate.
Check out the event link at the library's Teen Services page.
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Feeling arty? The Burnaby Art Gallery is holding three exhibitions at Burnaby Public Library branches, and they're all underway throughout the holiday season.
At the Bob Prittie (Metrotown) library branch, you can see the work of Haydn Thomas, whose pencil crayon drawings combine forms and motifs drawn from nature, with patterning inspired by such diverse sources as Ukrainian Easter eggs, Indian and Tibetan mandalas and Moroccan rug designs. The branch is at 6100 Willingdon Ave.
At the Tommy Douglas library branch, at 7311 Kingsway, you can take a peek at some rare books from the Burnaby Art Gallery's collection.
At the McGill library branch, it's The Natural Numeral, featuring works from the gallery's permanent collection that explore the use of numbers in printmaking. That library is at 4595 Albert St. in North Burnaby.
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Looking for a unique gift idea? Or perhaps a new pastime for the new year?
Either way, Bravo Dance Company can help.
The company is offering gift certificates to its salsa classes as holiday gifts ($154 single or $300 per couple for one course).
In Burnaby, the 12-week course starts Jan. 7 at Danz Mode Productions, 7209 Curragh Ave. It runs Tuesdays, with beginner lessons at 8 p.m. and intermediate at 9 p.m.
People registered in beginner and intermediate classes can also attend at other locations for no extra charge. Other classes are held in North Vancouver, Vancouver, Richmond and Surrey.
Bravo Dance Company is led by three-time world champion Alfonso Caldera.
Check out class details online.
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Symphony lovers, you'd better hurry if you want to catch the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's Traditional Christmas concerts.
The orchestra's Burnaby show - Dec. 22 at the Michael J. Fox Theatre - is already sold out.
There are limited tickets left for some of its other shows, including (as of the writing of this column) Dec. 14 at St. Andrew's Wesley Church in Vancouver, Dec. 16 at the Italian Cultural Centre, Dec. 18 at South Delta Baptist Church, Dec. 19 at the Bell Performing Arts Centre in Surrey and Dec. 20 at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver. The Traditional Christmas features music of the season, hosted by Christopher Gaze and performed by the orchestra along with the UBC Opera Ensemble and EnChor. Gordon Gerrard conducts.
Check out www.vancouversymphony.ca for details and to buy tickets.
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OK, I wouldn't be me if I didn't do a little shameless self-promotion at least once in the Christmas season.
If you're looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit, then I must recommend that you show up at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church this Saturday (Dec. 14) for a fabulous 2 p.m. concert.
The Amabilis Singers (to which I belong) are presenting A Christmas Wish, featuring a mix of holiday music from familiar classics to some beautiful, less familiar offerings.
Tickets are $20 (or free for children under 12). You can buy at the door or book ahead at 604-433-6538.
New Westminster Christian Reformed Church is at 8255 13th Ave. (between Newcombe and First streets) in Burnaby.
Hope to see you there.
Got an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
