Do you want to improve your English language skills? Give singing a try.
Kevin Lee is starting up a choir that will meet on Fridays at the National Nikkei Museum and Cultural Centre, 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Thanks to a grant from PeerNet B.C., he's starting up the choir with an eye on helping people to improve their language skills - which may mean newcomers to Canada, people of various backgrounds who've lived here for a long time, or even, in some cases, seniors who need some extra speech practice.
No musical experience is required, and everyone aged 13 and up is welcome.
"I'm hoping that people of different cultures will meet and mingle," Lee says. "It's for bridging the multicultural and multigenerational divide."
Watch for more on Kevin in an upcoming feature story - he's had a fascinating year and has many stories to share.
For the moment, though, don't miss his first choir practice on Friday, Oct. 4. See his website, www.miusc.ca (that's "music with a twist," by the way), or email [email protected] for more details.
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If you love art, don't miss this one. My Artists' Corner (MAC) is holding its fourth annual show on Saturday, Oct. 5.
The show, Express Yourself, is on at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave., from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It features original art, in a range of prices, all by artists living with mental health issues.
MAC meets on Tuesdays and Fridays in Burnaby. Check out www.myartistscorner.ca for more details.
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Here's another one coming up for art lovers.
The Burnaby Artists' Guild is holding an art exhibition and sale, Wall Candy, at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts from Oct. 25 to 27.
The opening is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25. The show will be on Friday 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It will include the work of featured artist Violet Cullen and the guild's many talented artists, with original artwork in a variety of styles and media. Artists will be in attendance, and demonstrations will be offered.
The show will include a raffle for an original painting and a sale of art cards and magnets. Admission is free. For more details, check out www.burnabyartistsguild.com or call 604-291-6864.
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Do you have a partially or fully complete manuscript?
Eileen Kernaghan is offering a Writers' Workshop: Manuscripts class at Shadbolt Centre, starting Monday, Oct. 7.
It runs for eight sessions on Mondays until Dec. 9, 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Participants are invited to share their work and receive constructive criticism in a supportive environment. All genres are welcome, both fiction and creative non-fiction.
The workshop will also look at publishing and marketing. Call 604-291-6864.
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Send Lively City ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.