Poetry lovers, take note.
The Burnaby Writers' Society is featuring readings by Bonnie Nish and Dennis E. Bolen at its upcoming Spoken Ink reading on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
The reading, held at La Fontana Caffe, also includes an open mike session.
A press release notes that Nish is the author of Love and Bones, launched by Karma Press in September.
She's the founder and executive director of Pandora's Collective Outreach Society, a charitable organization in the literary arts based in Vancouver. She's also executive producer of the Summer Dreams Literary Arts Festival.
Bolen has published seven books of fiction with three different publishers, and his career has included work as editor of subTERRAIN magazine, as a part-time editorial writer for the Vancouver Sun and as a freelance literature critic for several publications.
His return to poetry, Black Liquor, was published by Caitlin Press in September.
Interested participants can sign up for the open mike at 7:30 p.m.; the reading starts at 8 p.m.
La Fontana Caffe is at 101-3701 Hastings St. in North Burnaby.
Spoken Ink is a reading series presented by the Burnaby Writers' Society on the third Tuesday of each month, except July and August. For more information, check out www.BurnabyWritersNews.blogspot.com or contact [email protected].
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A local singer is part of a new Christmas single.
Burnaby native Jordan Alexander is one of 12 alumni from the Spectra Talent Contest who recorded If You're Not Here At Christmas - described as "a Canadian song that pays tribute to the loved ones we can't spend the holidays with due to death, estrangement, other commitments, or physical distance."
The Toronto-based Spectra Talent Contest is an eight-part TV series for emerging singers, with the top winner having a chance to record a single.
Ralph Hammelman, Spectra's executive director, said the depth of the talent in the annual contest is "mind-blowing."
"So I'd like to make these group recordings an annual tradition and share this opportunity with as many singers as possible," he said in a press release.
Profits from the recording benefit Spectra's parent company, the Rainbow Association of Canadian Artists, a non-profit organization with a mission to celebrate diversity in musical expression.
Hammelman co-wrote the song with Gavin Bradley and Paul Bellini.
"Songs like Blue Christmas and Last Christmas lament the end of relationships, but few holiday songs recognize the family members and friends we simply can't spend the holidays with - which is a common reality for most," he said in the release. "I wanted to create a song that would comfort anyone who is dealing with loss, separation or isolation during the holidays."
If You're Not Here At Christmas is available through iTunes pre-sales. Check out www.SpectraSingers.com to buy or to see the music video.
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Want to dance but never had a chance to try?
New line dancing classes for beginners are being offered at Capitol Hill Community Hall, 361 Howard Ave.
The classes will run every Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, starting Nov. 15.
For more details, call 604-655-8795 or 778-883-2628.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
