Literature lovers, you have one more chance to catch Spoken Ink this year.
The Burnaby Writers' Society's monthly reading series continues on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at La Fontana Caffe, 101-3701 Hastings St. in the Heights.
The featured author this month is Melia McClure, reading from her debut novel The Delphi Room.
The novel was released by ChiZine Publications in September 2013, and McClure has also adapted it for the stage and screen.
A press release notes that McClure's fiction has appeared in The Danforth Review and has been shortlisted in the CBC National Literary Awards. She's also an editor of Meditation & Health magazine, which is distributed in the U.S., Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Indonesia.
She grew up dancing and acting, and, in addition to her work as a writer and editor, she has appeared on film, TV and stage. She's a graduate of the Writer's Studio at Simon Fraser University.
Want to hear what she's all about? Pop in to the Spoken Ink Night and check it out. And, if you're so inclined, you an share your own work at an open mike. Open mike sign-up starts at 7:30 p.m., with the reading at 8 p.m.
Check out www.burnabywritersnews.blogspot.com or email [email protected] for more details.
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Have you stopped by Burnaby Village Museum for the Heritage Christmas fun yet?
The illuminated displays at the Burnaby Village Museum are back for the third year in a row.
Organizers have tried to keep the Heritage Christmas experience authentic, so most of the lights are on the site's periphery. The display at the bandstand is sound reactive, so visitors are encouraged to clap, stomp or sing!
After strolling around, visitors can head over to the carousel ($2.50 per ride) or to the ice cream parlour.
Proceeds from all carousel tickets bought on Dec. 13, between 5 and 9 p.m., will be given to the Burnaby Christmas Bureau. The light show runs until Jan. 2.
And, don't forget, there's an ongoing schedule of entertainment that includes theatre productions, choirs and roving entertainers, among others.
Admission is free. For more information, visit www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca.
- Tereza Verenca
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If you missed the Royal City Youth Ballet's Nutcracker performance in Burnaby last Friday night, take heart - you can still catch the holiday favourite onstage close to home.
The youth company brings its full-length Christmas production to stages around the Lower Mainland, and it will be holding two shows at the Massey Theatre in New Westminster on Monday, Dec. 22. You can catch them at 2 p.m. or at 7 p.m.
The show features a large cast of young dancers under the artistic direction of Camilla Fishwick-Kellogg, plus sets by Jean-Claude Olivier and costumes by Chris Sinosish.
Tickets for that show are available through ticketsnw.ca or by calling 604-521-5050.
See www.royalcityyouthballet.org for all the details.
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What are you doing New Year's Eve?
Much as it pains me to notice how fast the calendar is moving (faster than my Christmas plans, at any rate), it's time to start thinking about getting festive.
Burnaby residents may want to think about taking in the New Yeasr's Eve 2015 Glitz & Glamour dinner and dance at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown.
Doors open at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. and six DJs spinning tunes on three dance floors. Whether you're into Top 40, Latin and Caribbean or "old school" music from the 1970s, '80s and '90s, there's something on offer for you at the party.
Tickets are $65 for the dance only, or $99 for dinner and dance. Buy through www.ticketmaster.ca or call 1-855-985-5000.
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And speaking of the new year ...
If you're an arts group looking for new members for the new year, drop me a line and let me know, and I can give you a mention in the Lively City or post your information in our online arts calendar.
Whether it's a choral group looking for singers, a painting group seeking new members, or a festival in need of volunteers, be sure to keep me apprised of your plans for 2015. I'm always interested in hearing from groups in our community about what they're up to - and our readers love to hear about you, too.
Drop me a line to [email protected].
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Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
