Love historical fiction and fantasy? Then you'll want to turn out to the next Spoken Ink reading night.
The Burnaby Writers' Society is continuing its reading series on Tuesday, Nov. 18 with an evening featuring readings by Ruth Kozak and Eileen Kernaghan.
A press release let me know that Ruth will read from her first historical fiction novel, Shadow of the Lion: Blood on the Moon, the first volume of an epic story set in the aftermath of the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC.
Eileen, meanwhile, will read from her latest novel, Sophie, in Shadow, a story of "enemy spies, terrorist plots and paranormal events played out against the background of the First World War" in 1914 British India.
As always, the Spoken Ink night will also have an open mike portion.
Sign up for the open mike at 7:30 p.m. The reading starts at 8 p.m.
All the fun happens at La Fontana Caffe in the Heights, at 101-3701 Hastings St.
See www.burnabywritersnews.blogspot.com or email [email protected] for more details.
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A Burnaby-raised sculptor is being featured in the 18th annual Eastside Culture Crawl.
Stefanie Dueck, who has been creating metalwork pieces for the past 10 years, is part of the popular artistic event that runs from Nov. 20 to 23 at locations around East Vancouver.
Dueck's work can be seen at her East Van studio at 298 Alexander St.
A press release notes that her work was influenced by American sculptor Lee Bontecou, who is renowned for her welded steel frame sculptures created in the late 1950s and early '60s.
Her pieces earned her a 2013 B.C. Creative Achievement Award, and she was a finalist in two categories of the 2013 Niche Awards - awards sponsored by Niche Magazine to recognize excellence in Canadian and American fine craft work.
She's one of the 375 artists who will be showcasing their works in more than 70 different locations - including painters, potters, sculptors, jewelers, photographers, glass blowers, furniture designers and more.
"The Crawl is a singular experience that removes the barriers between artist and public - allowing creators to showcase their work, answer questions and share their unique art-making process," said executive director Esther Rausenberg in a press release. "This open invitation into artists' studios represents a remarkable opportunity for individuals to enhance their understanding of the visual arts and deepen their appreciation for the incredible abundance of talent within our city."
See www.culturecrawl.ca for all the details and to access an interactive map to plan your tour.
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Art lovers, take note: There's a new exhibition coming up at the Burnaby Art Gallery.
All is Unmentionable: Up in the Air, featuring the work of Eli Bornowsky, runs at the gallery from Nov. 21 to Jan. 18.
"This exhibition features a number of large canvas 'doubles' which mirror each other with their almost-but-not-quite identical forms," a write-up about the exhibition notes. "A new suite of works on paper is presented, as well as a selection of works from the City of Burnaby Permanent Art Collection. Bornowsky explores the polyrhythmic textures of landscape, Renaissance painting, the artist's studio, colour, abstract expressionism, doubles, and cubism."
An opening reception will be held Thursday, Nov. 20 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Watch for more details in future columns regarding associated events - including an In the BAG family studio experience on Sunday, Dec. 7 and an artist and curator's talk and tour on Wednesday, Jan. 14, plus a Mandarin language tour on Jan. 20.
See www.burnabyartgallery.ca for more details.
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Here's a chance for local families to have some old-school fun - with board games.
The Burnaby parks, recreation and cultural department and Burnaby Public Library are teaming up to present a series of drop-in family games nights in the city.
There are six sessions coming up this month: at Cameron Elementary on Thursday, Nov. 20; at Cascade Heights Elementary on Friday, Nov. 21; at Forest Grove Elementary on Monday, Nov. 24; at Clinton Elementary on Tuesday, Nov. 25; at South Slope Elementary on Thursday, Nov. 27; and at 12th Avenue Elementary on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
All sessions run from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and they're aimed at ages five and up. Parents or caregivers must participate with children.
You don't have to sign up - just feel free to drop in.
Check out tinyurl.com/FamilyGamesNight for the details.
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Here's some more family-focused fun, this one courtesy of the Burnaby Village Museum.
The museum is offering two Saturday programs featuring holiday crafts for kids aged five and up.
Young participants can gather around the kitchen table at the historic Love Farmhouse to take part in holiday stories, crafts, songs and treat-making activities. Participants also get carousel ride tickets.
On Saturday, Nov. 22, kids can take part in some Reindeer Fun and learn how the tale of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has a Burnaby connection, while decorating a candy-cane reindeer, making a gift box filled with magical reindeer food and more.
On Saturday, Nov. 29, kids can take a private tour of the farmhouse to see how it would have been decorated in the 1920s, then take part in making heritage holiday ornaments.
Each session is $15, and kids can register for one or both.
Check out www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca for all the details.
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Love art?
You'll want to swing by the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
The Burnaby Artists Guild is holding a pop-up sale of small original artwork that evening, running from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Art cards, fridge magnets and unframed artwork will be on offer at the sale, which is happening in Room 106.
Parking and admission are free.
To find out more about the guild or see the work of some of its member artists, check out www.burnabyartistsguild.com.
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Opera aficionados have a chance to hear music from one of Georges Bizet's rarely performed works.
Les Pecheurs de Perles (The Pearl Fishers) came to the stage from the same composer who brought the world Carmen - but, unlike Carmen, it's less often seen on stage.
Burnaby Lyric Opera, however, is presenting highlights from the work at its next concert - a Christmas concert on Sunday, Nov. 30 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
The 3 p.m. concert features the talents of Chloé Hurst, Matt Chittick, Alan MacDonald and Brandon Thornhill, with musical direction by David Boothroyd.
Among the works to be performed are the opera's famed tenor-baritone duet and its soprano aria.
Tickets for the concert are $15, available by calling the box office at 604-205-3000.
The Shadbolt Centre is at 6450 Deer Lake Ave. Check out www.burnabylyricopera.org for more.
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Here's one from the TV files - especially for those whose homes may need a little help.
Love It or List It Vancouver is currently accepting applications for the third season of the W Network series, and Burnaby homeowners are being invited to take part.
For those unfamiliar with the show, design expert Jillian Harris and real estate agent Todd Talbot take on clients with a "problem" home - Harris renovates it in an attempt to get the homeowners to "love" it, while Talbot looks for new dwellings in an effort to get the homeowners to "list" it.
Applicants must be a twosome - which can include married/partnered couples, parents/children, siblings or friends.
A press release notes that "selected homeowners must be financially and logistically prepared to endure a major renovation project lasting roughly four to five weeks."
Applications are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until Jan. 31.
Check out www.bigcoatproductions.com/be-on-tv.
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Do you know an artist who deserves to be in the spotlight?
You may have seen our ongoing series of artist profiles, Fill in the Blanks - in which various interesting folks from the arts and entertainment community fill out a brief questionnaire to let us know about themselves.
We're always looking for suggestions of interesting people to profile.
If you'd like to be included, or you know someone who should, drop me a line - email me at [email protected].
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
