You can't spend time covering the arts in Burnaby without learning first-hand just how much amazing young talent there is out there.
Which means there should be no shortage of people interested in this one.
The Burnaby Arts Council is looking for young, up-and-coming performers to take part in its annual Stars of Tomorrow show (formerly the Cavalcade of Stars).
The show is open to performers of all kinds, individually and in groups - from singers and bands to magicians, comedians, dancers and instrumentalists.
The show is open to up-and-coming performers aged 11 to 35, and it's happening on Dec. 1.
Call the Burnaby Arts Council office at 604298-7322 or email info@ burnabyartscouncil.org to apply for an audition.
FOR BOOK LOVERS
Bookworms, take note. St. Michael's Parish is once again organizing its huge book sale.
This is the second book sale this year - thanks to the overwhelming success of their spring event in May, they've decided to host another book sale for fall.
It's set for Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the school gym.
The sale will feature more than 10,000 brandnew books, sold for $3 apiece or less.
Those who can never walk away from a book sale without multiple purchases will be glad to note even better prices - two for $5, or five for $10.
St. Michael's is at 9387 Holmes St. in Burnaby.
GETTING CRAFTY
Crafters, this one's for you.
Because of high demand, the Burnaby Arts Council is offering an additional jury selection opportunity for crafters who want to take part in the 40th annual Christmas craft fair.
Anyone wanting to take part should submit their jury application form, plus jury fee of $10, and samples of their work, by Oct. 7.
The show runs for four days, from Nov. 10 to Nov. 13, at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
It runs Thursday from noon to 8 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission is free. For all the details, check out www.burnaby artscouncil.org and look under the Events link, or email info@burnaby artscouncil.org.
A LIFE IN MUSIC
It felt a bit like Mr. Holland's Opus, live right here at home.
Regular readers may remember a feature about Burnaby's own George Ryan that ran on Sept. 28.
And George's many fans and friends are already well aware that Holy Trinity Cathedral in New Westminster hosted a spectacular retrospective concert of his work on Sunday night.
The concert, in celebration of George's 70th birthday, was a benefit for Holy Trinity Cathedral and City Stage New West.
The cast and audience included a host of people with whom George has worked over his 40-plusyear career in music in Canada - with excerpts from his musicals, Christmas music, songs from his 12 years with Bard on the Beach and more.
As an audience member, it was a night of pure joy.
To see so many people band together over a shared love of music and shared respect for George was a true delight.
The faces on stage included such familiar City Stage New West folks as Renée Bucciarelli, Dora Brooks, Damon Calderwood and Jeremy Lowe, alongside Christopher Gaze of Bard on the Beach fame - who teamed up with Ryan for a well-received rendition of Quoting Shakespeare.
Alessandro Juliani, a former student of Ryan's from St. George's School, was another familiar face for many, providing several touching solos as a homage to his days in Ryan's school musicals.
With a night jampacked full of musical treasures, it would be impossible to pick just one highlight.
But I must give special thanks to Kyle Marsh for his touching Fields of Flowers, and to Jeremy Lowe for his impassioned performance of The Memory Box.
There's a chance I just might have gotten a little teary. Maybe.
In any case, my thanks and kudos to all involved - especially to George for his generosity and time.
CHRISTMAS TIME?
Place des Arts is looking for artists and artisans to display their wares at its Christmas Boutique. (Yes, I just said "Christmas." Please don't kill me.)
Place des Arts - located in Maillardville - is looking for artisans who create fine-art quality felted items, wooden boxes, glass ornaments, silver work, pottery, leather products, handmade soap or other quality handcrafted items.
Items don't necessarily need to be Christmasthemed; they can also be gifts with year-round appeal.
Artists set the prices for their work, and Place des Arts keeps 30 per cent of the retail price.
To be considered for the boutique, artists must submit five work samples to be juried, along with a $10 application fee.
The deadline for registration is Sunday, Oct. 16, with drop-off of works to be juried on Oct. 15 and Oct. 16.
Check out all the details on the centre's website, www.placedesarts.ca.
Got an item for Lively City? Email Julie with ideas, jmaclellan@burnabynow. com, or find her on Twitter @juliemaclellan. See more about the local arts scene at Julie's blog, In the Spotlight, at www.burnabynow.com -- click on the Opinion tab and follow the link under Blogs.
