I love those weeks where I open up my folder full of story ideas and event tidbits and think, "Wow, there really is something for everybody in here."
There's an eclectic assortment of arts and entertainment events happening over the next bit in New West - which means you'd better get busy and organize your calendar, because you're going to have a few things to add to your datebook!
Among them ...
CATCH THE VIBE
This one's going to be a don't-miss-it kind of night.
Anyone interested in what's going on at the Anvil Centre should note Thursday, April 23 on their calendar now
VIBE: 1/2 Cut is the next in the centre's series of free drop-in events celebrating what's happening in arts at the Anvil Centre and the community at large.
This free event, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and is open to all ages, is designed to celebrate the opening of the New Westminster Museum's latest exhibition, Hair Apparent: A Hairy History of New Westminster: "shining a spotlight on New Westminster's barbershops, salons and hairstyles of yesteryear, as well as the diversity of contemporary hairdressing in the city today."
The evening will include "pop-up" appointments with barbers and hairstylists, interactive photo art and musical entertainment by the Viper Central Bluegrass Band. Visitors can check out all the Anvil Centre has to offer - the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, the Community Art Space and the New Westminster New Media Gallery.
Check out www.anvilcentre.com for the details, and call 604-527-4640 to make an appointment. Appointments with stylists are by donation.
CHINA SYNDROME AND POLLY
Fans of live music have no doubt discovered that the Heritage Grill is the place to be in New West.
The downtown establishment (at 447 Columbia St.) offers live music pretty much every evening, and you can see the full calendar of events at www.theheritagegrill.com.
Today I'll draw your attention to one coming up this Saturday, April 18 - an album release celebration featuring Vancouver indie rock band China Syndrome, with New West's own Polly as the support act.
China Syndrome recently released its third album, The Usual Angst, which has earned kudos from Vancouver media for being "infectiously jangly" (Georgia Straight) and "an infectious batch of rock" (The Vancouver Sun).
Tim Chan, the band's singer-writer-guitarist, explains in an email that the album acquired its name when he was wracking his brain trying to think of a title and his wife asked him what the overall theme of the album was.
"Oh, the usual angst," was his reply - which quickly caught on as the album's title.
The songs cover everything from global geopolitics and long-term relationships to a road trip that went awry and a celebration of beautiful Vancouver.
New West's own glam-rockin' Polly will be joining in the fun.
There's no cover charge, and all ages are welcome. Show starts at 8 p.m.
Check out www.chinasyndromeband.com and www.facebook.com/thepollypage for more on the bands.
POETRY CELEBRATION
Love poetry?
World Poetry New West is holding a special evening celebrating the city's poets laureate: Edna Anderson, Don Benson and Candice James.
The event, hosted by Ariadne Sawyer and other poets, will be held at the New Westminster Public Library on Wednesday, April 22 form 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Along with the work of the poets laureate, the event will also include an open mike session, plus cake and refreshments.
Call 604-526-4729 or see www.worldpoetry.ca for all the details.
ARTISTS WANTED
Do you have art to share? New Westminster Christian Reformed Church is calling all artists to take part in their upcoming re:Create art show at the church on Saturday, April 25.
"Pull out your paintings, quilts, ,sculptures, pottery, photographs - whatever medium you work with - and register to show them off for free," the church invites on its website.
The theme of the art show this year is Psalm 23 (The Lord is my shepherd).
Performing artists - whether it's drama, music, poetry reading or something else - are also invited to take part in an evening show.
Those who don't create art but enjoy experiencing it are also invited to check out the art exhibition and evening show. The afternoon show (by donation) runs from noon to 4 p.m., with art demonstrations and hands-on art for kids also part of the fun. The evening performing arts show will run from 7 to 9:30 p.m., and it costs $20 for adults or $25 for a family.
Check out www.nwcrc.ca/recreate-art/ for all the details.
New West Christian Reformed Church is at 8255 13th Ave. in Burnaby.
CONGRATULATIONS TO WRITERS
Right on, writers!
The Royal City Literary Arts Society has announced the winners of its Write On! contest for 2015, and there are some familiar names in the mix alongside some new ones.
The contest honoured entries in three categories: poetry, non-fiction and fiction.
In poetry, Alan Girling earned first-place honours for A Simple Spoken Word, while Alan Hill was second for Poverty and Cynthia Sharp third for Into the Heart.
Honourable mentions went to Celeste Snowber for The Great Love Story, Alan Hill for Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles, and Carla Evans for Fraser River tug.
In non-fiction, Christina Myers (my friend and former colleague right here in the newsroom, by the way!) led the way with Lucky Girl, while Donna Terrill took second for Sugaring Season and Marylee Stephenson third for Parking Lot Waltz.
Honourable mentions went to Elizabeth Schofield for They Wear the Red Paint, P.W. Bridgman for Virginia Woolf and Pete Seeger and Lausanne Yamolky for Surviving the 1991 Kurdish Exodus.
In fiction, Elizabeth Schofield led the way with What Love Looks Like, and she also took second place for PizzaBoy and Princess. Third place went to Aline LaFlamme for Fat Boy Falls. Honourable mentions went to Claire Lawrence for The Purse, to LaFlamme (again) for Big Dave's Brush with Glory and to Schofield (making it a hat trick!) for Stella and Ruthie (and Jack).
Congratulations to all!
The first-place winners will read their work at the LitFest New West gala showcase on Saturday, April 25 at the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre at Douglas College. It starts at 7:30 p.m. Check out www.artscouncilnewwest.org for the LitFest details.
*
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
