Local dignitaries, music lovers and bands joined forces to help those devastated by the downtown New Westminster fire in October.
The Columbia Performing Arts Society hosted a Fire in the Heart fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Columbia Theatre.
Marlyne Marrese emailed to let us know that the event was a huge success.
She noted that local VIPS including Mayor Wayne Wright, councilors Lorrie Williams and Betty McIntosh, Fire Chief Tim Armstrong and Deputy Chief John Hatch were among those who filled the room to enjoy a show by the R&B Allstars and Barracuda, a Heart tribute band.
"The bands kept the dance floor full and helped turn the night into a celebration of the future for the guests who dug deep in their pockets to donate to this amazing cause," Marrese wrote.
The Columbia Performing Arts Society's mandate is to help raise money for charitable causes while providing great entertainment. Marrese noted that the group welcomes sponsors; businesses that would like to help out with future fundraising events can contact [email protected].
Sponsors of Fire in the Heart included Amicus Lawyers, Royal City Jewellers, Scotiabank, Tom Wood Construction Ltd. and Best Personnel, along with Lowe's and Lost My Marbles Music.
"What an incredible, amazing evening it was," Marrese said.
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A New Westminster native was part of the frenzied week that is the Crazy 8s 2014 film competition.
Jim McKeown, originally from the Royal City, is the lead producer of Earthlickers, one of the six winning teams in the annual competition.
The winners are given eight days $1,000 and a production support package (including an HD camera, sound recording equipment, lighting and more) to produce a short film.
The teams started shooting on Feb. 14 and just wrapped up shooting.
McKeown is producing Earthlickers, described as a "campy, erotic science fiction comedy" that is a "cinematic love child of Barbarella and Ed Wood Jr." McKeown, who now hails from East Vancouver, is an independent filmmaker who has been working in the Vancouver film and television industry since 2005.
The finished films will premiere at a gala screening at The Centre on Saturday, March 1 at 7 p.m. Check out www.crazy8s.cc to find out more.
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An award-winning poet is the keynote speaker for this year's LitFest New West.
The Arts Council of New Westminster recently announced that Gary Geddes will be featured at this year's LitFest, which is set for April 25 and 26 at Douglas College.
A bio about Geddes notes that he "has long been considered one of Canada's most important men of letters, teacher, write-rin-residence, critic, anthologist, translator, editor and most important writer."
Among the many awards he has to his credit are the E.J. Pratt Medal, the Canadian Authors Association Prize, two Archibald Lampman Awards and the Gabriela Mistral Prize, as well as the 2008 Lieutenant-Governor's Award.
LitFest is presented by the arts council in partnership with Douglas College, the New Westminster Public Library and the Royal City Literary Arts Society.
The third annual festival will culminate in the LitFest Showcase, featuring music, poetry and spoken word performances, on the Saturday night in the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre at Douglas College.
All events are open to the public and free, although donations are accepted. Call 604-525-3244 or see www.artscouncilnewwest.org for details about the festival.
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Mark Saturday, March 8 on your calendars - that's the day that New Westminster's Amabilis Singers are bringing Of Heaven and Earth to the stage.
The concert pays witness "to the sacred wonders of the earth and the heavens," as a note from the choir explains.
"Discover how our world inspired the gifted pens of Austrian composer Gustav Mahler and America's Morten Lauridsen. Hear the heartbreaking poetry of Sara Teasdale find voice in a stunningly beautiful setting by Frank Ticheli. And how did Leonardo da Vinci's dreams of flying inspire choral superstar Eric Whitacre?"
The concert will also feature the premiere of a new work by artistic director Ramona Luengen, based on the prayer of Padre Pio.
Of Heaven and Earth runs at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 8 at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave. in Burnaby.
Tickets are $20, or free for children under 12. Call 604-437-9200 or buy from choir members; they will also be available at the door.
See www.AmabilisSingers.org for more details.
(Author disclaimer: Yes, I sing with Amabilis. You'll find me in the alto ranks, so if you come to the concert, be sure to say hi!)
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Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or follow her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
