Is tap dance an old-fashioned art form?
No way - not for the members of the West Coast Tap Dance Collective.
The collective is holding its annual Tap Day celebration on May 24 at Massey Theatre.
All That Tap takes to the stage at 7:30 p.m., featuring 150 dancers from around the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
"This year we are honouring Peggy Peat, a wonderful dance teacher who has touched the lives of so many," the group wrote in an email to The Record.
Among the performers will be alumnae from the Peggy Peat School of Dance.
Guest artists include Jennifer Bishop, Joel Hanna, Jim Hibbard, Lisa LaTouche, Troy McLaughlin, Susan Nase, Paula Skimin, Lindsay Sterk, Dayna Szyndrowski and Barbara Vargas.
The evening will be MC'd by Jeff Hyslop.
Tickets are $25 general, or $20 for members of the West Coast Tap Dance Collective.
Call the Massey Theatre at 604-521-5050 or buy through www.masseytheatre.com.
Check out www.westcoasttapdance.com or www.facebook.com/westcoasttap for more details.
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A New Westminster actor is taking to the stage in an upcoming Touchstone Theatre production.
Marilyn Norry is in the cast for The Concessions, playing at the Firehall Arts Centre in Vancouver from June 6 to 14.
The Concessions, by Briana Brown, is described as "part mystery and part psychological drama." It's the latest instalment in Touchstone's Flying Start program, which gives new professional playwrights a place for their work to be staged.
A press release notes that the play centres around an inexplicable act of violence in a rural Ontario town, and what happens when fear begins to pervade a place where no one locks their doors.
Norry will be onstage with Emma Slipp, Jillian Fargey, Seabastian Kroon and Alec Willow.
It's directed by Katrina Dunn.
The Concessions is on Tuesday to Friday at 8 p.m., with Saturday shows at 4 and 8 p.m., and a Sunday matinee on June 8 at 2 p.m.
There's also a pay-what-you-can matinee on Wednesday, June 11 at 1 p.m.
Tuesday through Thursday shows and matinees are $25 regular, or $20 for young adults, students and seniors, and $12 for children.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, prices are $30, $25 and $14.
Tickets are available through the Firehall box office at 604-689-0926 or tickets.firehallartscentre.ca.
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Here's a couple of reminders for the poets and poetry lovers out there.
Poetic Justice sessions - which include readings by featured poets, plus an open mike - run Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Heritage Grill's backroom. Check out www.poeticjustice.ca for a full schedule and details.
And, for those who may be interested in a study group, don't forget about The Poetry Wars, with Carol Shillibeer.
The next session of the monthly study group is on Saturday, May 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the back room at the Heritage Grill.
Email [email protected] for details.
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It's billed as a workshop for "anyone who seeks a deeper understanding of their true, creative potential."
The Royal City Literary Arts Society is offering a Writing and Healing workshop on May 31, with host Sherry Duggal.
A press release notes that the workshop, which runs from 1 to 5 p.m., will explore ways to differentiate between the right and left side of the brain, understand the physiological changes that happen in your body as you delve into the creative process, experience and understand the link between writing and healing and identify key elements of good writing.
Participants must bring a journal and pen.
It's taking palce at 7373 Sixth St. - enter from the rear entrance.
It costs $35 for non-members or $20 for members, and seating is limited. Pre-register by emailing [email protected].
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With the weather getting nicer out there, it's just about time to start thinking summer again.
So this is an early heads-up that Poetry in the Park will return this summer.
Host Candice James will be once again presenting featured poets and open mike sessions every Wednesday night during July and August.
The fun all happens at the bandshell in Queen's Park from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. - if it rains, it moves into the arts council gallery.
Keep an eye here for more as the summer approaches, or watch www.rclas.com for updates.
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Let them entertain you.
Golden Age Theatre is bringing Summer Capers to the stage at Century House.
The fun features Getting Old is Hell, Gypsy Tearoom, coconut Cream Pie and Forget Me Not, with musical interludes by Ian Currie.
The performance is on Friday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 7 at 1:30 p.m.
It's $10 for non-members and $8 for members, and refreshments are offered at intermission.
For tickets, call 604-519-1066 or stop by the front desk of Century House at 620 Eighth St.
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The city has announced the team that will lead the New Media Gallery at the Anvil Centre.
Sarah Joyce and Gordon Duggan will be the new director/curator team at the gallery - which will focus on contemporary art that uses new media and technology, including video art, sound art, light art, robotic art and web art.
A press release from the city notes that the two bring a wealth of national and international experience and education in museums and galleries - including working in new media art at the prestigious Tate Gallery and Lisson Gallery in London.
Sarah notes in the press release that artists have always been innovators in using the latest technology to reflect the human story.
"Forty thousand years ago we were making images on cave walls using unconventional materials," she said. "Today, new media artists continue to experiment with new materials and technology. The history of art is really the history of creativity and innovation."
The New Media Gallery will open at the Anvil Centre in September.
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Young voices will be in the spotlight at an upcoming concert.
A choir from St. Mary's Catholic Fine Arts Academy in Medicine Hat, Alta., will perform on Thursday, May 22.
They're set to perform at 7 p.m. at Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, 501 Fourth Ave.
The choir includes Grade 8 and 9 students, who study drama, choir, dance, art and band at school. Many of the members also taking private acting classes and private vocal lessons.
Their performance will be by a freewill offering.
For more information, call Joyce Vermeulen at 604-944-1971.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
