ON NOW
To Saturday, April 19
Frames of Reference, an exhibition of the work of Doug Ibbott and Anouk Jonker, at the Burnaby Arts Council's Deer Lake Gallery, 6584 Deer Lake Ave. Opening reception March 29, 2 to 4 p.m. Gallery hours: Tuesday to Saturday noon to 4 p.m. Info: 604-298-7322, [email protected] or www.burnabyartscouncil.org.
To Saturday, April 19
Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet), presented by the Vagabond Players at the Bernie Legge Theatre, Queen's Park, Thursdays to Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets $15, or $13 for seniors and students. Reserve at 604-521-0412 or email [email protected]. Info: www.vagabondplayers.ca
To Wednesday, April 30
YA Write!, the Burnaby Public Library's annual teen writing contest, invites submissions of short stories from young writers in two categories: younger teens (grades 8 and 9) and older teens (grades 10 to 12). Entrants must have valid Burnaby Public Library card, and entries can be no more than 1,500 words. This year's theme is a photo prompt called The Bridge - find it and all the details at www.tinyurl.com/BPLteen-writing.
To Sunday, May 4
Jesse Nishihata - Visual Storyteller, a retrospective of the work of the pioneering Japanese Canadian filmmaker, with a chance to select from several films to view in a private screening. At the National Nikkei Museum and Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cres. Open Tuesday through Sunday, admission by donation, see www.nikkeiplace.org or call 604-777-7000.
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Friday, April 11
West My Friend, perform popular folk music at Renaissance books, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., doors at 7 p.m., $15. Info: 604-525-4566 or [email protected], www.renaissancebookstore.com.
Saturday, April 12
Westminster Church Choir and friends present I Will Embrace the Cross, a musical on the "Christ is Risen" theme, 7:15 p.m. at Westminster SDA Church, 7925 10th Ave., Burnaby, for people of all ages and denominations. Seating limited; first-come, first-served. Freewill offering will be taken. Info: 604-524-6969.
Curator's talk, for Jesse Nishihata - Visual Storyteller, a retrospective of the work of the pioneering Japanese Canadian filmmaker, at the National Nikkei Museum and Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cres., 2 p.m. Info: www.nikkeiplace.org or 604-777-7000.
The Gamma Garage, art show, featuring the work of Dianne Yard, Wilma Cook, Pat Sexsmith and Sheila Chowdhury, plus guest artist Robin Timms, noon to 5 p.m. at 232 North Gamma Ave., Capitol Hill, all welcome.
Book launch, for The Last Plane, by New Westminster author Robert Hirzer, 3 to 5 p.m. at New Westminster Public Library, 716 Sixth Ave. Book available in paperback at www.amazon.com; e-books at www.amazon.ca and www.kobobooks.com.
Sunday, April 13
The Gamma Garage, art show, featuring the work of Dianne Yard, Wilma Cook, Pat Sexsmith and Sheila Chowdhury, plus guest artist Robin Timms, noon to 5 p.m. at 232 North Gamma Ave., Capitol Hill, all welcome.
Poetic Justice, 3 to 5 p.m. in the backroom at Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St., hosted by Sho Wiley and featuring David Blinkhorn, Kyle McKillop and Keith Wilkinson. Info: www.poeticjustice.ca.
Meet the artist, Kevin Godsoe of Burnaby, as he opens his Manikins and Meditations exhibit at the Commercial Street Café, 3599 Commercial St. in Vancouver, 4 to 5 p.m. Drop in for coffee and check out the exhibition, which runs through April.
Spring Fling for Art, presented by Artists in the Boro at the Queensborough Community Centre, 920 Ewen Ave., featuring art display, food, music, white elephant sale, raffle and more. Free. Runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Info: www.facebook.com/artistsintheboro.
Tuesday, April 15
Burnaby Writers' Society hosts Spoken Ink, a reading and open mike session, featuring Bertha Washington Walker, author of Love at First Sight: a 1950s Interracial Story. Open mike signup at 7:30 p.m., reading at 8 p.m., at La Fontana Caffe, 101-3701 Hastings St., North Burnaby. Info: www.burnabywritersnews.blogspot.com or [email protected].
Odysseus Elytis: In Translation, presented by Manolis Aligizakis, along with feature readers Candice James, Janet Kvammen, Deborah L. Kelly, Carol Shillibeer and Alan Hill, sponsored by the Royal City Literary Arts Society and the New Westminster Public Library, at the library, 716 Sixth Ave., 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Pre-register at 604-527-4667.
Thursday, April 17
Opening reception at Burnaby Art Gallery, for Arts Alive, a showcase of student artwork, and Saskia Jetten, an exhibition of the work of the contemporary printmaker. Reception runs 7 to 9 p.m. at the gallery, 6344 Deer Lake Ave. Info: 604-297-4422, www.burnabyartgallery.ca
April 18 to May 18
Arts Alive, a showcase of student artwork, at Burnaby Art Gallery, 6344 Deer Lake Ave. Info: 604-297-4422, www.burnabyartgallery.ca
April 18 to June 22
Saskia Jetten, an exhibition of the work of the contemporary printmaker, upstairs at Burnaby Art Gallery, 6344 Deer Lake Ave. Info: 604-297-4422, www.burnabyartgallery.ca.
Saturday, April 19
The Poetry Wars, a study group led by Carol Shillibeer, 2 to 4 p.m. in the back room at the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St., taking an in-depth look at the Canadian poetry scene. Meetings are monthly. Inquire by emailing Carol, [email protected].
Tuesday, April 22
Poetry reading, featuring Renee Saklikar and children of air India: un/authorized exhibits and interjections, 7 to 8:45 p.m. at the McGill branch of Burnaby Public Library, 4595 Albert St., featuring Saklikar and Capilano University faculty members Melanie Fahlman and Ed Lavalle. No registration needed, but arrive early as space is limited. Info: 604-299-8955.
Friday, April 25
Opening reception for LitFest New West, featuring Double Exposure's Linda Cullen and Bob Robertson, 6:30 p.m. at New Westminster Public Library, 716 Sixth Ave. Reserve at 604-527-4667.
Jimmy Rankin, the acclaimed East Coast entertainer performs at 8 p.m. at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, $32/$27 students seniors in advance; regular prices $35 and $30. Tickets: 604-205-3000, www.shadboltcentre.com.
Happy Marriage Achieved, presented by Vancouver Cantonese Opera, 7 p.m. at Michael J. Fox Theatre, tickets $40, $50 and $60. Info: 604-764-8181, [email protected] or www.vancanopera.com.
Friday, April 25 to Sunday, April 27
Lyrids Folk Dance Festival, at the Gizeh Centre, 3550 Wayburne Way, Burnaby, with a chance to learn new dances from Serbia and Turkey. New and experienced dancers welcome. Festival includes Balkan singing and drumming workshops, plus a dance party Saturday night featuring Kafana Republik. Catered meals featuring dishes from Serbia and Turkey, plus a marketplace selling music, costumes and more, are also part of the weekend. Sign up for the whole weekend for $175, or for individual workshops. Call Dale at 604-496-4236 or see wwwlyridsfolkddancefestival.org.
Saturday, April 26
LitFest New West, at Douglas College, with workshops and marketplace from 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Volumes of Authors and open mike from 5 to 7 p.m., and a literary showcase featuring keynote speaker Gary Geddes from 7 to 10 p.m., at Douglas College, 700 Royal Ave. Info: www.artscouncilnewwest.org, 604-525-3244.
Sunday, April 27
Poetic Justice, 3 to 5 p.m. in the backroom at Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St., hosted by Franci Louann and featuring Ruth Hill, Alan Hill and Elliott Slinn. Info: www.poeticjustice.ca.
West Coast Symphony, performs at Queens Avenue United Church, 7:30 p.m., under conductor Yariv Aloni, featuring Anne Goldsmith and Pam Aloni on violin and cello. Admission by donation, 604-522-1606.
Book launch, for Burnaby poet Diane Tucker's Bonsai Love, 7 p.m. at the Cottage bistro, 4470 Main St., Vancouver, featuring Tucker and singer-songwriter Rodney DeCroo. Info: www.harbourpublishing.com.
Saturday, May 3
Phoenix Chamber Choir performs at Queens Avenue United Church, 7:30 p.m., with repertoire ranging from baroque to contemporary, under director Graeme Langager. Tickets at the door: $20 regular, $15 students/seniors and $10 children. Info: 604-522-1606.
Sunday, May 4
Led Zepagain, tribute to Led Zeppelin, 7:30 p.m. at the Massey Theatre, $32.50 plus service charges. Buy at 604-521-5050 or tickets.masseytheatre.com.
Saturday, May 10
Songs of Sinatra, a tribute by Rick Valiant, with special tribute guests and the Blue Morris Swing Band, doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. in the Grand Room at the Columbia, 530 Columbia St., 604-525-2262, www.thecolumbia.ca. Tickets $25.
Saturday, May 24
Sixth annual Bloom Art Auction, at Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre, featuring traditional Japanese daruma, with auction, canapés, cash bar, entertainment, $25, or $20 for members, centre.nikkeiplace.org/daruma-art/
ONGOING
Young Queensborough artists, aged five to 12, invited to take part in an Art Invitational from Artists in the Boro. Create a work of art on 8X10 paper (plus a plain one-inch border for matting) on the theme of What I Like About Queensborough. Hand in your picture to the Queensborough Community Centre front desk at 920 Ewen Ave., attention Artists in the Boro, by Wednesday, april 30. On the back, print your name, title of picture and phone number, plus (if possible) an email address for your parent or guardian.
Burnaby Art Gallery off-site exhibitions at Burnaby Public Library branches: Portals of Time: The Best of Famous Empty Sky, underway at Bob Prittie (Metrotown) library branch March 31 to June 8; and Stuart McCall, photography, at the Mcgill Library, 4595 Albert St., April 1 to June 9. Info: www.burnabyartgallery.ca.
Call for artists, to take part in New Westminster Christian Reformed Church's re:Create Art show, Saturday, April 26 at the church, 8255 13th Ave., Burnaby. Visual and performing artists in all disciplines are invited to take part. Visual art exhibition and demonstrations will take place from noon to 4 p.m., with evening performing arts showcase from 7:3p to 9:30 p.m. Info: www.nwcrc.ca/recreate-art.
Burnaby Writers Society, 47th annual writing contest, on the theme of Wood. One-page submissions of prose or poetry welcome. Prizes of $200, $100, $50, plus honourable mentions, for work in any form or genre. $5 per entry, or $10 for three entries. Deadline: May 31. See www.burnabywritersnews.blogspot.com.
B.C. Boys' Choir, seeks alumni for 45th anniversary reunion weekend and concert May 17-18. Reply by April 15. All alumni invited, see www.bcboyschoir.org for details.
Art at the New Westminster Public Library, with two exhibitions running through March: Esther Johnson's watercolours on the ramp gallery, and winners from the Welcoming and Inclusive New Westminster photography contest upstairs. Art can be viewed at any time during library hours at 716 Sixth Ave. Call 604-527-4660 or check out www.nwpl.ca for information.
Songwriters open mike, every Sunday evening 7 to 9 p.m. at the Heritage Grill, in the backroom at 447 Columbia St., New Westminster, hosted by Enrico Renz and Lawren Nemeth. Bring songs to join in, or just stop by to listen. Poets also welcome for collaboration. Info: www.rclas.com.
Cameron Seniors Sunshine Sing-along group meets on alternating Mondays, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Cameron Recreation Centre, 9523 Cameron St. Sing along to old-time favourites with friends. Volunteer musicians sought - pianos, drums and other instruments. A piano and a drum set are available for use. For info, call Sue McIntyre at 604-297-4453 or email [email protected]
Line dancing, Mondays at 10 a.m. at Deer Lake United Church Hall, 5135 Sperling Ave. Beginners welcome. Call Georgie at 604-522-5647 for information.
Line dancing at Capitol Hill Community Hall, 361 Howard Ave., with new classes for beginners on Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon, starting Nov. 15. Call 604-655-8795 or 778-883-2628 for information.
Write From the Heart, a writers' group led by Ruth Kozak, 10 a.m. to noon at WAVES coffee shops, Begbie and Columbia streets, New Westminster, looking at memoir writing, some fiction and some poetry. New members always welcome.
Burnaby Scottish Country Dance Club, meets Mondays 7 to 10 p.m. at the Scandinavian Community Centre, 6540 Thomas St., Burnaby. New members welcome. No partners needed, no experience required. For info, drop in or call Gerry at 604-451-1161 or Rosemary, 604-298-6552. Info: www.rscdsvancouver.org/burnaby.html.
Modern square dancing, give it a try on Monday evenings at the Charles Rummel Hall, 3680 Lozells Ave., 7:30 p.m. No experience needed; come alone or with a partner or friends. Info: 604-939-2789.
Scottish Country Dance Class, Mondays at 7:30 p.m. at Edmonds Community Centre, 7282 Kingsway, 604-298-6552.
Scandinavian Folk Dancers, Wednesdays at the Scandinavian Centre, 6540 Thomas St., Burnaby, 6004-685-7405.
Melodious Mandolins, looking for new musicians, meeting at various locations in Burnaby, 604-433-2762.
Dance For Fun Club, the "Best Little Dance Club in Town," offers rock and roll nights Mondays, swing nights Wednesdays and ballroom nights Saturdays, all at the Heritage Hall, 728 12th St., New Westminster, Doors open at 6:30 p.m., beginner-intermediate lesson at 7:30 p.m., dance at 8:30 p.m. Info: [email protected] or 604-726-0153. Dances are $10.
Burnaby International Folk Dancers, meets Tuesday nights from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Charles Rummel Centre, 3630 Lozells, Burnaby. Learn folk dances from around the world in a friendly club environment. All levels welcome, no partners needed, drop-ins welcome. Info: 604-436-9475.
Writers Discovery Group, meets on the second Wednesday of the month from September to June, 10 a.m. to noon on the lower floor of the library, 716 Sixth Ave. All welcome. Chance to share your short stories, poems, articles or drafts of novels or plays in a group setting for feedback.
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Send your arts and entertainment listings to [email protected], or [email protected].
