SURREY — What’s going on here? It’s February and that means crocuses and daffodils, not deep snow and ice. This snow is challenging to our West Coast lifestyle, and we have had enough snow days. Or maybe we just have to pretend that we are Toronto for a spell. Shovel the sidewalks, get snow tires, wear a hat, get out and get going.
Please, please, please let the snow stop falling and get the roads clear by Saturday (Feb. 11). That’s the date for FVGSS’ “Tides and Torrents Ceilidh.” On the Saturday before Valentine’s Day, join the FVGSS at Valley View Funeral Home in Newton for a fun-filled evening of live music, dancing and good company. Yep, it is in a funeral home. Valley View has been a great partner for FVGSS (a musical theatre society) in donating rehearsal space for their productions. This has great value, and the society could not exist without this community partner. Get over the funeral home aspect. Ignore snow. Have fun in the Rose Room. It is spacious with lots of seating and a dance floor, too! And to keep your tootsies moving, Ken Melech, the “Hoedown Hero,” will be calling some square dances!
The songs performed will reflect Canada’s relationship with water, from waltzing log drivers to drunken sailors to raising the “Mary Ellen Carter.” The band consists of Adrian Duncan, leader of the Juno-nominated band Skystone, some FVGSS regulars plus a few special guests. Add some drinks and snacks and this is guaranteed to be a night of toe-tapping, sing-along fun. Tickets are $15 pre-ordered, or $20 at the door, 7:30 p.m. til midnight, 14644 72nd Ave., Surrey. Check Brownpapertickets.com/event/2750217 for more details and to book your tickets.
Surrey Libraries is hosting another “Authors Among Us” event at Guildford Library next Wednesday (Feb. 15), 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Newspaper Lounge. The theme for this session is “Foodie February.” Join authors Alan Woo, Bharti Saincher, and Claudia Lemay to chat about nutrition, recipes and everything food-related. Light refreshments will be served. The goal is to provide a venue for local authors and avid readers to connect with each other and to discover resources available in our city.
Meghan Savage, Information Services Librarian with Surrey Libraries, is excited about this session. “It brings together diverse authors who love food including a cookbook author, a picture book author and a registered dietician. The day after Valentine’s seems like an appropriate time to discuss our love of food!” To save a spot, call 604-598-7366. For more info, visit Surreylibraries.ca.
It’s still a library, and a library is all about books. The cook book authors chatting with you do have their books available at the library. Food is not just food. Cookbooks can be inspirational and informative. Don’t just eat because you are hungry. Make it an event. This should be a great event and inspire you to get out and about.
By the end of February, we should be free of snow. Driving yourself around might be easier. But sometimes it is just a nice luxury to let someone else do the driving. The Surrey Art Gallery and Surrey Art Gallery Association are co-ordinating a guided Art Bus Tour on Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hop on the bus to see artwork in Richmond, New West and Burnaby. You get a guided tour of contemporary art in those cities. For those aged 16 and older; cost is $39. Bring a bag lunch or pick something up on site at the New Westminster Quay. Oh, do get something at the quay. Great little food court there.
Led by Surrey Art Gallery curator Jordan Strom and curatorial assistant Rhys Edwards, participants will meet at the Surrey Art Gallery for an orientation over coffee before hitting the road. Check the “Events” section of the website to register for the bus tour, at Surrey.ca/artgallery.
There is snow in White Rock, too. But the show must go on, snow or no snow. Don’t be a no-show for White Rock Players’ current production, “The Graduate.” Remember the movie? Well, this play is based on the movie, and it’s directed by Kate Stadel, who was on a four-year hiatus from directing. Welcome back, Kate. Stellar cast and crew. Opening night is Friday (Feb. 10); on Sunday (Feb. 12), proceeds of the show will be donated to Peach Arch Hospital Auxiliary Society. Well done, Players! Viewer warning: nudity, coarse language and mature themes. OK. It’s hot in White Rock. Spread it around.
