I heard on the radio that Dec. 23 is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year.
Well, oops to you if you haven’t done your shopping by now, because it will get a whole lot uglier in the next few days.
How about instead of “things,” give a gift of time – your time, spent with that special friend or family member. Do something together. Of course, I have ideas!
How about getting tickets for a great show? Due to high demand, Arts Club Theatre Company’s Mary Poppins will be extended until Jan. 8, 2017, at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (2750 Granville St.). Audience response is nearly identical to the 2013 and 2014 productions of Mary Poppins, as the original production was held over and the remount received similar attendance. This particular presentation has many new cast members, so if you did see it in 2013 or 2014, you can look forward to a different – but still magical – production.
Just a warning – last time I purchased tickets for a hold-over show (Billy Elliot) the price went up! Demand, you know.
Ah well, it is a gift, remember.
Call 604-687-1644 or visit artsclub.com.
If you don’t want to chance a trip into Vancouver, here is another choice for you. The Arts Club Theatre Company goes on tour with three productions in the tour season. They do come to the Surrey Arts Centre. This highly acclaimed professional theatre company just loves coming to the Surrey Arts Centre. I’ve talked to a lot of the actors and crew members and they praise our civic theatre highly. Yay for us!
The (Post) Mistress comes to the Surrey Arts Centre from Jan. 11 to 21, 2017. After dazzling Arts Club audiences in February 2016, actress Patricia Cano returns to her role in The (Post) Mistress. Cano plays the charming and effervescent Marie-Louise, a postal worker in the fictional town of Lovely who seems to know everything about everyone – and is eager to share all the gossip with you. A fun and quirky one-woman show, The (Post) Mistress is a uniquely Canadian cabaret full of music and charm.
Director John Cooper says The (Post) Mistress is a “beautiful musical about the size of the human spirit.”
What better gift can you give someone? Two actors, Patricia Cano and Cailin Stadnyk, will play the postmistress in different performances, but each brings an immense warmth and talent to this vibrant character, according to Cooper.
For tickets, call the Surrey Arts Centre at 604 501-5566. Tickets are also available online.
One last idea for gift giving. Commission a pet portrait of a special friend for family or friends. Artist Wendy Mould will do it for you. Wendy has a way with animals. Check out her website, artbywendy.com. You might like her west coast wildlife paintings if you don’t have a pet you’d like featured.
Wendy also has some great workshops for your artist friends. Art Marketing Workshop: Get Your Art Out There has two dates: Sunday Feb. 26, or Sunday March 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. These workshops are with Wendy Mould, AFCA, Art By Wendy’s Studio/Gallery, North Surrey. Cost is $70 and space is limited.
To register, 604-583-4538 or email wendy@artbywendy.com. Gift certificates are available.
And happy holidays to you too!
