Irish poetry
As part of the ongoing Irish Festival spearheaded by Semiahmoo Arts, The Irish Club of White Rock and Tourism White Rock, ‘gastro-pub’ Slainte by the Pier on Marine Drive will host an Irish poetry night – featuring the works of Seamus Heaney on March 20.
Irish poetry is regularly featured the third Wednesday of each month at the restaurant, presented by Semiahmoo Arts and the Irish Club. Featured in upcoming evenings will be works by Louis MacNeice, W.B. Yeats, Medbh McGuckian and J.M. Synge.
To volunteer to lead or read on poetry nights, call Ray Fynes at 604-542-3667.
Elizabeth Carefoot
March 20 is the deadline for registration for Crescent Beach multi-media artist and dance instructor Elizabeth Carefoot’s Collage Workshop, scheduled for Saturday, March 23, 2-5 p.m. at the Semiahmoo Arts Centre (next to White Rock’s Centennial Arena).
Instruction in collage techniques and all materials will be supplied, although participants are encouraged to also bring their own extra images, if they have something special to inspire them.
Workshop fee is $25 per participant.
To register, call 604-541-4797 or send cheque to 2632 O’Hara Lane, Surrey, V4A 3E3.
Fibres West
B.C.’s largest fibre show, Fibres West, will return for a fifth year to the show barn at Cloverdale Exhibition Grounds, Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23 (9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day).
Exploring the world of fibre arts and crafts, the show, bringing together some 50 vendors and exhibitors, will feature spinning, weaving, knitting, lace-making, rug-hooking, dyeing and felting.
Also featured will be a Sheep to Shawl demonstration (organized by the Peace Arch Weavers and Spinners), free lectures, a ravelery meet-up, and a gallery exhibit.
There will also be a wide variety of classes available in the show barn and the Agriplex lobby for all skill levels from beginner to advanced.
They range from a class in Nui Shibori with Fiona Duthie to Elementary Math for Weavers with Jane Stafford. For a full listing and instructor biographies, visit www.fibreswest.com
Social Justice Film Fest
‘Religulous,’ comedian/political satirist Bill Maher’s irreverent and deliberately provocative take on world religions, will be the next film in the the White Rock Social Justice Film Society’s ongoing program, March 22 at 7 p.m. at First United Church, 15385 Semiahmoo Ave. (near Buena Vista Avenue and Centre St.)
Maher’s stinging interviews, barbs and rants pose some serious questions about the follies and fallabilities of the organized religions of many cultures, although the film also has its share of detractors for setting up “straw man” arguments, and using extremist attitudes as a basis for attacking all faith-based beliefs.
There will be a discussion following the film.
For more information, visit www.socialjusticefilmfestival.ca
Swing Into Spring
Noted local DJ Jose Manzano, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of White Rock, will be spinning tunes of many genres to tempt Peninsula residents onto the dance floor at Swing Into Spring, March 23, 6 p.m., at the Royal Canadian Legion Crescent Branch 240 (2643 128 St.).
The event is a fundraiser for the Kiwanis Children’s Cancer Program (KCCP).
While DJ Jose’s specialty is swing music (he’s a well-known member of Vancouver’s Swing City team), he also has a wide range of experience with many musical and dance styles – making him the ideal host to offer something for every taste.
The dinner-dance will also feature a roast beef repast plus silent auction, door prizes and a 50-50 draw.
An information table will also explain KCCP, through which the Kiwanis Pacific Northwest District sponsors doctors’ residencies at children’s hospitals, gaining firsthand experience in treating children with cancer.
Proceeds from Swing Into Spring will help fund such research through the oncology fellowship of B.C. Children’s Hospital.
Money raised through the dinner-dance will be matched by the Kiwanis Foundation and will go directly to the program
Tickets ($30) are available from the legion, Kiwanis Club members, Melange Gifts and Cotton ‘n’ Crayon in Ocean Park, or by calling Lea at 604-538-3037 or Helen at 604-538-9594.
Still Blue
Electric blues guitarist/vocalist Bill Johnson will feature songs from his most recent album, Still Blue, at the next White Rock Blues Society’s next dance/concert, Saturday, March 23 at the Rhumba Room of the Pacific Inn Hotel, 1160 King George Blvd.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Both Maple Blues and Juno nominated, Johnson has been noted as a “fresh voice” and a force on the Canadian blues scene, bringing together the licks, lyrics and powerhouse vocals to carry the idiom forward in the 21st century.
Born in Halifax, N.S., but raised in Ottawa and Victoria, B.C., he became a professional guitarist at age 15, and paid his dues with many gigs in smoky bars and recordings as a sideman with the likes of Herbert Sumlin, Cash McCall, and Son Seals.
Johnson, who sold out his last concert with the White Rock Blues Society in 2007, has latterly come into his own with Still Blue, his third CD, which clicked with critics and public alike, thanks to his original guitar tone, his full voice, and the quality of his original songwriting.
Tickets ($20) are available from Surfside Guitars, Tapestry Music and online at https://tickets.surrey.ca
Jazz Society
The sound of Dixieland and retro jazz, presented for listening and dancing by the White Rock Traditional Jazz Society, continue each Sunday 3-6 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Crescent Branch 240 (2643 128 St.).
Upcoming groups include Evan Arntzen with the Square Pegs (March 24 and the Louisiana Joymakers (March 31).
Admission is $8 (members) and $10 (non-members). Memberships ($15) are available at the door.
Tiller’s at Blue Frog
Singer-songwriter Bruce Coughlan and his Tiller’s Folly bandmates Laurence Knight (bass) and Nolan Murray (mandolin) will be back in the intimate space of White Rock’s Blue Frog Studios March 29 at 8 p.m. for a follow-up concert to their videoed live show there last year.
The concert will prominently feature music from the trio’s most recent album, Go The Road, which signalled their shift from their original Celtic/Canadian sound to a more roots/heartland Americana orientation.
For tickets ($35), call 604-542-3055 or order online at www.bluefrogstudios.ca
