Moira Elliott
Panorama Ridge artist and instructor Moira Elliott is holding two upcoming events at her studio (12924 54A Ave.).
A one-day workshop, Acrylics For All, will be held Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Designed for those who have painted with acrylics before, and feel familiar and confident with them, the workshop (for ages 14 and up) will cover colour mixing, washes, textures and impasto painting, brushwork techniques and composition – plus, as Elliott says “a few tricks of the trade.”
Elliott says her imperative is to discover the best in each student, and ensuring they can put their ideas into practice to the best of their ability. Necessary supplies include paint brushes and acrylic paints, an 18-by 24-inch canvas, plus images of landscapes or floral imagery or subject matter that interests the individual – or even a half-finished canvas that has been awaiting the right time to be completed.
Price of the workshop is $190.
An open house tour will take place Sept. 24 at the studio, featuring Elliott’s latest series of originals and prints: Hecate, Demeter and Persephone: Phases of Leaving, part of the artist’s exploration of the Mother Goddess figure, featuring strong draughtsmanship and classically influenced imagery.
“She protects, comforts and provides insight and resilience beyond the scope of human capability,” Elliott said.
“I intend to promote this concept visually, through a series of murals and related illustrations,” she added.
“I am further interested in including the relationship between women and the moon, because of the strong symbolic connection.”
For more information, call 778-899-5116, or visit www.moiraelliott.com
Fathead
The White Rock Blues Society will present Fathead, Sept. 16, 8 p.m. at the Rhumba Room of the Pacific Inn.
The ensemble brings together some of the most respected blues musicians in Canada for an energetic blend of funk, soul and rocking blues.
Featured are lead vocalist John Mays, bandleader, harp and saxophonist Al Lerman, bassists Omar Tunnoch, guitarist Teddy Leonard and drummer Bucky Berger.
For tickets and information, visit www.whiterockblues.com
Outside The Box
An interwoven series of events and displays throughout the Peninsula, Outside The Box (until Oct. 21) highlights the many possibilities of fibre and textile art and illustrates how practitioners are pushing the boundaries “outside the box” – including everything from knitting and felting demonstrations to performance art.
A main Outside The Box display – An Exploration of Fibre – is at White Rock Community Centre throughout the celebration; and other components include FiberFusion, a six-by-nine-foot collaborative mural by some 30 members of the Virtuosi Infraganti Collective currently on display at White Rock Museum and Archives; informative wall texts to accompany the displays by the Women, Art and Society class at Langara College; and a ‘Fibrarium’ and an exhibition of large art quilts by the Crescent Quilters and the ‘Piece Arch’ Quilters at the White Rock Library.
Also featured at the library will be the launch of the book Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery by yarn bombing author Leanne Prain (Sept. 19, 7-9 p.m., pre-registration required), and a presentation by Anne Kristiansen, Interwoven Stories: A History of Textiles in Fashion and Art (Sept. 26).
For more information, and a complete schedule of events, visit www.outsidetheboxwhiterock.com
Peter Sklar
New York City talent scout Peter Sklar will share his insights in a free White Rock lecture for aspiring teen dancers, actors and singers, and their parents.
Pre-reservation is necessary for Earning A Living In The Arts, which will be presented Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Spiral Dance Co. studio, 1471 Stayte Rd.
Sklar’s message to young performers is that survival in an arts career depends on two elements that outweigh looks, training, connections, and even talent: a positive self-image and good health.
Children under six will not be admitted, with or without a parent, and participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (no substitute adult guardians will be recognized).
To reserve, call 604-541-2800.
Blue Frog Studio
Uptown recording and performance venue Blue Frog Studio is continuing its schedule of intimate concerts with high quality performers in the fall.
Confirmed at this point is a one-night-only performance by legendary vocalist Dan Hill (Sept. 26) whose hit number Sometimes When We Touch has gained new currency thanks to being covered by World Heavyweight Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.
Also coming up is a concert by Mae Moore (Oct. 8), a one-time White Rock resident before she scored nine top-40 hits in the ’90s, plus the fiery rumba flamenco, latin jazz and rock guitar duo of John Gilliat and Benjamin Woods (Oct. 14).
Tickets are available at the studio website www.bluefrogstudios.ca or by calling 604-542-3055.
Social Justice films
The Social Justice Film Society will begin its new season with Inside Job (Sept. 30, 7 p.m., First United Church, 15285 Semiahmoo Ave.), a scathing and insightful documentary examining the financial disaster of three years ago that is still profoundly affecting our world.
Directed by Charles H. Ferguson, Inside Job was a hit at the Cannes Film Festival in May of 2010 and went on to win the 2010 Academy Award for best documentary.
Admission is by donation, and the evening will include a post-film discussion.
Literary events
Semiahmoo Arts’ literary events continue this month with the Readings By The Salish Sea series Monday, Sept. 26, 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the White Rock Library.
Spin A Yarn, Weave A Tale is a Magic Carpet Storytelling event with author Lois Peterson, co-sponsored by Friends of the White Rock Library as part of the Outside The Box festival, and aimed at children aged seven to 12.
To pre-register, call 604-541-2201.
Winners of the 2011 Semiahmoo Arts Literary Contest will share their recently published work Thursday, Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m at the Pelican Rouge Coffee House, Central Plaza.
Featured will be Robert W. MacKay (Soldier of the Horse), Lois Peterson (Silver Rain), Margo Bates (P.S., Don’t Tell Your Mother) and E.D. ‘Ted’ Blodgett (Sleep, You, A Tree).
The ongoing Zero – 360 series at Pelican Rouge Coffee House, in which local authors can read from their literary work (to a maximum of six minutes each) continues the second Thursday of each month (including Oct. 13 and Nov. 10). Reader sign-up begins at 7:05 for each of the evenings.
Small Ritual
Doing its part to present different music locally is the not-for-profit Small Ritual Coffee Society on Johnston Road (just up from Five Corners).
In addition to Sunday night concerts with such emerging local groups as Their There, The Star Captains and Behind Sapphire, music booker Rory Hislop has added a Monday night jazz showcase, including some of Vancouver’s best up-and-coming talents in the idiom, which is currently experiencing a revival of interest.
Among artists that have graced – or will grace this series – are guitarist Tristan Paxton, bassist James Meger, drummer Omar Amlani and trumpeter Steve An.
Both evenings (usually running 5-9 p.m.) offer a rewarding opportunity for local fans to catch up on the music scene of tomorrow in an agreeably intimate, art-friendly venue.
For more info, call 778-294-1237.
Music Together
Registration is currently underway for the internationally recognized Music Together program for children from newborn to kindergarten age, plus their parents or guardians, which is being brought to White Rock and Surrey by singer, songwriter and voice coach Heidi McCurdy of Harmony Expressive Arts.
Fall classes are offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Elgin Hall (in partrnership with the City of Surrey) and Saturday mornings at the White Rock Library.
For details and registrations, visit www.harmonyexpressivearts.com or call 604-538-7154.
