Chivers signing
Local writer Don Chivers (author of the thriller The Expendable Man) will meet the public and sign copies of his latest novel, the chilling futuristic tale Prorogatio, at Save on Foods’ Southpoint store, 1-3 p.m. on Oct. 6.
Chivers’ story – a warning and wake-up call for humanity – imagines a future made terrifying by a logical continuation of life-extension technology already available today.
Red Beans & Rice
The upbeat, danceable sounds of vintage jazz continue at the Royal Canadian Legion Crescent Branch 240 (2643 128 St.) where Rice Honeywell Sr.’s Red Beans & Rice kicks off the regular White Rock Traditional Jazz Society, 3-6 p.m. Sunday sessions start Oct. 7.
Also, watch for a continuation of Friday sessions by Honeywell’s popular band at the historic Porter’s Bistro in Langley’s Murrayville neighbourhood.
Little Shop of Horrors
Those who missed Little Shop of Horrors during its Coast Capital Playhouse run this summer – or those who want a second helping – still have a chance to catch the locally-grown favourite, featuring White Rock’s Kerry O’Donovan, Oct. 9-27 at Vancouver’s Jericho Arts Centre.
Directed by White Rock Players Club board member Ryan Mooney (Nunsense, Lend Me A Tenor) and presented by his Fighting Chance Productions, the popular Alan Menken-Howard Ashman musical concerns a flower shop just off skid-row – and Audrey II, the rapidly-growing, bloodthirsty plant from outer space nurtured by assistant florist Seymour Krelbourn.
For tickets, visit www.jerichoartscentre.com or 604-224-8007.
Who Walks In The Dark
Just in time for Halloween, White Rock Players Club offers a thriller involving a re-animated Egyptian mummy and a jewel with an ancient curse.
Tickets are available now for Who Walks In The Dark (Coast Capital Playhouse, Oct. 10-27), an adaptation by late playwright Tim Kelly of the 1903 novel The Jewel of Seven Stars, written by Dracula author Bram Stoker.
Helming the occult period piece is renowned actor/director Paul Kloegman (Humble Boy, Ladies of the Camellias), last seen at Coast Capital as a member of the cast of Peninsula Productions’ successful The Mousetrap, and soon to be seen in a featured double role in She Stoops To Conquer at the Arts Club’s Stanley Theatre for director Dean Paul Gibson.
Expect chills and special effects in the scary tale, set in 1898 at Karnak House, London, home of Sir Abel Trelawney (Ken Fynn), a distinguished archeologist who has unwittingly broken into the Egyptian tomb of an evil sorceress.
Murderous havoc ensues, involving Sir Abel’s daughters Margaret (Alexandra Wilson) and Judith (Krystle Hadlow), his housekeeper (Deborah Spitz), Egyptian servant Suleiman (Ryan Johnston) and colleague (and Judith’s fiancé) Christopher Ross (Keaton Mazurek).
Also caught up in the in the dead-pan, over-the-top melodramatics: serious Doctor Winchester (David Lloyd Austin), Romanian thief Tessie (Jane Mantle), and a comedic police sergeant who’s clearly read too many accounts of Sherlock Holmes’ cases (Bryce Mills).
Shows run Wedenesday to Saturday at 8 p.m. at the theatre (1532 Johnston Rd.), with a gala night Oct. 12 and 2:30 p.m. matinee Oct. 21.
For tickets ($18) and information, call 604-536-7535, or visit www.whiterockplayers.ca
Jaclyn Guillou
Rising jazz vocalist, composer and bandleader Jaclyn Guillou comes to White Rock’s First United Church, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. as the latest in Peninsula Productions’ ongoing series of concerts.
Her debut album showcased her original take on jazz, blending traditional forms with her own conversational lyrics and entertaining theatrical style.
Recipient of the 2009 CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award from the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Guillou has won raves touring throughout Europe, the U.S. and Canada, including sold-out shows at New York’s Birdland and the Yardbird Suite and, closer to home, Corey Weeds’ Cellar Jazz Club.
Tickets are available at Tapestry music, and online from tickets.surrey.ca
Outside The Box
Outside The Box, the second annual celebration of fibre and textile arts, winds down this week at venues in White Rock and South Surrey.
Official closing date of the festival – aimed at promoting awareness of of the rich versatility of fibre and textile art – is Oct. 5.
However, the ongoing display Outside The Box: An Exploration of Fibre, presented by Semiahmoo Arts and the City of White Rock, runs until Oct. 19 at White Rock Community Centre (15154 Russell Ave.), as well as a related exhibit by Don Welsh of Semiahmoo First Nation of his detailed model of an aboriginal fishing village.
Mind and Matter Gallery, at 13743 16 Ave. – a strong supporter of the festival – is featuring fibrescapes by internationally-known artist Pauline McLean Dutkowski, as well as wood sculpture by the late Arnold Mikelson and pieces by a variety of contributors.
White Rock Museum and Archives is in step with the theme with the current exhibit, Baskets: Fibrous, Functional and Fabulous, a collection of First Nations basketry originally collected by the late Irene Maccaud.
Other venues include Laura’s Fashion Fabrics and The Golden Cactus Studio, while the White Rock Library (15342 Buena Vista Ave.) is holding a display by the Piece Arch Quilters. Artworks by Christian Geissler are also be on display at the library.
In Bryant Park, next to the community centre, artist Alicia M.B. Ballard’s interactive art installation Interknots – which festooned trees with colourful fibre art but was interrupted for a week by unknown vandals who stole donated scarves – has made a comeback thanks to supporters in the community.
For information, visit www.outsidetheboxwhiterock.ca
Art studio tour
The White Rock Art Studio tour will return to the Peninsula with its latest edition, Something To Crow About, Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21.
For the 19th year of the free-of-charge, free-form tour, the studio of 10 professional artists will be open to visitors from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information and a map, visit www.whiterockstudiotour.com, call 604-531-9427 or email kathmac@telus.net
Weavers and spinners
The Peace Arch Weavers and Spinners Guild (PAWS) is celebrating its 45th year with its annual Fibre Flare sale and exhibit, Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21 (10 a.m.- 4p.m. each day) at Ocean Park Community Hall, 1577 128 St.
As well as an opportunity to buy one-of-a-kind original gifts from a wide-selection of handwoven, handspun, felted and knitted items – quality guaranteed through PAWS jurying process – there will also be a silent auction to benefit guild activities.
Orpheus returns
The Vancouver Orpheus Male Choir – founded in the traditions of Welsh male-voice choirs – will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special concert, Saturday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m., at White Rock Baptist Church, 1657 140 St.
The choir’s rich blend of voices and varied repertoire has won new friends whenever it has appeared on the Peninsula, and the concert promises to be a must-see for lovers of choral music.
Tickets ($20, $18 seniors and students) are available from 604-515-5686 or www.vancouverorpheus.org
Singers wanted
Pacific Showtime Men’s Chorus, based in Ocean Park, and directed by ‘Mr. O Canada’ Mark Donnelly, has resumed rehearsals Monday nights at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Church, 12953 20 Ave.
The small community chorus of experienced singers is currently seeking new members for all vocal ranges: lead, tenor, baritone and bass.
Offering a big sound in a variety of musical styles, Pacific Showtime has been featured at a wide range of Lower Mainland events, including show productions, concerts and private functions.
Male singers are invited to attend rehearsals to check out the group and, hopefully, join in.
Phantom of the Panto
Tickets will go on sale soon for Fraser Valley Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s latest pantomime, The Phantom of the Panto (Nov. 28-Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. performances at Surrey Arts Centre).
Following on the success of last year’s Beauty and the Beast (the CTC award-winner for best musical or pantomime production) the new show is an original written by regular FVGSS performer Clive ‘Hitman’ Ramroop, taking a page (or two) from the famed Andrew Lloyd You-know-who musical and reworking it in broad ‘panto’ style.
Featured in the spoof (helmed by the winning team of producer Reginald Pillay, artistic director Mike Balser, musical director Timothy Tucker and choreographer Carol Seitz) will be Tom Cleevely (The Phantom), Chelsea Tucker (Christine), Jackie Block (Meg Nolia), James Walker (Andre Jyne), Samatha Andrews (Firmin Full), Jeff Christiansen (as the dame, Carlotta Ferrari), Joni Hayden-Summerton (as principal boy Raoul), Jake Hildebrand (Joe Bouquet DeFleur), Adrian Duncan (Punchy Ferrari), Jerret Schwartz (The Skull) and Frannie Warwick (Trappe).
For ticket information, call 604-501-5566 or visit http://tickets.surrey.ca/
Champagne Republic
Watch out for emerging club and show favourites Champagne Republic.
The emotional and soulful vocals of Emily Chambers, the funky keyboards of Phil Laessoe, the tasty guitar licks of Marty Majerski, the deep, gutsy lines of bassist Eric Lipshultz and the agile drum accents of Kevin Madden combine to create a smooth R & B, pop, soul and funk blend as heady as a tall flute of bubbly.
Among performers at this year’s Spirit of the Sea Festival, the rising band, which is also working on its first EP, has a strong local connection – Majerski is a local realtor and Lipschultz is a graduate of Semiahmoo Secondary’s award-winning band program.
The band can be caught this month at Vancouver’s The Fairview Pub (Oct. 20) and West Vancouver’s Village Tap House (Oct. 27).
For more information on upcoming gigs, visit Champagne Republic’s pages on www.reverbnation.com, www.facebook.com or www.myspace.com
