Our Town
Elgin Park Secondary’s production of the Thornton Wilder classic, Our Town, directed by drama instructor Stan Engstrom, runs this week at the school theatre with 7 p.m. performances starting tonight (Feb. 21) until Saturday (Feb. 25).
Using the role of the omnipresent Stage Manager to help create and direct scenes, the drama tells the stories of the citizens of an average town, Grover’s Corners, from 1901 to 1913.
The play, which won a 1938 Pulitzer Prize, is a well-loved showcase for student actors, which, in spite of its period setting, can still exert a touching emotional appeal, and themes with which audiences of all ages can identify.
Tickets are $10 ($5 for students and groups) at the door.
Talent search
Musically-gifted young people 19 and under are currently being sought for the Diamond In The Rock competition, until March 28 at the Roadhouse Grille Restaurant (1781 King George Blvd.).
First winner (Feb. 15) was Elgin Park Secondary singer Olivia Torrie.
Competing this Wednesday (Feb. 22) will be singer-songwriter Tommy Alto, singer-guitarist Nathan Poudrier and singer Antoinette Libelt.
The remaining six weeks of performances on Wednesdays, 7 to 9 p.m. will culminate in a final at Blue Frog Studio an Saturday, April 14.
The winner and second and third place contestants will each receive a bursary, and the winner will also receive a wide array of prizes including recording time at Blue Frog and Turtle Studios, radio promotion, and gigs at the Roadhouse Grille, the Spirit of the Sea Festival and as an opening act in a Rock.It Boy show.
All finalists will be offered a 50 per cent discount on recording time and will be provided with video shot at the finals for use on YouTube.
Competition is limited to Peninsula residents (south of 40 Avenue and west of 192 Street) and proof of age and residence is required.
To register, email doug_lachance@telus.net
Tina Turner tribute
Luisa Marshall’s Simply The Best, a tribute to Tina Turner, will come to Coast Capital Playhouse, 1532 Johnston Rd. at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 26.
Presented by Rock.It Boy Entertainment, Marshall’s performance covers all the hits of the dynamic ‘Queen of Rock & Roll,’ including Proud Mary, What’s Love Got To Do With It and River Deep, Mountain High.
Advance tickets are available at $39.50 (plus facility fee and service charges) at 604-536-7535 or at www.whiterockplayers.ca
A Little Princess
Tickets are now available for Surrey Youth Theatre Company’s production of A Little Princess, which runs at Surrey Arts Centre Friday March 2 and Saturday March 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday March 4 at 2:30 p.m.
Based on the popular novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett (Little Lord Fauntleroy, The Secret Garden), A Little Princess is the Victorian era story of the misadventures of young Sarah Crewe (Julia Tater) at the upscale boarding school run by the forbidding Miss Minchin (Cassandra Strain).
Directed by SYTCO founder Susan Pendleton the show features members of the company ranging in age from nine to 16.
Tickets ($16.75) are available from https://tickets.surrey.ca or by calling 604-501-5566.
Mousetrap auditions
Peninsula Productions is currently scheduling private auditions for its summer production of Agatha Christie’s celebrated thriller The Mousetrap.
Director Wendy Bollard is looking for three women and five men ranging in age from 20 to 60 for the very British period mystery.
The local production of The Mousetrap is part of the 60th anniversary celebrations worldwide for the venerable whodunit – which has broken all records by running continuously in London since 1952.
For more information of auditioning, contact info@peninsulaproductions.org
Kwantlen concerts
Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s music department presents a series of Wednesday classical and jazz concerts, Music At Midweek, 12:15 to 1 p.m. at the Langley campus (20901 Langley Bypass).
This Wednesday (Feb. 22) the featured artists are the Kwantlen Chamber Singers.
Next concert in the series will highlight the Kwantlen Jazz Band (Feb. 29).
Shklover show
The paintings of whimsicalist artist Irena Shklover are currently featured at Five Corners rendezvous Coffee With Attitude (Laura’s Coffee Corner) at 15202 Pacific Avenue.
The show, which continues until March 9, features some of the most recent of Shklover’s colourful and often playful canvases.
For more information, call 604-538-6600.
Art show
Locally-known visual artists Gabrielle Greig (Mrs. Picasso) and Linda Bell (featured in a solo show last year by Semiahmoo Arts) are among the participants in the group show Four Women, Four Stories at the Tsawassen Longhouse Gallery, 1710 56 Street, running until Feb. 26.
Sullivan resident Greig’s focus is on acrylic painting with an increasing focus on the semi-abstract, while Fleetwood resident Bell’s collages and acrylics are also moving toward abstract compositions.
Also participating are Birgit Coath and Nancy Dean.
Call for artists
Newton Cultural Centre artists in residence Wendy Mould and Becky McMahon are issuing an invitation for emerging visual artists in all media, including photography, for the centre’s first open call show, sponsored by Surrey Arts Council.
Called Just Birds, it’s open to both two and three-dimensional works on the theme of our feathered residents and visitors, with cash prizes for the top entries (each participant is allowed to enter three works).
Deadline for entries is 4 p.m., April 27, with the show itself running from June 3 to 30, with a gala reception June 9.
Mould and McMahon are also seeking sponsors for awards and the reception (information: 604-583-4538).
For artists, entry forms are available at the centre, 13530 72 Ave., through www.artscouncilofsurrey.com or by calling 604-594-2700.
