Six scribes will share their stories at the next Writers in Our Midst reading series in Port Moody.
On Friday, Joyelle Brandt, Ian Soutar, Linda H.Y. Hegland, Aline LaFlamme, Andrew P. Blaber, Jessica Sall and A.J. Devlin will present at the literary event at Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St.), starting at 7:30 p.m. A dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and LaFlamme will entertain. Call 604-937-0998 or visit gallerybistroportmoody.com.
CHICKEN SOUP
Port Coquitlam’s Leslie Wibberley has been published in the latest edition of Chicken Soup for the Soul.
Her story, titled Restored Faith, appears in the new book Chicken Soup for the Soul: Random Act of Kindness, which came out Feb. 7 to coincide with Random Acts of Kindness Day. Wibberley is known for her creative non-fiction essays and has placed in Writer’s Digest annual competitions.
THE NEWS
Gleneagle secondary grad Rob Taylor will be back in Coquitlam this weekend to promote his new book of poetry called The News.
The Port Moody native, who launched the publication last fall, will read and sign copies of his work on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Chapters (2991 Lougheed Hwy., Coquitlam). Taylor, who in 2015 received the city of Vancouver’s mayor’s arts award as an emerging artist, wrote a poem every week to chronicle his wife’s pregnancy.
IT’S DESTINED
Coquitlam author and Ukrainian native Larysa Plawan Levycky has a new book out called Destiny.
A former dancer, model and entrepreneur, Levycky penned a historical novel about an aristocratic German family that settled in the Ukraine and escapes to Greece during the Second World War. It is printed by Trafford Publishing.
YOUNG MUSIC
More than 40 players with the Greater Vancouver Youth Music Academy will share a stage in Coquitlam this weekend with professional musicians.
The Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble will host its third concert of the season at the Evergreen Cultural Centre on Saturday with the young Burnaby-based talent.
PSWE musical director David Branter and GVYMA founder Nina Falcos will lead the show that starts at 8 p.m.
“PSWE regularly supports and encourages student musicians through its youth soloist competitions by offering workshops and masterclasses as well as joint concerts with school groups,” PSWE spokesperson Matthew Baird told The Tri-City News last week.
“Individuals also often serve as mentors to young players and it is a pleasure to welcome the very skilled young players in GVYMA’s most accomplished ensemble for this event.”
He added, “We are always keen to demonstrate that the discipline and enjoyment of playing a musical instrument in your younger years can provide camaraderie and sense of fulfillment for a lifetime.”
For tickets to Soaring on Feb. 25, call the Evergreen box office at 604-927-6555 or visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
PRO-D KIDS
Kids in kindergarten to Grade 5 can learn about myths, tales and folklore at Coquitlam’s Place des Arts during Pro-D Day on Friday.
Visual and performing arts classes run from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the Maillardville venue, with three workshops suited for students in kindergarten to Grade 2 and two blocks geared for students in grades 3 to 5.
To register, call 604-664-1636 or visit placedesarts.ca.
SLAMJAM
Hear from spoken-word poets and musicians at the third annual SlamJam, a benefit organized next month by students at Coquitlam’s Gleneagle secondary.
The event, which runs on March 2 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., takes place at the Eagle Ridge United Church (2813 Glen Dr.) with proceeds supporting the Homes for Good Society, a Port Coquitlam-based group that aims to end homelessness in the Tri-Cities.
IN PENUMBRA
Pinetree secondary grad Arash Khakpour appears in In PENUMBRA, a new work by Greek-Canadian choreographer Paras Terezakis that will have its world premiere at the Vancouver International Dance Festival next month.
Khakpour is an Iranian native who co-founded Pressed Paradise, a guerrilla performance group in Vancouver.
The show by Kinesis Dance somatheatro runs March 1 to 4 at the Scotiabank Dance Centre. Visit vidf.ca.
jcleugh@tricitynews.com
