A Coquitlam director will see her company's production conclude this week at the Vancouver Fringe Festival.
It is the second VFF run for Tanya Mathivanan of Aenigma Theatre, which last year put on Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit and The Zoo Story by Edward Albee. Its 2015 show, Blackbird by David Harrower, is part of VFF's Dramatic Works Series in the Culture Lab at the Cultch (1895 Venables St., Vancouver) and stars Jessie-award nominee Stephanie Izsak and Francis Boyle.
For tickets to the Thursday or Saturday events, visit vancouverfringe.com.
CALLING CLARA
Young Tri-City thespians can audition for a part in The Nutcracker, this fall's production by the Coquitlam-based Theatrix Youtheatre Society.
Kids aged six to 14 are needed for the show, which will run Dec. 17 to 19 at the Inlet Theatre in Port Moody. The call on Sept. 19 is at 10 a.m. at Dogwood Pavilion (1655 Winslow Ave.) with rehearsals happening on Saturdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The $350 fee includes the costume. Visit theatrixyoutheatre.com.
TWO SHOWS
A retired art teacher from Coquitlam's Centennial secondary school opens two new exhibitions this month.
Don Portelance will show new paintings inspired by his travels to Haida Gwaii and England at the Fort Gallery in Fort Langley (Sept. 16 to Oct. 4); he will be onsite on Sept. 20 and 27 and Oct. 4 from noon to 5 p.m.
As well, Portelance has two paintings in Arts Feat at Place des Arts, the Maillardville arts hub where he teaches young gifted artists. That exhibit runs until Oct. 3. Visit portelancestudios.com.
EAVES OPENS
Acrylic artist Irene Eaves will launch a new season for the Art Focus Artists' Association, a Port Coquitlam group that meets in Leigh Square Community Arts Village to support members in their craft.
Eaves will lead the first public demonstration on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Outlet (2253 Leigh Sq., behind PoCo city hall). Admission to the monthly demos are free.
FOR NEPAL
Classical and popular music from around the world will ring out at a Port Coquitlam church next week in support of a Nepal earthquake relief fund.
The benefit concert, titled A Fine Day, a fine romance, at Trinity United Church (2211 Prairie Ave.) will feature Jason Cook (baritone), Martin Sadd (tenor), Lisa-Dawn Markle (mezzo-soprano) and Chloe Hurst (soprano). Tickets are $20/$15 at the door; there is no cost for kids under 12.
All proceeds from the event on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 3 p.m. will be donated to the fund project with the United Church of Canada. Call 604-942-0022.
STRUNG UP
Ever wanted to learn how to play the guitar or ukulele? Gordon Smithers of the Heritage Uke Club will offer beginner lessons in a group setting at Coquitlam's Dogwood Pavilion (1655 Winslow Ave.).
Those new to the guitar can join the Tuesday afternoon classes while novice ukulele players can be part of the Sunday afternoon or Tuesday morning sessions. Smithers is also leading an intermediate ukulele workshop on Sunday afternoons.
The cost for each program is $67.75 and participants are required to supply their own instrument. Call the city at 604-927-4386 or visit coqutitlam.ca/signmeup to register.
SFU 50
Simon Fraser University has a song to mark its 50th year. The Burnaby Mountain institution this month announced Engage the World was the winner of the legacy song contest.
It was composed by fourth-year business student Caleb Sung of Hong Kong and his friend Brett Janzen, a professional music producer and composer from Surrey. The pair said they were inspired by the anthem-like qualities of the music they perform with their church band every weekend and styled the music to evoke SFU’s mountain top location amidst nature.
“We hope that this new song will become a part of SFU’s tradition and help foster pride and school spirit for years to come,” said SFU President Andrew Petter in a news release.
