Port Coquitlam's Leigh Square Community Arts Village has a number of artistic-based courses for the body and mind this fall.
The city will offer performing and visual arts activities - at low or no cost - starting this month for students of all ages and levels, such as:
Glee Club: For Youth by Youth (ages seven to 12), a weekly session led and organized by student volunteers from Riverside secondary, runs on Sundays from 2 to 3:30 p.m., from Sept. 25 to Dec. 11;
Musical Jam Songwriting Session, led by Youth Matters' project co-ordinator Robin Chae, offers a chance for budding song scribes to network. The free class runs on Thursdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m.;
Felice Women's Choir holds its practices on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. (call Andrea Kim at 604-949-1486 to register);
Off the Grid offers participants "instant sonic art" to perform compositions and improvise pieces with an emphasis on listening and reacting spontaneously (www.myspace.com/otgensemble). It runs every second Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m.;
Crossroads Coffeehouse opens its mic to singers, songwriters and performers every second Friday with guest artists to follow, including Pancho & Sal, Soft Focus, The Honeyflower, Willy Blizzard, Bugsy Jive, and Stringz Aloud. Proceeds benefit Crossroads Hospice Society. It runs every second Friday at 7:30 p.m.;
Philosopher's Cafe, presented by SFU and Leigh Square, features high-level public conversation about the burning issues of the day. It runs the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. The moderator is Port Moody's Graham Forst, a PhD in philosophy (www.sfu.ca/philosopherscafe/);
Tai Chi Social Club for Enthusiasts runs on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to noon, starting Sept. 20;
Drop-in artist studio sessions for emerging and mid-career artists happens on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come with your latest project or watch others in action; and
Art workshops run by the Art Focus Artists' Association are held the fourth Wednesday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. Jack Turpin will lead the Sept. 28 session while Don Portelance is on show Oct. 26 and Tatjana Mirkov-Popovicki on Nov. 23.
Leigh Square Community Arts Village (2253 Leigh Sq.) is located directly south of PoCo city hall.
Meanwhile, the city last week launched a new website (www.portcoquitlam.ca/leighsquare) geared to the Leigh Square Community Arts Village that includes information about its programs, services and resources. It also has educational videos about art and art-making.
"The new website is a much needed improvement for arts and culture services, building the foundation for other additions and modifications as we move towards incorporating social media in marketing and communications with customers, artists, businesses and the community," said Yvonne Chui, the city's arts and culture co-ordinator, in a news release.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
