Local Arts

When Stage 43 put on Dearly Departed last fall, board members of the Coquitlam theatre group hoped the title of the play wasn't a premonition for their society.

An artist collective aimed at keeping the subject of the human form alive as a muse will launch its Phantoms exhibit in Port Coquitlam on Thursday.

Grade 10 and 11 students Sam Stouten (vocals/shaker), Gianfranco Nicolato (keyboard), Jack Thomas (drums), Jonathan Antepyan (guitar/vocals) and Kyle King (bass) of Anderson Council will play Rock the Fox on Jan.

If you ask Vancouver fashion historian Ivan Sayers for his view on the threads typically worn today, he will likely give you a blunt answer. "I try not to think about it," he states.

Two years ago, when work in the film industry scaled back in Vancouver, Lions Bay costume cutter Druh Ireland started painting full time in her home studio.

A lively Celtic band will once again pay homage to the Scottish poet Robbie Burns at an annual celebration dinner and concert at Coquitlam's Place des Arts next week.

More singers are sought for Tri-City's newest adult choir. Choral Connections, a 60-plus ensemble that rehearses Tuesday nights at Riverside secondary school in Port Coquitlam, will be accepting new members until Jan. 28.

Among my favourite pastimes are listening to chamber music, talking to visual artists about their inspirations and hearing Ivan Sayers speak. I'm in luck next year as the Tri-Cities' arts scene will offer all three opportunities.

The Canadian alternative rock/post-grunge band Our Lady Peace will play the first New Year's Eve concert at the new Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, in Coquitlam on Dec. 31.

When Coquitlam violist Reg Quiring talks about certain pieces, it's as if you can almost hear the music running through his head. That's because he speaks in such detail - and with such passion - about the classical music compositions.