Local Arts

Place des Arts' music and dance students who clinched cash accolades this year will be honoured - and will perform - at the Coquitlam facility's annual awards gala on Saturday.

While most students are now thinking about their summer, dozens of young Coquitlam thespians are gearing up for their school's biggest show of the year. Three secondaries - Dr.

Coquitlam's Dogwood Drama Group next month presents Hickory Dickory Dead, a murder mystery set during a blizzard at the remote Hickory Dickory Inn. The play, written by Craig Sodaro and directed by Niki Shamtanis, runs May 10 at 7:30 p.m.

With seven babies born to choir members in the last two years, Les Echos du Pacifique conductor Luke Mayba had an idea for the French group's next show - sing to the wee ones.

Vocal and band students at Port Coquitlam's Archbishop Carney regional high school scored high marks at a music festival in San Diego this month.

Coquitlam's Elie Savoie started acting in his younger years in the 1950s and, at age 14, directed his first play.

Theatrix Youtheatre Society, which is marking its 20th season, is holding auditions on May 7 for its summer production. Disney's Camp Rock will be staged from July 21 to 23. To register a spot, visit theatrixyoutheatre.com.

The winner of the 2011 Kwi Am Choi Scholarship - named after a Coquitlam artist who died in a hiking accident on Grouse Mountain five years ago - will feature her oil paintings at Port Moody Art Centre (PMAC) this and next month.

Registration starts May 1 for Place des Arts' popular Summer Fun! art camps. Parents can sign up their kids for visual art, music, dance, drama and literary art classes for part - or all -- of the five-week block, July 4 to Aug. 5.

A new sketch comedy that pokes fun at fairytales and nursery rhymes will be presented this and next month in Port Coquitlam.