Poetry readings and the launch of Lowballer takes place this Sunday, April 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery.
To celebrate the last weekend of Poetry Month, join Victoria author Kim Goodliffe as she launched her collection of tree-planter poems, Lowballer, at the gallery. Sunshine Coast poets Sheila Weaver, Apryl Leaf, Jane Covernton, Martha Royea, Ross Harry and David Kipling will also be on hand.
Come, enjoy the reading, drink tea and meet the poets. Admission is by donation.
Paint In
Ever wished you could just do art without worrying about making a mess or being concerned about how it looks? Thanks to generous support by the Sunshine Coast Credit Union, The Arts Building in Gibsons is pleased to offer its first community Paint In this Saturday, April 26 — an open studio experience of making art for the sheer joy of free expression. With all materials supplied and a spacious, light-filled studio, the event is a no stress opportunity to explore your unique aesthetics.
The Arts Building has space for 15 adults, so registration is advised. The $12 fee includes all materials. There will be a $15 drop-in if space permits. See www.artsbuilding.org or call 604-886-9129 to register.
Drama workshops
Driftwood Players Story Theatre kicks off its seventh season with a weekend of free drama workshops April 26 and 27 for anyone interested in community public theatre. The street theatre troupe is looking for actors, musicians and stage crew for another summer of classic storytelling, fables and original works — no experience necessary. E-mail radhikabowering@hotmail.com to register, or with questions. Rehearsals run May through June with performances scheduled from late June to early September. See more at www.driftwoodplayers.ca/.htm.
Here Be Giants
This Saturday, April 26 at 1 p.m. join Byron Anderson on a photographic journey, Here Be Giants Photo Slideshow, up Mount Elphinstone and beyond as he shares his knowledge of the region. It will also include information on how to access the historic sites on Mount Elphinstone, what to bring and how to prepare. The presentation is at the SC Museum and Archives in Gibsons. Come early as his last presentation was packed.
Habitat fundraiser
Come to Singing into Spring with Jane Mortifee this Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. at the Raven’s Cry Theatre in Sechelt.
Mortifee, renowned Vancouver singer and performer, will be accompanied by pianist Michael Creber and the Sound Eclectic Vocal Ensemble. This is a benefit concert for the Sunshine Coast Habitat for Humanity. Tickets are $45 and are available at Habitat ReStore, Sechelt Visitor Centre, Swish in Gibsons and EarthFair in Madeira Park.
Aboriginal storytelling
The second annual Aboriginal Storytelling Festival will take place in Sunshine Coast schools on Thursday and Friday, May 1 and 2.
A free public event will be held on Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m. at the Sechelt Indian Band Hall.
Come experience the power of the story told in diverse forms by mus-swiya (Jamie Dixon), Dean Hunt and Bracken Corlett of Skookum Sound System, Richard Van Camp, Christy Jordan-Fenton, Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, Kung Jaadee (Roberta Kennedy) and Simon Daniel James (Winadzi). Digital stories created by shishalh youth through a program at Capilano University will also be shared. The xwamstut Dance Group will welcome the storytellers and audience to this celebration of Aboriginal storytelling.
For more information, please call the Festival of the Written Arts at 604-885-9631.
Rock for Tibet
Next Saturday, May 3 at 7 p.m. at the Gibsons United Church hall come to Rock for Tibet: A Musical Fundraiser for the Tibetan Resettlement Project. Help bring more Tibetans living in exile in remote northeast India to the Sunshine Coast to join the three families already here. Musical lineup includes: The Cornpones, John Marian, Denise Olson, Johnny Besso, Billy Hillpickers Light. MC is Kevin Crofton.
Tickets are $25, available at Gaia’s, Laedeli, MELOmania and Strait Music. For event information contact 604-886-1916 or email ellen@ellenbesso.com/.
Judy Alert
The Sunshine Coast’s 22nd annual Judy Dinner is coming up on the evening of May 6 with registration and payment required by April 28.
Something that started as a foursome in Roberts Creek has swelled into a 20-some and the Judys are hoping it will continue to grow. So if you were named Judy, Judith, Jude, Judyth or Judi, we would like you to join in this year.
Sign up and pay $25 for a buffet dinner at the Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club in Roberts Creek. Contact Judy at judy day sunshine coast@gmail.com to arrange payment.
Bring yourself and a favourite book to exchange. Plus, there will be a fun Judy game that will give you a chance to meet all the Judys at the dinner.
Tuesday deadline
Let me know of your arts events at jandegrass@dccnet.com or phone 604-886-4692. My deadline is Tuesday at 5 p.m. for the following Friday’s newspaper. Art Beat covers events one week to one day ahead only.
