Sunshine Coast author Kathryn Para launches her blistering debut novel at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery this Saturday, Nov. 2, at 3 p.m.
Lucky, Para's first novel, is a powerful book set in the Middle East and Canada and structured as parallel narratives. It tells the story of Anika Lund, a freelance war photojournalist with an ambition to photograph an infamous terrorist in Iraq. Ultimately, her attempt to tell the other side of the story takes a devastating turn.
In the aftermath of bloodshed, Ani tries to find equilibrium at home in Vancouver, but suffers stress and finds solace in alcohol. The novel explores issues of war as news entertainment for the West, addiction, religion, women's roles, fame and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Lucky won Mother Tongue Publishing's Second Search for the Great BC Novel contest last May. Para is an award-winning, multi-genre writer with many publications to her credit.
Walk-On Dead
This Saturday, Nov. 2,the spookythrillscontinue at the Roberts Creek Legion with the return of the Walk-On Dead. The band will be rolling out their improvisational roots rock as they reel through a selection of Grateful Dead classics and throw in a few musical surprises along the way.
Thepsychedelic dance party gets underway at 9 p.m. Be sure to wear your dancing shoes. Local rockers Black Liquor open the evening with a dark draft of their original rock and roll. At the door, it's$5 members, $10 guests with members. No minors.
Beading class
Kerri Luciani reports that registration has started for beginners beading at Unwind Knit and Fibre Lounge on Sunday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon. Fee of $45 includes materials. Stop by Unwind at the IGA mall in Gibsons, to learn about other available dates and times.
Rust and Bone
Rust and Bone (French/Belgian drama) is a raw, unflinching, against-all-odds love story that set French box-office records.
Broke, homeless, and drifting, Ali (Mathias Schoensaerts) struggles to make a living for himself and his son. They relocate to the French Riviera to live with his sister in her cramped apartment while he focuses on a burgeoning career as a back-alley boxer. He crosses paths with Orca-trainer Stephanie (Academy-Award-winning Marion Cotillard) - who suffers a horrible accident - and the unlikely pair fall into a tender, tentative courtship.
The film screens at Gibsons Heritage Playhouse on Monday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. SC Film Society members are $5, single event $9.
Life Drawing show
The Life Drawing Group, now in its 28th year, welcomes new artists to draw in natural light, every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The weekly drawing sessions under the skylight in the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre (corner of Trail and Medusa, Sechelt) include many mediums from simple charcoal to coloured graphite, pastel and even Brushes on iPad. The artists draw from a live model in poses from one to 30 minutes.
The current exhibit showcases the best drawings from the past three years. All are invited to the opening reception on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. The gallery is open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. For further information, see scartscouncil.com or call 604-885-5412.
Book club
The Gibsons and District Library Book Club will distribute Umbrella by Will Self at their next session on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Books are selected from the 2013 Vancouver Writers' Festival. For more information call 604-886-2130.
Rug hooking
BeachGlen Rug Hooking Studio in Gibsons is offering two session beginner classes for those wishing to learn this traditional art. There are some spaces available in the Nov. 6 to 20 class and weekend classes are also available. For more information, call Lynne at 778-462-2174.
Creative storytelling
Creative in the Creek storytelling workshop takes place on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Gumboot Café. Admission is by donation.
David Roche, who has spent 20 years as a master storyteller and coach, will create and hold a safe, encouraging environment for you to tell your story. You will also get the benefit of his coaching, if desired.
The evening's theme is on stories of transformation, of a time, a place, a person, an insight that changed your life, for better or worse, for a lifetime or for a while. They will fit in as many people as possible. Listeners are most welcome also. You will never find a more supportive environment to express yourself.
Meet Grant Lawrence
Join Grant Lawrence, CBC host and author of Adventures in Solitude, for an evening of comic entertainment. He will be sharing stories from his new book, The Lonely End of the Rink: Confessions of a Reluctant Goalie and showing a short film and slideshow at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre (5714 Medusa St., Sechelt) on Thursday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. Books will be available for purchase, courtesy of Talewind Books.
Gallery gifts
The Gibsons Public Art Gallery would like to create a little Christmas shopping destination in Gibson's Landing.
Artists of the Sunshine Coast are invited to submit a sampling of their small and uniquely crafted artwork that would make an appealing gift at this time of the year. In addition, art cards of a Christmas design and Christmas related artifacts would be of great interest. For more information, contact Jeannie at 604-886-1264 or [email protected].
Astronomy visitor
The Royal Astronomical Society, Sunshine Coast Centre, welcomes Simon Fraser University astronomer and educator Bill Burnyeat to the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt on Friday, Nov. 8, at 8:30 p.m.
Burnyeat's presentation is titled The Discovery of Galaxies, How We Came to Know our Place in the Universe. This event is free to the public but any donations are appreciated. For more information on this and other presentations, see the club's website at www.coastastronomy.ca.
Tuesday deadline
Send me notice of your arts events, one week ahead, for this column by Tuesday at 5 p.m. for Friday's paper to [email protected] or phone 604-886-4692. Keep it brief, please.
