This Friday night, you're invited to have fun and games with books.
I'm reading from a work in progress along with nine other published authors in a fundraiser for the SC Arts Council. Andreas Schroeder is hosting some writerly contests for amusement and there are book prizes to be had. That's at 7 p.m. at the Arts Centre in Sechelt.
On Saturday, JavaJazz takes their place in the Arts Centre for a musical evening with special guests, Sha-boom. Phone Karen at 604-885-4342 for ticket availability.
Heroes, a humorous and dramatic play featuring some quality acting, continues at the Heritage Playhouse, Gibsons, for its last weekend.
See www.driftwoodplayers.ca for more.
Pottery open house
Pat Forst is opening her studio for her annual Forst pottery Christmas open house this Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The studio and gallery is filled with pottery, clay murals and sculptures.
Fibres plus
This Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15 and 16, stop by theannual Fibres Plus Sale on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spinning, dyeing, weaving, knitting and felting will be on display. The group is honoured this year to share in the traditions of fibre arts with the Sechelt First Nations. Admission is by donation at the Seaside Centre, 5790 Teredo St. in Sechelt. Phone 604-885-4365 for more details.
Artisan craft fair
Check out the annual Artisan Craft Fair this Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 16 and 17, at Sunnycrest Mall in Gibsons. Many local artisans and crafters will be showing their wares. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Nutcracker
Tickets are now on sale at Scotiabank in Sechelt for The Nutcracker ballet production to be presented Dec. 28 to 31 at the Raven's Cry Theatre in Sechelt.
It features a big local cast plus guest artists from Brazil and Vancouver's Coastal City Ballet. Tickets cost $28.50 adults and $18.50 children. See www.coastingalongtheatre.org for more information.
Artist film
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, a film in English and Mandarin with subtitles, is the next presentation by the SC Film Society. This Sundance-prize-winning portrait of China's most famous artist reveals a man of unrelenting spirit and defiance (pictured at left).
It screens on Monday, Nov. 18, at Gibsons Heritage Playhouse at 7:30 p.m. (doors open 7 p.m.) and again on Sunday, Nov. 24 at Sechelt Seniors Centre at 2 p.m. (Doors open 1:30 p.m.) Admission is $5 for members, $9 single event or annual 2013/14membership for $20.
Garden Bay jam
On Sunday, Nov. 17, Gary Comeau and Simon Paradis with Gut Bucket Thunder will rock the Garden Bay Pub for their traditional Sunday jam. Come for Louisiana zydeco blues, maritime Acadian music, blues, roots rock and everything in between, starting at 2 p.m.
Art Crawl
The results are in for last October's great Art Crawl weekend, and once again it was a success.
Coast Cultural Alliance lists more than $129,000 in reported sales(up from $102,000 in 2012) and 20,000 studio visits to local artists and galleries (up from 18,000 in 2012).
The statistics tell one story, and the comments from the many visitors also tell how much they enjoyed stopping in and sharing a few moments with local creative people. ?
Sea Cav party?
A Sea Cavalcade planning party is all set for Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. at Cedars Inn in Gibsons.
All are welcome. Come meet the volunteer leaders and bring your ideas, help and support to make next year's festival a splashing success. There will be refreshments, door prizes and entertainment. They especially invite new people in the community to meet the group and consider joining the committee. The festival is totally run by volunteers and totally funded by donations.
Awards
Nominations are now open for this year's art and music awards presented by the Sunshine Coast Arts Council.
The Gillian Lowndes Award honours the life and talent of Lowndes, a promising young Coast dancer. Nominees for this award must demonstrate long-standing achievement, innovation and recent growth in their field of artistic endeavour.
The Anne and Philip Klein Visual Arts Award honours the lives of its namesakes who embarked on their artistic pursuits upon retirement. Nominees should be over 65 with a preference given to those who have developed an artistic passion later in life.
The Louise Baril Memorial Music Award honours an active member of the Coast music scene who was the program director of Countryside Concerts from 1990 to 1994. The award is intended for Coast music students.
Application forms along with further information on the awards can be obtained at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre or at www.scartscouncil.com.
Deadline for nominations is Nov. 30.
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.
