This Saturday, Oct. 19 celebrate National Library Month at the Gibsons and District Public Library with an afternoon event held in the main open area.
From 1:30 to 2:10, entertainer Graham Walker plays music for kids and families, from 2:10 to 2:20, MLA Nicholas Simons will say a few words regarding libraries and community, and from 2:30 to 3:30 listen to readings by: PJ Reece, Jan DeGrass, Betty Keller and Richard Austin. Call the library at 604-886-2130 for more information.
Musical gala
The Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre hosts a fundraising gala and silent auction this Saturday, Oct. 19 from 2 to 6 p.m. Enjoy one of two shows featuring live entertainment from Miss Berni G and Frenz, plus refreshments and prize draws. You can also choose from over 50 silent auction items. Money raised goes toward upgrading the sound system at the Centre. Tickets are $15 at the centre.
African Dance
Kunda African Culture Music and Dance show comes to the Heritage Playhouse this Saturday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. in a presentation by the Showcase of the Performing Arts.
Packed with colour and energy, Kunda's performance is rhythmic and joyous, showcasing artistic culture, music and dance of African heritage and using several authentic handmade traditional instruments, exotic costumes, explosive percussion, high-energy dances, hot Afro-Cuban rhythms, joyful melodies, plus soothing and soft instrumental pieces.
Fronted by local resident Kocassale Dioubate, a griot (traditional story-teller, musician, entertainer and keeper of tribal history and tradition) from the Mandingo tribe of Guinea, West Africa, together with partner Sasha Belle, Kunda is a collaboration of musicians and dancers who all have well over a decade of experience performing and touring.
"Toto" Israel Berriel, a phenomenal percussionist and vocalist from Cuba will also be gracing the stage, as well as percussionist and talented dancer Mohamed Andre Duranteau from Guinea.
The performers will also present three workshops this Sunday, Oct. 20 in African dance, drumming, rhythms and song. Call the theatre at 604-886-8998 for registration and ticket information.
Adult show
Morley Baker is an adult now - at least that's the title of his latest show of new work opening at the Westwind Gallery with guest artist George Doubt tonight, Oct. Friday, 18, at 7 p.m. and running until Sunday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m. during the heart of the Art Crawl. While you're crawling through Gibsons stop in to the gallery at 292 Gower Point Road to see the work of this artist. The reception is Saturday at 4 p.m. All are welcome.
Live Poets
The Gibsons Live Poets Society's next reading is this Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery.
The readers are Victoria poets Eve Joseph and Patrick Friesen. Visit their website, http://gibsonspoets.ca/ for more details. Admission is free. Canada Council for the Arts and the Sunshine Coast Credit Union are jointly sponsoring the reading.
Arrival
Second Base Films presents the premiere of a mountain biking film, Arrival, this Sunday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Raven's Cry Theatre in Sechelt. Call 604-885-4597 for theatre information.
Royal Affair
A sensational Academy-award-nominated film, A Royal Affair, recounts a famous royal scandal: the illicit romance between Danish Queen Caroline Mathilde (Alicia Vikander) and royal physician Johan Friedrich Struensee (Mads Mikkelsen), in the early 1770s in Copenhagen.
It's a discerning and beautifully filmed true story, with the shape and bite of well-crafted fiction, and political themes every bit as stirring as the romance. The SC Film Society brings it to the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons this Monday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for members, $9 for non-members. See: www.scfs.ca for more.
Documentary
A new, factual documentary just out is titled Take Back Your Power.
The controversial film features clips and comments from researchers, doctors, scientists as well as other professionals regarding smart meters. The one-hour and 45 minute film will be showing at the Heritage Playhouse Theatre in Gibsons on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. Admission is $5. For more information call Jolene at 604-741-1993.
Still Life
Photographer Alan Sirulnikoff will be doing a visual presentation from his Still Life-Mythos series.
As he delves deeper into this subject the question arises: in these apparently inanimate objects, is there a mythic life; another story to be told? He will be joined by musician Richard Nelson who will present his short video that blends a selection of Sirulnikoff's images with an original soundtrack. This event takes place at the Gibsons Library on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 6 to 7 p.m. There is no charge.
Samaya
On Thursday, Oct. 24, Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos will be playing the shakuhachi flute with the ensemble, Samaya, at St. Hilda's Anglican Church.
Samayais an explosion of energy and sound drawing on Japanese zen and folk, North Indian classical, and Western jazz traditions, as well as Middle Eastern, ambient, EDM, experimental, free improvisation, and alt rock.Samayaprovides fresh musical alchemy. That's on Oct. 24, at 8 p.m. at St. Hilda's, 5838 Barnacle Street, Sechelt. Tickets are $20 advance at MELOmania and Strait Music. Admission is $25 at the door.
Hula group
Dhyana Bartkow is teaching a beginners hula group for those wanting to step in again at an easier pace.
Auhea Wale 'Oe (e ku'u aloha) starts on Tuesday, Oct. 22 in Gibsons. It is a simple kahiko (ancient style hula) by Kawaikapuokalani Hewett about the meeting of Pele and her prince on Kauai. For an added challenge, you can learn to pa'i the ipu (play the gourd drum) as well as learn the dance. Email [email protected] for more details.
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.
