Story Theatre is gearing up to produce a new line-up of exciting stories for children and familiesat summer festivals on the Sunshine Coast - from the Chil-dren's Festival in Dougall Park to Canada Day at Hackett Park to the Half-moon Bay Country Fair.
They will also be joining forces with the Gibsons Summer Read-a-long Program, offering children a small theatre workshop, alongside a participatory performance.
Each year, the troupe is created anew of devoted volunteers, looking to get involved in the community in a fun and creative way. They are offering afree, two-day theatre workshop this weekend (April 14 and 15) at the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society, to meet new recruits.
An interest in theatre is the only requirement. Using only one black screen and five wooden crates, the actors playfully relate familiar stories and fables. Coming together in streets and parks, both the cast and the audience are called upon to use their memory and imagination. If interested, contact Radhika Samwald at [email protected] or 604-886-4222. You can also check them out online at:www.driftwoodplayers.ca/storytheatre.htm.
Asteroids
Astronomer Bill Phillips from Washington will present a talk entitled All About Asteroids tonight (Friday) at 8 p.m. at the SC Arts Centre (Trail and Medusa in Sechelt). These "interstellar bowling balls" are all around us and carry with them the DNA of the birth of our own solar system.The local Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will host the talk. All are welcome, admission is free, but donations at the door are appreciated. Go to www.coastastronomy.ca or call 604-740-5860 for information.
Stage managers
The Driftwood Players and Driftwood Theatre School presents a stage managers workshop at Grantham's Hall this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This will be an introductory overview of the job of stage-managing a show and will be taught by Suzanne Dunkerton-Pemberton.She has 30 years' experience working on theatrical productions and will follow up by taking an apprentice to work with her on Driftwood's next productions.This workshop costs $90.For more information contact Suzanne at 604-886-0692 or Sandi at 604-886-0143 or register at: [email protected].
Country Boys
The classic Country Boys will play honky tonk and rockabilly this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Roberts Creek Legion. Members' admission is $5; guests $8. Call 604-886-9813 for more details.
Piano concert
The piano encore concert, highlights from the many performers in this year's Sunshine Coast Festival of the Performing Arts, takes place at the Arts Centre in Sechelt at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
A daily schedule for the next week of festival competition can be found at: www.coastfestival.com/attend.html.
Harbour Gallery?
The artists of Harbour Gallery are getting ready for a new season.
The gallery in Madeira Park will be holding its annual meeting April 17 at 10 a.m.Area A new members are welcome.
Also, on April 28, the Gallery will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help celebrate April Tools Day. Many pieces of art work will be displayed on the theme of water. The Gallery can be reached at 604-885-4366.
GPAG
Shout Out, the young people's exhibition of painting on the theme of water at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery (GPAG), continues to April 16.
Leanne Spanza's vibrant paintings in an exhibition entitled ViewPoints opens April 19, with the artist's reception on Saturday, April 21, from 2 to 4 p.m.
The Gallery's regular board meeting takes placein the boardroom on April 19, beginning at 2 p.m. It is open to all members.
April 30 is the deadline for GPAG's open submissions call to all artists. Guidelines are on the Gallery website at www.gibsonspublicartgallery.ca.
Martini Madness
Do your tastes lean to the sophisticated side of life? Brush up on your coolest dance moves and make your way to the Kinsmen Hall (Dougall Park, Gibsons) at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, for the next appearance ofMartini Madness, presented by Suncoast Harmony Entertainment.
The Coast's newest and coolest trio of musical dudes is playing and singing all the best swing, bossa and hip pop tunes from years gone by.Decked out in their smoking jackets, berets and coolest ties are Kevin Crofton (vocals, acoustic/electric guitar), Graham Walker (percussion) and Andy Amanovich (electric bass, electric guitar). Tickets are $10, available at Laedeli in Sunnycrest Mall or Gaia's Fair Trade, in GibsonsLanding, or reserve by phone at 604-989-3858.
House concert
Singer, raconteur and dulcimer ace Rick Scott combines music and laughter in an acoustichouse concert for big folks in Gibsons on Saturday, April 21.
Doors are at 7 p.m., music at 7:30. Reserve in advance at [email protected] phone 604-886-2807. Scott pioneered rogue folkin B.C. inthe infamous trio Pied Pumkin.Accompanying himself on Appalachian mountain dulcimer (which he taught himself to play while living in Pender Harbour and Storm Bay many moons ago), he is the consummate musical storyteller. See www.rickscott.ca for more.
Phantom sequel
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies, the long awaited continuation to The Phantom of the Opera, makes its North American debut at Raven's Cry Theatre in Sechelt, on Saturday, April 21, at 12:45 p.m.
This exclusive event is a fully staged production pre-recorded at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne, Australia. Included is an in-depth interview with Webber as well as behind-the-scenes footage. All adult/senior tickets are $18 and students (six to 17) are $12. Call the theatre at 604-885-4597 to have yours held for pick up.
Tuesday deadline
Send notice of your arts events to [email protected] or phone 604-886-4692 by Tuesday at 5 p.m. for Friday's newspaper. Let me know who, what, where, when, why and ticket info briefly. Because of the volume of submissions, Art Beat covers events one day to one week ahead only.
