Arts and cultural events are already prolific on the Sunshine Coast, and they will likely increase over this coming weekend. We will be joining the thousands of Canadian communities participating in the eighth annual Culture Days celebration Sept. 29 and 30 and Oct. 1.
In Gibsons stop by the Heritage Playhouse from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29 to take part in a casual and convivial tour of the theatre plus learn about some of the behind-the-scenes planning and organizing that takes place “from page to stage” during a community theatre production.
In Sechelt Siobhan Smith, the Arts, Culture and Communi-cations coordinator for the District of Sechelt, leads a tour of public art and murals on Sunday, Oct. 1 starting at 11:30 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. The tour takes in artwork outside the library (where visitors meet to begin the tour) and some lesser known pieces in the Watermark plaza and nearby. Smith suggests that if you’re comfortable walking on a relatively flat surface for an hour you will enjoy this free tour. It ends up at the Seaside Centre where a one-day exhibition of student art is on display from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring songs, visual art, graphic design and multimedia presentations of stories collected from elders in the community.
If dance interests you, then visit the Coast Academy of Dance on Wharf Road in Sechelt to watch a rehearsal for the annual production of The Nutcracker. Rehearsals are on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“The doors will be open,” said artistic director Kathleen Holmes, “and visitors can stay for five minutes or all day, if they like.”
Artworks at 5697 Cowrie Street offers demos and artwalks on Friday and Saturday. Though it is not part of Culture Days, Artworks owner Cindy Buis reminds Sechelt residents that the town is also celebrating Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 30, a family friendly event with music and activities for kids.
“Culture Days encourages an atmosphere of collaboration among community arts and culture groups,” Smith said. “Whatever your artistic passion or cultural curiosity, you can indulge it during the Sunshine Coast Culture Days celebrations.” See www.BC.CultureDays.ca for information on programming for the Coast.
