Evening of choral music
The Alberni Valley United Church is presenting the Josephburg Choir in concert at the Alberni Valley United Church on Church Street on Saturday, March 26 at 7 p.m.
The Josephburg Choral Society from Edmonton, Alta., now in its 32nd year has brought music to audiences across the country. Tickets for this performance are $15 for adults, $5 for youth (free for children 12 and under) and are available at the Rollin Art Centre, the United Church office and church council members.
Celebrate arts, culture in April
British Columbia’s arts and culture sector contributes $5.2 billion to the provincial economy each year. The province will celebrate Arts and Culture Week April 10-16.
Several events are scheduled in the Alberni Valley to recognize this special week. On Saturday, Apr. 16, the Rollin Art Centre will have oil and acrylic artist Cathy Stewart (nee Curran) demonstrating her painting techniques from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The West Coast Weavers and Spinners will be at the Rollin from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be available.
Flower works on exhibit
Chris Motyka became a widow in 1988 and went back to work at JAL Design for the next 20 years. When she retired in 2009 she once again picked up her brushes and attempted to paint.
With a group of local painters, Motyka took workshops from local artists and in Qualicum Beach too. The result is Flowers, Fact, and Fantasy that is showing at the Rollin Art Centre Gallery until Wednesday, March 30.
The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and the gallery is wheelchair accessible.
Days With Arts coming soon
Days With The Arts is a two-day, self-guided tour of Alberni Valley artists’ studios and artists displaying their work in public venues throughout the city. This year’s biennial tour takes place Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17.
The train station will host Gerry Gagnon (wood turner) and Mike Bryan (man and nature photography), Islands Gallery on Argyle Street will represent a variety of world and local art.
Glen Henderson (wood carving and stone sculpture), Elaine and James McLeod (jewellery and mixed media), Michael Cleary (watercolours), David Parks (carved shore birds), Chris Doman (painting and print making) and Cheryl Iwanowsky (pottery) will be in their own studios.
Tickets are $20 (includes entry both days and free draws) are available at the Rollin Art Centre and Echo Centre.
Step up to Open Mic
Open Mic invites writers of all genres (poems, short stories, novelists, memoir and songsmiths) and their friends to share their words at Smitty’s on Wednesday, March 30 at 7 p.m. Join them in sharing creativity and fun.
Timbre’s night at the prom
Vancouver pianist Ken Cormier will accompany the Timbre! choir, under the direction of Pat Miller, on Saturday, April 9, 7:30 p.m. at the ADSS Auditorium. The choir will perform music “from both sides of the pond.”
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for children and are available at the Rollin Art Centre, Echo Centre, Somass Drugs (cash only), Salmonberry’s at the Quay and at the door.
Kids and clay mix it up
Kids can learn hand-building techniques to create fun clay projects in four Wednesday sessions, April 6-27. Kids ages seven to nine will create from 3:30–5 p.m. and ages 10-13 from 5:30–7 p.m. Please register at Echo Centre.
Big band, big dance
The Harbour City Big Band presents their spring dance on Saturday, April 2, 7:30 p.m. at the Italian Hall on Sixth Avenue.
Tickets are $15 and are available at the Rollin Art Centre, Mort’s TV, Pete’s Mountain Meats and from band members.
$1.49 day at historical night
On Wednesday, May 11 the Alberni District Historical Society will present an evening of memories of the Woodward’s $1.49 days in Port Alberni.
Did you work in the store in its heyday and would like to share your memories? Please contact Larry Brechin at larrybrechin@shaw.ca.
Gareth Flostrand writes Arts Around for the Community Arts Council.