NOTE: This story was updated Sept. 18 with new event information.
Burnaby is once again getting set to celebrate Culture Days.
The nationwide celebration of arts and culture runs from Friday, Sept. 28 to Sunday, Sept. 30. People from all walks of life are invited to take part in free, hands-on and behind-the-scenes events such as workshops, open rehearsals, tours, panel discussions and collaborative art projects, hosted by local arts groups and municipalities.
In Burnaby, several Culture Days events have been announced so far. Among the highlights:
Community Dance Umbrella Project: On Saturday, Sept. 29 from 1 to 2 p.m., the south plaza at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts (6450 Deer Lake Ave.) comes to life with a community dance performance – complete with umbrellas and live accompaniment.
Painting demonstration with Farhad Sadeghi Amini: Watch the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts instructor as he captures the landscape of Deer Lake Park on canvas. He’ll be working in Century Gardens at Deer Lake Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29.
Ceramic Bowl Tea Ceremony: Ceramic artist-in-residence Danny Kostyshin and tea expert Lam Wong host this tea ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Shadbolt Centre.
Silkscreen printing demonstration: Take in this silkscreen demonstration by visual artist-in-residence Miles van Yperen on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Shadbolt Centre.
Horsehair raku firing viewing: Watch students raku fire and decorate pottery with horsehair and feathers as it comes out of the kiln at the Shadbolt Centre’s kiln station, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29.
Ceramic artists in residence open house: An open house at the Shadbolt Centre’s steam plant highlights artists in residence Tony Wilson and Kristine Aguilar, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29.
Ceramic fine arts instructor show: Check out the work of Shadbolt Centre instructors in ceramic arts, on display from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29.
Artist Betty Woo retrospective: View the work of longtime Shadbolt instructor and artist Betty Woo, whose artwork spans more than 50 years. It’s on display at the Shadbolt from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29.
Multilingual tours for Anna Wong: Traveller on Two Roads: Join in French, Mandarin, Cantonese and English tours of the Anna Wong: Traveller on Two Roads exhibition at Burnaby Art Gallery (6344 Deer Lake Ave.). Tours run between 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29. For tour registration and specific times, call 604-297-4422.
Panel discussion – The Art and Life of Anna Wong: A moderated panel, including writers Zoe Chan, Keith Wallace and independent curator Steven Tong, with director-curator Ellen van Eijnsbergen, looks at the life and artistic practice of Anna Wong, at Burnaby Art Gallery. It runs from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30.
Bookmark Making: Artists Helping Artists are inviting people in to their Burnaby studio (7724 Royal Oak Ave.) for a family-friendly bookmark making sessions. Two options are available: one for people who have good fine motor skills, and one for those who don’t. It’s on Friday, Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and advance sign-up is required.
Ismaili Centre Architectural Tour: Get a behind-the scenes look at Burnaby’s Ismaili Centre, an important example of modern Islamic architecture in North America, created by lead architect Bruno Freschi. Tour will be led by Aly Sunderji on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. to noon at 4010 Canada Way. Pre-registration is needed.
The Courtyard Commission: Dispersion: Walk through the Ismaili Centre’s courtyard (4010 Canada Way) and experience a sensory journey, animated by interactive projection mapping, dance and live modulated music. Dispersion has been imagined by artists Nancy Lee, Laine Butler and Kiran Bhumber, with dancers Alex Tam and Sophia Wolfe; choreography by Ralph Escamillan. It’s on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Rain or shine.
For more information or registration for any of these events, or to find new listings as they are added, see www.culturedays.ca.
