Poetry lovers, check it out. The McGill branch of Burnaby Public Library is offering up a special night in celebration of National Poetry Month.
The reading night will be held Tuesday, April 26 from 7 to 8 p.m., featuring three local poets: Sheila Rosen, Diane L. Tucker and Rian J. Lloyd.
Rosen’s book Silence, the Breaking Of It, explores her childhood among the interned Japanese in small-town B.C.. Tucker’s most recent book of poems, Bonsai Love, speaks to the “sensual delicacies of love,” as a write-up about the event notes. And Lloyd, a young Vancouver poet, was a hit when she read at McGill’s first Writers’ Open Mic in December.
Signed copies of the poets’ books will be available for sale (cash only), and light refreshments will be served. All are welcome, but it’s recommended for people aged 14 and up.
It’s free, but there’s limited space, so sign up at www.bpl.bc.ca/events, call 604-299-8955, or drop in to the library at 4595 Albert St.
FIBRE ARTS COURSE OFFERED
Interested in fibre arts? The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts is offering a new course in fibre arts, led by instructor Eleanor Hannan, for six sessions starting April 28.
Participants can learn about fabric pigments, print techniques and dyeing to create their own fabrics. Some art background is helpful but not necessary, and some supplies are included.
Check out the Shadbolt’s spring art guide, or sign up online at www.burnaby.ca/webreg (course No. 395605). See www.shadboltcentre.com.
ZOOM IN ON ART
If there’s a small person in your house who’s interested in art, there’s still time to sign up for a spring course at Burnaby Art Gallery.
Though several of the gallery’s kids’ art programs are currently waitlisted, there was space (at time of writing) in the upcoming A Bug’s Life: Macro Art program.
Four- to eight-year-olds can zoom in on ants, caterpillars, ladybugs and more, zooming in to focus on individual details and design through drawing, mixed media and printmaking. It runs four Saturdays from May 28 to June 18 and costs $33.96. Four- and five-year-olds meet from 9:30 to 10:30, and six- to eight-year-olds from 11 a.m. to noon.
See www.burnabyartgallery.ca or call 604-297-4422 for information.
CLOWNING AROUND
Got a kid in the house who loves to clown around?
The City of Burnaby is offering an Art of Clowning course for nine- to 12-year-olds, kicking off this Saturday at the Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool and Fitness Centre.
Kids will learn magic tricks, juggling, balloon animals, clown makeup and costume, and the class promises to “build confidence and comedic acting skills in a fun and safe environment.”
It runs for eight Saturdays starting April 23 from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. and costs $78. Check out the city’s spring/summer Leisure Guide for details, or sign up online at www.burnaby.ca/webreg (course No. 372422).
TAKE AN ART WALK
Art lovers, be sure to mark May 6 on your calendars.
As part of the Burnaby Festival of Learning, there will be an Art Walk led by Burnaby Art Gallery curators, exploring public art features in the Metrotown area. The walk starts at the northeast corner of Willingdon and Kingsway and ends at the Bonsor Recreation Complex. It’s about an hour long and set to start at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 6.
SCAVENGER HUNT AT GALLERY
You’ve gotta love any event that combines art and a scavenger hunt.
The Burnaby Art Gallery is getting into the spirit of the Burnaby Festival of Learning with an interactive scavenger hunt event on Saturday, May 7 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Families can turn out to explore the gallery and learn about its history through the scavenger hunt around Ceperley House. Once you collect all the clues, you can head out to the verandah to create a visual storybook that you can take home. Call 604-297-4422 or see www.burnabyartgallery.ca for more.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
