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Coquitlam’s home for the arts has classes on everything for everyone

When Place des Arts recently launched their new tagline to describe what it offers, “Home to our arts community” couldn’t have been more appropriate.
Place Des Arts

When Place des Arts recently launched their new tagline to describe what it offers, “Home to our arts community” couldn’t have been more appropriate.

That’s because since 1972, the not-for-profit arts education centre, housed in Coquitlam’s historic Ryan House, offers a wide array of programs for all ages and skill levels in a welcoming, home-like environment.

“We like to say we have something for everyone, from babes to boomers and from recreational to pre-professional levels—conveniently all under one roof,” says Kate Lancaster, Communications Coordinator for the centre.

Everything from classes in the visual, literary and theatre arts, to music and dance lessons is offered—many with amusing twists that play on the centre’s theme for this year: humour.

If music is your passion, there’s a diverse range of lessons and classes, from group “Fiddlers” classes for youth to a cello ensemble for adults, and introductory drumming and singing to private lessons in a wide range of instruments.

Plus, if you are a budding young performer set on playing before fist-pumping fans, the centre offers “Rock Star 101.” The new program for nine to 12-year-olds, teaches students the basics of forming a band, using their voice and experimenting with instruments. No previous music skills are required.

Kids and adults alike can move to the groove in a variety of dance classes, including ballet (Cecchetti method), jazz, hip hop, lyrical and tap in its dedicated dance studio and off-site at the Evergreen Cultural Centre.

On the fine arts side, in addition to kid-focused classes, adults wanting to venture into the world of watercolours, but who may be feeling a bit timid, can join the “So You Think You Can’t Paint in Watercolour?” class.

And if you have a youngster (eight to 12-years-old) with a gift for storytelling, loves action and superheroes, the DIY Comics class might be the perfect after-school activity. In this class, they will learn the creative process of making comics, from idea-generating to script writing and drawing, so they can transform their imagination into comic book form.

The centre also hosts special arts events, including free Family Days, a Classic Concert Series and a social, adult-only pARTy@PdA series, which combines an art activity with food and wine in a social setting.

The first pARTy is “PAWcasso” on Sept. 7 and it’s one for the dogs. Folks can bring their pup to the event to create a collaborative painting.

“As you can see, for anyone who wants to engage in the arts, we’ve got something for them,” Lancaster says.

Registration is open now for 2019/2020 classes and lessons. For more about what Place des Arts has to offer, visit placedesarts.ca or call 604-664-1636.