Skip to content

Here's what's up on Burnaby's arts and entertainment scene

ON NOW To Saturday, Dec. 7 Paints n’ Bloom Art Show and Sale, featuring work by Audrey Bakewell and Wendy Mould in support of the Alzheimer Society of B.C., at GardenWorks at Mandeville, 4746 Marine Dr., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. To Sunday, Dec.
A Home for Jo-Jo, Forte Theatre
From left, Rissa Weitzel, Mengbai Li, director Nancy von Euw, Adora Chen and Emma Jackson are part of Forte Theatre’s A Home for Jo-Jo, onstage at Burnaby Village Museum for Heritage Christmas.

ON NOW

To Saturday, Dec. 7

 

Paints n’ Bloom Art Show and Sale, featuring work by Audrey Bakewell and Wendy Mould in support of the Alzheimer Society of B.C., at GardenWorks at Mandeville, 4746 Marine Dr., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

 

To Sunday, Dec. 8

Cartooney, an exhibition at the New Westminster New Media Gallery, third floor, Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St., featuring works by six international artists. Info: www.newmediagallery.ca.

 

To Saturday, Dec. 14

Collaborative Alchemy, an exhibition of work by Pierre Leichner, Phyllis Schwartz and Edward Peck, at Amelia Douglas Gallery, Douglas College, 700 Royal Ave. Info: www.douglascollege.ca/artsevents.

 

To Sunday, Dec. 15

A Home for Jo-Jo, a Forte Theatre production at Burnaby Village Museum’s Brookfield Hall for Heritage Christmas. Shows run 3, 4, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Info: search Forte Theatre Society on Facebook, follow them on Instagram @fortetheatresociety or email fortetheatresociety@gmail.com. Burnaby Village is at 6501 Deer Lake Ave. See www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca for all the Heritage Christmas details.

Once Upon a Fairytale, a family-friendly musical comedy presented by the Vagabond Players at the Bernie Legge Theatre, Queen’s Park, with shows Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., plus special Saturday matinee on Dec. 7. Info and tickets: www.vagabondplayers.ca.

 

To Sunday, Dec. 22

Touch of Winter, an exhibition by New West Artists at the Plaskett Gallery, Massey Theatre. Opening reception Friday, Dec. 6, 4 to 6 p.m. Gallery is at 735 Eighth Ave., open 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, by appointment or during productions at the theatre. Info: www.masseytheatre.com or 604-517-5900.

History in Relief, featuring a series of intricate wood relief cuts by Raymond Taylor, on display at the Gallery at Queen’s Park, until Dec. 22 and then again from Jan. 8 to 26. Gallery open Wednesdays 1 to 8 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays 1 to 5 p.m. Info: www.acnw.ca or @artscouncilnw on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

 

To Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020

Nature: Larger Than Life, an art show by the Garden Gals, in the Art in the Atrium gallery at Queensborough Community Centre, 920 Ewen Ave.

 

To Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020

echoes, an exhibition at Burnaby Art Gallery, featuring the work of six artists from across the continent. Gallery open Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Special events in connection with the exhibition include a Stewardship Workshop and an Upcycled Art Making Workshop for kids (aged five to 16, with parent) on Saturday, Jan. 18, and a panel discussion on Sunday, Jan. 19. For full details, see www.burnabyartgallery.ca. The gallery is at 6344 Deer Lake Ave.

 

To July 2020

Nikkei, a year-long exhibition at the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre, explores the personal stories of individuals and families of Japanese descent: unique stories of arrival, heroism in the face of racism, the resilience of community and the experience of generations. The core exhibit will rotate through more than 30,000 photographs, 35 metres of textual records, 500 oral history recordings, 100 film reels and more than 2,500 artifacts and artworks. The Nikkei Centre is at 6688 Southoaks Cres. See www.nikkeiplace.org for details.

 

UPCOMING

Friday, Dec. 6

Dance Into Christmas, the 20th annual collaboration between the New Westminster Symphony Orchestra and Richmond Academy of Dance, 7:30 p.m. at Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave. Tickets $20, see www.ticketsnw.ca or 604-521-5050.

What-a-Theatre presents The Marvelous Christmas at the Golden Years Retirement Home, 11:30 a.m. in the Maple Room at Cameron Recreation Complex, 9523 Cameron St. Free, all welcome. Info: 604-297-4453 or sue.mcintyre@burnaby.ca.

 

Saturday, Dec. 7

Holiday Hooray!, a VSO Tiny Tots concert featuring Let Your Music Shine! with Lisa and Linda, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Anvil Centre Theatre, 777 Columbia St. Tickets $15 adult, $7 child, $2 baby. Info and tickets: www.anvilcentre.com.

’Tis the Season, a concert by the Vancouver Thunderbirds barbershop chorus, at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts’ James Cowan Theatre, 6450 Deer Lake Ave., tickets.shadboltcentre.com or 604-205-3000.

Vivo Children’s Choir presents Season of Peace, with special guests the Glenbrook Middle School, 4 p.m. at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave., Burnaby. Tickets $10 regular, $8 for students/seniors, 12 and under free, available at the door.

Canadian Superstars: A Tribute to Michael Bublé and Celine Dion, 7:30 p.m. at Massey Theatre. Tickets $46.25 to $57.50, available through www.ticketstonight.ca. Info: www.masseytheatre.com.

 

Sunday, Dec. 8

Music at Queens concert series, featuring the 22nd annual Carols and Bells, with handbell choirs and Christmas carols, 7 p.m. Tickets $20 adult, seniors/students $15, children kindergarten to Grade 7 $10. Info: www.queensavenue.org.

 

Tuesday, Dec. 10

A Traditional Christmas with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. at Michael J. Fox Theatre, 7373 MacPherson Ave. Info and tickets: www.vancouversymphony.ca

 

Wednesday, Dec. 11 and Thursday, Dec. 12

Tales of a Charlie Brown Christmas, featuring the Jerry Granelli Trio, 8 p.m. in the James Cowan Theatre at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave. Tickets $36 regular, $15 for youth (1i8 and younger), through tickets.shadboltcentre.com or 604-205-3000.

 

Friday, Dec. 13

Christmas With Sinatra, 8 p.m. at Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave. Tickets: 604-684-2787 or see www.masseytheatre.com.

Sing Lullaby, a holiday concert by musica intima, 7:30 p.m. at Brentwood Presbyterian Church, 1600 Delta Ave., Burnaby. Tickets and info: www.musicaintima.org.

Fridays on Front Holiday Edition returns to Front Street, under the parkade, with food trucks, mulled wine, craft beer, entertainment and family activities, free, 5 to 9 p.m. Info: www.downtownnewwest.ca.

 

Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14

Night of Wonder, a Christmas concert by Amabilis Singers, 8 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave., Burnaby. Info: www.amabilissingers.org.

 

Saturday, Dec. 14

O Christmas Tea, a comedic show by James and Jamesy at the Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave., 7:30 p.m. Tickets $19 through $34, at www.ticketsnw.ca.

Winter Social, 1 to 4 p.m. at the New West Artists Gallery at 712C 12th St. Info: www.newwestartists.com.

Christmas With Sinatra, 8 p.m. at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave. Tickets: tickets.shadboltcentre.com or 604-205-3000.

Christmas With the Maple Leaf Singers, 2 p.m. at Cliff Avenue United Church, 1600 Cliff Ave., doors open at 1:30 p.m. Tickets $15, call 778-245-4445 or see www.mapleleafsingers.com.

Betting Warmth Against the Cold, a concert by the Coastal Sound Youth Choir, 7:30 p.m. at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave., Burnaby. Tickets in advance $20 adults, $15 seniors/students, $10 children 12 and under; at the door $23/$18/$15, respectively. Info and tickets: www.coastalsoundmusic.com.

 

Tuesday, Dec. 17

Sing Lullaby, a holiday concert by musica intima, 7:30 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church, 403 East Columbia St. Tickets and info: www.musicaintima.org.

 

Wednesday, Dec. 18

Winter Harp offers up a Christmas concert at Holy Trinity Cathedral, 514 Carnarvon St., 7:30 p.m. Info: www.winterharp.com. Tickets: www.ticketstonight.ca.

 

Thursday, Dec. 19

Sips n’ Scripts Holiday Edition: A Christmas Carol, an audience-participation reading starring Dave Clothier as Scrooge, 7 to 9 p.m. in the first-floor lobby at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St. Read a role, throw a snowball or just watch and enjoy. For all ages. Info: www.citystagenewwest.org.

 

Thursday, Dec. 19 to Sunday, Jan. 5

It’s a Wonderful Life, a new musical adaptation by Peter Jorgensen based on the screenplay by Frank Capra, presented by Patrick Street Productions at the Anvil Centre Theatre, with matinee and evening options. Earlybird discounts if tickets purchased by Nov. 1. Full details at www.patrickstreetproductions.com.

 

Saturday, Dec. 21

A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol, 7:30 p.m. at Massey Theatre, bringing the holiday classic to life with giant masks and whimsical puppets. Tickets: 604-684-2787 or through www.masseytheatre.com.

Christmas Reprise XVII New Westminster, presented by the Vancouver Cantata Singers at Queens Avenue United Church, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10 to $35. Info: www.vancouvercantatasingers.com.

 

Sunday, Dec. 22

The Nutcracker, presented by Royal City Youth Ballet at Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave., with shows at 1 and 4 p.m. Tickets through www.ticketsnw.ca or 604-521-5050. Info: www.royalcityyouthballet.org.

 

Friday, Jan. 3 and Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020

Snow White: A Traditional British Panto, presented by Royal Canadian Theatre Company at the Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave., with relaxed sensory performance on Friday night. Info: www.rctheatreco.com. Tickets: www.ticketsnw.ca or 604-521-5050.

 

Sunday, Jan. 5 to Saturday, April 4

Seriously Surreal, an art exhibition by Artists in the Boro at the Art in the Atrium gallery at Queensborough Community Centre, 920 Ewen Ave. Info: www.artistsintheboro.ca.

 

Tuesday, Jan. 14

The Shoplifters, an Arts Club on Tour production at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St. Tickets at www.ticketsnw.ca or 604-521-5050. Info: www.artsclub.com.

 

Saturday, Feb. 8 and Sunday, Feb. 9

The Shoplifters, an Arts Club on Tour production at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave. Tickets at tickets.shadboltcentre.com or 604-205-3000. Info: www.artsclub.com.

 

ONGOING

Call for proposals for artists in residence at The Gallery at Queen’s Park in 2020. Both established and emerging artists, living and/or working in New Westminster, are invited to apply. This is an artist development program, and no experience is needed. The arts council will offer the chance to use the Lower Studio space for free, in exchange for a weekly public programming event to engage the community. The opportunity is open to both individual artists and arts organizations. Deadline for submission is 4 p.m. on Jan. 31. For full details, see www.acnw.ca (under News).

 

Literary and visual artists (creative non-fiction, poetry, photography) sought for a new exhibition, Changing the Conversation: Reflective Empathy and Public Discourse on Social Housing, coming to the Amelia Douglas Gallery and Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre at Douglas College in March 2020. Arts Council of New Westminster has an open call for submissions until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Artists with lived experience of homelessness, poverty and substance use are particularly encouraged to submit. Info: www.acnw.ca (under News) or 604-525-3244.

 

Meditation at the Gallery, sessions every Sunday from 8 to 9 a.m. at The Gallery at Queen’s Park, led by Lyn Sakari. By donation, with suggested donation of $10, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Info and registration through www.tinyurl.com/MeditationQP2019 or www.sitwithsakari.com.

 

Call for committee members: Seniors Expressions Through the Arts, to volunteer with the Arts Council of New Westminster alongside the seniors coordinator. Committee members must be aged 55 and up. For all the details and application information, see www.acnw.ca under News.

 

Spoken Ink reading series, hosted by the Burnaby Writers’ Society, is at the Deer Lake Gallery on the third Tuesday of the month (except July and August). For info and writers’ news, see www.burnabywritersnews.blogspot.com.

 

Children’s handbell choir invites new ringers in grades 3 to 7 to take part. Group meets Mondays from 3:45 to 5 p.m. at Queens Avenue United Church, 529 Queens Ave., New Westminster. Children from New West and surrounding areas are welcome; no charge. Info: musicatqueens@gmail.com.

 

The Flame New West seeks storytellers for a new season of storytelling evenings at the Plaskett Gallery – new storytellers, veteran performers and all in between are welcome to apply. Three more sessions are coming up on Sunday evenings: an “adult” edition on March 1 and two regular evenings on Dec. 8 and June 14. Email flamenewwest@gmail.com with questions, pitches and more.

 

Love to sing? The Maple Leaf Singers are inviting people to audition for the dynamic show chorus. All voices welcome. Call 778-245-4445 or email joinus@mapleleafsingers.com. For more on the choir, see www.mapleleafsingers.com.

 

Spoken Ink reading series, the third Tuesday of each month (except July and August) at Deer Lake Gallery, 6584 Deer Lake Ave., presented by the Burnaby Writers’ Society, with featured readers plus open mic. Info: burnabywritersnews.blogspot.com.

 

Writers meet-up, hosted by the local writing organization The Other Eleven Months, which has been hosting write-ins around the Lower Mainland for 12 years. Sessions run Wednesdays from 5 to 8:50 p.m. at the Tommy Douglas library branch (7311 Kingsway) for writers of all kinds. Drop in, no registration required. Info: www.bpl.bc.ca/events.

 

Drop in and do art, at the New West Artists Gallery, 712 C 12th St., Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. Bring your own art supplies and paint, draw, sketch, doodle, colour or whatever you like, $2 or by donation. Info: www.newwestartists.com.

 

Calling all artists: New Westminster Environmental Partners is calling for artists to create work inspired by the Brunette River and its tributaries, for an exhibition at the Plaskett Gallery in March 2020. Artists working in all mediums are invited to submit. For info, email the.nwep@gmail.com.

 

New Westminster Photography Club meets on the first and fourth Tuesdays of the month, 7 p.m. at Centennial Lodge, Queen’s Park. Info: www.nwphoto.org.

 

Gentlemen of Fortune Chorus is looking for new men to join the a cappella group, focused on singing in barbershop harmony style. The chorus has moved to Burnaby and now meets Tuesday evenings at 7:25 p.m. at Cliff Avenue United Church, 1600 Cliff Ave. Interested potential singers and guests are always welcome at rehearsals (enter rehearsal hall from rear parking lot). See www.gof.bc.ca for details.

 

Life drawing sessions, Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. at the New West Artists/Royal City Arts Alliance gallery at 712C 12th St. Bring your own drawing tools and paper; cost $2. Hosted by Lavana La Brey. RSVP at 604-525-4566 or email lavanalabrey6@gmail.com.

 

Artists in the Boro is seeking applications for six-week exhibitions in the Art in the Atrium gallery space at Queensborough Community Centre. For submission information and to apply, see www.tinyurl.com/ArtInTheAtrium2019.

 

Queens Avenue United Church Bell Ringers welcomes new adult members who can read music. The group meets Thursdays from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Call Virginia at 604-597-3894 or email musicatqueens@gmail.com.

 

Circuit Fridays, featuring underground house music with DJ’s Darius Kramer, Dezyman and Hixz, with special guests, the second and last Friday of the month at Magnetiq Nightclub, 27 Church St., $10 at the door, doors 9:30 p.m.

 

Burnaby International Folk Dancers, meets Tuesdays at Charles Rummel Centre, 3630 Lozells Ave. Info: 604-522-7468 or burnabyfolkdance.org.

 

Queen’s Academy offers a non-profit musical theatre program in Burnaby for children aged two to 12. Registration now open at queensacademy.weebly.com.

 

Volunteers required to help the Burnaby Arts Council in a variety of capacities, including gallery attendants for Deer Lake Gallery, 6584 Deer Lake Ave. Info and application: www.tinyurl.com/BACGalleryVolunteers.

 

Dance and laugh the night away with round dance and/or square dance lessons. Round dancing is choreographed ballroom dancing done in a circle; lessons Sunday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Charles Rummel Hall, 3630 Lozells Ave. Modern square dancing is done to modern music with groups of eight people in a square; lessons Tuesdays from 7 to 8:20 p.m. at the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion, 6871 Roberts St. Couples and singles welcome, no special clothes required. For info, contact Pat at 604-521-7497.

 

Poetry New Westminster, presented by Royal City Literary Arts Society on Sundays, 2 to 4 p.m. (except holiday weekends) at the Heritage Grill back room, 447 Columbia St. Each Sunday features two poets and an open mic. Search for Poetry New Westminster on Facebook for the latest schedule.

 

Paint and Sip Nights at 100 Braid Street Studios, offering a night of beverages, refreshments and a chance to receive step-by-step instruction from a professional artist to create your own painting. Each night costs $35, or $60 for two adults registering together, and runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. A variety of upcoming themes are offered. See www.100braidststudios.com.

 

Email entertainment listings to jmaclellan@burnabynow.com.