By Melanie Minty, arts columnist
SURREY — Culture Days is coming to Surrey – and the rest of Canada – with thousands of free events across our country to celebrate the arts, culture, heritage and history. It’s not a week, but just a weekend – Culture Days weekend, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
Locally there are more than 20 free events that are part of Culture Days. All interesting, all different and all hosted by local artists, artisans (or crafter, if you prefer), historians, organizations and arts enthusiasts.
“Culture Days is a Canada-wide initiative and grassroots movement that aims to build a greater understanding and deepen relationships between the arts and every neighbourhood and community,” said Howard Jang, vice-chair of BC Culture Days Task Force. “This is a unique opportunity for the public to form connections and immerse themselves in the arts.”
And just how do we do “immerse ourselves in the arts?” Some of us do it on a daily basis through involvement with dance, music, theatre and visual arts. It is a lifestyle. Once you start down your chosen path, you will find boundless opportunities to participate. The offerings presented by Culture Days just might help you find your own path. Start looking at culturedays.ca/en.
Peninsula Production’s summer musical, Sea Of Stories, was an event I am glad I did not miss. While it was the story of White Rock, it did give a look at the Semiahmoo culture. During this year’s Culture Days, you can join Semiahmoo First Nation artist Roxanne Charles on a cultural excursion. This includes canoe paddling and weaving.
• READ MORE: Haunting ‘Sea of Stories’ moved me with music and history of small-town White Rock, from Aug. 17, 2017
Then you can move to Surrey Arts Centre. Nestled in the southeast corner of Bear Creek Park, this hub building for the arts houses two theatres, art galleries, classrooms and more. It is celebrating 50 years as a centre for arts and culture in Surrey. Celebrate with the community and collaborate on a mixed-media art installation using recycled materials affixed to an enlarged archived photo of the arts centre. Take the opportunity to share memories of attending art classes, theatre performances and gallery exhibitions at the arts centre on a journal page. The finished product will be displayed at the art centre’s semi-centennial celebrations.
It would take a hefty, book-sized journal for me to write down all my memories of all the events I have attended at Surrey Arts Centre. I learned to “Fear No Art” as curators tried to educate me in the visual arts. I watched competitions at Surrey Festival of Dance as a dance mom, and later participated on stage as a dance competitor (adult division). What a path that has been, and still is. Theatre, music, art and even classes are part of the path I followed to Surrey Arts Centre. I joined Rhayne’s “Love to Sing” classes, while I could. And by the way, you too can join these classes, open to both adult men and women.
For more information on times and registration for these above events, just give a quick call to the arts centre, 604-501-5566. There is a good listing of Culture Days happenings at Central City Shopping Centre on Saturday, Sept. 30. Check it out. That is your arts project.
• READ MORE: Surrey’s Culture Days ambassador will celebrate 50th birthday or arts – a place she knows very well, from June 2017
Not necessarily on the list, but definitely on things to do list: Artist Wendy Mould has invited us to an Open Studio event on Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 1, for hands-on drawing demos at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. The studio is located at 9349 152A St., Surrey. Mould is a popular wildlife artist, and not only sketches, paints and creates works of arts, she also teaches classes. Her pet portraits are personal. Do look at her website, blog and all (artbywendy.com) or call her at 604-314-2232. Just like Rhayne, who believes everyone can sing, Mould believes everyone can draw. It just takes some instruction and inspiration. Culture Days is coming.
melminty@telus.net