By Melanie Minty, arts columnist
SURREY — We are nearing the end of 2017. This year was significant for Canada, as we celebrated 150 years as a country. “Canada 150” saw many projects, celebrations and entertainment performances as we showed the rest of the world that the arts, heritage and culture of Canada is not only unique, it’s amazing. We still have a long way to go in reconciliation, integration and acceptance. Still, all in all, Canada is a great place to live.
The BC Girls Choir and BC Boys Choir collaborated in an integrated workshop called “Sing 150.” This fall, in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, 75 boys and 75 girls in Grades 5 and 6 attended the workshop. Now there is a concert and reception you can attend to hear the results. “Sing 150,” the concert is on Sunday, Nov. 26 at Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver, 2:30 p.m. start. Tickets are $20/$15. Go to tickets.centennialtheatre.com for details. It is music from across Canada, and reflects the face of Canada today. Multicultural – and musical.
I have never heard BC Boys Choir sing, but the Girls have a history with Surrey. They are absolutely amazing. With roots in Surrey, the choir now attracts a tapestry of girls from all over the Lower Mainland. Since 2004, this choir has been celebrated around the world, from China to England and spots in between. Part of the mandate of the choir is global awareness. Travel is sure a good way to achieve this goal. And isn’t music the universal language?
The BC Girls Choir has another concert for you, without the boys. This is their annual benefit concert to support a charity in need, which is soooo Canadian. This concert is on Dec. 2, 3 p.m. start, at St. David’s United Church, West Vancouver. All donations collected go towards the Elevator Fund, which build elevators into housing otherwise unavailable for those with mobility issues.
The choir’s final concert of the season is Dec. 9 at Cariboo Hill Temple, Burnaby. The girls will be joined by Zephyra Women’s Choir. Tickets for this concert can be purchased at eventbrite.com. The Zephyra Women’s Choir was established because girls do go up, but so many never grow out of their love of singing. Go to the BC Girls website (bcgirlschoir.org) for more information. Better yet, think of joining the four different choirs. Contact Kathy Scull, registrar and communications manager, at registrar@bcgirlschoir.org, 604-761-7253.
Music is just one way to celebrate diversity and Canada’s heritage. Fraser Valley Quilters’ Guild (fvqg.org) weaves a portrait of a nation in Canada, eh!, a new exhibition of traditional and contemporary quilts at Surrey Art Gallery. Plenty of time to take in these colourful contributions. This exhibit is on display now until Feb. 4, 2018. Admission is free.
In response to the 150th anniversary of Canadian federation, guild members were issued a special challenge: produce a 24-by-24-inch-sized quilt featuring red and white and an additional colour of their selection, based around a Canadian theme.
Artists in the show include Sharon Allman, Joan Anderson, Wilma Brock, Jan Cook, Janice Cook, Sylvia Eisma, Bonnie Evers, Robin Fischer, Jean Fong, Joan Hebden, Margaret Henderson, Vesna Hruska, Anna-Marie Johnson, Carmie Kozak, Chris Lawson, Judy Leslie, Fumiko Noguchi, Cher Olsson, Carol Pettigrew, Trish Poehnell, Cathy Raphael, Mary Shore, Val Smith, Diane Stevenson, Beckie Stewart, Sue Treen, Cathy Waddle, Betty Walker, Dougal Walker, Wendy Whiting, and Lily Wong. These are all true artists, using a needle, thread and fabric.