FESTIVALS/FAIRS Delta Trades and Technical Career Fair: Annual event to be held Thursday, April 24 at Sungod Recreation Centre (arena) in North Delta from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., featuring dozens of exhibitors. Last year's event attracted 2,500 attendees, including students, parents and the general public. Info: 604-946-4141, www.delta.ca.
Surrey International Children's Festival: 10th annual event gets "Up Close and Magical" from May 22 to 24 at Surrey Arts Centre and Bear Creek Park, Surrey, featuring a wide range of shows and activities for kids and families. Performers for 2014 include Eric Litwin (author of the first four "Pete the Cat" picture books), Australia's Erth's Dinosaur Zoo, Will Stroet, the show "Jake's Gift" from Juno Productions and more. School and group tickets now on sale; general audience tickets will be on sale April 15, via 604-501-5566 and www.surrey.ca/childrensfestival.
VISUAL ART "A Feast for the Eyes: Exploring Food Through Art": Group exhibit focuses on food as inspiration, on view until Feb. 21 at White Rock Community Centre, 15154 Russell Ave., White Rock.
Surrey Art Gallery: "(Da bao) (Takeout)" group exhibit on view to March 23; also, works by Fraser Valley Quilters guild on view to Feb. 9. Gallery located at Bear Creek Park, 88th Ave./King George Blvd. Info: 604-501-5566, arts.surrey.ca.
MUSEUMS White Rock Museum + Archives: At 14970 Marine Dr. 604-541-2222, whiterock.museum.bc.ca. Currently on view: "Science As Art: Botanical Illustration of Canadian Tree Fruit Varieties," on loan from Kelowna Museums, features 10 watercolour paintings by Kelowna artist Joanne Beaulieu, to March 31.
Surrey Museum: At 17710 56A Ave. Info: www.surrey.ca/heritage, 604-592-6956. Opening Feb. 13: "Echoes of the Komagata Maru: 1914-2014."
EDUCATION "Igniting A Spark" is a Delta environmental conference open to students from Grades 4 to 12 in B.C, event Feb. 21 (a Pro-D Day) at Seaquam Secondary in North Delta. "Students will network with youth, engage in relevant environmental issues, connect with sustainability organizations and hear from engaging speakers." To attend the conference, register at: greensymposium.drupalgardens.com before Jan. 31.
WALKS/RUNS Color Me Rad: Cloverdale
Fairgrounds will be dusted with a rainbow of hues May 31 during this for-profit 5K event, in which participants are blasted with bombs of coloured corn starch. Fee to register is $35, plus service and processing fees, via colormerad.com.
LIBRARY EVENTS Ventriloquist Wendy Stuart performs her new show "Second-Hand Surprise," featuring her puppets Charley the parrot, Roscoe the lovable monster and Molly her three-year-old daughter puppet, on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 3:30-4:15 p.m., at Strawberry Hill Library (7399 122nd St., Surrey). For ages 4+. Free, family entertainment. Register at the library or call 604-501-5838.
Bricks 4 Kidz at Semiahmoo Library: Come join a fun-filled introductory session in which children will create a simple machine and make spin art creations to take home. Free, on Friday, Feb. 21 from 3 to 4 p.m. Call 604-592-6907 to register. "Bricks 4 Kidz is a creative learning program that teaches elementary school-aged kids
principles of science, technology, engineering, math and more using LEGO components."
Daddy Storytimes ("Man in the Moon") at City Centre Library: These storytimes are "a great way for male caregivers to establish a bond with a little one through rhymes, songs, simple stories, fingerplays and puppets." Sessions are for men only and babies (newborn to 24 months). Dads, stepdads, foster dads, boyfriends, granddads, uncles and all male caregivers are welcome. Sessions at City Centre Library on Wednesdays from Feb. 5 to March 26, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Call 604-598-7426 to register. "Spice Road to Delta": Delta Welcoming Communities Program, in partnership with the Delta Libraries invites you to event on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 6-8 p.m. at George Mackie Library, 8440 112th St., Delta. "While enjoying rich appetizers and drinks, you'll learn abut the significance of spices from around the world. There will be a free gift or door prize also."
Coast Capital Reading Buddies program at Surrey Libraries: "If your child is in grades 2-4 and could benefit from reading practice, sign him/her up for this free program. Your child can improve his/her reading skills in a safe, non-threatening environment over
six weekly after-school meetings. Trained high school students offer their time and expertise by 'buddying up' with a child to read together and engage in fun literacy activities. See www.surreylibraries.ca for details.
FAMILY DAY Celebrate Family Day at the Tong Louie Family YMCA on Monday, Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. "Free Family Day celebration with snacks, swimming, family gym time, family fitness classes, bouncy castles, games and much more," at 14988 57th Ave., Surrey. Info: 604-575-9622.
CAMPS Royal Canadian Theatre Company and Arts Council of Surrey brings acting classes for kids back to Newton Cultural Centre: "90 minutes of fun and learning as we explore the wonderful world of acting through basic warm-ups, improvisation, mime, understanding character, monologues and scenes, plus we write and perform our own short play." Sessions on Saturday mornings (starting Feb. 11, ages seven to 10) and Tuesday afternoons (starting Feb. 18, ages 11 to 15); Register by Friday, Feb. 7. Also planned are Spring Acting Camps from March 17 to 28. Info: 604-594-2700, www.rctheatreco.com.
Cinemazoo's spring break camp is themed "Junior Environmentalism": Learn about the concepts of environmentalism through games, crafts, video clips, and some hands on animal interaction when and where is appropriate in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Two unique spring camps to choose from: March 17 to 21 for ages six to eight and March 24 to 28 for ages nine to 12. Camps run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at Cinemazoo facilities at 1395 176th St., South Surrey. Classes are small and space is limited. Call 604 299-6963 to register. More info: www.cinemazoo.com.
AUDITIONS Surrey Children's Choir, along with its youth and adult choirs, invites new singers (boys, girls and adults, age seven to 70) to audition for its 22nd season. "Join this nationally and internationally acclaimed choir for a unique opportunity to explore different choral styles while building a strong
musical foundation and creating lifelong friendships." Contact: 604-541-2519.
Performers sought for White Rock Chamber Music series at Crescent Gardens Retirement Community, 1222 King George Blvd., South Surrey. "Concerts will be held on the second Saturday of each month from October to May." Email mshiker4@gmail.com or ellenneal@telus.net.