SURREY — Here we are in March, the time of year when winter has its last chance to blast us. The old saying goes something like, 'In like a lion, out like a lamb'. Well, that was before global warming and never seems to aptly apply to our endowed piece of the planet. We may still get some storms, but the crocus and daffodils are in bloom. We have a history that the rest of Canada envies. We sweep cherry blossoms from the walkways rather than snow. Yay Hooray for history!
Speaking of history, have you been to Surrey Museum lately? This is a beautiful modern space that highlights Surrey's history. Located centrally at 17710 56A Avenue, you have probably passed by it sometime and not even recognized what is there. Go inside. The exhibits change frequently and the interactive displays need you to play with them.
The current exhibition, "A Queen and her Country," continues until May 16. Test your knowledge of royal protocol — never know when you might need it. This exhibit is from the Canadian Museum of History and through audiovisual presentations, artifacts and photographs, we get to share memories about Queen Elizabeth II's visits to Canada. You can curtsey now, and don't speak unless spoken to first.
Meanwhile, the museum is going to outer space for its Spring Break drop-in programs. Dress like an astronaut and make a spaceship, a mission badge, a solar system. It's art. It's fun. Dropin sessions are Tuesday, March 10 to Friday March 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and again from March 17 to March 20. All ages welcome, by donation, bring your camera. Record your history.
March, of course, is the month where St. Patrick's Day is celebrated. This, too, is part of our history. White Rock has its month-long Irish Festival, and Surrey Museum is celebrating with a single-day Celtic Fest. Get your Irish on and celebrate the wearin' o' the green during the annual event, set for Saturday, March 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. Tap your toes to captivating Celtic music and dance, create your own paper tartan and Loch Ness monster puppet, and visit local community groups with Celtic connections. You don't have to be Irish, and Loch Ness is in Scotland. Ah well, all part of our Celtic heritage. The event is all-ages, by donation. For more details, call 604-592-6956 or visit Surrey.ca/heritage.
More Irish festivities, because one is just not enough: Surrey Christmas Bureau has these occasional artsy fundraisers and invites the community to participate. Once again this year, the organization is hosting a Shamrocks and Holly pub day at Kennedy Sports Pub in North Delta. It's not for all ages, just adults, but once again the Steel School of Irish Dance will have its very popular dancers performing. This is my favourite part, of course.
The Steel School of Irish Dance has been a prominent dance school in the Lower Mainland for more than 25 years. Students in the school range from age four to adult and compete locally and internationally, qualifying to dance at regional, national and world level competitions. Their colourful costumes and fast footwork always make this part of the day worth the $20 ticket price. There is also live music by Copper Sky Trio, plus a silent auction and door prizes, all to benefit Surrey Christmas Bureau.
The "Shamrocks and Holly" event is on Sunday, March 15; phone now for tickets, 604 581-9623. Of course, you get food with your ticket price, and your celebration helps Surrey families. It's what we do, it is part of our history. We love Surrey.
You know there are those little badges that say, 'Kiss me, I'm Irish'? Maybe we should have one for all these cultural events and programs that says, 'Kiss me, I'm Surrey.'
OK, well, maybe not. How about, 'Surrey Smiles.' Yeah, we could do that.
Elsewhere, White Rock Chamber Music, in conjunction with Peninsula Arts Foundation, will be presenting an outstanding performance of British Columbian musicians on March 14, 7:30 p.m. start at Crescent Gardens Retirement Residence, 1222 King George Blvd., Surrey (beside the "Pink Palace" hotel).
This event is a benefit performance by some of the recipients of grants from the Peninsula Arts Foundation. Last year, the foundation gave out $35,000 in scholarships to 42 young people who study various forms of art, including music, drama, film, dance and visual arts. These chamber music concerts take your donation of $5 (or more, if you like) and assist the foundation with its scholarship grants.
For this St. Patrick's Day concert, the music will be provided by some very outstanding students, including Dru Yates (vocals and flute), Grace Lin (piano), Sunny Chan (violin) with accompanist Helen Pei, and the trios of Leslie Chen (piano), Jeremy Ferland (violin) and Shifra Day (viola), and Aidan Mulldoon Wong (clarinet), Jenny Ma (piano) and Alice Hu (flute). OK, so it isn't Celtic exactly, but our history is multicultural. Queen, country and clarinet. Just smile. It's Surrey.