SURREY — Happy July. I am going to designate July as “communications month.†Take this opportunity to talk and text to each other. With the new anti-spam legislation effective July 1, it just may mean we have to talk to each other more as mass email has been made more difficult.
By the way, please do send me emails regarding your events, as usual. I agree. Talking is OK, too.
Our little part of the world is quite a talky type of town. Word-of-mouth seems to be the most effective means of communication, especially in the world of live theatre. Not to say we are gossipy, but if we hear about something from a friend, we are more likely to attend. So take it from a friend – me! – and go see Red Rock Diner at the Arts Club’s Granville Island Stage.
This ’50s rock ‘n’ roll revue is full of non-stop music, high energy and audience interaction. Fun, fun, fun.
Neil Minor, as the legendary Red Robinson, is simply perfect, sporting his iconic red sweater and giving us a glimpse of Red’s quirky personality that made Vancouver’s most famous DJ popular.
Zachary Stevenson – best known to Surrey audiences as Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story – is simply superb. He shares his talent onstage, and off. Stevenson has raised nearly $15,000 for Doctors Without Borders through CD sales. Pick one up in the lobby following the show. Get one for me, too; I didn’t have a chance to get one while I was there. Support our heroes who make a difference in this world, for the better.
Sure, I liked the whole cast, set design and lighting, costuming and direction – a great show, and I could sing every song. Nostalgic.
Red Rock Diner runs until Aug. 2. Check out some trailers on the Arts Club’s website (Artsclub.com), especially the interview with Red himself, and buy tickets.
(Scroll down to see video of the show)
While Arts Club Theatre Company is celebrating its 50th year as a professional theatre company, the White Rock pier is now 100 years old. Almost as iconic as Red Robinson, the pier is part of our local history and culture. Well, you gotta celebrate the pier, and Semiahmoo Arts presents a poetry contest called “Here’s to the Pier!†to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
Put your muse to the test and give your best, in free verse, or sonnet or rhyme, says the arts council, which covers White Rock and South Surrey. Contest guidelines are posted online at Semiahmooarts.com and at key partner locations throughout White Rock (White Rock Museum & Archives, Tourism White Rock kiosk, White Rock Library and other venues). The contest is free, open to all ages and meant to be fun. Prizes? Of course!
Poems will be added to a memory album at the museum in White Rock. Selected poems will be displayed at all partner venues in August, to be voted on for the People’s Choice Award. Winners will be announced Aug. 28 at the Semiahmoo Arts fundraiser, Party on the Pier. The goal is to receive 100 entries – one for every year with the pier! Entry deadline is July 21.
You might want to take a stroll on the pier to get into the mood, have dinner at the beach and then go see Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit at the beautiful Coast Capital Playhouse, in uptown White Rock. Directed by Peninsula Productions’ artistic director, Wendy Bollard, this delicious comedy will cap the perfect day of pier, dinner and live theatre.
Blithe Spirit is set in an English country house with socialites, séances and spirits. The cast is professional and ready to bring some levity into your life.
Blithe Spirit previews on Wednesday, July 9 and runs until July 26. Tickets are $25/$20 via 604-536-7535.