Kings arts - as of Nov. 3

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

Kings County Advertiser

Cinema co-op AGM

The annual meeting of the Acadia Cinema Co-op Ltd. will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville.

In remembrance

Catch the show at the Kentville Legion Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m.: A Tribute to Vera Lynn – Songs of the Forces’ Sweetheart from the war years, to be performed by The War Surplus Gang directed by Larry Woodman. Special guests include Earle Illsley, Bob McCarthy and Paul Rand.

Art @ Acadia

A nationally touring exhibition of contemporary portraiture opens Nov. 6 at the Acadia University Art Gallery.

The Kingston Prize is a biennial national competition for contemporary portraits by Canadian artists. Over 450 entries were reviewed by a national jury who selected 30 finalists that comprise the show.

Organized by the Kingston Arts Council, the exhibition celebrates artistic achievement in contemporary Canadian portraiture and will tour across Canada. Wolfville is the only East Coast stop.

Winnipeg artist Andrew Valko was named the recipient of the 2009 Kingston Prize for his painting, Personal Surveillance, and received $10,000 from the W. Garfield Weston Foundation.

In addition, there will be a People’s Choice Award to be determined at each stop, when visitors can vote on their favorite portrait. The winner will receive a $1,000 prize.

The exhibition will be on view until Dec. 10. The opening reception is Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. The gallery is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays, noon to 4 p.m.; Thursdays noon to 8 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

In Harvets Gallery

Harvest Gallery in Wolfville is showing work by George Walford of Port Williams and textile artist Sanna Rahola.

Other upcoming events include a wine tasting during the Slow Motion Food Film Fest Nov. 6, 5:30 p.m. $20.

Then, well-known Canning area painter Doretta Groenondyk will have a show and sale of original illustrations in conjunction with her book launch at the Box of Delights Nov. 7 at 11 a.m.

A demonstration of wool felting by Rahola and an artist retrospective talk by Walford takes place Nov. 8, beginning at 1 p.m.

Night Kitchen Gastronomical

The upcoming Night Kitchen Gastronomical performance is taking place Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. at the Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville.

Meet Mike at Ghost Town signing

Meet author Mike Parker when he signs his new book, "Gold Rush Ghost Towns of Nova Scotia,” November 7 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at The Inside Story, Greenwood Mall. “Gold Rush Ghost Towns” tells the fascinating stories of abandoned communities. Although abandoned gold mining settlements are the book's central theme, ghost towns built upon coal, iron ore and copper are featured as well. Scores of exhaustively researched image and entertaining text tell the story of a great heritage nearly erased from our history books.

Born and raised in Bear River, Nova Scotia, Parker has been called Nova Scotia's Storyteller, a reference to the diversity of themes covered in his many books of popular history. The best-selling author has been researching and writing about his native province for more than 20 years. Parker is affiliated with the Gorsebrook Research Institute for Atlantic Canada Studies at Saint Mary's University as a research associate. He is a graduate of Acadia University and a long-time resident of Dartmouth.

Divas collect

The annual Divas and Desserts event is Nov. 7 at 7 pm in the McKeen Room at Acadia University.

This fun-filled cabaret night features the voices of Acadia’s School of Music singing their favourite music by Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Rogers and Hammerstein. “We have an exciting performance, our annual fundraising event for the Singing Theatre Production Ensemble,” says professor Christianne Rushton. “This group of singers performs two complete shows a year (one classical/ operatic and one musical theatre) and are fully staged, with sets and costumes, a pit orchestra and involve 20 singers.”

Tickets and tables can be reserved by calling 585-1512. Adults - $15 (or a table of four for $40) Students - $10.

Not so silent

November 7, Silent Thunder’s classic rock and country covers are on stage at West Side Charlies, New Minas. The show starts at $2 at the door.

Classic covers

November 7, Vallie (classic rock covers) plays The Top Hat in Greenwood, 10 p.m., $3 at the door.

All-ages rock

November 7, there is an all-ages rock concert featuring The Fed Pennies, Afterparty, Make the Arrest and more at the Falmouth Community Hall. The show starts at 7 p.m., $5 at the door.

For Solace

The Halifax Camerata Singers will present a choral concert and launch a new CD at Wolfville Baptist Church Nov. 8 at 4 p.m.

SOLACE: Songs of Remembrance, the title of both the concert and the CD; is dedicated to the memory of loved ones. The music pays tribute not only to those who lost their lives during armed conflicts, but also to the special people – mothers and fathers, siblings and children, friends and strangers — who have had an impact on our lives but who are no longer living among us, says local choir member Barbara Rushton. “Our remembrance concerts provide a place for everyone to honor their loved ones,” says director Jeff Joudrey. “After we performed our third concert in 2008, I felt it was time to record some of these wonderful compositions. They offer peace and comfort, strengthen us for the future and remind us that the spirit can endure everything, even the end of life.”

The Wolfville concert includes several selections from the CD, including an arrangement of the well-known hymn “Abide With Me” by Halifax composer Gary Ewer, and a setting of Laurence Binyon’s First World War poem, “For the Fallen,” by Toronto composer Eleanor Daley.

Other pieces from the CD include two Canadian compositions from 2008 – “Life” by Jeff Enns, written after the sudden death of Halifax organist Allen Wayte, and “The Last Invocation” by Stephen Smith, commissioned by the choir.

The audience will be invited to join Camerata for the singing of Rupert Lang’s glorious interpretation of the Eastern Orthodox text “The Kontakion,” the signature closing for the Halifax Camerata Singers’ popular concerts, accompanied by Cynthia Davies, piano.

Tickets for the concert cost $15 adults/ seniors, $5 students and are available at Phinney’s Clothing Store, Kentville; and at Box of Delights Bookstore, Wolfville. For information, call 681-7770.

At Ross Creek

New Two Planks Youth Theatre programs start Nov. 8.

The resident professional theatre company is offering a new theatre program for teens who love performing and want to experience the challenge of collaborating on a production. Students will be involved in the writing, performing and stage management of the production; all under director Ken Schwartz, with rehearsals and creation taking place Sunday afternoons from noon to 4 p.m. at the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts.

This summer, Gem Salsberg completed a year-long internship at Aperture photography magazine in Chelsea, New York. She worked in-depth with the editorial team and served as a judge in Aperture Foundation’s international Portfolio Prize photography competition. Her mediums include photography, drawing, painting, writing and film. Salsberg completed a BFA in Intermedia from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in 2002 and will be at Ross Creek through November.

November 8 workshops include rug hooking with Margaret Forsey, studio photography with Nick Rudnicki and Shibori silk dying with Pat Loucks. ‘80s rock

November 14, Poison Cherry from the Western Shore brings its ‘80s rock tribute hits by Guns n' Roses, Def Leppard, Poison, Motley Crue and more at West Side Charlies, New Minas. The show starts at 10 p.m., $2 at the door.

In Denton Hall

Acadia Theatre Company presents The Wonderful World of Dissocia, written by Anthony Neilson and directed by Robert Seale, Nov. 12 to 15 and 17 to 22.

Lisa Jones is on a journey: a colourful and exciting trip in search of one lost hour that has tipped the balance of her life. The inhabitants of Lisa's parallel universe - Dissocia - are a curious blend of the funny, the friendly and the brutal. Questions are raised and perceptions challenged as to how society deals with psychosis. As Neilson himself puts it, "If you like Alice in Wonderland but there’s not enough sex and violence in it, then Dissocia is the show for you.”

The Acadia Theatre Company production will take place at 8 p.m, with matinee performances Nov. 15 and Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.; all in Lower Denton Theatre, Acadia University.

Ticket prices are $12 regular and $10 for students/ seniors and may be purchased at the door or reserved by calling 585-1766. Reserved tickets not picked up 10 minutes before the show will be sold at the door.

String quartet here

The St. Lawrence String Quartet (SLSQ) has established itself among the world-class chamber ensembles of its generation. Since winning both the Banff International String Quartet Competition and Young Concert Artists International Auditions in 1992, the quartet has delighted audiences with its passionate and dynamic performances and will be in Wolfville Nov. 13.

The SLSQ is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a new recording of Haydn and Dvorák quartets (two composers whose work will be featured at the Wolfville concert) through a partnership with the innovative company ArtistShare.com. ?

In concert, the foursome regularly delivers traditional quartet repertoire, but is also fervently committed to performing and expanding the works of living composers. This season sees them performing new works by both John Adams and Osvaldo Golijov.

In 2008, following a nationwide search, Acadia’s Derek Charke was one of five Canadian composers, each representing a region of Canada, invited to create a new work celebrating the 20th anniversary. The SLSQ is delighted to have the opportunity to premiere this work in Atlantic Canada.

Violist Lesley Robertson is a founding member of the group, and hails from Edmonton. Cellist Christopher Costanza is from Utica, NY and joined the quartet in 2004. Violinists Geoff Nuttall and Scott St. John both grew up in London Ontario; Geoff is a founding member and Scott joined in 2006. Depending on concert repertoire, the two alternate the role of first violin. All four members of the quartet live and teach at Stanford University in California. ?

For tickets ($26 adults/$17 students), call the Acadia Box Office at 542-5500.

AT the ECMAs

The East Coast Music Association has announced the Hupman Brothers from Wolfville will be on the Discovery Stage in Sydney between March 4 to 7.

Coming up

Nov. 6

The Singing Ranger: Hank Snow, Imperial Theatre, Windsor, 8 p.m.

Until Dec. 12

Bingo: The Musical, CentreStage Theatre, Kentville

Nov. 6-8

Slo Motion Film Festival, Wolfville

Nov. 8

Solace, Halifax Camerata Singers, Wolfville Baptist Church, 4 p.m.

Send arts news to welliott@kentvilleadvertiser.ca