Kings Arts scene - as of Oct. 6

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

Kings County Register

Dr. Zoo entertains

Saturday, October 11 at the Wick Pub in Berwick, 9 p.m., Dr. Zoo is on stage.

Afro-Celtic rock singer/ songwriter Randal Arsenault from Newfoundland promises to be entertaining. Since 1996, he has lived and traveled in Africa, and recently completed his doctorate of zoology on grazing competition between white rhino, wildebeest, zebra and impala in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.

In 2002, Randal recorded his debut CD in Johannesburg with well-known producer Brian O’Shea, and adopted the stage name Dr. Zoo. Since 2003, he has toured Canada, Japan, UK, Ireland, US, Swaziland and South Africa. Dr. Zoo was nominated 2006 SOCAN Songwriter of the Year and 2003 Artist of the Year by Music Newfoundland and won a finalist position in the 2003 Canadian National Songwriting Competition.

“My main influences are Paul Simon’s Graceland, Johnny Clegg and Bob Marley,” says Randal. “I enjoy collaborating with African musicians and sharing my love of the continent through music.

“While touring, I also strive to highlight issues of HIV/AIDS and child-headed households, as well as promote the beauty of Africa, and that it’s not all doom and gloom like we see on the news.”

Dr. Zoo is sponsored by Sennheiser Canada and Sabian Cymbals. Marc Vincent, VP Sennheiser, says, “I believe that Dr. Zoo has the commercial potential to achieve worldwide success, adding to the long list of Canadian talent representing Sennheiser around the globe.”

Guthro coming

On Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11 and 12 at 8 p.m., Bruce Guthro will be at the Evergreen Theatre, East Margaretsville.

Tickets are $25 plus hst. Reservations can be made at 825-6834 or evergreentheatre@gmail.com.

Art classes

The Ross Creek Centre for the Arts has a children’s visual art class for kids ages eight to 11 years running until Dec. 7.

Join in Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for nine weeks of classes taught by artist in residence Sojo Truth. Explore the world of art in a fun way, led by a professional artist.

The class will be followed by a showing of the kids’ work in Ross Creek’s Community Gallery. Cost is $100, all inclusive.

Sojo Truth is a Vancouver-based artist who has her degree in fine art from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University. She is an accomplished visual artist who has years of experience working with children and who brings a wonderful and unique aesthetic to her art and to her teaching.

For information, email Chris O’Neill at chris@artscentre.ca.

On a Wolfville wall

Jack's Gallery is a brand new shared venture of the Just Us! Wolfville Café and the Acadia Cinema Co-op.

Located in the back lobby of the café, at the entrance to the Al Whittle Theatre, the new gallery is a shared community space where film-goers and java sippers can enjoy the creative efforts of local visual artists.

Funded in part by Youth Challenge International www.yci.org), this newly-beautified art space encourages the participation of Valley artists of all ages and levels of experience. YCI is a nonprofit organization that involves youth in community-based projects in developing countries.

By holding regular opening gala nights, the aim is to bring under-represented artists into the public domain, where they can share their personal visions and benefit financially from their efforts.

Submission forms are available at the Just Us! Wolfville Café or at www.justuscoffee.com.

Deadline for submissions is Oct. 31.

Fundy screenings

Fundy Film's Doc series screens Brideshead Revisited this Sunday, October 12.

Join two-time Oscar winner Emma Thompson in a stunning period drama as she leads a stellar cast in this retelling of Evelyn Waugh’s classic World War II novel.

It screens at the Al Whittle Theatre at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8, available 30 minutes before screening. www.fundyfilm.ca or 542-5157.

Coming up

Oct. 10

Jenn Grant, Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville

Until Oct. 25

The O’Conner Girls, CentreStage Theatre, Kentville, 678-8040

Until Nov. 8

Edward Burtynsky’s photos, Acadia Art Gallery, Wolfville

Until Nov. 27

Erma Walker, Valley Regional Hospital Art Gallery, Kentville