Diane Tucker

The Community Arts Council of White Rock and District’s literary series returns to Pelican Rouge Coffee House at Central Plaza (the south west corner of 16 Avenue and 152 Street) Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. with a reading by Burnaby writer Diane Tucker.

Although best known for her books of poetry, Tucker is currently promoting her just-published novel for young adults His Sweet Favour.

Built around Tucker’s own background in theatre, the story has an appeal for readers of all ages.

Admission is free.

Concert series

The 53rd season of White Rock Concerts runs until March with performances at White Rock Baptist Church, 140 Street and 16 Avenue.

Next performance this Friday (Nov. 20) features baritone Russell Braun, a Canadian opera sensation renowned on great international stages from the Metropolitan Opera, l’Opera de Paris, the State Opera in Vienna, the Lyric Opera in Chicago to La Scala in Milan, the Salzburg or Glyndebourne Festival.

Tokyo String Quartet (Jan. 29) has maintained an ongoing connection with Canada since its founding in 1967. Martin Beaver from Toronto is presently first violin, and former first violinist Peter Oundjian is now conductor of the Toronto Symphony.

Vienna Choir Boys (Feb. 26) – symbolizing Austrian music since the 15th century – have counted composers Haydn and Schubert among their ranks, and conductors Karajan, Solti and Bernstein on their podium.

Avan Yu (March 19), a 21-year-old Canadian pianist, has already formed in recital and with orchestras on four continents, consistently captivating audiences with his extraordinary musicianship and prodigious ability.

To subscribe to the concert series, call 604-535-6692.

Craft show

Holiday Shopping at Sunnyside Craft Show Saturday, Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sunnyside Elementary School, 15250 28 Ave.

For more information, visit www.sunnysidecraftshow.ca

Semiahmoo Jazz

Semiahmoo Music Society’s Mardi Gras Jazz Night takes place this Saturday (Nov. 21), starting at 5:30 p.m., at Semiahmoo Secondary School, 1785 148 St.

The $60 admission includes deluxe buffet dinner, live entertainment, dancing and silent auction.

Featured will be five separate Semiahmoo Secondary jazz big bands, plus a feature presentation by professional orchestra The Other Big Band.

All silent auction proceeds help fund the jazz program’s tours and competitions, including trips to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho; Disney Magic Music Days at Disneyland and Music Fest Canada.

For tickets, visit www.semiahmoomusicsociety.com

Tessa McGuiness

Local author Tessa McGuiness, former Surrey School District teacher-librarian, will read from her first novel, Never See A Poor Day, Monday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. at the White Rock Library, 15342 Buena Vista Ave.

An expatriate from Liverpool, England, McGuiness – who emigrated to Canada in 1957 – has drawn on her own wartime experiences to create the world of nine year-old Katie Byrne, forced to flee Liverpool with her family and take up residence in a gypsy caravan.

Registration is required.

For information, call 604-541-2201.

Snow White

Continuing a White Rock tradition dating back to 1954, the White Rock Players Club’s annual Christmas panto returns Nov. 27 with Snow White, directed by Susanne de Pencier.

An update of a 1960s script by longtime Players Club member Ed Carlin, the show is loosely based on the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but – in true pantomime style – there are lots of crazy characters and fun musical numbers for the whole family.

In the role of the Dame is a newcomer to the White Rock stage, professional actor and singer Zeus Ghadban, who will join a host of wacky panto denizens including villainess Zelma Vile (Patte Rust), the Aerial Fairy (Shannon Alexis Spears), the Magic Mirror (Natalie Guadun), the Prince (Erin Coon), the King (Ryan Elliott), Harold the Woodsman and Sir Greasy Dipstick (comedy duo Marty Perrin and Shaun McHale) and Glossy Centerfold (jazz diva Wendy Bollard).

Also included is a traditional blacklight dance number choreographed by Loretta Sramek.

The show runs to Saturday, Dec. 26, with matinees on Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 26.

Tickets ($16, $14 students and seniors) go on sale Nov. 12. For information, call 604-536-7535 or visit www.whiterockplayers.ca

Aladdin

Tickets are on sale now for Fraser Valley Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s annual musical panto, returning Nov. 25 with Aladdin, produced by Arne Larsen, with artistic direction by Mike Balser and Cathy Wilmot, musical direction by Stewart Yu and choreography by Carol Seitz.

Join Aladdin (Sheida Livai), Princess So Posh (Sydney Balston), the evil Abanazar (Mike Mackenzie), Widow Twankey (frequent FVGSS ‘Dame’ Peter Roberts), Wishee Washee (Meghan Larsen), Swanki Poo (Rosemary Forst), the Emperor (Roger Hussen) and the Vizier (James Walker) and other hilarious panto characters in a world of laughs, toe-tapping tunes, lively dancing and general panto mayhem.

Aladdin will be presented at the Surrey Arts Centre main stage, 88 Avenue and King George Highway, Nov. 25-Dec. 6.

Evening performances, Wednesday to Saturday, are at 7:30 p.m., with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

The Surrey Arts Centre box office is open daily from noon to 5 p.m., and until 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Purchase tickets in person, online at www.surrey.ca or by calling 604-501-5566.

Trad jazz

White Rock Traditional Jazz Society’s regular schedule of 3-6 p.m. Sunday sessions are held at the Royal Canadian Legion Crescent Branch 240 (2643 128 St.), featuring house band Red Beans & Rice in rotation with other notable Dixieland bands from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

Upcoming attractions are Three Generations of Jazz (Nov. 22) and the Metropolitan Stompers (Nov. 29). Admission with membership ($15 annually) is $8, without membership, $10. For details, visit www.whiterocktradjazz.com or call 604-591-7275.

Opera and ballet

Concluding White Rock Peninsula Rotary Club’s current season of high definition digital movies, featuring masterworks of ballet and opera, are two Christmas treats shown the same day, Monday, Dec. 21.

Venue is the Coast Capital Playhouse, 1532 Johnston Rd.

Shot with seven cameras, HD technology and surround sound, each exclusive presentation gives the viewer a best-seat-in-the-house experience recorded at some of the most prestigious venues in the world.

At 2 p.m. The Nutcracker will be presented in a magnificent, elaborate production by the San Francisco Ballet; while at 7 p.m. Handel’s Messiah will be presented in a gloriously uplifting version by the choir of King’s College, Cambridge, under the direction of Stephen Cleobury. For tickets ($20 per performance), call the Coast Capital Playhouse boxoffice at 604-536-7535.

Live venues

Acoustic Groove Wednesday nights, Tap Urban Cafe (Rosemary Heights).

Left Behind, featuring David Blair and David Anthony, weekends at Southpoint Pub.

Music for dancing every Friday and Saturday night, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 8 (152 Street): Cheek To Cheek (Nov. 20-21) and Sweetwater (Nov. 27-28).

Sunday Blues Night with Russell Jackson, 8 p.m. to closing, Baselines Pub.

James Devon, acoustic classical guitar and light jazz, Five Corners Bistro, Friday and Saturday, from 6-9 p.m.

Blues, jazz or light rock most Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Iguana’s Beach Grill: David Boxcar Gates (Nov. 6-7); Vashti Trio (Nov. 13-14); and Neil Harnett (Nov. 20-21). Live performers, including Unplugged Songwriters Circle, Thursday nights, singer-songwriter Laine Henderson, Friday and Saturday nights; traditional Irish folk jam with Athenry, Sundays at 2 p.m., Slainte By The Pier.

Maggi art

The work of Peninsula artist Maggi is featured in the Community Arts Council of White Rock & District’s current show at the CAC Gallery at Windsor Square, 1959 152 St., running to Nov. 28.

The artist’s drawings and paintings reflect years as a fashion illustrator and commercial artist, working for Eaton’s, The Bay, London Drugs, Toyota and major advertising agencies in both Montreal and Vancouver. Maggi, who attended the Vancouver School of Art while still in high school in the early 1960s, and won a full scholarship to the San Francisco Academy of Art from 1965 to 1968, has also taught at the Vancouver School of Art (now known as the Emily Carr College of Art and Design) as well as Douglas College, the Blanche McDonald School of Merchandising and the Patricia Stevens School of Advertising Design.

As an artist, she has also exhibited in San Bernadino, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Vancouver.

For more information, call 604-536-8333.

St. Andrew’s

The Tam O’Shanter Dancers present a St. Andrew’s Night Pub and Ceilidh Friday, Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. at Sullivan Hall, 6307 152 St. Entertainment is by Joe MacDonald of the Mad Celts, and Scottish ceilidh dancing, food, bar and a silent auction. For tickets ($10) and information, call Cheryl, 604-535-8949 or Janice, 604-536-7660.