www.pgcitizen.ca | Thursday, July 16, 2009

17

pga&e
Events
Citizen staff

Teen fun

Speed gaming for teens takes place Thursday at the main branch and Friday at the Nechako branch each evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Teens from 12 to 18 years can test their skill at board games in a crazy new way. Players will play each game for five minutes then pick up where the last player left off. Every Friday night there is a different local musician providing free live entertainment. Come experience the unique ambiance and connect with the arts community in Cafe Voltaire, 1685 Third Ave. Friends of Thomas Days will be held at the Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The trains are dressed up and magically transformed into Thomas the Tank Engine characters. Enjoy the mini rail, Thomas film festival, crafts, story telling, concession and barbecue. For more information contact the Railway and Forestry Museum at 250-563-7351. Jordan World Circus will present two shows at the CN Centre on Saturday at 3 and 7 p.m. The Hart Pioneer Centre, 6986 Hart Highway, is hosting a country and western dance from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday. Dance to the music of Country Rose. Tickets are $10 at the door, lunch included. Everyone is welcome 19 years and older. Huble Homestead Kids Carnival is a popular annual event, held Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring the whole family for games, music, crafts and contests to the park, located on Mitchell Road, 40 km north of Prince George on Highway 97. Admission is by donation. The seventh annual Artists in the Garden tour presented by the Two Rivers Gallery will take place Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a beautiful way to spend a summer's day. Tickets are $30 each. For more information call 250-614-7800. The Who's Tommy, a Rock Opera, presented by Judy Russell is a powerful, driving rock opera held at the Prince George Playhouse July 21 to Aug. 1 Visit www.tommypg.com for show details, cast information and a look behind the scenes. Tickets are $22 to $27 available at Studio 2880 or call 250-563-2880. Dana Wylie will be at Art Space Tuesday. Wylie is a singer of rare gift and a dedicated crafter of deeply felt and sharply observed songs; she and her band approach their music with the poise and spontaneity of jazz pros, the respect of folk scholars, and the sheer joy of music lovers. Wylie, drummer, guitarist, vocalist, harmonicaplayer Jeremy Hellard, guitarist, vocalist Matthew Ord, and double-bassist Nye Parsons will be appearing at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 at Books & Co.

Live music

Thomas days

Circus goes Saturday

Jodi Alm, 15, left, Prince George Public Library youth advisory board member, and Amy Dawley, teen librarian, watch a Jenga towers collapse as they practice for the teen speed gaming event.
Citizen photo by David Mah

Country dance

New twist on old games
Library hosting speed gaming for teens tonight and Friday
Christine Skorepa Citizen staff
Speed gaming for teens might make people think young people are going to start playing video games quicker than ever, but they'll be playing mostly board games at the library Thursday and Friday evening from 7 to 8:30. It might be considered an old-fashioned notion, but games like Jenga, checkers and Twister are still considered cool to play in the gaming world, and yes, Nintendo Wii will be played at the speed gaming event, too. But there's a twist. Participants only get to play each game for five minutes and then move on to the next game -- like speed dating. Players sit at a station, play for the set time and when the bell rings, move on to the next station no matter where they're at in the game. This is the first time the library will be holding a speed gaming event for teens, said Amy Dawley, teen librarian at the Prince George Public Library. There's also a regular gaming event held for children of all ages Friday from 1 to 2:30 called Games Galore where everyone plays board games, Dance Dance Revolution, Wii, and Twister. Thursday visit the Bob Harkins branch of the library for the speed gaming event and on Friday visit the Nechako branch.

Kids carnival

Artists showcased on garden tour
Christine Skorepa Citizen staff
This year's Artists in the Garden Tour will be a little different, said Two Rivers Gallery fund development and communications officer Cat Sivertsen. There are six gardens that will be showcased on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. instead of last year's five and the properties on the list to tour are up to 400 acres in size, she said. There is one city garden on the list, one is on Highway 97 north, with the other four all located west of the city. The gardens and trail systems are the feature in which local artisans, from musicians to visual artists, including painters, potters, pointillists and sculptors will be showcased. "Some people will go see all the gardens while others might decide to stay in one place," said Sivertsen. "It's entirely up to them." People are encouraged to bring a picnic with them as there are refreshments offered at each location, and people are asked to bring their own cups in an effort to be environmentally friendly. In several gardens there are installation pieces specifically geared for their environment and the pieces are bigger than one might expect. A local welding shop was commissioned to create giant metal-petalled flowers. At the Norton North Ranch

Garden tour

Tommy time

Wylie on stage

Trudy and John Swaan will showcase their garden during the Artist in the Garden Tour held Sunday.The event is a major fundraiser for the Two Rivers Gallery.
Submitted photo

there is a sculpture park and Dagmar Norton, who owns the ranch with husband William is making a six-metre long strawberry shortcake especially for the Artists in the Garden guests. At the Visions of Nature site, Greg Bradacs has an amazing trail system as well as seven gardens where the Forest Felters will be in attendance creating pieces of art,

while Ute Wilder showcases her photographs of nature. Dawn Boudreau, local musician who opened for Divine Brown earlier this year, will be performing at Forest Views, while Stuart Antonenko displays his carving skill. During the tour there will be mini treasure hunts and quizzes taking place at various locations to encourage people in dialogue

about what they see at the gardens, said Sivertsen. The tour is one of three major fundraisers for the Two Rivers Gallery, along with Holiday Homes Tour before Christmas and the annual Art Auction held later this summer. Tickets for the Artists in the Garden Tour are $30 at the gallery. Call 250-614-7800 for more information.

Iranian singer brings Persian flavour to jazz
In Iran, singer Neda Jalali would not be allowed to perform in public. In Prince George, on July 22, she'll sing her heart out during a very special live performance. A lead member of Navaz, Jalali will join fellow band mate Eric Tompkins as they unleash hypnotic cuts from their new CD, Onsu ­ The Other Side. A further exploration of the group's unique fusion of Persian flavour with jazz sensibilities, Onsu is largely based on the works of noted Persian poets, including Rumi and Hafez, but contains melodies that go far beyond the traditional. A resident of Prince George for several years, Jalali would not be allowed to appear publicly as a solo artist while living in Iran. Here in Canada, Jalali, along with kins says, "and there will be an exciting and very upbeat atmosphere." Special musical guests are scheduled to appear at the event, including Ali Razmi on guitar and sitar. All proceeds from the evening will go to the UNBC Persian Club. Tickets to Navaz's Artspace concert are available at Books and Company on Third Avenue.    There's a new dining spot in downtown Prince George that is fast becoming one of the most popular take-out and dine-in establishments. Kalo Donair, located near the intersection of Third and Dominion, serves up a Greek classic that is easy on the wallet, and luscious on the palate. The donair consists of a pita bread stuffed with tender rotisserie meat, tomatoes, onion, and of course, special sauce. Delicious side dishes, including a scrumptious loaded Greek salad, are also available. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday.    Coming up Friday night, a very special jazz reunion at Cafe Voltaire. The veteran quartet includes some of the city's finest jazz musicians - Eric Tompkins, guitar; Barry McKinnon, drums; Darlene Shatford, vocals; and Terry Kosowick on trumpet.The show starts at 8 p.m. If you know of someone or something that should be In the Spotlight, contact Patty Stewart at stewartco1shaw.ca.

band leader Tompkins, have revelled in a popularity which has led to performances at clubs in Vancouver, and along the U.S. and Canadian coast, as well as at music festivals. The group is one of the headliners at the Kispiox Music Festival near Hazelton, beginning July 24. "This is totally danceable music," Tomp-