Archive
Open Space Saturdays
Summer is a time for relaxation and celebration. And often in New Westminster, a time filled with incredible community festivals. Many of these festivals won’t be able to happen this year.
We present Open Space Saturdays. An outdoor arts and community space activating the outdoor areas around Massey Theatre.
The program has been designed by our Indigenous Cultural Development Director Ronnie Dean Harris who, together with the whole Massey team and Community Partners, will develop a casual, eclectic program for all ages filled with arts, artisans, food and most of all fun.
Open Space Saturdays will run every summer Saturday from 11am to 10pm with programs for all ages starting July 10th.
On Site Activities may include:
- Indigenous and cultural arts and crafts
- Visual Arts and Video projections
- Literary Arts
- Dance, Music and Movement sessions
- Children’s Activities
- Outdoor Mainstage Performances
- Storytelling
- Arts and Artisan Market
- And more…
On Site Food and Beverage options may include:
- Rotating Food Trucks
- Community Food activations
Special pop-up events such as plant sales, seed exchange, positive advocacy, food, dialogue and other community priorities will be incorporated through partnerships with community organizations and groups.
Community groups are encouraged and welcomed to think about getting involved and thinking of good ways of being together in small groups and activities.
This is a time to heal and celebrate together safely and supportively. Open Space is the place to do it.
Interested in becoming involved or putting forward an actvity? Please contact Ronnie at ronnie@masseytheatre.com
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Under the Rainbow Family Weekend
This February, Massey Theatre is celebrating diverse families with a variety of presentations for young and old alike. With a fabulous iconic film, a multigenerational queer family performance, and a contemporary Indigenous opera created with young ones in mind, the Massey is your destination for Family Day programming that’s just a little bit different.
Tickets for all these fabulous events are on sale now
1. February 14th 7:30pm The Wizard of Oz (Film Screening)
One of the most popular family films of all time, The Wizard of Oz, is coming back to the Big Screen at Massey Theatre for one day only. Join Dorothy as she meets the scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion and experience their journey to the Emerald City and all the beloved scenes and songs along the way. Dressing up you (and your little ones) is joyfully encouraged.
And join us after the movie in the Plaskett Gallery for a post-show discussion of the movie, in particular it’s fascinating legacy within the gay community.
2. February 15th 11am – The Flight of the Hummingbird (Vancouver Opera/Pacific Opera Victoria)
“Here is the story of the great forest that caught on fire”
The Flight of the Hummingbird is based on an indigenous parable from the Quechuan people of South America. The story of the brave hummingbird travelled through pre-contact trade routes to become well known within Haida culture. This opera is influenced by the graphic novel written by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas and will include elements of his dramatic Haida-manga illustrations. Created for young audiences, The Flight of the Hummingbird is a beautiful contemporary performance for kids and adults.
3. February 15th 4pm – Parents are a Drag (Zee Zee Theatre)
Join local drag queens Peach Cobblah & Isolde N. Barron for a drag dress-up spectacular! Add some rainbow to your Family Day at this fun and inclusive event which reminds young ones, their parents, caregivers and everyone in between that it’s never too early (or too late!) to get silly and dress-up! Parents are a Drag celebrates diversity with songs, laughter and play. With opportunities for the audience to become part of the show, be sure to come dressed to impress or ready for some dress-up time.
Massey Theatre is a safe space for LBGT2+ people and allies where we promote the notions of love, mutual consent, empathy and understanding. Homophobia, transphobia, sexism, any type of bigotry or violent conduct will not be tolerated. Don’t hesitate to approach us if anything should alert your concern.
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Métis Arts Fest
Join us for the Métis Arts Fest Presented by Savage Society and Massey Theatre from September 27th – October 26th, 2019
Includes music, dance, visual art, theatre, and celebration, sharing and illuminating Métis stories and culture
ALL events and activities are free and take place at the Massey Theatre in the Plaskett Gallery or on the Massey Theatre stage. All are welcome and encouraged.
FULL SCHEDULE:
September 27th @ 7pm Métis Culture Fair
The Métis Culture Fair is an exciting celebration of contemporary Métis arts and culture. Enjoy music and stories, and hear artists speak intimately about how their heritage, culture, and art intersect. Featured artists include Sandy Scofield, Andrea Menard, Charlene Wilson and host Tai Amy Grauman.
October 1st @ 7pm Métis Jigging
In this fun and exciting workshop for all ages, you will learn the basics of Metis jigging from local dancer Charlene Wilson. Get your body moving as she teaches the steps, and then enjoy a session of social dancing where you can put your new skills to the test and experience the joy of jigging.
October 3rd @ 6pm Métis Feast
The Grand Celebration of Metis Arts Fest will include a delicious feast, fabulous performances and a rousing celebration of Métis arts and Métis life. The event will include music from Sandy Scofield, Andrea Menard, and Kim Brandt, dancing by Charlene Wilson. Excellent food will be provided by Rosemary Georgeson and Barb Bennett Hospitality Services. Finally, the Métis Pairing exhibition featuring work by artists Nicci Battilana and Monique Hurteau will bring a dynamic array of colours and images to the walls of the Plaskett Gallery.
October 25th and 26th @ 1pm
Workshop Presentation: You Used to Call Me Marie Witness the creation of new theatre in progress with this workshop presentation of Tai Amy Grauman’s play You Used to Call Me Marie
Month of October
Plaskett Gallery Artist Exhibition: Métis Pairing Nicci Battilana and Monique Hurteau
Under the Rainbow: A year of LGBTQ2+ programming
The arts bring community together. Through shared experiences, stories and space. This season, we’re introducting ‘Under the Rainbow’, a series of community events, programs, shows and more celebrating expression, identity, and connection, with a particular focus on LGBTQ2+ stories and artists.
A featured component of this programming is the participation of our artist in residence Allan Morgan.
Massey Theatre is proud to welcome veteran Canadian actor, and more recently playwright Allan Morgan as our 2019-2020 Artist-in-Residence. As part of our Under the Rainbow series, Allan will be developing and leading a number of events and programs, including a run of his solo play “Pride: for the young gay, the un-gay, and the jaded queen in all of us,” a storytelling program for gay seniors, a play reading series, and more. Allan will also be writing a blog for the Massey website about his residency, and will be present at the Theatre throughout the year to work on new projects and get the community excited about arts and Pride.
Here’s a teaser of some of the programming coming Under the Rainbow
2019
September 20th -September 22nd
Pride-For the young gay, the un-gay and the jaded queen in all of us- writtten and performed by Allan Morgan on the Massey Theatre stage
September 28th to November 30th
Let me Tell you a Story Nobody Ever Told to Me- Gay Seniors project in the Plaskett Gallery
October 19th
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Movie: Drag Queen Singalong in the Massey Theatre
October 20th
The Flame NW the LGBTQ2+ edition- Plaskett Gallery
October 28th
Colette-Last Monday at the Movies with the Arts Council of New Westminster in the Massey Theatre
November 1st to 30th
Love Out Love Exhibition in the Plaskett Gallery
November 30th
Gay Seniors Project Sharing & Celebration in the Massey Theatre
2020
January 11th
Fire Song- Award winning contemporary film from indigenous film maker Adam Garnet Jones in the Massey Theatre
January 20th
Play Reading in the Massey Theatre
February 14th
The Wiard of Oz the Movie: Drag Queen Singalong in the Massey Theatre
February 15th
Rainbow Families Family Day Gathering-activities and performances in Massey Theatre and Plaskett Gallery
February 24th
Rafiki-Last Monday at the Movies with the Arts Council of New Westminster in the Massey Theatre
March 13th and 14th
New Performance showcase in the Massey Theatre
March 14th
Dance Party in the Massey Theatre
April 6th
Play Reading in the Massey Theatre
May 1st and 2nd
Hot Brown Honey in the Massey Theatre
June 8th
Play Reading in the Massey Theatre
Want to be kept up to date on Under the Rainbow and other programming? Email us and we’ll keep you in the know.
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Massey Madness FREE Family Activities
This Saturday, February 10th is the first ever Massey Madness Family Arts Festival
In addition to some incredible shows being performed (tickets available on TicketsNW),
All Day FREE Activities (12:00pm-5:00pm)
New West Craft – Lobby/Hallway
New West Craft is a handmade market hosted by the Arts Council of New Westminster. New West Craft aims to provide a welcoming environment for crafters, artisans and makers to share their work with the community.
Tinypreneurs Info Booth/Registration – Lobby/Hallway
The Tinypreneurs event is a unique, innovative, philanthropic, and educational experience, for children as young as 7 years old to be exposed to the world of an entrepreneur. It will allow children and their entire family to explore and embrace the benefits of entrepreneurship from an early age, as well as showcasing their talent and creativity.
At Massey Madness, children and families will have a chance to learn more about Tinypreneurs, and sign up for the 2018 Spring Break Tinypreneurs workshop to take place at Massey Theatre.
ArtsToGo Lobby/Hallway
Arts Council of New Westminster brings their fantastic interactive arts and crafts table for kids. Explore! Learn! Enjoy!
SCHEDULED FREE ACTIVITIES
Pow Wow Dance Lesson with Shyama-Priya- Massey Small Gym
12:15pm-1:00pm
Youth Music Showcase– Massey Theatre Lobby
Artist #1: 12:15-12:45 Jazz Ensemble
Youth Poetry/Storytelling Showcase– Massey Theatre Lobby
Young writers share their work.
1:00-1:30
Culture Conversations– Massey Theatre Lobby
Session 1: 12:00-1:00 – Aaron Pietras, Chelsea McPeake, Alan Hill
Culture Conversations is a human library style event where you can talk to fascinating people from the community and learn about the varied ways that arts and culture have impacted their live, and how they live their most creative life. Conversation partners include professional artists, arts workers, and arts lovers from all sorts of backgrounds. Each session will feature different conversation partners, so come back and talk with all of them.
Youth Music Showcase– Massey Theatre Lobby
Artist #2: 1:30-2:00 Emma Toth
Culture Conversations – Massey Theatre Lobby
Session 2: 1:30-2:30 – Eddie Lam, Susan Grieg, JJ Lee
Culture Conversations – Massey Theatre Lobby
Session 3: 3:30-4:30 – Stephen O’Shea, Candice James, Cassius Khan/Amika Kushwaha
Pow Wow Dance Lesson with Shyama-Priya – Massey Small Gym
3:45pm-4:30pm
Magic by Travis Bernhardt – Massey Theatre Lobby
4:30-5:00
Travis Bernhardt proves that Magic isn’t only fun for kids. Experience the wit and magic of this 2017 Pick of the Fringe winner up close and personal before seeing him perform on the Massey stage in the evening. Travis moves through the crowd performing for small groups, drawing people together, creating a buzz—breaking the ice between strangers and giving friends new stories to tell.
Youth Music Showcase – Massey Theatre Lobby
Artist #4: 6:15-6:45 Allie Melchert
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