AROUND TOWN

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

OBSERVATORY OPEN HOUSE

Fridays beginning Jan. 17 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. the Prince George Astronomical Observatory, 7365 Tedford Road, is hosting open houses for the public. There is a brief astronomy related talk followed by observing with the main 24-inch telescope and smaller telescopes on the viewing deck. Viewing is weather permitting. Dress warmly. Entry is by donation. Start and end times change as the days get longer. For more information visit www.pgrasc.org.

SONGS, STORIES AND SERENADES

Saturday, Jan. 18 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Vanier Hall, 2901 Griffiths Ave., the Prince George Symphony Orchestra presents Richard Strauss’ Serenade for Winds, Anatol Liadov’s Eight Russian Folk Songs, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Launy Grondahl’s Trombone Concerto featuring Brian

Wendel, principal trombonist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. For more information visit www.pgso.com.

BC OLD TIME FIDDLERS’ DANCE

Saturday, Jan. 18 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the PG Elks Community Hall, 663 Douglas St., the BC Old Time Fiddlers present a dance featuring old-time dances like polka, waltz, schottishe, barn dance, seven step, two step. Entrance fee of $10 includes light lunch, prizes. Cash bar. Tickets available at Books & Co. or at the door. Children get in free.

GIN BLOSSOM: A SPEAKEASY

Saturday, Jan. 18 from 8 p.m. to midnight at Theatre NorthWest, 36-556 North Nechako Rd., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern BC and Theatre NorthWest, with the help of a host of guest bar tenders, are teaming up for a gin cocktail competition. Each guest bar tender will create a signature gin based drink, which will be in a people’s choice competition. At the end of the evening BBBS and TNW will make a $500 donation to the registered charity of the winning bar tender’s choice. The second place winner will get a $200 donation to the registered charity of their choice in Prince George. The event is 1920’s themed, and guests are encouraged to dress up. Tickets are $60 at www.theatrenorthwest.com.

TRINITY DOWNTOWN MUSIC

Sunday, Jan. 19 at 3 p.m. at the Trinity Downtown, formerly Knox United at 1448 Fifth Avenue, there is a concert offered featuring mostly organ music featuring the balcony Wurlitzer, as well as other musical guests. Admission if free and donations accepted.

GOSPEL SHOW

Monday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. in the basement of the College Heights Baptist Church, 5401 Moriarty Cr., there is a Gospel Show featuring Elvis impersonator Steve Elliot, hosted by the North Central Seniors Association. Tickets are $15 at the door or $10 in advance Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon from Maurice, who will be in the basement of the church during those hours.

TAPESTRY SINGERS FUNDRAISER

Saturday, Jan. 25 at 6:15 p.m. at the Hart Community Centre, 4900 West Austin Rd., the Tapestry Singers are holding a silent auction and dinner to fundraise for their trip to the Con Brio Whistler Music Festival in April. The senior choir will perform three sets while there is dinner and door prizes, along with the silent auction. All proceeds go to the choir for the trip. Tickets are $50. For more information contact choral director Carolyn Duerksen at 250-964-8184 or email carolynduerksen@hotmail.com.

ROBBIE BURNS NIGHT

Saturday, Jan. 25 from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Exploration Place, 333 Becott Pl., the Prince George Symphony Orchestra presents Robbie Burns Night dinner. This is the symphony’s third annual event that promises a new take on entertainment to have guests laughing, toasting and dancing to fiddle and drum. Tickets are $100 each. For more information visit www.pgso.com.

BEGINNER CROSS COUNTRY SKI LESSONS

Every Monday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at 8141 Otway Rd., Caledonia Nordic Ski Club offers free Classic Cross Country Ski Tours for seniors 55+ led by senior ski instructors. There will be tour groups to accommodate all levels of skiers from beginner to experienced. For non-members there are half-priced rentals and trail passes. There is free hot beverages and goodies served in the ski lodge from 2:30 to 3 p.m. Register at 250-564-3809 | office@caledonianordic.com.

UKULELE JAM SESSIONS

Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way, everyone is welcome to the Ukulele Jam Sessions for Adults. This is a monthly ukulele jam session for absolute beginners or those just wanting to work on their skills. Use one of our ukuleles or bring your own. Free drop in. Contact: 250-563-9251 | ask@pgpl.ca

BEGINNER SNOW SHOE LESSONS

Every Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Otway Nordic Centre, 8141 Otway Rd., the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club offers free snow snowshoe lesson for seniors (55+). Tours are led by experienced senior snowshoe instructors. There will tours to accommodate all levels of ability from beginner, intermediate and experienced and there is one group for participants with some physical limitations. There is free hot beverages and goodies in the lodge after each tour from 2:30 to 3 p.m. Register at 250-564-3809 | office@ caledonianordic.com

ADULT BAND

Every Monday until June 29 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 483 Gillett St., the Alban Classical New Horizons Adult Band meets. Contact: 250563-4693, admin@albanclassical.org