Library hosting Cade Community Lectures
It’s become a welcome sign — spring is on the way! For 25 years, the Rev. Erin Phillips has served as chaplain to students and staff at our university and college. And for most of those years, she has also organized a reflective, thoughtprovoking series of presentations each January and February at the Lethbridge Public Library.
This year’s series sounds particularly encouraging. Despite the social and environmental changes heading our way, the presentations hold out the hope that “The World Shall be Saved by Beauty.”
Now known as the Cade Community Lectures, the series will begin Monday with reflections on the lives of American activist Dorothy May — a founder and columnist at the Catholic Worker newspaper for nearly 50 years — and the Pulitzer Prizewinning poet Mary Oliver.
A week after Phillips’ presentation, art historian Anne Dymond
will explain how the life of contemporary artist and activist Ai Weiwei has convinced her that “beauty is action.”
Then on Feb. 3, community activist Lisa Lambert will share her thoughts on “the beauty
that comes from doing things you will never master,” like crocheting, or kayaking in middle age.
Each evening will provide an opportunity for further discussion.
The talks, open to all interested, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the downtown library’s Theatre Gallery.
• • • Just outside the Theatre Gallery, library visitors will have an opportunity to enjoy the artistry of longtime Lethbridge arts and education advocate Van Christou.
While he became one of Alberta’s bestknown orthodontists, Christou is probably better remembered today for his role in bringing the University of Lethbridge — and later, part of its massive art collection — to southern Alberta.
Before his passing Christou, a longtime photography fan, saw many of his images featured in The Lethbridge Herald as well as in magazines near and far.
An exhibition of his work will be on display in the downstairs foyer area next to the Theatre Gallery from Jan. 22 to March 25.
• • • Early members of the Lethbridge Sketch Club — nearly 90 years ago — will be remembered through a new exhibition at the Galt Museum.
“A Painter’s Paradise,” opening Jan. 24, will focus on artists Michael Pisko and
Ernest Riethman. Both were landscape artists, but they took quite different approaches in portraying what they saw as they travelled throughout southern Alberta.
The exhibition will explore the relationship each had with the local community — and with the then-emerging Canadian art scene. It will remain on view until May 10.
And on Jan. 26, 2 p.m., guest curator Mary-Beth Laviolette will share stories of their lives in what Pisko called “a painter’s paradise.”
• • • It’s one of Canada’s longestrunning drama groups. Maybe one of the secrets of success for Playgoers of Lethbridge is its ability to bring “new blood” into the organization. Next Saturday it’s holding a free, one-day workshop at Casa — and inviting everyone interested in taking part in a one-act production.
For southern Albertans who’d like to try their hand at producing, directing or acting in a one-act show — or learning about some of the pre-production and backstage work — this is their opportunity.
A morning session (10 a.m.) will feature a panel of local people experienced in specific aspects of theatre. Then at 1 p.m., there will be a “mass audition opportunity open to anyone interested in performing in a one-act play.”
Prospective directors are also invited to get in touch, preregistering with Shelly at playgoersyql@hotmail.com.
• • • Also on stage, the Lethbridge Folk Club kicks off its winter series next Saturday with
Celtara as headliner, after opening selections by
Kavanagh and Hepher. Next up, on Feb. 9 will be The Small Glories. Concerts are held in The Cave at Lethbridge College, 8 p.m., with tickets at the door.
• • • Heading out to Fort Macleod, the folks at Geomatic Attic will present Whitehorse at the Empress Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 29. Back at the Attic on Feb. 4, they’ll be welcoming Amy Helm.
For tickets, check geomaticattic.ca.
• • • Our last-minute suggestions: Tonight, the final selections from the Banff Mountain Film Festival will be screened at the Yates Centre, starting at 7 p.m. For tickets, check the main branch of the Lethbridge Public Library.
Next Saturday, the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Club
welcomes the community to “Malanka,” a traditional New Year’s celebration at the German Canadian Hall. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. with a performance at 5:30 followed by dinner and a dance. Tickets are available by phone at 403315-3492.
And weather permitting, the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
welcomes all to its annual Winter Light Festival, Friday and Saturday evenings (6 to 9 p.m.) until Jan. 31. Tickets are available at the attraction’s welcome centre.