THIS WEEK
• Threads of Time: A Cultural Journey Through Generations: Jan. 10, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at North Delta Centre for the Arts, 11425 84th Ave. Join hosts GenConnect for an unforgettable experience where we will take you on a journey through time, exploring the rich tapestry of cultures that have shaped our community. From traditional dances to mouth-watering dishes, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and flavours of generations past. We are creating a dynamic and inclusive platform that fosters intergenerational connections, celebrating individual or group creativity by showcasing the evolution of culture across different generations by bringing together seniors and youth in a collaborative fashion show. This in-person event promises to be a celebration of diversity and unity, bringing people together through shared experiences and stories. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with the past and present in a meaningful way. Entry is free (donations are welcome!) and includes food, performances, cultural creations by seniors and youth, skits, performances, poetry and displays. RSVP at eventbrite.ca. See you there!
• Writers’ Circles: Jan. 10 (after January, first Wednesday of the month), 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. North Delta Centre for the Arts, 11415 84th Ave. Delta Literary Arts Society hosts these supportive gatherings for writers of all levels with prompts, optional sharing and time for socializing led by caring and creative facilitator Anna Eastland. Sponsored by the City of Delta.
• ActivAge Information Session: Jan. 15, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Kennedy Seniors Recreation Centre, 11760 88th Ave. ActivAge Canada's primary focus is on the promotion of physical activity, while recognizing the critical linkages of physical health with social, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Learn about the
benefits of active living as you age, and find examples of exercises and activities that are perfect for maintaining and improving health. Non-members are also welcome. Contact Kennedy Seniors Recreation Centre at 604-594-2717 for more details; register in person or online at delta.ca/registration. Note: You must attend this info session to continue with the 10-week program, taking place Wednesdays from Jan. 22 to March 26.
• Choose to Move Information Session: Jan. 15, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Kennedy Seniors Recreation Centre, 11760 88th Ave. This free and flexible information session for Choose to Move will provide you with the motivation and support to become more active. Choose to Move can help you to integrate activity into your daily routine, meet new friends, and make a positive change! Choose to Move is great for older adults who want to become active, regardless of ability. Non-members are also welcome. Contact Kennedy Seniors Recreation Centre at 604-594-2717 for more details; register in person or online at delta.ca/registration. Note: You must attend this info session to continue with the eight-week program, taking place Wednesdays from Jan. 22 to March 26.
COMEDY
• Brent Butt: Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m. at Genesis Theatre, 5005 45th Ave. Canadian comedy icon Brent Butt returns to Ladner in the new year, bringing his stand-up comedy back to the Genesis Theatre stage. Butt’s sitcom, Corner Gas, became an instant hit upon its release in 2004, earning numerous accolades including an International Emmy Award nomination and "Funniest Show on TV" as chosen by TV Guide readers. In 2013, Butt was honoured with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to community and country. Most recently, Butt’s first novel, Huge, debuted to great fanfare, immediately becoming the #1 fiction bestseller in Canada. Reserved tickets are $60 at genesis-theatre.tickit.ca.
• Middle Aged Boy Boy Band: A Music Parody & Comedy Show: Jan. 31, 2025, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Genesis Theatre, 5005 45th Ave. Remember these guys? Neither do we. But guess what? The Greatest Boy Band That Never Was is hitting the road with their much-anticipated dream reunion tour, and it’s going to be a riot! These nearly-famous pop stars are back, struggling to hit those high notes, battling receding hairlines, and embracing their aging bods with pride. Get ready to laugh your face off with “Middle Aged Boy Band,” the uproariously funny comedy show that takes a hilarious swipe at the iconic boy bands of yesteryear — think *NSYNC, New Kids on the Block and One Direction. It’s Whose Line is it Anyways meets the Backstreet Boys. Expect an unforgettable night of improv comedy that will have you in stitches as some of Canada’s sharpest improv comedians take the stage, whipping up side-splitting comedy based on your suggestions. They’ll belt out improvised love ballads that’ll make your heart flutter with laughter. Sure, their dance moves are basic, but hey, so are they! Tickets are $43.94 (taxes/fees included) at eventbrite.ca/e/middle-aged-boy-boy-band-a-music-parody-comedy-show-tickets-1061065658949.
MUSIC
• Open Stage: Last Friday of the month (Jan. 31), 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at North Delta Centre for the Arts, 11425 84th Ave. Entertain and be entertained! Share the stage with a variety of singers, musicians, poets, actors and dancers in this intergenerational monthly evening. Performing not your thing? Then sit back and enjoy the show! Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for performers and non-performers. Light refreshments served. Register at cityofdelta.perfectmind.com.
• Delta Ukulele Circle: First Saturday of the month (Feb. 1; no January date), 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at North Delta Centre for the Arts, 11425 84th Ave. Led by Gary Cyr, the Delta Ukulele Circle is an enthusiastic, welcoming and supportive crowd of music lovers with an appreciation for the ukulele. This tiny instrument provides a unique opportunity for individuals wanting to play and enjoy music together with others in a very social setting. Admission is $5. Doors open at 2 p.m, circle starts at 2:30 p.m. Register at cityofdelta.perfectmind.com. More information at deltaukes.com.
• Couloir: Feb. 11, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at North Delta Centre for the Arts, 11425 84th Ave. The City of Delta and Vancouver Chamber Music Society invite you to enjoy an afternoon of beautiful music in this next instalment of the 2024/2025 North Delta Matinée Series. Known for being ”deeply connected to the moment of creation both with their own instruments and each other,” Ariel Barnes, first solo cellist of the Nürnberg Symphony, and Heidi Krutzen, principal harp of the Philharmonia Orchestra in London, form the duo Couloir. Dedicated to 21st century art music, Couloir's passion lies in creating fresh music with today’s leading composers through the magical, kaleidoscopic sound world of cello and harp. Both Barnes and Krutzen have developed international presence as soloists, chamber musicians and orchestral leaders, concertizing regularly in Europe, North America and Asia to critical acclaim. Described as “music’s new rare pair” and “de facto ambassadors of Canadian music” (The Georgia Straight), Couloir's work in the realm of contemporary music is a distillation of their artistic personalities, providing a “corridor” for what they love most about making music: storytelling. Tickets are $27.96 at eventbrite.com.
• Academy Chamber Players Present: Music of Twilight: April 15, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at North Delta Centre for the Arts, 11425 84th Ave. The City of Delta and Vancouver Chamber Music Society invite you to enjoy an afternoon of beautiful music as part of the 2024/2025 North Delta Matinée Series. Join us for an evocative evening of chamber music with the Academy Chamber Players — featuring esteemed faculty members from the Vancouver Academy of Music — as they present "Music of Twilight." This concert promises to take you on a journey through the delicate and introspective moments of dusk, featuring masterpieces by Luigi Boccherini (Guitar Quintet No. 4 in D major "Fandango", G.448), Maurice Ravel (Piano Trio in A Minor), and Arnold Schoenberg (Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night), Op. 4, for string sextet). Experience the magic of twilight through the expressive power of these exceptional musicians. Tickets are $27.96 at eventbrite.com.
• Vancouver Cello Quartet: May 6, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at North Delta Centre for the Arts, 11425 84th Ave. The City of Delta and Vancouver Chamber Music Society invite you to enjoy an afternoon of beautiful music by the Vancouver Cello Quartet in the final show the 2024/2025 North Delta Matinée Series. Formed in 2012, The Vancouver Cello Quartet is comprised of four dedicated professionals who perform original works and arrangements for cellos. This ensemble of classically trained players celebrates the unequalled sound of four cellos with the mission of creating an eclectic mix of repertoire for every concert, shaping the program according to each venue’s interests while maintaining our commitment to musical diversity. Since their acclaimed debut, the quartet has quickly won the hearts of music lovers through their performances of staples of the classical music repertoire as well as contemporary and popular works, all of which showcase the limitless possibilities of the instrument they love. Tickets are $27.96 at eventbrite.com.
FILM SCREENING
• 'The Whale and the Raven': Jan. 16, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre, 4450 Clarence Taylor Cres. Grab your popcorn and come down to the Discovery Centre for our first ever Winter Movie Series. During the cold months of the year, we will be showing educational documentary films to keep our brains active. For the January edition, we will be showing The Whale and the Raven, directed by Mirjam Leuze. A bit about the film from NFB: "This documentary explores the relationship of the Gitga’at First Nations peoples of British Columbia with the land, the whales and the scientists who study the whales in their territory. Touches on the struggles of maintaining land sovereignty while companies try to build oil pipelines and hunters try to take from the land." Reserve your seat for free at cityofdelta.perfectmind.com.
• 'The Road Taken': Feb. 27, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre, 4450 Clarence Taylor Cres. Join us for the Discovery Centre's first ever Winter Movie Series. During the cold months of the year, we will be showing educational documentary films. For the February edition, in honour of Black History Month, we will be showing The Road Taken, a 1996 documentary directed by Selwyn Jacob. A bit about the film from NFB: "This 1996 documentary takes a nostalgic ride through history to present the experiences of Black sleeping-car porters who worked on Canada's railways from the early 1900s through the 1960s. There was a strong sense of pride among these men and they were well-respected by their community. Yet, harsh working conditions prevented them from being promoted to other railway jobs until finally, in 1955, porter Lee Williams took his fight to the union. Claiming discrimination under the Canada Fair Employment Act, the Black workers won their right to work in other areas. Interviews, archival footage and the music of noted jazz musician Joe Sealy (whose father was a porter) combine to portray a fascinating history that might otherwise have been forgotten." Reserve your seat for free at cityofdelta.perfectmind.com.
• 'Under the Willow Tree: Pioneer Chinese Women in Canada': March 13, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre, 4450 Clarence Taylor Cres. Visit the Discovery Centre for our first ever Winter Movie Series. During the cold months of the year, we will be showing educational documentary films. For the March edition, in honour of Women's History Month, we will be showing the 1997 documentary Under the Willow Tree: Pioneer Chinese Women in Canada, directed by Dora Nipp. A bit about the film from NFB: "A rich and little-known part of Canadian history unfolds through the stories of the first Chinese women to come to Canada and of subsequent generations of Chinese Canadian women. It is an amazing tale of courageous women who left behind their families, knowing they would never see them again and of girls who were shipped off to the New World to marry men they had never met. These are the women who fought against the many forms of racism they faced in Canada while, at the same time, challenging sexism within their own communities. By passing on language, culture and values to their children, these women defined what it means to be Chinese Canadian. Beautiful old photographs from family albums, the recollections of seven women who grew up in Canada in the first half of the 20th century, and the memories of narrator and director, Dora Nipp, whose grandfather came to Canada in 1881 to build the railway, create a remarkable story of stunning impact." Reserve your seat for free at cityofdelta.perfectmind.com.
WRITING
• Writers’ Circles: First Sunday of the month (Feb. 2), 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Douglas J Husband Discovery Centre, 4450 Clarence Taylor Cres. Delta Literary Arts Society hosts these supportive gatherings for writers of all levels with prompts, optional sharing and time for socializing led by caring and creative facilitator Angela Rebrec. Sponsored by the City of Delta.
HOBBIES/CRAFTS
• Knit ‘n Stitch: Sundays, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at George Mackie Library, 8440 112th St. Hosted by Fraser Valley Regional Library. Pack up your needles and yarn and head to the library. Knitting, crocheting, quilting, embroidery and weaving are fun ways to connect across the generations. Join members of all ages and abilities to share ideas and good conversation. This program does not involve instruction. Check out CreativeBug (creativebug.com/lib/fraservalley) for instructional videos to help you learn these skills.
TRAVEL
• Travel Talks: Second Wednesday of the month (Feb. 12), 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at George Mackie Library, 8440 112th St. Hosted by Fraser Valley Regional Library. No destination is too remote, and no adventure is too daunting. Join our free travel group as we explore great tourist destinations around the world. We will use travel guides, online resources and other sources.
CYCLING
• Introduction to City Cycling: Jan. 23, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. via Zoom. Hosted by Fraser Valley Regional Library and HUB Cycling (bikehub.ca), this free workshop is the perfect introduction to cycling best practices for people looking to gain knowledge about how to bike safely around the city. The webinar covers the rights and responsibilities of cyclists and looks at various traffic scenarios encountered in city cycling. Participants will learn how to share the road and communicate with other road users, how to take their bike on transit, types of biking gear, and how to plan a safe route. Registration is required at fvrl.bc.ca.
GAMES
• Board Game Café: Jan. 18 and 25, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at George Mackie Library, 8440 112th St. Hosted by Fraser Valley Regional Library. Bring your favourite board games, or use library board games, and enjoy playing with friends, family or new friends. Enjoy some hot chocolate in a cozy setting, with music and a fire log burning on a big screen. Program is free and open to kids, teens and adults.
YOUTH
• Mackie Library Teen Advisory Group: First Thursday of the month (Feb. 6; no January date), 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at George Mackie Library, 8440 112th St. TAG members help library staff develop teen-oriented programs, assist at library events, and act as library representatives in North Delta's teen community. Monthly meetings are a time to socialize and plan ahead. Membership is a resumé booster and helps earn volunteer hours. Did we mention that there's free food? To join, fill out an application form and drop it off at the George Mackie Library. For ages 13 to 19.
PARENTS
• Raising Bilingual Children Workshop: Jan. 27, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at George Mackie Library, 8440 112th St. Are you a parent or caregiver of a child growing up with English and another language? Are you concerned that your child may lose their home language(s) or not learn English properly? Join presenter Anne Rimrott, Ph.D., for this free workshop to get answers to your questions about raising multilingual children, as well as hands-on strategies and information. You will learn practical strategies to address the challenges of raising children bilingually, receive expert answers to questions about your unique situation, and create an action plan to reach your family’s language goals. Anne is a parent of children growing up with English, German, Bosnian and French and a language acquisition expert with a Ph.D. in linguistics. Knowing the practical side of juggling four languages in her own family on the one hand and the theoretical research on language acquisition on the other, Anne knows the joys and challenges of bilingual families; she is in a unique position to support families in raising children with two or more languages.
SENIORS
• Let’s Get Tropical! Dinner Dance: Jan. 18, doors 4:45 p.m., dinner 5:30 p.m., entertainment 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Kennedy Seniors Recreation Centre, 11760 88th Ave. Bask in sunshine and tropical trees and beat the winter blues! We’ll enjoy a hearty meal courtesy of Roxanne, then hit the dance floor with one of our favourite bands, Whiskey Bent. There will be a cash bar and an exciting 50-50 draw. Tickets are on sale now (limit of four per person) at the Kennedy's customer service desk or call 604-594-2717 for more information.
• Drop-In Technology Help: Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Tsawwassen Town Centre, 1249 56th St. ElderCollege Delta offers drop-in technology help most Wednesdays. For further information or to register, please email eldercollegedelta@gmail.com.
• Senior Saturdays: Weekly from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at George Mackie Library, 8440 112th St. Fraser Valley Regional Library encourages seniors to drop by the the George Mackie for a cup of tea and some conversation every Saturday.
• Surrey Singles Over Sixty: We are a friendly group that meet for dinners, cards, bowling, dancing, picnics, etc. We are based in the North Surrey/North Delta area. New members welcome. Call Julie at 604-218-2946.
COMMUNITY
• Shred-A-Thon: March 1, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until the truck fills up) at Scott Road and 64th Avenue. It's time to say goodbye to your paper piles, because Leah Bach and The Abodwell Team's Shred-A-Thon is back! Why should you get excited? This isn't just any paper shredding event; it's a shredding party with a purpose. We're partnering with the North Delta Rotary Club so shredding your old documents will help support some amazing causes. Talk about a win-win! Just bring your confidential documents (yes, even those old love letters) to the southeast corner of the Safeway parking lot and make a donation to help local Rotary initiatives like the Starfish Pack program, which provides weekend meals to children in need. Keep it reasonable — limit of 5 boxes per person (we're keeping count). It’s time to declutter, clear your conscience, and do something good for the community. We’ll see you there!
HEALTH/WELLNESS
• Yin Yoga: Every Monday, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Deltassist, 9097 120th St. The main goal of Yin Yoga is to open joints, stretch deep tissue and release deep, long held emotion. In Yin Yoga we learn how to better listen to our bodies, by allowing ourselves to slow down enough to listen to the clues from the unconscious mind of what is actually going on we learn everything we need to know. Note: You will want to have a few pillows (couch, bed or throw pillows will work fine), as well as a blanket or two to ensure you are nice and comfy as well as fully supported for your practice. Register by emailing Carlee (carleef@deltassist.com) two days before the class.
• Restorative Yoga: Every Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Deltassist, 9097 120th St. Restorative Yoga is designed to provide support and help the body relax. Often referred to as active relaxation we learn to fully support our physical bodies in order to allow for a gentle opening and softening in to relaxation. Register by emailing Carlee (carleef@deltassist.com) two days before the class.
• Hatha Yoga, Breath & Mindfulness Meditation: Every Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Deltassist, 9097 120th St. Whether you’re seeking stress relief, improved flexibility, or simply a moment of tranquility in your busy day and life, these classes will provide a nurturing space for you to unwind and connect with yourself from a space of kindness and compassion. Register by emailing Carlee (carleef@deltassist.com) two days before the class.
OUTREACH/SUPPORT
• Deltassist has many options. For full details, visit deltassist.com/counselling.
