What's Up In the South End?

A family friendly week of drop-in activities will take place at the Nanaimo Museum during Spring Break Monday, March 18 to Friday, March 22 from 1 pm – 4 pm.  The activities are designed for children ages 5-12 years to participate in, along with their parents, grandparents or caregivers.

“The activities were popular last year and over 400 people attended,” says Aimee Greenaway, Program & Volunteer Coordinator.  “The children had fun participating in the activities and the parents enjoyed spending quality family time at the museum.”  The activities are designed for children in elementary school but each day will have one activity suitable for preschool aged children.  “The drop-in format provides families with the flexibility to attend any time between 1 pm-4 pm,” says Greenaway.  “We are looking forward to offering four new themes, including Shipwrecked featuring activities inspired by pirate, ships, and cannons.”

Each afternoon has a different theme with related activities:  Monday’s theme is Junior Archaeology, Tuesday’s theme is Coal Miner, Wednesday is Shipwrecked, Thursday’s theme is Summer Camp Art and the theme on Friday is Easter Eggs.  The activities include hands-on activities and art projects.  For more details please visit www.nanaimomuseum.ca

Families may participate in activities on all five days or just attend the theme day of their choice.  Children must be supervised by a caregiver at all times during the activities.  The activities are available on a drop-in basis from 1 pm – 4 pm during spring break.  Admission is by donation, including all spring break activities and a museum visit.

For more information please call 250 753-1821 or email program@nanaimomuseum.ca.

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Lots of info in this one!

Click here to read.

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Click here to access it.

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are all listed in the latest issue of City Notes.

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New Business:  Kismet Theatre Academy
#112-55 Victoria Road
Kismet is a word, possibly derived from Turkish, Urdu or Persian, meaning fate or destiny, a predetermined course of events.
Owner, Bonnie Catterson is a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts and the Theatre C.E.N.T.R.E. and has taught dance and theatre to people of all ages. Local programs include: Arts Alive, Kirkwood Academy, Beat Street Danceworks, and Nanaimo Parks and Recreation.
Kismet Theatre Academy is a community- oriented school offering classes in the craft of acting and performance.  Promoting freedom of creative expression and confidence building through learning the art of storytelling and through voice, movement, theatre, film and television.

Kismet offers a wide range of classes from age 6-adult and welcome all levels of experience.

Encouraging one to think outside the box and never put limitations on your creative expression, or yourself.

Classes are ongoing and registration is open now!  For more information on classes or upcoming events visit www.kismettheatreacademy.yolasite.com

To read the whole DNBIA newsletter, click here.

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Here’s a terrific idea….

Pro D Days at the Nanaimo Museum
October 1 and 19
Children’s Activities at the Nanaimo Museum for Pro D Days
The hallways in local Nanaimo schools may be quiet during teacher professional development days in October but the museum will be bustling with activity. The Nanaimo Museum is offering two new drop-in workshops for children and their families on Oct. 1 and 19 from 1pm-4pm. The first workshop includes hands-on activities with a train theme and the second workshop is inspired by the museum’s feature exhibit on fabric art.
The new workshops build on the success of similar workshops during spring break. The workshops have fun activities that will keep children engaged with the added bonus of teaching them about their community. The activities are designed for children ages 5-12 years. Caregivers must be present to supervise children at all times.
The Coal Trains workshop on Monday, October 1 provides the unique opportunity for children to have an up-close look at the steam locomotive in Piper Park. Activities such as making engineer hats will take place inside the museum’s gallery, just a two minute walk away from the park. The Fabric Art for Kids workshop on Friday, October 19 features no-sew projects like making a letter wall hanging or a Halloween treat bag.
For more information please contact Aimee Greenaway at program@nanaimomuseum.ca or  250 753-1821 .

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Local filmmaker Paul Manly is set to release his documentary film about the Nanaimo River watershed ‘Voices of the River’ at Nanaimo Centre Stage, 25 Victoria Road, on Sept 21st.

There will be two screenings, one at 7pm and one at 9:30pm each of which will be followed by live performances of some of the musicians that are featured in the soundtrack.

With a diverse range of interviews ‘Voices of the River’ explores the historic and contemporary uses and values of the Nanaimo River. Many people that Manly interviewed see the Nanaimo River watershed as “the lifeblood of this community.”

• It is the main source of drinking water for the city of Nanaimo.
• It is one of the most important ecological features of the mid island region comprising over 800 square kilometers and providing habitat to a wide range of wildlife including rare and endangered species.
• It is culturally and spiritually significant to the Snuneymuxw people.
• It is important for the fishing, forestry and tourism industries and it provides a wide range of recreational opportunities for local residents.

“I love the Nanaimo River,” says Manly, “it’s one of the things that makes living in this area so special. In the process of making this film I have seen many more of the amazingly beautiful spots in the watershed, almost all of which are private land and the majority of which are behind locked gates..”

‘’Voices of the River’ examines the history of why this land became privatized and how the Snuneymuxw people paid a high price for Canadian confederation. There are plans for increased development in the watershed and along the river and pressure from growing water consumption. “There has never been a better time to start the process of creating a long-term vision for the watershed than now. “ says Manly “and education is key to that process.”

The 7pm screening will be followed by an acoustic performance featuring Terry Mack, Paul Beezoyen and Brian Hazelbower.

The :30 screening will be followed by a performance featuring Prince Pauper, Tongue and Groove and Shane Philip.

Advance tickets are $15 for the early show and $20 for the late show and can be purchased:

• at House of Indigo,(6 Church St.),
• Fascinating Rhythm (51 Commercial St.)
• and online at http://www.ManlyMedia.com

Proceeds from this event will go towards the educational component of the Nanaimo River Stewardship initiative and The Land Conservancy (TLC).

For further information about the film and the première visit http://www.manlymedia.com

View or link to the trailer here.

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