Every day should be Culture Days according to Sarah Schmidt, executive director of the Nanaimo Arts Council.
“The goal of Culture Days is to have every Canadian in every community enjoying culture and making it a daily habit,” she said.
This year Nanaimo’s Culture Days is Friday to Sunday (Sept. 25-27). Schmidt, along with Judy Nielsen, are this year’s ambassadors.
“On a personal level I like breaking down the barriers between artist and consumer. I never considered myself as an artist, but I am creative,” said Schmidt. “Creating is so much more than traditional fine arts.”
Culture Days allow residents to bring out their inner creativity. Anyone can create and register an event at www.culturedays.ca.
The Nanaimo Arts Council is hosting a mini culture hub at the Lois Lane Courtyard, near China Steps, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. People can help create a mosaic tile, which will be combined into a collaborative art project installed downtown. Supplies are provided free, but people are welcome to bring beads, jewelry, tile or other pieces. The area will also feature the World of Métis at China Steps from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event features Métis history, artifacts, culture and more.
On Sunday (Sept. 27), noon to 6 p.m. at Hub City Cinema Studio, 15 Lois Lane, people can participate in Film Jam. People are invited to bring equipment, props and their acting skills to create a short film in six hours.
The Nanaimo Art Gallery hosts Silva Part I: O Horizon Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. at its location at 150 Commercial St. The contemporary exhibit follows the path of microcosms on the forest floor, to processing lumber to the global distribution of products.
The Nanaimo Conservatory of Music hosts an open house Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees are invited to participate in mini music lessons, check out the instruments and watch performances by students.
The Nanaimo Museum’s exhibit A Terrible Beauty: Edward Burtynsky in dialogue with Emily Carr is Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Feastival, a celebration of regional cuisine, is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Admission is $5.
The Nanaimo African Heritage Society hosts Frozen Meets Monster High Saturday at Bowen Park, noon to 3 p.m. Tickets are $10. It also hosts Arte De Carnavale masquerade that evening at Bowen Park, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30. Please call 250-729-9332 for tickets to either event.
Just Kidding for Kids hosts a free one-hour improv workshop with Nicolle Nattrass at Vancouver Island University’s Malaspina Theatre, 1-2:30 p.m. It includes a tour of the theatre.
The Music Chord of Nanaimo presents a performance by Flavio and Louise Cianflone, noon to 1 p.m. at 5871 Shadow Mountain Rd. The two will also give brief music lessons on a variety of instruments.
reporter2@nanaimobulletin.com