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North Shore Celtic Ensemble: Children ages nine to 11 who have at least two years of violin, ongoing private lessons and an interest in Celtic music are invited to play in a lively ensemble. Rehearsals take place Wednesdays from 7: 30 to 8: 30 p.m. at Handsworth secondary, 1044 Edgewood Rd., North Vancouver. Drop-in: $10. Info: (enter subject heading drop-in class) or nsce.ca.

Rainforest Rambles – Forest Fractals: Children ages five to eight accompanied by an adult will learn about the shapes and patterns in the forest and make some nature art with them Sunday, Oct. 16, 12: 30 p.m. at Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, 3663 Park Rd., North Vancouver. Fee: $8.25. Registration: 604-990-3755. Info: dnv.org/ecology/.

Sensational Sundays: Chinese acrobat Li Liu will perform Sunday, Oct. 16, 2 p.m. at the Centennial Theatre, 2300 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver. Admission: $18. Tickets: 604-984-4484 or centennialtheatre.com.

Behind the Scenes: Children can get a look into the operation of Maplewood Farm, located at 406 Seymour River place, North Vancouver on Oct. 18, 22, Nov. 22 or 26 with one hour sessions at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. There will be activities such as egg collection and washing, animal grooming, setting up feed and exploring staff only areas. Fee: $22.50 for one child with an adult. Registration required: 604-929-5610 or sehraa@dnv. org.

Imagine and Explore – Fabulous Fungi: Children ages three to six accompanied by an adult will learn about the amazing variety of forest mushrooms Saturday, Oct. 22, 1-2: 30 p.m. at Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, 3663 Park Rd., North Vancouver. Fee: $8.25. Registration: 604-990-3755. Info: dnv.org/ecology/.

The Golden Bird: Puppet master Mirjana Heath will perform the classic Brother’s Grimm fairy tale of a prince’s quest to capture a mythical golden bird Saturday, Oct. 29, 10: 30 a.m. at the Silk Purse Arts Centre, 1570 Argyle Ave., West Vancouver. Admission: $8/$5. Reservations: 604-925-7292.

Questions, Questions – a Long Winter’s Nap: Children ages three to five accompanied by an adult will learn how animals get cozy for the winter through nature stories, crafts and outdoor exploration Monday, Nov. 7, 10: 30-11: 30 a.m. or 1: 30-2: 30 p.m. at Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, 3663 Park Rd., North Vancouver. Fee: $8.25. Registration: 604-990-3755. Info: dnv.org/ecology/.

Young Naturalists’ Club – Life as a Creek: Children ages five to 13 accompanied by an adult will learn about the many connections that exist within a creek ecosystem Sunday, Nov. 13, 1-2: 30 p.m. at Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, 3663 Park Rd., North Vancouver. To take part in YNC programs you must become a member of the club by signing up at ync. ca. Registration: 604-990-3755. Info: dnv.org/ecology/.

compiled by Debbie Caldwell Email information for your nonprofit, by donation or nominal fee event to listings@nsnews.com. For online listings, go to nsnews. com, scroll to Community Events and click Add Your Event.

© Copyright (c) North Shore News

Bulgaria’s Museum of Socialist Art, which opened doors Monday, is wrongly conceived and a disgrace for Bulgaria’s history, according to politicians from rightist Union of Democratic Forces.

Senior members of the rightist party, which was the main rightist political force during the transition from communism in the 1990s, argued that the museum was both haphazard and forced a particular interpretation of the 1944-89 period in Bulgaria’s history.

UDF leader Martin Dimitrov went as far as claiming that the museum, the official purpose of which is to preserve part of Bulgaria’s history, actually glorifies the decade-long rule of the Bulgarian Communist Party.

“One ought not to represent a period of dictatorship as a period of progress in culture. This is an attempt to falsify Bulgarian history,” said Dimitrov, speaking in Parliament.

Democrats went on to slam the ruling center-right GERB party for what it sees as a “chaotic” policy in the field of culture.

“If we knew that GERB would open such a Museum of Socialist Art, we would never have backed GERB‘s membership in the EPP,” said Dimitrov.

Union of Democratic Forces presidential candidate Rumen Hristov has also slammed the newly-open museum.

The party also informed it has received numerous messages from citizens, including ones repressed by the communist regime, who have also expressed disaffection with the site.

Where: Coo-ee Aboriginal Art Gallery, 31 Lamrock Avenue, Bondi Beachcooeeart.com.au | au | Ph: 02 9300 9233

This exhibition explores outsider or naïve art within the context of Australian Indigenous Art. The artists featured in this exhibition come from a wide variety of regions, use varied mediums and are painting different stories, yet all present us with different Ways of seeing the Australian landscape and its Aboriginal history.

This exhibition brings together over 20 artists — from the Kimberley’s to Alice Springs and back to Sydney — such as Billy Benn, Patsy Lulpunda, Gordon Syron, Kukula McDonald, and Lily Morton. Amongst these great names on show are numerous other artists from acclaimed centres such as Bindi (or Mwerre Anthurre artists), Tangentyere Artists from Alice Springs and Sydney’s Weave Art Centre.

The term ‘outsider art’ is an English synonym for Art Brut, meaning ‘raw art’ and is used to describe art created outside the boundaries of official culture, by self taught or ‘naïve’ art makers. Each of the works selected have been painted using a European viewpoint of their surroundings rather than the birdseye view more often represented in Aboriginal art. All are painted using strong, vibrant colours and an absence of perspective — creating the fantastical illusion of forms and figures floating in space — characteristics of outsider art.

Billy Benn & Bindi Art — Mwerre Anthurre Arts StudioBindi inc is a cross cultural organisation situated in Alice Springs, at the heart of Central Australia. it has provided opportunities for people with disabilities for over 32 years. Its artist collective Mwerre Anthurre commenced in 2000 to support indigenous artists. Mwerre Anthurre Artists encourage the promotion of art skill development, nurturing artists who demonstrate an interest and passion to develop a career in fine art. Mwerre Anthurre artists are empowered to create significant and culturally rejuvenating art. ‘Each painting is a connection to country.’

Featured artists are Billy Benn, Kukula McDonald, Billy Kenda, Lance James and Seth Namatjira.

Billy Benn, the founding member of the collective, was named one of the fifty most collectable artists in Australia in Art Collector magazine. Discovered by the mainstream art market at the 2000 Desert Mob exhibition, he has since become a major figure with works acquired by the National Gallery of Australia, The Art Gallery of new South Wales and the National Gallery of Victoria. he was the 2006 winner of the coveted Alice Prize. The artist statement that accompanied his winning work announced ‘Billy Benn wants to paint every hill from his country and then he will stop, then he will return home’.

Essentially an outsider artist, with little structured art training, Billy Benn’s sensitive use of colour portrays the magical, daily evolving shades of Central Australia’s hills. Purple, indigo, brown, yellow and pink are swept upon the canvas using his signature rich brushstroke technique. he creates scenes that seem to move before our eyes with a floating, dream-like sensibility. it is his use of thick lusciously textured paint which adds extra beauty to these desert landscapes painted from memory.

The art, the artists and outsider art within Aboriginal Australian artPanel Discussion: Watch videoWhere: Coo-ee Aboriginal Art Gallery

Colin Rhodes – Dean of the Sydney College of Arts and a specialist in Outsider ArtAdrian Newstead – Director of Coo-ee Aboriginal Art GalleryCamille Masson-Talansier – Artistic Director of Weave Art Centre Sydney

Tangentyere ArtistsAnwernkenhe Ayeye – The Story Belonging to UsAlison Inkamala, Elizabeth Beasly, Maureen Williams, Margaret Boko, Jane Young, Sally Mulda and Amy Napurulla