Arts and Entertainment

A vial of AstraZeneca vaccine is seen at a mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, April 22, 2021. The website for a Broadway theatre showing "Springsteen on Broadway" said it would only allow guests "fully vaccinated with an FDA-approved vaccine" — Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

No Springsteen for you: AstraZeneca not good enough to qualify for Broadway ticket

Victoria area mayor among those unable to attend New York entertainment due to COVID-19 restriction

A vial of AstraZeneca vaccine is seen at a mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, April 22, 2021. The website for a Broadway theatre showing "Springsteen on Broadway" said it would only allow guests "fully vaccinated with an FDA-approved vaccine" — Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Singer Ben Cottrill performs during the 2019 Arty Awards at The Reach Gallery Museum, the last time the event was held in person. Cottrill received the award in the performing arts category. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)

Nominations now open for 2021 Arty Awards

Annual event hosted by Abbotsford Arts Council, with ceremony Sept. 25

Singer Ben Cottrill performs during the 2019 Arty Awards at The Reach Gallery Museum, the last time the event was held in person. Cottrill received the award in the performing arts category. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)
The Weeknd attends the LA premiere of “Uncut Gems” at ArcLight Hollywood in Los Angeles on December 11, 2019. Justin Bieber and the Weeknd could be taking home some serious hardware at tonight’s Juno Awards. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Invision, Richard Shotwell

Juno Awards ring in 50th anniversary; Justin Bieber, the Weeknd lead nominations

Both performers are also among the stacked list of popular artists nominated for fan choice award

The Weeknd attends the LA premiere of “Uncut Gems” at ArcLight Hollywood in Los Angeles on December 11, 2019. Justin Bieber and the Weeknd could be taking home some serious hardware at tonight’s Juno Awards. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Invision, Richard Shotwell
Set designers transform Civic Square in Harrison Hot Springs into a night market during the filming of “The Willows,” which will be in Harrison until June 8. The Hallmark movie is directed by Jessica Harmon, who also directed “My Best Friend’s Bouquet,” which filmed in Agassiz and Harrison last year. See more photos at agassizharrisobserver.com. (Adam Louis/Observer)

More movie magic: ‘The Willows’ welcomed to Agassiz-Harrison

Filming will take place through early June

Set designers transform Civic Square in Harrison Hot Springs into a night market during the filming of “The Willows,” which will be in Harrison until June 8. The Hallmark movie is directed by Jessica Harmon, who also directed “My Best Friend’s Bouquet,” which filmed in Agassiz and Harrison last year. See more photos at agassizharrisobserver.com. (Adam Louis/Observer)
The Trinity Western University Masterworks Chorus performed with the Valley Festival Singers in March 2018 at Calvin Presbyterian church. The singers are presenting a virtual concert on June 7. (Abbotsford News file photo)

Valley Festival Singers present live-streamed concert

Abbotsford-based choral group presents Night/Light on Monday, June 7

The Trinity Western University Masterworks Chorus performed with the Valley Festival Singers in March 2018 at Calvin Presbyterian church. The singers are presenting a virtual concert on June 7. (Abbotsford News file photo)
Tourists and film crew members milled about on Esplanade Avenue in Harrison during the filming of “Neverbrides.” “Solitary” will be filming in East Sector Park. (Adam Louis/Observer)

Hallmark’s ‘The Willows’ filming in Harrison Hot Springs

’The Willows’ is directed by Jessica Harmon

Tourists and film crew members milled about on Esplanade Avenue in Harrison during the filming of “Neverbrides.” “Solitary” will be filming in East Sector Park. (Adam Louis/Observer)
Shelly Picard (left) and Sarah Wiget star in Gallery 7 Theatre’s latest production, A New Normal, written by Picard. (Dianna Lewis Photography)

Gallery 7 Theatre in Abbotsford presents virtual play A New Normal

Original play by local writer Shelly Picard available on demand starting May 28

Shelly Picard (left) and Sarah Wiget star in Gallery 7 Theatre’s latest production, A New Normal, written by Picard. (Dianna Lewis Photography)
Todd Richard sings “Green and Blue” as HHSES students get ready to belt out the chorus during the school’s Music Monday on May 3. He is currently in the running for a top 100 spot in the 2021 Toyota Searchlight competition. (Adam Louis/Observer)

Top 100 bound?: Harrison country artist Todd Richard vies for Toyota Searchlight prize

First round ends on May 20, votes can be submitted every day

Todd Richard sings “Green and Blue” as HHSES students get ready to belt out the chorus during the school’s Music Monday on May 3. He is currently in the running for a top 100 spot in the 2021 Toyota Searchlight competition. (Adam Louis/Observer)
Kassandra Clack of Abbotsford has been named one of 18 finalists in the Jim Beam Virtual National Talent Search, taking place in June.

Fraser Valley country singer Kassandra Clack a finalist in national talent search

18 finalists vie to win Jim Beam Virtual National Talent Search in June

Kassandra Clack of Abbotsford has been named one of 18 finalists in the Jim Beam Virtual National Talent Search, taking place in June.
Andrew Bright (left) and Elijah Tatema perform as Panic Squad, a comedy improv team that holds a virtual show for Abbotsford’s Gallery 7 Theatre on May 7. (Photo: Panic Squad)

Gallery 7 Theatre in Abbotsford presents virtual improv comedy show

Event featuring Panic Squad takes place online on Friday, May 7

Andrew Bright (left) and Elijah Tatema perform as Panic Squad, a comedy improv team that holds a virtual show for Abbotsford’s Gallery 7 Theatre on May 7. (Photo: Panic Squad)
Sunshine Valley’s Ashley Pater appears in her new music video “Stuck on You.” Pater has been hard at work creating new music and participating in virtual events and tours. (Screenshot/Ashley Pater)

Sunshine Valley’s Ashley Pater releases new single

‘Stuck on You’ has been viewed more than 20,000 times

Sunshine Valley’s Ashley Pater appears in her new music video “Stuck on You.” Pater has been hard at work creating new music and participating in virtual events and tours. (Screenshot/Ashley Pater)
Todd Richard recently released “Green and Blue,” a heartfelt country ballad thanking the front-line workers battling against the pandemic. (Screenshot/ Todd Richard)

Harrison country artist Todd Richard releases ‘Green and Blue,’ a tribute to frontline workers

Richard’s new single has been viewed more than 3,000 times on his YouTube channel

Todd Richard recently released “Green and Blue,” a heartfelt country ballad thanking the front-line workers battling against the pandemic. (Screenshot/ Todd Richard)
The Abbotsford Gogos are inviting local residents to watch a virtual concert in support of African grandmothers. The concert first airs on April 15. (Photo: Abbotsford Gogos Facebook page)

Abbotsford Gogos invite guests to virtual concert to support African grandmothers

Event first airs on April 15, featuring music, dance and storytelling

The Abbotsford Gogos are inviting local residents to watch a virtual concert in support of African grandmothers. The concert first airs on April 15. (Photo: Abbotsford Gogos Facebook page)
Communities in Bloom volunteer Victor Smith escorts the Rambo statue down Wallace Street on April 1. (Photo/Adam Louis)

VIDEO/PHOTOS: A unique sign of spring: Hope’s Rambo statue back in Memorial Park

The drifter is back, watching over Hope from his high perch

Communities in Bloom volunteer Victor Smith escorts the Rambo statue down Wallace Street on April 1. (Photo/Adam Louis)
Kariton Art Gallery

Abbotsford Arts Council hosts online exhibit Vibrant Femmes

Show opening April 3 features work of Dona Park and Kiranjot Kaur

Kariton Art Gallery
Vedrana Ascroft, artist and gallery owner, sits in her Aquamaris Art Gallery in Duncan. Don Denton photo

When the world needs more beauty

Artist Vedrana Ascroft curates her Aquamaris Art Gallery

  • Apr 2, 2021
Vedrana Ascroft, artist and gallery owner, sits in her Aquamaris Art Gallery in Duncan. Don Denton photo
Mikayla Froese of Abbotsford performs in Gallery 7 Theatre’s digital production of The Little Prince on March 26 and 27. (PHOTO: Dianna Lewis Photography)

Gallery 7 Theatre presents 2 live-streamed performances of The Little Prince

Online production on March 26 and 27 is a new adaptation

Mikayla Froese of Abbotsford performs in Gallery 7 Theatre’s digital production of The Little Prince on March 26 and 27. (PHOTO: Dianna Lewis Photography)
Painted rocks like this one given to reporter Adam Louis can be found just about anywhere as part of a worldwide hobby. (Photo/Adam Louis)

Hope area rock hunters group rolling right along

Local painted rock hunters still going strong, expect to get stronger when COVID ends

Painted rocks like this one given to reporter Adam Louis can be found just about anywhere as part of a worldwide hobby. (Photo/Adam Louis)
The cast and crew of UFV Theatre’s Pariah (The Outcast) are preparing for the live-streamed Zoom production, which runs March 24 to 27.

UFV Theatre presents virtual performance of Pariah (The Outcast)

Live-streamed Zoom one-act play runs from March 24 to 27

The cast and crew of UFV Theatre’s Pariah (The Outcast) are preparing for the live-streamed Zoom production, which runs March 24 to 27.
Adriel Brandt is among three Abbotsford actors appearing in Theatre in the Country’s production of The Schoolmistress on March 12 and 13. (Submitted photo)

Three Abbotsford actors among cast of online production

Langley’s Theatre in the Country presents The Schoolmistress on March 12 and 13

Adriel Brandt is among three Abbotsford actors appearing in Theatre in the Country’s production of The Schoolmistress on March 12 and 13. (Submitted photo)