Nothing would be the same without spring in Vancouver or BC Buds. Each and every May long weekend for seven seasons this inventive arts fair showcases all that makes the west coast what it is - a vibrant, creative, driving force. Mark you calendars and take in dance, theatre, music, play readings and more!

BC BUDS allows established and emerging artists to present new and experimental work while giving audiences an opportunity to explore and experience the arts in informal and unorthodox settings.

Enjoy theatre, dance, music and inter-disciplinary arts making magic and mayhem with performances taking place in the Firehall Arts Centre's stairwells, courtyard, hallways and on bicycles, while other artists perform outdoors, on sidewalks and in vans.

Beth Southwell is performing on Friday night, May 20th, in the Studio. She starts at 8:30 and had a special guest in store. Beth's new CD will be out in August and is being released by RPW Records.

Two Tall Women are performing on Saturday night, May 21st, in the Theatre. Their show starts and 7:00 and Pam and Beth will be joined by Sacha Levin on djembe and cajon. TTW have lots of new songs and a few of the old favourites to share at BC Buds.

Pamela Sunshine will be joined by Beth to sing songs from her award winning children's CD, Growing Up Green. Instruments will be available for kids of all ages to play along. Pamela is performing on the new patio deck on Saturday and Sunday.

Here are the schedules for more information.
BC Buds Friday Schedule www.firehallartscentre.ca/BCBuds2011_Friday_May20.pdf

BC Buds Saturday Schedule www.firehallartscentre.ca/BCBuds2011_Saturday_May21.pdf

BC Buds Sunday Schedule www.firehallartscentre.ca/BCBuds2011_Sunday_May22.pdf

The Earth Run North Shore is happening on Sunday April 24th
RPW's  Pamela Sunshine will be singing songs from Growing UP Green at 11:10 just before the Kids Easter Egg Hunt. It is the perfect place to be sharing her upbeat songs on an environmental theme.
This will be a great day for getting out and joining with others to improve community and celebrate Earth Day and Easter, all at once.

The Earth Run Foundation is a charitable organization with a mandate to bring people together to...ward building a sustainable future. By engaging the private and public sector, we raise awareness and funding for local environmental organizations.

Through funding local initiatives, we help people improve the quality of life in their communities and for all residents on the planet. Cities around the world big or small can host an Earth Run by organizing a 5 or 10K community run/walk.

Earth Run's core values centre on bringing people together to create awareness and support for local environmental initiatives that help:

* build green communities
* protect wilderness environments
* protect wildlife
* promote sustainable lifestyles

So come on out and have a great time in Ambleside Park. Enjoy the beauty of the North Shore.

RPW artist and Vancouver poet, author and media artist Heather Haley is the host and curator of Visible Verse  She will present a special evening devoted to videopoetry and film from around the world. A wild ride of works – varying tremendously in budget, style, theme, and length – the program features both new and established voices.

Described as “brawny and uncompromising” by the Westender, Haley is known for her artistic fluidity and unwillingness to be bound by the conventions of genre, discipline or media.

Her showcase explores an artistic perspective starkly different from traditional conceptions of poetry, and in this way is a perfect fit with the festival’s intention of displaying not only the present state of spoken word, but its future.

Friday, April 22 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm at Roots Lounge, 1025 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC

For the full schedule you can check out Heather's blog One Life at www.heatherhaley.com

For more information on the Vancouver International Poetry Festival check out their website.

Heather Haley, is appearing at WILD WOMAN @ the Calgary International Spoken Word Festival on Sunday, April 3 from 11:00am - 2:00pm. Come on down to the Auburn Saloon at #163, 115 – 9 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB

Heather is also one of the featured artists in the Spoken Word Workbook to be launched at the festival.

For more information on the WILD WOMEN event visit the Calgary Spoken Word Festival site.

The artists appearing alongside Vancouver's Heather Haley are Jen Kunlire (Calgary), Mary Pinkoski (Edmonton), Monica Caldeiro (Barcelona) w/ Eliz Robert,  Elyse Maltin (Toronto) and Deanna Smith (Montreal).

What a hot line-up. What a way to wake-up! Women with something to say and unique ways to say it. A festival favourite—story circle woman song with a twist! Passion in the morning, and champagne and coffee.

The 8th Annual Calgary Spoken Word Festival is on is on from March 29 – April 16, presenting the most eclectic and exotic collection of Spoken Word artists in Banff & Calgary. With one of the hottest line ups they have had, this festival will storm the area with phenomenal poetry! With artists such as John Giorno, Sheri-D Wilson, Quincy Troupe, Robert Priest, George Elliott Clarke, Paul Dutton, Christian Bök, bill bissett, Brian Brett and many more! This year’s Festival welcomes the launch of the Spoken Word Workbook: inspiration from poets who teach – the 1st Spoken Word book and connected interactive website of its kind for Spoken Word enthusiasts to play and learn more, featuring 28 of the biggest names from across North America. Performances. Panels. Discussions. School Visits. Workshops. Something for everyone! For tickets, call 403.686.4292 or visit: www.calgaryspokenwordfestival.com

Saturday, April 2nd will see Pam performing at More Crumbs in Maple Ridge from 1-3. Pam has been working on her new EP and will be playing some of her new/old songs at this charming cafe. Great food and warm company will be the perfect place for this April afternoon.
Pam is happily building her music site so drop on over and check it out. You are also invited to join Pam on facebook where you can also listen to her songs on the Band Profile tab, where you will find the music player.