MUSIC

Higgins, Sabirs

The Higgins will join the Sabir Sisters Music Studio students for a studio season finale on June 20, at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford. Tickets at Tom Lee Music in Abbotsford, or call 604-755-0398. See also www.sabirsisters.com

Merv, Merla and Elana

Merv, Merla and Elana Watson perform at 8 p.m. on June 19 at the House of James coffeehouse, at 2743 Emerson St., Abbotsford, 604-852-3701.

These internationally known entertainers present an evening of classical, jazz, world, and gospel. Merv and Merla recently returned from Israel. Enjoy a night of great music as well as a report and discussion of current events in Israel. Admission is by donation.

Dewdney nights

Harma White, a young band from Abbotsford, performs tonight at the Dewdney Pub from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. On Saturday, it's The Blendurz. Join Roger Potter for open mic Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, it's a blues jam with the best blues musicians in the valley from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The pub is at 8793 River Rd. South, Mission. Call 604-826-4762.

Big B Saloon

Smith and Jones play tonight and Saturday at the Big B Saloon, cover after 10 p.m. Check out their Sunday evening jams starting at 7 p.m., in the Bellevue Hotel, 32998 First Ave., Mission. Call 604-826-9814 for details.

Get up to the mic

Roger Potter hosts three local acoustic open mic stages for local amateur musicians and singers, on Tuesdays at the bluStone Bistro & Lounge, Abbotsford, on Wednesdays at the Dewdney Pub, 8793 River Road South, Mission, and Thursdays at the Half-Time Bar & Grill at Dogwood Bowling & Billiards, 13-33550 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford. Singers and acoustic musicians welcome, sessions begin at 8 p.m.

Celtic fête

Don't miss this chance to soak up the lightning talents of Liz Carroll, Mark Sullivan, Mairi Campbell, the Sabir Sisters, Mairi Rankin, Findlay Napier and Gillian Frame on July 3 for an evening of fun, fiddling, singing and step dancing. At the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, 32315 S. Fraser Way, Abbotsford, show at 7 p.m. For advance tickets, $15, call 604-755-0398, or $20 at www.sabirsisters.com, or $25 at the door if any tickets are left. This is expected to sell out. Call Roxanna at 604-825-1871 or 604-755-0398 for more.

Duke of Dublin

The Duke of Dublin Olde Irish Pub offers live music, from Celtic to contemporary in the evenings from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The Duke is at 33720 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford.

Merv Tremblay

Jam with Merv Tremblay & the Silverados every Sunday from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Houston's, 21525 Dewdney Trunk Rd., Maple Ridge. Call 604-820-7666 for details.

Carolyn Johnson

Tickets are on sale for country singer Carolyn Dawn Johnson's show on Oct. 2 at the Abbey Arts Centre, 2329 Crescent Way, Abbotsford. Presented by Country 107.1 and Rock.It Boy Entertainment, tickets are $30 plus at Ticketmaster outlets.

LOCAL ART

Kariton art show

The Kariton Gallery, 2387 Ware St., Abbotsford, presents a painting and sculpture show by Evelyn Bryan, Marilyn Vooys and Terry McLaughlin, from June 12 to July 7. Hours are Tuesday to Friday 9 a.m. 4 p.m., Saturdays noon - 4 p.m.See www.abbotsfordartscouncil.org, or call 604-852-9358.

Opening at The Reach

Opening on June 24, are Challenging Traditions: Contemporary First Nations Art of the Northwest Coast, at 7 p.m. reception on June 24, at The Reach Gallery, 32388 Veterans Way, Abbotsford. Also opening next will be Abbotsford Collects, a number of artworks by well-known artists on loan from local collectors; Photography is . . . by the Abbotsford Photo Arts Club; and Essential Information by UFV art instructor Christopher Friesen. See details at thereach.ca or call 604-864-8087.

Mission Arts

Ancestral Spirits, an exhibition in celebration of aboriginal art, is on at the Mission Art Gallery until June 26. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The MAG is at 33529 First Ave., Mission. Call 604-826-0029 for details.

Wanted: art

The Mission Arts Council is calling for 2D and 3D art pieces for its October silent auction. All donated art would receive a tax receipt for the retail price of their work. Contact Nancy Arcand at 604-826-0029 or macart@shaw.ca for more information. Funds will go to several projects like the Childrens Festival, The Arts Alive Studio Tour and more.

FILm

Music rights

Cinema Politica Fraser Valley screens the Canadian film RIP; A Remix Manifesto, which deals with music, downloading, mashups and the copyright laws trying to bring them down, on June 19 at 7 p.m. at the Opening Nite Theatre, 33227 Railway Ave., Mission. Admission is by donation, and is open to all. Their next film deals with salmon, on June 23. See details at www.cinemapolitica.org

THEATRE

Chickens

Gallery 7 Theatre presents its final performances of the Canadian-made comedy Chickens, a musical by Vancouver playwright Lucia Frangione, until June 19, 7:30 p. m. at the MEI Theatre 4081 Clearbrook Rd., Abbotsford. For tickets and details on Chickens, contact 604-504-5940 or see www.gallery7theatre.com

Art & Chekhov

Gerwyn Mills directs The Proposal by Anton Chekhov, June 25 and 26 at Opening Nite Theatre 33227 Railway Ave., Mission, along with a special exhibit of art by Valerie Hundert. Shows are at 8 p.m. Tickets $10 at Murdoch's Bookshoppe, by phone at 604-820-8622 or 604-287-8089 or at the door.

Tina Turner tribute

World Rock and Roll Tribute artist of 2003, Luisa Marshall presents a heart-stopping tribute to Tina Turner on 8 p.m., June 18 at Cascades Casino Summit Theatre, 20393 Fraser Highway, Langley (604-530-2211). Tickets are $27.50 at Ticketmaster.

Hamletting it up

Opening Nite Theatre offers Shakespearean acting classes for high school students from July 5 to July 9, at Opening Nite Theatre, 33227 Railway St., Mission. The cost is $100 per student. To register, call 604-287-8089 or e-mail openingnitetheatre@hotmail.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Mennonite book relaunch

A new expanded edition of the 1960s Mennonite classic At the Gates of Moscow will launch on July 2 at 7 p.m., at the Bakerview Church, 2285 Clearbrook Rd., Abbotsford.

Poetry club

Poets Potpourri Society begins summer with a Blue Moon Poetry reading June 22 at the Clearbrook Library, 32320 George Ferguson Way, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Elmo and friends

Sesame Street Live comes to the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre, 33800 King Rd., Abbotsford, July 9 to 11, with Elmo & friends. Tickets are $12 to $20, at www.abbotsfordcentre.ca or at 1-866-977-2372.

SOCIAL DANCES

Friday night seniors

Ben Isaac performs tonight at the Abbotsford Seniors Association hall (33889 Essendene Ave., Abbotsford) from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Cost is $5.50 for members and $6 for non-members.

Swing dance

The Abbotsford Seniors Association has swing dance and lessons Sundays at 33889 Essendene Ave., Abbotsford from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Call 604-308-3662 or go to www.suburbanswing.com.

Phoenix swing

Get swinging at the Phoenix Lounge with swing lessons and dancing every Thursday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., at 33780 King Rd., Abbotsford. Flat rate of $5. Call 604-859-2220 for details.