Arts & Life

This is not your grandmother's Mary Poppins. Yes, the big musical numbers are there, and all the lovable characters are there. There's just more of them to love.

It wasn't easy for Ray Fortin to discover he was an artist and it isn't easy for Ray Fortin to be an artist today. That has nothing to do with his talent. It is as obvious as the tail on a tiger.

The song is new, it signals the coming of a new album, and it calls out to put our collective thoughts to the Highway Of Tears once and for all.

Mary Poppins has some musical theatre star power, with Amanda Spurlock in the title role and renowned names like Catherine McCarthy, Adam Harasimiuk, Katherine Trepanier, Gary Chappel and other local notables in the key roles.

Sack races, ice cream making, crafts and face painting are all part of Huble Homestead's Kids Carnival, today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Each year, the Canadian Country Music Association holds its star-studded awards extravaganza, the CCMAs. The nominees were announced this week and three Prince George connections were among those shortlisted for the coveted country hardware.

The operatic fur is flying. Theatre North West has been transformed into a barber shop - one of the most famous barber shops of all time, at least to the ear.

Andrea Fredeen has taken a serpentine path to become a professional artist. Her grandfather Theodore Buran might have wished it to happen sooner, but Fredeen had to exercise the other side of her brain first. And exercise it truly was.

Amanda Spurlock floated into town just in time for Mary Poppins. She didn't need a magical umbrella, but her availability was practically perfect in every way.

Storytime in the Knowledge Garden Thursday from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the Prince George Public Library, Bob Harkins branch, join library storytellers for songs and stories in the Knowledge Garden. This is a free drop in event.