Arts & Life

There's an urban music megastar on his way to P.G. right na na na na now. He's a rapper, a writer, a singer, a producer. He is Akon. Five times, this superstar has been nominated for a Grammy Award.

Coffee house jam sessions were where musicians used to go to perform and to be part of the audience. To learn new things and to teach new things. To get inspiration and to be the inspiration. The coffee house was the culture for creativity to thrive.

It's going to be a busy weekend for Anneda, a blues-based artist coming to Prince George this weekend. Tonight she'll be performing at Shiraz Restaurant, Saturday she's at Nancy O's and then Sunday morning she'll be at the Woof Stock Festival.

First they taught people how to do it, now they're showing off their new-found chops. The fine art of improv will be presented by the Nechako Community Theatrics Society Saturday at 7 p.m. at Artspace, above Books & Co., 1685 Third Ave.

Family Fun Day at the Railway and Forestry Industry Museum on Saturday will see visitors enjoy live music, have their faces painted, ride the mini rail and have a chance to see what it's like to drive a train.

This spud's for you! The Huble Homestead Historic Site will host its second annual Potato Festival Sunday, Sept. 6 and Monday, Sept. 7 at the heritage site from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Paint It Pink, a fundraiser for the Spirit of The North Healthcare Foundation, will see superstar rocker Bif Naked take to the stage as the keynote speaker Oct. 2 at the Civic Centre.

It was Music On The Mountain and now it is perhaps better called Music On The Meadow due to a change of location this year, but the MOM Festival is animating Fort St. James. This festival is underway this weekend.

Two of Prince George's veteran arts entrepreneurs are grooping together. Art gallery proprietor and mixed media (metal and paint) artist Melanie Desjardines is joining forces with commercial and artistic photographer Philomena Hughes.

Artists may have to battle to earn a spot in the battle. Now in its third year in Prince George, Art Battle Canada is calling on interested painters to submit their names for this coming showdown. The competitive painting event happens Sept.