Surrey Libraries opens Pop-Up Branch to maintain service

Surrey Libraries – Cloverdale branch will be temporarily closing for renovations starting July 8. The building has not had any extensive upgrades since 1988 and is undergoing major structural upgrades. The renovations will also provide more social spaces, more display areas, enhanced teen lounge, and add a quiet study space.

During the renovation, select library services will be available at the Cloverdale Recreation Centre, Monday–Thursday 10am to 8pm, and Friday and Saturday 10:30am to 5pm.

The Family History Department will temporarily move to City Centre branch.

Library services can also be accessed online at surreylibraries.ca or by visiting one of Surrey Libraries’ 8 other locations throughout Surrey. Go to surreylibraries.ca for updates on the closure.

The dark and hilarious play explores an odd bromance between two Imperial Guards stationed outside the Taj Mahal in 1648

Vancouver, BC (August 21, 2019) - Rajiv Joseph’s Guards at the Taj runs at Vancouver Fringe Festival from September 5 - 15 at the Vancity Culture Lab at The Cultch. Historically situated in the midst of a flourishing empire and geographically in front of an internationally recognizable architectural marvel, Guards at the Taj explores an exceptionally cruel act in (perhaps fabricated) history through what can only be described as an odd “bromance.” Dark, haunting, and hilarious, Adele Noronha and Andy Kalirai star in playwright Rajiv Joseph’s sharply written story of two men who stand on duty as Imperial Guards at the famed Taj Mahal in India in 1648.

Directed by Paneet Singh (A Vancouver Guldasta, The Undocumented Trial of William C. Hopkinson), the play features local actors Adele Noronha and Andy Kalirai as the Imperial Guards. An “audacious comedy” (Chicage Tribune) filled with “sly, funny, dialogue laced with jolts of lyricism” (Hollywood Reporter), this production directed by Paneet Singh juxtaposes authentic and nuanced historical and cultural specificity against modern and anachronistic dialogue.

The Guards at the Taj is presented by South Asian Canadian Histories Association, and runs from September 5 - 15, 2019 at the Vancity Culture Lab @ The Cultch Theatre at 1895 Venables Street in Vancouver. Tickets are $12 plus the price of a Fringe Festival membership, and are available at www.vancouverfringe.com.

Guards at the Taj Directed By: Paneet Singh Starring: Adele Noronha, Andy Kalirai Set Designer: Lacey Anne Oleson Stage Manager: Evan Ren Hair and Make-Up: Kaeko Fujiyama Lighting Designer: Chengyan Boon

Actor Bios | Adele Noronha is a Jessie award-winning actor, an educator, and an emerging creator practicing on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She immigrated from India 18 years ago. Adele has worked in various capacities on and off the stage with companies such as Bard on the Beach (three seasons), Gateway, Carousel, South Asian Arts, Arts Club, Touchstone, Delinquent, Upintheair, frank, Electric Theatre Company, and Pi. Andy Kalirai is a Vancouver-based actor known for his roles in Soul Samurai (Affair of Honor), The Undocumented Trial of William C. Hopkinson (Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts), and All’s Well That Ends Well (Bard On The Beach). Andy studies theatre at Railtown Actors’ Studio.

Director Bio | Paneet Singh is a playwright and filmmaker whose work is largely inspired and informed by Sikh and South Asian culture and history, and who is most well known for his two stageplays, The Undocumented Trial of William C. Hopkinson, which has sold out every performance since its 2016 premiere, and the critically-acclaimed A Vancouver Guldasta, which was an honourable mention in “The Best of Vancouver Theatre in 2018” by Vancouver Presents. Paneet was also picked as one of 2018’s “most exciting fresh faces to watch” by Colin Thomas. Outside of theatre and film, Paneet’s work is mostly based in history and education. He is a founding member of the South Asian Canadian Histories Association and a co-host of The Nameless Collective Podcast, which follows histories of South Asians in British Columbia.

Playwright Bio| Rajiv Joseph is an American playwright. He was named a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, and he won an Obie Award for Best New American Play for his play Describe the Night.

VANCOUVER, CANADA, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019 - 7-Eleven Canada presents the return of Name Your Price Day on Thursday, September 19, 2019. For one day only, all day and night, Canadians can name their price for a large Slurpee with 100% of the proceeds going to Food Banks Canada.

Food Banks Canada is a national organization that works in partnership with the food banking network across Canada to relieve and prevent hunger amongst Canadians living with food insecurity. According to Food Banks Canada, 35% of those relying on food banks nationally are children.

On Name Your Price Day, every $1.00 donated will allow Food Banks Canada to provide three meals to children and adults in need from BC to Ontario through provincial associations, affiliate food banks, and local food agencies. Funds raised will support food banks in local communities.

“Donors enable our organization to provide services and support through local food banks to Canadians in need. We are grateful for 7-Eleven Canada and thank their customers for their support of our work through Name Your Price Day!” Chris Hatch, Chief Executive Officer, Food Banks Canada.

On Name Your Price Day, the simple act of purchasing a Slurpee Drink can impact the lives of so many who are not as fortunate. Name Your Price Day gives those who are able to treat themselves to a Slurpee the opportunity to make a difference in their community.

“Name Your Price Day is not only about raising awareness about the thousands of Canadians who rely on food banks each month, but also enabling our Slurpee fans to make a difference with their Slurpee purchase. Every donation makes a difference. We’ve seen donations over $20 for a Slurpee in the spirit of supporting those in need.” says Norman Hower, Vice President and General Manager of 7-Eleven Canada.

All 7-Eleven Canada stores will be participating in Name Your Price Day on Thursday, September 19, 2019, starting at 12:01 AM. Large Slurpee Drinks are the participating size and a minimum $0.10 donation is required. 7-Eleven Canada 7REWARDS members will receive 200 bonus points and a cup towards their 7th cup free when they scan their app and Large Slurpee cup.

Participants are encouraged to share their donation amount along with a photo of their Slurpee on social media using #NAMEYOURPRICE and tagging @7elevencanada and @slurpeecanada. For more information about Name Your Price Day, visit https://slurpee.ca/nypd.