Arts briefs: Langley talent showcased at a couple of events

Walnut Grove gospel artist Jeannette Petkau performs in concert Jan. 24, bringing together an array of talent.

Special guests include cellist Judy Lou, flautist Plonia Paetkau and an interpretive dance group.

Petkau hopes the concert will bring together the community and churches.

“I believe we need to come together and be unshakable in our faith and force in this world,” she said. “My prayer would be that this will draw us closer together and to God.”

Petkau plans to release a video of her new album, Unshakable, which will be released in early 2015.

The concert aims to help extend her ministry and mission into Mexico.

March of this year will be spent in the southern country doing missions work and working on other concert and tour opportunities.

People can check out her music from Unshakable on YouTube. The song Inside Out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3Mq7_zoqiw. The song My Only Choice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7VxNi6HMLM.

To learn more about her mission work or donate, go to jeannettepetkau.com.

The concert is at 7 p.m. at the Fort Langley Evangelical Free Church 8870 Glover Rd. Tickets are available at Langley Blessings, House of James in Abbotsford or at Eventbrite.ca.

Talent deadline

Friday, Jan. 30, will be a key date to remember for anyone thinking about entering Langley Has Talent 2015.

Registrations are open for singers, dancers, dance groups, comedians, gymnasts, jugglers, bands, musicians, and almost any kind of performing art (must be appropriate for a family audience).

The Rotary-hosted contest of talent features industry prizes as well as cash prizes of $2,500 for first place, $1,500 for second and $1,000 for third.

The cost is $25 per person to register or $75 for groups of three or more.

The auditions run Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 and 14 at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Langley campus. Those who make it through to the semi finals perform March 28 with the finals set for April 18 when the winners will be chosen.

Register at www.langleyhastalent.com.

In addition to providing a venue for local talent, this event is intended to spotlight the need for a performing arts venue in Langley and fundraise for a facility.