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CCMA voting open

Local singer and songwriter Karen Lee Batten is representing B.C. in a challenge against eight other country music artists across the country.

They are vying for the chance at the September Canadian Country Music Association’s spotlight performances at Country Music Week. Festivities are in Edmonton.

Having won the most votes in the online provincial challenge put on by the B.C. Country Music Association, Batten came out ahead of fellow B.C. finalists Austin Belle and Langley country music sisters Robyn and Ryleigh.

Once again, the voting is online and the national contest closes today (July 3) at 2 p.m.

If she wins, Batten will perform on Sept. 5 and 7 at Country Music week in Edmonton.

To vote for Batten or any of the other contestants, visit the poll page: www.esurveyspro.com/app/polls/directpoll.aspx?id=32382

Batten is the first contestant in the poll list and voting requires only clicking on the dot beside the contestant’s name, then scrolling down the page and hitting the vote button.

Celebrated in art

A new exhibit at the Fort Gallery in Fort Langley opens Monday, featuring the works of Don Portelance and Bob Sheridan.

Portelance’s pieces revolve around nature – primarily forests and beaches – and light. These perspectives are communicated through acrylic, water colour, and mixed media. He is an active art teacher while also regularly displaying his work in a variety of exhibitions.

Sheridan, a Langley resident, brings a celebration of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s forts to the Fort Gallery showing, with a focus on Fort Langley, Fort Edmonton, and Fort Steele. 

Created with various mediums, Sheridan’s work represents voyageurs, First Nations peoples, coopers, blacksmiths, weavers, and craftsmen along with equipment and household goods of the era.

The opening reception for Portelance and Sheridan’s show is Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fort Gallery at 9048 Glover Rd.



Heather Colpitts

About the Author: Heather Colpitts

Since starting in the news industry in 1992, my passion for sharing stories has taken me around Western Canada.
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