Art attack

Dance instructor Nicole Armstrong says she wants to bring Thunder Bay’s art community into the spotlight.

The 24-year-old has danced since she was three-years-old and continues to stay active in the arts through dance and theatre. But when she started work at both Lakehead Public Schools and the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, she decided she wanted to re-energize and bring all the art forms in the city together.

To achieve this goal, she created An Evening with the Arts – an event that will feature 30 actors, art exhibits and live performances from dancers and bands.

“I’ve met so many artists of all backgrounds and I realized that there needs to be more cohesion in all parts of the arts community,” Armstrong said. “I think it will inspire people to continue to create and want to contribute more the arts community, but I’m an idealist.”
 
Armstrong said she expected more than a hundred people to come on Feb. 5 at the old Paramount Theatre on Court Street. Depending on the success of the event, she said she would like have a night of artistic expression annually.

In October, hundreds of residents dressed in costumes and roamed the streets for the Superior Art Gallery Hunger Cabaret. Armstrong said these types of events help spark new life into the city’s existing art community.
 
“There is definitely some new energy,” she said. “There’s definitely a lot more groups setting up things. My attempt with this project is to get everyone into one space. Even if you aren’t creating or bringing your stuff to show, you can be talking about what you’re working on.”

The event will begin with a visual arts walk from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with live music, followed by a performance arts showcase from 8:30 to 10 p.m.

Tickets are available for purchase at the Paramount Theatre; $8 in advance or $10 at the door.