The Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley is proud to present a re-visited Port Alberni classic event: Teas at the Mill!
Once located at the Rollin Arts Centre, Teas on the Terrace was an annual summer series of events featuring beautiful gardens, art, music and high/low tea options. Now that The Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley lives at the Grove Gallery (at Harbour Quay) we are bringing back this classic at the historic McLean Mill.
Teas at the Mill promises an enchanting blend of culinary delights, local art, and musical entertainment. Scheduled for several Sunday afternoons in July and August, as well as a special Thursday, this event invites visitors to indulge in a quintessential tea experience that caters to all ages.
Our series begins Sunday, July 14 and July 28, from 3-5 p.m. with two Strawberry Teas. Our Strawberry Tea is an all-ages event designed for the whole family. Come dressed in your fanciest outfits to enjoy cake, tea, live music/painting, and local art. It also includes special kids-friendly activities such as biodegradable flower balloon art and flower art making. Each event is $25 for adults, $20 for kids & seniors.
Enjoy a High Tea, Sunday, Aug. 11, from 3-5 p.m. Our High Tea is a classier affair featuring teas with locally made scones and finger sandwiches, live music, art, plus a 'best dressed' award. Bring your fancy hats! Ticket cost is $30.
This year we are including a very special Seniors Strawberry Tea, just for seniors, with a lower ticket cost and accessibility options. Thursday, Aug. 22 from 1-3 p.m., we will be offering this event for seniors homes and community groups. Tickets cost $20 and include tea, cake, live music, art and a ‘best dressed’ award.
To end the series, we will be hosting a Royal Sparkling Tea. This event will include a glass of sparkling wine, locally made scones, finger sandwiches, chair massage, live music and live painting. Pamper yourself! This event is being held Sunday, Aug. 25 from 3-5 p.m., tickets are $35 each and include a glass of sparkling wine.
Teas at the Mill is designed to be a beautiful, fun, and relaxing event that the whole family can enjoy. It's a wonderful opportunity to break away from the usual hustle and bustle, step back in time to a slower pace of life, and enjoy the simple pleasures of good tea, good music, and great company in a historic setting.
For a full list of these events, musical acts, art and artists or to purchase your tickets, please visit the alberniarts.com website, visit or call the Grove Gallery at the Harbour Quay, 250-724-3412 or email info@alberniarts.com. We can’t wait to see you there!
Starting next week: Grove Summer Kids Camps
Crafty Critters Summer Camps are just around the corner. Located at the Harbour Quay, the Grove Gallery offers weekly themed camps for kids aged 7-13, running from July 8 - Aug. 23.
Our Monday through Thursday week camp runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On Mondays, campers will kick off camp by tie-dying their very own Crafty Critters T-shirts, printed by Cloud City Apparel. Then they will learn about weaving and try their hands at some simple and fun textile art.
On Tuesdays, campers will illuminate their imagination with painting shadows, making lanterns and sun prints. Wednesdays Crafty Campers will spend time exploring Harbour Quay and learning all about the wild wonders they can spot. Then, they will explore crafts and art-making around animals, insects, marine mammals and plants.
The final day of camp on Thursday will involve creating kinetic paper dolls and parade crafts to enjoy a parade out in the sun.
If you are looking for a half-day camp, Fridays we are hosting special camps from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Our first Fridays are going to feature Adley from Sharky Balloons. On July 12, Adley will teach campers Balloon Twisting, like how to make balloon animals, hats, swords and more. On July 19, campers will learn Bubble Making; you know those giant bubbles you see at festivals and fairs? Kids will get a chance to learn how their made and play with big and small bubbles at Harbour Quay. Then, Friday July 26, Adley will teach a basic magic class. Campers will learn sleight of hand and how to fool their friends. This session includes a magic kit.
All our classes come with a special Crafty Critters T-Shirt. Sign your child up for the Monday-Thursday camp or the Friday camp on the Grove Gallery website at alberniarts.com/crafty-critters-summer-camps or call us at (250) 724-3412.
Angela Skaley is the arts administrator for the Community Arts Council, at The Grove Art Gallery, No. 7-5440 Argyle St. (at Harbour Quay). Call 250-724-3412. E-mail: admincac@shawcable.com.