Nanaimo News Bulletin, January 16, 2014 by Black Press Media Group

ARTS

loRelie RozzAno writes second book in series. By Nicholas Pescod The News BulleTIN

Nanaimo author Lorelie Rozzano released her latest novel, Jagged Little Lies. The second book in the Jagged series by Rozzano is the story of four people who battle through addiction. “It’s pretty honest, it’s pretty graphic. It’s pretty true to the experiences I’ve had and seen in this field,” Rozzano said about her newest book. Not only is Rozzano an author, but she is also a family counsellor at Edgewood Treatment Centre in Nanaimo. “Addiction isn’t about what you drink, it’s about how you think, behave and feel,” she said. Over 15 years ago, Rozzano was struggling with addiction when she reached the breaking point. She had no money, no job and barely

anyone to support her. That’s when she decided to seek help at Edgewood. “There is a lot of stigma and myth out there. I am trying to get the message out there to our young people that it is not cool or glamorous. It’s downright tragic actually,” Rozzano said. She said that addiction and substance abuse does not discriminate. “It is genic and it does run in families, but you could be a rocket scientist or a NASCAR driver or a rock star or a hockey player or a homeless guy,” Rozzano said. “What we tend to see is the end result of these addictions,” she said. Rozzano explained that unlike other medical diseases, addiction is one of the few things that is completely treatable. “There is a lot of hope,” she said. “If you have to have a disease ... this is the one to have because it is completely treatable, particularly if you get it in the earlier stages.” The Harbour City author explained that most people are only made aware of the

end result of addiction and substance abuse problems. She cites the Downtown Eastside in Vancouver as an example. “That’s what we think addiction looks like,” she said. “But that’s as far from addiction as you can get. Most people with addiction disorders are functioning in society. They’re at jobs working alongside you and I.” Her advice to anyone who is considering reaching out to someone who has an addiction problem is to speak to the individual the night after they have overindulged. “The best time to have a conversation with the person is certainly not while they’re drinking or drugging. It is usually the next morning when they wake up sober and remorseful. Anyone who has overindulged, when they wake up the next they are usually in the most approachable spot.” To purchase Jagged Little Lies, please visit Amazon. com or http://bit.ly/jaggedlittle-lies. arts@nanaimobulletin.com

Lion dance signals Lunar New Year in Nanaimo It's the Year of the Horse and there are two events happening in Harbour City to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The first event is the Lunar New Year celebration at the Nanaimo Museum and Vancouver Island Conference Centre on Jan. 25 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature traditional Chinese performances, cultural activities,

and the lion dance. “Every year there are new performers and crowd favourites like the lion dance,” said Nanaimo Museum general manager Debbie Trueman. "We are looking forward to having family activities in the museum while the performances are on upstairs in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre." Admission to the event is by donation. More informa-

tion can be found at www. nanaimomuseum.com. The second event is the Chinese New Year Gala being held at Vancouver Island University theatre on Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. The gala will feature singing, dancing, and traditional Chinese musical instruments. Admission is $10 at the door. For more information, please call Xu Sun 250-7970638.

Inbrief community

Show seeks entrepreneurs Are you an entrepreneur? Do you think you have a great idea? If so then CBC’s The Dragon’s Den could be the opportunity for you. Dragon’s Den is a reality TV show where prospective entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to established Canadian business moguls, who in turn have cash and the knowledge to launch a business. The Dragon’s Den will be holding auditions at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre on Jan. 31, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Those interested in auditioning do not need to have any prior television experience. Aspiring entrepreneurs will have approximately five minutes to pitch their business concept to producers. All ages are encouraged to apply. Those interesting in auditioning can apply online by visiting www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/auditions and bring their completed form to the audition.

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BARD TO BROADWAY THEATRE

GENERAL AUDITIONS for 2014 Summer Season

Young Frankenstein Broadway MUSICAL comedy Based on the classic film by Mel Brooks. Always a Bridesmaid A Jones/Hope/Wooten comedy A group of friends vow to attend each other’s weddings… ALL of their weddings The Long Weekend By Canada’s master of comedy, Norm Foster Two couples are the best of friends… or are they?

PARKSVILLE - Shelly Road Centre, 186 Shelly Road Sunday, January 26 ~ 1:00 - 5:00 pm Saturday, February 1 ~ 1:00 - 5:00 pm NANAIMO - St. Paul’s Hall, 100 Chapel Street Saturday, January 25 ~ 1:00 - 4:00 pm Sunday February 2 ~ 1:00 - 4:00 pm Singing and non-singing roles for males and females aged 15-70. Open auditions for all three shows at all audition sessions. Please prepare a 1-2 minute monologue, and about 16+ bars of a song (if auditioning for musical). No appointment necessary. Please be prepared to stay for about 2 hours.

For further information, please contact:

Eileen Butts (ebutts@shaw.ca), 250-248-3782 Gary Brown (stageguy@shaw.ca), 250-468-9545

JUS T K i d d i n g ! pre s e n t s . . .

Mini Masterpieces Written by Ryan Gladstone & Tara Travis

Sat. Feb. 1, 2014 - 1pm Malaspina Theatre at VIU

Tickets