The Portage and District Arts Centre is getting ready to begin its fall programming this year. Marketing and Events Coordinator Lee Beaton says there are some old and new workshops taking place.

"The fall programming brochures are out. We've had people calling everyday and wanting to register their children. Some of our old staples will take place like Busy Bees, Mixed Media, the Fundamentals of Drawing, and Pottery -- those are always popular. They always fill up fast. Ooey Gooey -- it's art play, it fills up very quickly, too. There is Basic Watercolour, Basic Acrylics, Quilting, and Social Dance. We've had people waiting to hear when our Fall Program starts. It has started, and registration's going very strong."

Beaton says there quite a few new programs beginning.

"We have some new and exciting things happening as well. We've got Highland Dancing. This comes in two different age categories.  There is Primary, for ages 3-5 and then Beginners for ages 6 and up. We have Theatre Without Anxiety for adults, Puppetry for kids. Intro to Digital Media. People are using their smart phones for a lot of different things, and it's going to be how we can take that a little bit further. Also new is a Club Dance. For all the people who have taken Social Dance in the past, we're going to have once a month, a dance in the gallery. You're going to be able to come in and dance. It's going to be a $10.00 walk-up. You don't have to sign up. You can just come to one, come to all, come to four -- whatever. It's totally up to you. There's no instructor. Everybody just gets together and listen to music and dance. It's going to be pretty exciting with all the artwork that's on the wall. I think it's a phenomenal idea."

She adds they're also adding the Do-It-Yourself Pottery Christmas gift. You can make a Christmas gift with the instructor's help. Beaton explains there's also Image Transfer workshop, and Chinese Tea Appreciation, and Stained Glass Workshop. She notes they tried to hold the Chinese Tea Appreciation last fall, but it conflicted with another workshop, so no registrations were made. But she adds they're planning for it again.

Contact the Portage & District Arts Centre, 11-2nd Street NE, Portage la Prairie, Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Tel (204) 239 6029; Fax (204) 239 1472; Email pdac@mts.net