It's Mother's Day weekend coming up. You knew that, right? Well, just in case you are looking for something a little different for Mom (flowers are always good, though), why not try a concert or two? It's a nice gift.

The White Rock Chamber Music program for May 12, the day before Mother's Day, is the group's final concert of the season, and features moms and offspring. Nice touch. Featured artists will be tenor Sunny Shams, pianist Jennifer Hung, Sandpipers Recorder Ensemble and Leanne, Liam and Conner Page (soprano, guitarist and pianist). These concerts are all at Pacific Carlton Retirement Residence, 15366 17th Ave., (corner of 154th Street and 17th Avenue, Surrey). Admission is by $5 donation. Money collected at the door goes to scholarships and bursaries. That's nice, too. Makes a mother proud.

British Columbia Girls Choir is also having a concert on May 12, at Broadmore Baptist Church, 8140 Saunders Rd., Richmond, starting at 3 p.m. Singspiration! is the title of the concert, in support of BC Lupus Society. This beautiful choir is known for its community spirit, and has partnered with the society because one of the founding BCGC members lives with this life-long affliction; it is also a condition that strikes many more girls than boys. Admission to the concert is by donation, and pledges of $25 or more will receive a tax receipt. In eight years, this choir has raised more than $5,000 for BC Lupus Society. I bet these moms are proud of their girls!

And yet another May 12 concert, also worthy of our time and attention: The Lyric Singers, under the direction of Nancy Rahn, have a really special spring concert just for you. This concert will consist of madrigals accompanied by recorder consort performing on Renaissance-style wooden recorders. This is way cool. Anachronistic. Different. It's happening at Holy Trinity Cathedral, 514 Carnarvon St., New Westminster (near a SkyTrain stop). Tickets are $20, or free for children under 12. Reservations at 604-340-4353. Check out the website as well, www. lyricsingers.ca.

Elsewhere, Imagine That! Productions presents The Magician's Nephew, a live theatre performance, at 7 p.m. Friday, May 11, and at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 12. This C.S. Lewis adapted story is about something that happened long ago, in London, when your grandfather was a child. It's a very important story, because it shows how all the comings and goings between our own world, and the land of Narnia, first began. So for moms who have read the Narnia stories to their kids, this sounds like a wonderful way to spend part of the weekend. It's at The Venue, 5708 Glover Rd., Langley, at Friends Langley Vineyard church building. Tickets are $12 from the online box office, ImagineThatPlace.com, or at the door. No reserved seating.

I have to get this one in, too, for all the artists out there, whether you be mother or child: The Arts Council of Surrey invites established and emerging artists to enter the 28th annual juried exhibition of visual art, ARTS 2012. The submission deadline for entry forms is Friday, May 18 at 4 p.m., so you can't dawdle on this one. The entry form is available at www.surrey.ca/arts (under Surrey Art Gallery/ Opportunities). Questions and/or comments? Contact the arts council at 604-594-2700 or info@artscouncilofsurrey.ca.

In ARTS 2012, there are several categories for judging, and a People's Choice Award is also available. While the cash awards aren't huge, wouldn't it be lovely to see something you created hanging at Surrey Art Gallery? Entries are restricted to residents of Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Delta and Richmond, and members of a club that belongs to the Arts Council of Surrey or an individual member. Post-secondary students are encouraged to apply. Maybe mom would like to know that your art work has progressed from the fridge to the art gallery. What a gift.

melminty@telus.net