They'll be kissing the cod for a good cause. The Place des Arts fundraiser known as Impromptu has taken on a decidedly Atlantic feel, as the second-annual charity gathering revisits the sites and sounds of 1950s Newfoundland.

Music, dance and live theatre are all on tap for the Saturday, Oct. 13 event, which will also feature silent and live auction prizes including a 10 day guided fishing tour to Haida Gwaii, a Roland F-120 digital piano, and a three-night getaway to Osoyoos.

All proceeds from the event will go towards the centre's arts education programs, and tickets range in price between $50 and $80.

For more information, see www.placedesarts. ca.

IMPROV CLASSES IN FULL SWING

A pair of veteran Tri-Cities actors is teaming up to offer improv acting classes in Port Coquitlam throughout the fall.

Second Storey Theatre members Jennifer Pielak and Graham Myers are offering courses for two distinct age categories: kids improv comedy classes for youth aged eight to 12 run Mondays from Oct. 15 to Dec. 17, while the teen improv comedy classes, geared towards teens aged 13 to 18, are slated for Wednesdays from Oct. 17 to Nov. 29.

"The kids have had an amazing time learning how to think quick on their feet and create funny characters and scenes, and those who have been involved once keep coming back," Pielak said in an e-mail to The NOW.

"Parents have seen their kids become entranced by the world of improv theatre - and they've heard a few more jokes around the dinner table, too."

The classes are held at Second Storey Theatre, located at 201-2550 Shaughnessy St. in Port Coquitlam.

For details, visit www.secondstoreytheatre. com. To register, e-mail Pielak at jenniferpielak@gmail.com.

DEAD SERIOUS ABOUT HALLOWEEN

Elements of deceit, suspicion and danger all play into the plotline of Dead Serious, a psychological thriller being performed by the Stage 43 Theatrical Society at the Evergreen Cultural Centre this week.

The show follows two main characters, who are siblings, as they navigate through their dark pasts.

Written by local playwright Doug Greenall, the show was first presented by the Arts Club in Vancouver in 1989.

By 1991, it was the most produced prof sional play in Canada.

Dead Serious, which features some coarse language, will be shown at 8 p.m. through tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 13), while a 2 p.m. showing is slated for Sunday, Oct. 14.

Show times are 8 p.m. between Oct. 17 and 20, and tickets range in price between $18 and $20.