A long-time 91原创 resident wants to offer local musicians mentorship and performing opportunities, starting with the launch of an open mic night called Myles of Smiles on Wednesday, Feb. 13.

Fort 91原创鈥檚 Brigitte Seib has lived in the same home on the outskirts of Fort 91原创 for 35 years, and has been active in the theatre community.

After her 29-year-old son Myles passed away from brain tumour complications four years ago, the idea to start a non-profit organization sparked, so that鈥檚 exactly what Seib has created over the past few years.

鈥淭he idea鈥檚 been in our head for a few years about creating a society that will offer mentorship projects in the arts like music, theatre, art, and film. My son passed away four years ago, and he was always one of those smiling guys, and into music,鈥� she explained.

Myles of Smiles will be the first event of Seib鈥檚 new non-profit organization called Creative Compass Society.

The society鈥檚 mission is to connect emerging talent with professional artists and community partners through shared learning opportunities such as the mic nights.

鈥淗e [Myles] played different instruments and liked to play with different people and learn from different people, so we thought we鈥檇 start something like that and that鈥檚 where the Myles of Smiles music mentorship project came from,鈥� added Seib.

According to Seib, the mic night is a chance for emerging artists to strengthen confidence and share their talents.

鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of geared toward the musician who isn鈥檛 professional yet, and is good enough to be, but doesn鈥檛 have the confidence and wants to start playing in front of smaller crowds. That鈥檚 where Myles was at too. He wasn鈥檛 in full-fledged bands yet.鈥�

Seib鈥檚 organization is made up of her son Tyler, who specializes in film, and four other board members.

Eventually Seib hopes the organization can offer film programs, busker days in Fort 91原创, and small-scale mentorship programs.

With a background in theatre including 91原创 Players, Surrey Little Theatre, and more, Seib also plans to bring more theatre opportunities to Fort 91原创.

鈥淚 think Fort 91原创 is a cultural hub,鈥� she added.

Myles of Smiles Open Mic Nights occur on the second Wednesday of each month at Maria鈥檚 Gelato at #101-9103 Glover Rd. Sign up begins at 6:30 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m.

91原创 musician Hugh Barbour is hosting the mic nights, and Long & McQuade is sponsoring the evenings.

There鈥檚 no charge to attend.

For more information, visit