Maple Ridge鈥檚 own songbird, Julie Cutting, will perform a variety of folk, jazz and blues music at the Fort Gallery May 4.

The show, on from 7 to 9 p.m., will be part of the gallery鈥檚 monthly First Thursday events. On the first Thursday of each month, they host a variety of visual artists, writers, poets and musicians from the local community who share their gifts and creations.

Cutting performs her own particular twist to some great standards. A simple guitar style backs her sweet and rich voice, as she plays some of her own originals and a blend of her favourite covers.

She was a feature performer at Maple Ridge鈥檚 recent Earth Day Festival, is a regular musician at Kanaka Coffee House Open Mic, and will be a summer festival tour performer for Lytton River Festival and Spences Bridge Desert Daze, as well as Clinton Medieval Days.

Also featured at this month鈥檚 First Thursday, which will be held in conjunction with the opening reception for the gallery鈥檚 current exhibit Proximity and Distance, are artists Lisa Nickel and Joy Munt, who will talk about their work.

Regular gallery hours are Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more info, visit .