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Words of summer

The lazy days of summer call for popsicles, swimming and, of course, a good book.

The lazy days of summer call for popsicles, swimming and, of course, a good book. The new Whistler Public Library is getting set to launch its Summer Reading Club 2008 to help encourage kids from preschool to Grade 4 to get lost in the literary world over the break.

More than 100 local children, and 65,000 throughout the province, typically participate in this annual free program, which is sponsored by the British Columbia Library Association, the Whistler Public Library, and the Public Library Services Branch of the Ministry of Education.

Reading Club meetings will be held on Thursdays throughout the month of July at the library, with three sessions that are appropriate for different developmental levels. Preschoolers will meet from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m., kindergarten to Grade 2 will meet from 11 a.m. until noon, and Grades 3 to 4 will meet from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m.

Parents are asked to pre-register their children so organizers can adequately prepare. For more information, visit www.whistlerlibrary.ca and click on Events and Programs.

 

Cultural Olympiad keeps growing

The 2008 Cultural Olympiad featured more than 300 performances and exhibitions in Metro Vancouver and the Sea to Sky corridor, which took place over a seven-week period starting in February. Presented in partnership with over 60 arts and cultural organizations, the events were designed to capture the vitality and diversity of Canada’s arts and culture scene.

“We’ve always been committed to introducing audiences to our diverse cultural community and encouraging them to take part in experiences beyond their comfort zone,” Robert Kerr, VANOC program director of the Cultural Olympiad, said in a press release. “Judging by our strong attendance numbers and the demographic diversity of our audiences, we’re off to a good start.”

Now, the momentum for the 2009 Cultural Olympiad is growing. Organizers have already announced two major international events that will be part of next year’s celebrations. They’re also looking for ideas for the 2010 Cultural Olympiad, which will feature local, national and international programming, including the Olympic Arts Festival, which will run from Jan. 22, 2010 until Feb. 28, 2010, and the Paralympic Arts Festival, which will run from March 12, 2010 until March 21, 2010. Organizers are asking non-profit arts organizations and educational institutions that are interested in presenting an event or exhibition to submit their proposals by Sept. 30, 2008.

VANOC has also recently launched a new artist registry for individuals or ensembles interested in participating in the Cultural Olympiad or other Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games programs.

For more information on the new artist database or the open call for 2010 proposals, visit www.vancouver2010.com/en/CultureEducation .

 

Art in outdoor spaces

Artists of all disciplines and styles are being offered the opportunity to contribute to Whistler’s Valley Trail public art project, which aims to introduce art that is inspired by its surroundings along a prominent, well-used community route.

The project is currently in its fourth phase. During the first three phases, sculptures were commissioned and installed in Alpine Meadows, Whistler Cay, Creekside and Alta Lake Park. All of the projects must involve the public in the creative process.

The theme for the project is up to the artist, but there are requirements surrounding the materials and location of the sculpture. Up to $20,000 is available for this phase of the project, which goes towards artist fees, consultant costs, materials, fabrication and installation and other expenses.

Proposals must be received by Monday, June 30. For detailed project requirements, visit www.whistler.ca and select Tenders & RPFs from the Business dropdown menu.

 

Get Reel

Aspiring young filmmakers should get camera-ready for the end of July.

The Whistler Film Festival is hosting its GET REEL Youth Film Program in Whistler from Monday, July 21 until Friday, July 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The topic for this year’s GET REEL program is “Whistler: A Sense of Place,” which will involve participants calling on their personal knowledge, and the experiences of other residents, to offer their unique interpretation of what Whistler means to them, while learning about filmmaking.

“GET REEL offers local youth a unique opportunity to hone their skills as filmmakers and storytellers, and provides them with an introduction (to) the craft,” said Bill Evans, Director of Programming for the Whistler Film Festival Society.

Participants will be given access to professional equipment and be mentored by industry professionals during this five-day, hands-on workshop.   The course will cover the entire production process, ranging from storyboarding to editing.

The short films produced during the program will premiere during the 2008 Whistler Film Festival as part of the KidzFest Program, and will also be screened at the WFF’s Outdoor Screening, alongside the 2008 Whistler Stories.

The workshop fee is $150 per student, and deadline for registration is June 30. For more information or to register, visit www.whistlerfestival.com .