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Arts Briefs

Arts Council grant music to students’ ears

By Nicole Fitzgerald

The Alta Lake Waldorf School will expand the school’s Grade 8 Music program thanks to new funding from the Whistler Arts Council.

“The grant will allow students to expand their repertoire to new instruments such as the cello and the double bass — their renewed enthusiasm is infectious,” said principal Michelle Kirkegaard.

The Whistler Arts Council awarded a $700 grant to Whistler’s only Waldorf school, to fund new instrumental rentals until the end of the school year.

Thanks to the talents of music teacher Beth Solem most Alta Lake Grade 8 students have studied violin since Grade 4. The group is currently working on an ambitious performance of Johann Pachelbel’s cannon in D major.

Waldorf students partake in recorder playing until Grade 3 then move onto studies in violin and music theory in Grades 4 through 8.

Learn more about the Waldorf school at an open house this Saturday, March 31 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the school located in Spruce Grove Park. Kirkegaard will present a talk on Parenting Rhythmically and Artistically.

“The Waldorf philosophy views education as an art so each subject is presented through art, poetry, drama, music and movement,” Kirkegaard said. “The teacher’s aim is to draw out the child’s inherent capacities by creating an atmosphere in the classroom that fills the child with interest, wonder and enthusiasm.”

 

The art of fundraising

Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival organizers introduced a new art competition called Poster Duke-Out this year to raise funds for local charities the Whistler Animals Galore (WAG) animal shelter and Zero Ceiling.

A worldwide call was put out for artists to design a souvenir poster for the festival with sales benefiting the two local non-profit organizations.

Even though artist Vas Goulopoulos had never been to Whistler, the Toronto designer still managed to capture the festival’s essence by producing the winning artwork, called Chaotic Hollywood.

The professional designer at pressure.org was excited to branch his skill sets into something more outlandishly creative.

“I preoccupy myself designing for this medium in my leisure time,” said the former skateboarder who sought to capture the festival’s high octane, explosive and extreme elements.

Five hundred copies of the limited edition posters will be printed with vegetable dyes on recycled paper and sold during the festival.

WAG, a no-kill animal shelter, cares for unwanted cats and dogs from Whistler to Mount Currie.

Zero Ceiling hosts a variety of programs that takes city kids off the streets and onto the slopes. All proceeds benefit the two worthy causes.

 

Entertainment, dining host needed for television show

How many jobs include hanging out in the hottest nightspots around town and pulling up a chair to Whistler’s incredible dining scene?

Resort TV is hosting open auditions in the search for the perfect Entertainment and Nightlife Host, along with other hosts for new show segments.

Resort TV’s former entertainment host, Kristy Mitchell, was recently scooped by Vancouver’s M Channel, leaving some pretty big high heels to fill.

However, producers are also looking for additional male and female co-hosts to fill slightly smaller shoes.

Kids between the ages of seven and 10 are invited to try out for the Fun for Kids Show.

Hosts will also be needed for two other shows on mountain biking and dating in Whistler, joining the already established team of Resort TV personalities Deena McCauley and Cheryl Massey.

Inspired by the travel show the Lonely Planet, producers aim to create fun shows headed by locals who can give tourists the inside view on things to do and buy around town. Officials are looking for outgoing people who aren’t afraid to strut their own personal style in front of the cameras.

Open auditions will be held Tuesday, April 3 at Seven Restaurant.

To register, contact cast@resorttv.net .

 

Six plays presented in Squamish

Sea to Sky Entertainment presents another youthful glance at six plays penned by local writers at YouthFest on March 30 and 31 at 7:30 p.m. at Eagle Theatre.

Squamish Youth Theatre veterans, more than 50 thespians, will take a crack at the comedic and dramatic scripts.

Is There Life Out There? by Cheryl Capshaw discovers a strange new life form floating skywards as an alien approaches earth.

The Salmon Chief by Cathryn Atkinson retells the ancient legend of how the Salmon nation first came to Squamish waters to feed their people.

Kissing Frogs by Sheri Radford is about a search of the ideal man.

The Case of the Frustrated Corpse by Ruth Wallace is a humorous skit about a dead man who gets no respect.

History Idol by Kate Wagner is a spoof on a popular television show where the contestants use quotes from history.

The Picnic Peace by Jane Tesh is a hilarious tale about black and red ants, and a picnic. Will they ever find common ground?

Songs and comedy will thread the short plays together.

Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for students and seniors.

 

Full house for LUNA Poker

Aces are in the cards at LUNA Poker: A Black Toque Affair on Friday, March 30 at 6 p.m. at 18 Degrees Below at Blackcomb Base II, with a few chairs still open and great prizes to be won.

The knockout Texas Hold’em tournament ditches the James Bond black tie and tux getup for poker Whistla style — black toques.

Spectators are invited to cheer the players on as well as compete in SMS speedwriting, car house building and more.

Tournament players have a chance to win great prizes. The grand prize is a one-night stay at the Pan Pacific Resort. First prize is a two-night stay at the Hilton Whistler Resort with a $100 gift certificate for the Cinnamon Bear Bar and Grille. Second prize is a one-month pass at The Core and two tickets for the Vancouver Snowbus. Third prize is two Snowbus tickets.

LUNA (Late and Unique Nighttime Alternatives) hosts innovative, late-night, alcohol-free recreation and leisure programming for youth ages 18 to 29 in Whistler.

Players interested in participating can call Greg at 604-966-6689.

For more information, visit lunawhistler.com.

 

Whistler Farmers’ Market vendor call

Whistler Farmers’ Market organizers are getting ready for the summer season with an open call for registration for the 2007 market. The deadline for applications is April 30.

The Whistler Farmers’ Market gathers food growers, bakers, artists and artisans into one outdoor block party located in the Upper Village between the Fairmont Chateau Resort and the Glacier Lodge during the summer.

The market, sporting everything from locally grown vegetables and fruit to handcrafted jewelry and chef demonstrations, runs every Sunday starting June 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Thanksgiving weekend, Oct. 7 and 8.

Vendors must apply to qualify for the market in one of three categories: farm, food or artisan sales.

Vendors can apply for daily or full-season packages ranging from $35 to $70 a day, depending on kiosk size, or $450 to $900 for the entire season.

For more information, visit whistlerfarmersmarket.org or contact Nicole at 604-932-5998.