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Arts Briefs

Whistler Arts Council presents a winter's worth of arts and entertainment

There's no doubt about it, there's a serious appetite for the arts in Whistler.

The question then becomes, how do we sate everyone's hunger for music, theatre, comedy and dance? Enter the Whistler Arts Council and its annual Performance Series, a program designed to showcase a range of professional acts from outside of the community - either from across Canada or further abroad - to Whistler residents and visitors.

"It really is to sort of present something that nobody else presents," WAC's Executive Director, Doti Niedermayer, explained during a recent interview. "There are bars and clubs in town that present music shows and bar bands, and they have a great record of doing that. There have been some amazing acts that have come through Whistler and there's great venues for that in town. So we're looking at presenting something where an audience isn't drinking, is quiet, is focused on the performer, and present a diversity.

"I think what we're striving for is to present a diversity of arts disciplines, so not just music, not just theatre - we want to kind of present a bit of everything, because it is the only program of its kind."

Since 1987, WAC has presented a wide range of theatre, music, dance and comedy acts from across Canada and abroad at an affordable price. And this year, the Performance Series is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever, with some impressive international acts including Septeto Nacional, a Cuban seven-piece band. Canadian indie rockers The Trews, and Alpha Yaya Diallo are also on board.

WAC also hopes to challenge people to move outside of their comfort zone and experience something new with the series.

"That's the key, is understanding what the community is interested in but pushing the boundaries every now and again a little bit, because you don't want to just serve up the same meal all the time."

This year, Niedermayer said there are a few professional performances that push the proverbial envelope: The Christmas Carol Project and Songs Are Like Tattoos: A Tribute to Joni Mitchell.

The majority of the Performance Series is programmed through the B.C. Touring Council, a network of agents, presenters, managers and artists from across the country that shares information about their shows with small community groups like WAC.

"That has been an amazing program," Niedermayer said. "In order for small communities like Whistler, Nelson, Fort St. John and Cranbrook to actually connect with groups that are from Ontario and Quebec and are touring across the country... I mean, how do those people ever connect with a tiny town in the middle of B.C. or up north?"

Tickets to Performance Series shows range from $18 to $28, or you can purchase a punch card, which gives you access to six shows for $100. For a schedule of this year's series, or info on passes, visit www.artswhistler.com.

 

Chili throws spicy last bash

Whistler's artistic renaissance man, Chili Thom, fulfilled one of his dreams last October: he opened the Chili Thom Gallery in Function Junction. It's a space that functioned as both a working studio and a gallery, where Thom and many of his artistic colleagues displayed their work and hosted occasional group shows.

But after almost a year of running the gallery space Thom has decided it's time to get back into the studio and focus more on his painting. So he's closing the gallery space at the end of November.

Before moving on, he's hosting one final group show, entitled "18A." The collection will feature an assortment of art nudes and erotica from photographers and painters from southwestern British Columbia.

The opening reception for the show (which is 18+) will be held on Friday, Nov. 5, starting at 7 p.m.

 

Used book sale Oct. 9

Anyone interested in stocking up on their winter reading before the snow flies should head to Marketplace IGA to snag some great reads on the cheap.

The Friends of the Library are holding their bi-annual Giant Used Book Sale in front of the IGA parking lot between 10 a.m and 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9. Book lovers of all ages are bound to find something that piques their interest, as the sale offers up an impressive range of fiction and non-fiction literary donations each year. Proceeds from the sale go towards local school libraries. Please bring cash and a reusable bag.

 

Celebrate Whistler's stories

Whistler Arts Council (WAC) is hosting its annual fundraiser, Our Whistler: Celebrating Our Stories 2010, at their new home at Millennium Place on Saturday, Nov. 6 starting at 6:30 p.m.

This year, which marks WAC's 28th anniversary and the celebration of our Olympic experience, promises to offer an intimate evening of storytelling, tapas-style fare, cocktails, live art and entertainment, as well as silent and live auctions featuring priceless items and experiences. The Community Foundation of Whistler will also be presenting their Citizen of the Year Award at the fundraiser.

Tickets are $100 per person, with all proceeds going towards WAC. They are available at www.artswhistler.com, 604-935-8410 or in person at Millennium Place.

 

Youth join artful experiment

Whistler's Youth Centre is joining creative forces with Squamish's Homebase Studios to host a groundbreaking art experiment dubbed The Creation Invasion at Whistler Secondary in mid-October.

From Tuesday, Oct. 19 to Thursday, Oct. 21, the Whistler high school's multipurpose room will be the stage for artistic inspiration, with pieces directed and overseen by established local artists, but inherently filled with the personality, energy and artistic spirit of each individual student. The finished pieces will eventually be showcased at the Youth Centre for everyone to enjoy. For more information on the upcoming art experiment, contact Megan Hewitt at 604-935-8187.

 

Calling all artists...

Players Chophouse, a prominent Creekside dining establishment, has just issued an open call for artists and photographers between Horseshoe Bay and Lillooet to display their artwork in the restaurant for the winter season.

Anyone interested in submitting their work should contact info@whistlerchophouse.ca with all of the necessary information and images of the pieces the artist intends to exhibit by Saturday, Oct. 9. Artists should be prepared and equipped to install their own artwork as per timelines.

Successful applicants will be permitted to exhibit six to eight pieces for up to two months, with the first rotation of artwork to be hung before Nov. 1.

 

Fun for the little ones

While adults may be preparing for a weekend of feasting and shopping at the annual Turkey Sale this Thanksgiving weekend, the Whistler Arts Council (WAC) has a few activities planned for kids, as well.

From Friday, Oct. 8 to Sunday, Oct. 10, the Whistler Street Entertainment program will see the paths of Whistler Village animated with an assortment of interactive activities and displays by performers from throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor and across Canada.

Local artists Oona and Aimee will create some fun Thanksgiving and Halloween crafts, like handprint turkeys, festive hats and pins at the Kids Zone at Millennium Place. There will also be a pumpkin carving station where kids can dig into gourds and display their finished product at Millennium Place for the rest of the month. Last but certainly not least, Kids Fliks will be playing an assortment of movies at Millennium Place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

 

TGR steps up

It's been at least three weeks straight of ski and snowboard film premieres, and its not looking like its going to slow down anytime soon. Next up is Teton Gravity Research's Light The Wick , which features a crew of incredible athletes checking out uncharted destinations around the world (Alaska, Croatia and Italy are featured), as well as some of their favorite stomping grounds a bit closer to home, like the Pemberton backcountry. Doglotion is hosting Whistler's TGR back-to-back screenings at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8 at Millennium Place. Expect loads of swag and prizes, including a Whistler Blackcomb season's pass, K2 skis, cat skiing with Backcountry Snowcats and goodies from Surefoot Whistler , Comor , Smartwool , and Smith Optics . There's also a chance to check out the world premiere of the Gaper Day 2010 short film from Blackcomb's final day of the season and a sure-to-be-epic after party at the Longhorn Saloon.

Tickets are $15; get 'em at Millennium Place in person or by phone at 604-935-8410.