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Arts Briefs

An evening of inventive musical comedy with Al Simmons

A musician, inventor and all-around nut, Al Simmons is a one-of-a-kind entertainer: whether he's the innovative Dr. Simmons, the optometrist, engaging kids with his musical eye chart, or Explorer Al leading a safari with the "Cry of the Wild Goose," his shows are fun for the whole family.

Simmons grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and his childhood was filled with storytelling, music and good fun, coming as he did from a family of performers, pranksters, and eccentrics. As a child, he studied comedians on The Ed Sullivan Show and cherished the stories his dad told him about the golden days of vaudeville, and was inspired to stage impromptu circuses, magic shows and parades. He loved the spotlight so much that he decided to find a way to stay in it! Today, Simmons has performed solo in variety shows, a comedy rock band Out to Lunch, and vaudeville acts at fairs, folk festivals and children's festivals. He's also produced the television show, All For Fun , and made appearances on Fred Penner's Place , Sesame Street, YTV, Nickelodeon and The Learning Channel.

Simmons is bringing his inventive act to Whistler's Millennium Place on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.,  as part of the Whistler Arts Council's annual performance series. Tickets are $16 for WAC members, $21 for non-members, $10 for children, $16 for students and seniors, and are available at Millennium Place or by phone at 604-935-8410. And for the first time, WAC will be holding a craft workshop to encourage kids to get creative and make something wacky to wear or bring to the show. The workshop takes place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. the day of the show (Saturday), and is free for all ticket holders.

 

Bands Against Hunger CD in the works

The Bands Against Hunger Society, a registered non-profit organization made up of local musicians and music lovers, has been hosting events in the Sea to Sky community since its inception in 2005. Through artistic collaboration, the organization holds events that raise funds and awareness for humanitarian issues locally and abroad.

Most recently the group has gathered the resources to create a BAHS compilation CD, which should be completed and released by February. They're now in the process of collecting music for the project, and are on the lookout for about 20 artists from throughout the province who are interested in contributing to the album. Any artists who are interested in helping out with the project should send a copy of their CD or song to: BAHS Compilation CD, P.O. Box 1384, Whistler, B.C., V0N 1B0, by Dec. 1. For more information, contact janamarie_music@hotmail.com .

 

Drawing with Dorte

Delve into this two-dimensional art form during a one-day workshop, dubbed "Drawing 2," which explores classic drawing with a twist.

Dorte Froslev, who retired in June 2007 after 32 years of teaching high school art, is leading the workshop. She states that: "There is no object about which we have more misconceptions to overcome than the human head. This workshop takes you through a process to get to know your own face very well indeed and much about faces in general. This approach was developed over 32 years of teaching teenagers."

The workshop is being held on Saturday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Brackendale Art Gallery. Registration is $60, which also includes all materials. While the course is offered for adults, it is also suitable for youth, and no previous experience is required. For more information, visit www.brackendaleartgallery.com.

 

What's Whistler reading now?

The book on many residents' nightstands right now is John Vaillant's "The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival." Why? Because it's the tome that's the topic of the next Whistler Reads event, which is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 11.

"The Tiger" tells the tale of an injured man-eating tiger who isn't simply on the hunt for food, but is stalking its prey out of vengeance. At the same time a team of conservationists is tracking her on foot deep into the heart of a Siberian forest on an intense chase to capture or kill her before she strikes again. This beautifully written novel is also deeply informative, teaching the reader about a unique ecosystem and the people who subsist within it.

Vaillant, a Governor General award-winning author, will be in attendance at the event, held at the Westin Resort & Spa, and discussing the extensive research that went into writing his most recent book. Vaillant travelled to the remote southeast of Russia to a region called Primorye, a territory roughly the size of Washington State that is located by the Sea of Japan where ecosystems converge and plants and animals exist that live no place else on earth. Primorye is also the last refuge for an endangered sub-species of Siberian tigers - the Amur tiger - a spectacular killing machine that weighs up to 600 pounds and measures 10 feet from nose to tail.

Tickets to the upcoming Whistler Reads event are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. And since the event is still a few weeks off you still have time to pick up a copy of the book before the discussion.

 

A sneak-peak of VIMFF 2010

 

Outdoor enthusiasts may want to venture down to North Vancouver next week to check out what the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF) is offering up as part of their 2010 Fall Speaker Series. They've compiled a roster of impressive slide presentations and films, as well as three world-class local and international guest speakers, as part of their three-day program, which takes place from Nov. 23 to Nov. 25.

On Tuesday, Nov. 23, Vancouver adventurers Anik Choinière and Stu Coleman will present their exciting multi-media premiere on cycling the Washington and Oregon wild coasts. The following evening (Wednesday, Nov. 24), the "Reel Rock Film Tour" features the most recent death-defying films that fight gravity, a breathtaking journey through the vertical realm with the heroes of rock and snow. On Nov. 25, Colin Angus will offer an overview of his past adventures, as well as proposed plans for upcoming adventures.

The three-day series is intended celebrate the adventurous heart and bring together local outdoor communities, while building excitement for the 14th annual VIMFF, which is set to take place between Feb. 11 and 19. The Fall Series Screenings all take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. For more information on the festival visit www.vimff.org.