Presented by the Whistler Arts Council, Celebration 2010 brings together local arts and culture groups for a month-long celebration of the arts.
One of the major events of Celebration 2010, ArtWalk will feature the work of several artists, in various mediums, at local businesses – including traditional and not-so-traditional art venues. Galleries, retail outlets and professional offices will house artwork from Sea to Sky artists throughout February.
The winter ArtWalk begins with informal opening receptions at various Whistler locations on Friday, Feb. 4 between 6 and 9 p.m.
In addition to ArtWalk a February photo exhibition at MY Millennium Place, Tales from the Backcountry, will feature the work of 15 professional and six amateur photographers.
Other events during the month include performances by comedian Lorne Elliott on Feb. 7; a Cultural Cabaret featuring SWARM, the Whistler Dance Academy, Deborah Williams and the Hairfarmers on Feb. 12; and Afro-Brazilian Capoeira group Aché Brasil on Feb. 14. The Whistler Writers’ Group presents Literary Leanings Feb. 20 and 21 with, among others, George Bowering, Bill Gaston and Arthur Black. The Short Skirt Theatre Company and Between Shifts Theatre will present Famous Movie Monologues of Love and Lust on Feb. 11.
Among the local organizations, the Whistler Naturalists Society will present a Whistler Nature Slideshow on Feb. 24 and the Whistler Museum and Archives will present the film premiere Community Now: The People of Whistler on Feb. 25. The film is the first instalment in a five-year project to record the unique stories of Whistler people.
On Feb. 26 the Whistler Film Festival will present an Adventure Film Showcase featuring the top three adventure films from the 2004 Whistler Film Festival.
Originally presented in February 2003 as a one-time province-wide celebration of arts and culture in support of the 2010 Olympic Bid, Whistler's Celebration 2010 has now become one of Whistler Arts Council's most successful and ambitious signature events that will lead the arts community to the 2010 Olympic Games and beyond.
The objectives of Celebration 2010 are to celebrate arts and culture in the Sea to Sky corridor; to showcase Canadian talent; to build capacity to 2010 leading up to full participation in the Olympic Arts Festival; and to develop local and visiting audiences.
Celebration 2010 also incorporates professional development workshops for the arts community to build professional practices. SWARM will hold a percussion workshop on Feb. 13, Kinnie Starr will hold a songwriting workshop on Feb. 19 and Wayne Lavallee will hold a workshop for youth and community performance in Mount Currie at a date still to be determined.
For full lineup details visit: www.whistlerartscouncil.com
Celebration 2010: Whistler Arts Festival 2005 is funded by the Province of British Columbia, Resort Municipality of Whistler and Tourism Whistler.
