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Entertainment Briefs

The Ben Taylor Band is landing The offspring of ’70s singing and songwriting sensations Carly Simon and James Taylor is hitting the GLC next month.

The Ben Taylor Band is landing

The offspring of ’70s singing and songwriting sensations Carly Simon and James Taylor is hitting the GLC next month.

After years travelling the world taking care of the earth, with a stint as a Calvin Klein model, Ben Taylor finally made his natural migration into music and he’s not half bad either. His band’s debut album, Famous Among the Barns , hit the stores this week and with guest appearances on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Last Call with Carson Daly, he’s destined to become a famous face in no time.

Come be one of those people who can say they saw him before he was a star. Look out for an interview next week.

Whistler Stories, episode 5

Whistler Stories is a 12-part TV series following the trials and tribulations of some of our unique local personalities. In Episode 5, Chili’s girlfriend Kelsey sculpts with a chainsaw and go-go dances in a club. Event promoter Linda finds out if Whistler council will give her the go-ahead and Mark says good-bye to his tour group.

The program appears on the Life network every Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Seven facts about Creekside Phil

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If you’ve ever partied in Creekside, chances are you’ve partied with Creekside Phil. The black brimmed hat and tie-dyed shirt wearing, long-haired musicman has been synonymous with the area since 1993. From his famous backyard camp fires to his Open Mic Nights at venues across the valley, Phil is a living local legend, getting better with age like a fine Led Zeppelin vinyl. He’s hitting Hoz’s stage this Saturday night, Feb. 22 for a night of classic rock and twisted tunes. We grilled Phil Richard for some facts for the fans:

• He had a pet crow called Cornelia. He found her as a baby when she’d fallen out of her nest and she went everywhere with him until she discovered McDonald’s. "I took her in when her parents rejected her but she left on her one year birthday. I still see her at McDonald’s but she doesn’t associate with me anymore. Crows are very territorial."

• He used to have a shaved head. "I worked for the mountain as a staff co-ordinator for a while so had to get rid of it but I’ve been growing it now since Christmas ’95."

• He’s played with almost every local musician in the area, although his current projects are Cold Snap at the Boot on Thursday night, Frost Heave and Whole Lotta Led, the Led Zeppelin tribute band.

• He’s a chimney sweep and also been a bartender at Dusty’s.

• His Creekside campfires had to get canned. "The Fire department came round and said they were too big."

• His favourite project ever is Whole Lotta Led. "I’ve always been a huge Led Zeppelin fan and this band pushes my talent. Everybody in the band moves forward fast too, and there’s no baby tantrums either."

• He’s so passionate about Open Mic Night that he once bought all the instruments so that nobody had to bring anything. "That was at the old Dusty’s, I also hosted a jam night at the Boot for three years and the Alpen Rock for one year."

Glenn Mishaw back at the Crystal

Even though Glenn Mishaw has been writing his own songs for 10 years he still considers himself a rookie.

"Anyone who has made it in songwriting will tell you, you can always get better," he said.

But Mishaw’s pretty darn good anyway if you ask the locals who love him. His music is energetic acoustic pop with folk roots. His influences are Neil Young, David Gray, Lyle Lovett and Sheryl Crow. He held his debut record launch for By My Side at the Crystal last December and he’s back for another offering Friday and Saturday nights Feb. 21 and 22.

Nearly Neil dazzles The Shack

If the single guys in this town want some tips on attracting the female species, make a date with Nearly Neil Diamond next Tuesday night, Feb. 25 at the Crab Shack. The Vegas show man is no spring chicken but the girls swoon, sigh, sing and press themselves against him every time he hits the stage. Maybe it’s the sparkly open necked disco shirts. Maybe it’s the tight black flamenco pants. Maybe it’s the chunky sideburns. But then again, it could just be the voice. Nobody sings Neil Diamond tunes like this Vancouver legend.

Grab a girl and get dancing for impersonator Bobby Bruce’s only Whistler show for the month. Tickets are $10. Doors at 9 p.m. Call 604-932-4451 for bookings.

A wet ’n’ wild ride at Bill’s

It's time to show off that snow tan with a Wet ’n’ Wild party hosted by those party planning animals WildinWhistler.com, Shakedown and Angelstar. These guys know how to throw a party and with this frothy flesh fest, it's sure to be an eye-opener. A bikini contest and hot tub will get your temperatures rising and for those who may be a little shy, you'll have loads of bubbles to strategically place over your ugly bits.

Groove on down in your sarongs and Speedos with DJs Mike Stevens and Andy Clockwork, whose signature styles range from funky, soulful house to peak hour tribal-floor fillers. There's only 300 tickets up for grabs for this Monday Feb. 24 engagement, so get your tickets early from Snomotion.