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Official program out for Whistler Writers Festival

Arts news: WFF Music Café call for artists, WAC funding applications open, calendar fundraiser
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BOOK OF HILL Author Lawrence Hill headlines the Whistler Writers Festival on Saturday, Oct. 17.

The official program for the 2015 Whistler Writers Festival (WWF) is now available, outlining four days of readings, workshops and a new competition.

Author of The Book of Negroes, Lawrence Hill, headlines the festival, along with CBC's Grant Lawrence.

The festival runs from Thursday, Oct. 15 to Sunday, Oct. 18.

Comedy Quickies, which takes place on Thursday, sees 10 finalists of comedy writing vie for cash prizes and for two awards, Best Comedy Writing and People's Choice. Special guest is comedian Charlie Demers of CBC's The Debaters and This is That.

On Friday, Cooks with Books is back after selling out in 2014, with a chefs' reception for Emily Wight (Well Fed, Flat Broke) and award-winning poet and author Susan Musgrave (A Taste of Haida Gwaii). James Nevison, author of bestselling book Had a Glass, will talk about wine pairings.

This year's Literary Cabaret is also on Friday, with live music and readings. Hosted by local scribe Stephen Vogler, the cabaret will feature local short story author Katherine Fawcett, Governor General Award winning poet Arleen Paré, and multi-award winning authors Caroline Adderson, Michael Christie, Michael Winter, Wayne Grady, Brian Brett and Pauline Holdstock, as well as spoken word artists Jillian Christmas and Chelsea D. E. Johnson.

There is also a day long publishing and pitching session, a crime writer's lunch, the Gibbons Literary Salon book club discussion, and a session about the writing life, moderated by Eleanor Wachtel of CBC's Writers & Company.

WFF Music Café call for artists

The Whistler Film Festival (WFF), in association with Music BC, is looking for artists for the WFF Music Café, which will run during the 2015 festival from Dec. 2 to 6.

The music café has expanded to two days, to include an evening showcase on Dec. 4.

The event is a unique showcasing B.C. talent.

The application deadline is Sept. 24, and artists may apply online at whistlerfilmfestival.com  or musicbc.org. Applicants must be current members of Music BC. Artists will be selected by a Music BC jury comprised of local music industry personnel.

$3,000 arts funding available in 2016

The Whistler Arts Council has announced that applications for the 2016 Member Group Grants are now available for local arts, culture and heritage groups and organizations.

Funding is intended to help groups implementing projects or productions. Grants typically range from $400 to $1,000.

Eligible expenses include: professional development workshops for amateur or professional writers, artists and performers, assistance with programming or productions in the performing, media or literary arts, art exhibitions, purchase of sheet music, or project-related costs such as venue and equipment rentals or artist fees.

Projects must take place between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2016.

Applications are available online at artswhistler.com and are due Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015.

Calendar fundraiser at Adara

The 2016 Exposed Bikini Calendar is being launched with a party and fashion show at the Adara Hotel Pool Deck on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m.

The models in next year's calendar will be taking part in a fashion show on a plexiglass runway across the swimming pool.

DJ Fidel Cashflow will supply the music.

The calendar and its associated events have raised upwards of $25,000 to The Canadian Spinal Cord Research Organization. For more information, visit www.whistlerexposed.com.