Splash into the polar bear swim or entertain at the street party: Pemberton’s 4 th Annual Winterfest invites the entire community not only to celebrate but participate in the everything-winter festivities Feb. 8 to 17.
“Help us promote Pemberton’s unique and exciting mountain culture throughout this two-week festival,” said Shirley Henry, volunteer coordinator. “With your help, we are able to deliver a fantastic festival to the community.”
Fantastic doesn’t even begin to describe the countless homegrown events hosted throughout the festival.
Musicians, singers, dancers, jugglers, clowns and thespians are needed for street performances on Saturday, Feb. 9. Amateurs and professionals alike are invited to participate.
One of the highlights of the festival is the community parade on Feb. 9. Floats, whether manual powered or motorized, are needed. Float themes can range from representing the gold rush to the farming community. Participants must sign up no later than Jan. 26.
There are plenty of opportunities for vendors to set up shop during the festival. For a nominal fee, artisans and artists can sell their baked goods, preserves, crafts and arts at a number of events.
Contact France Lamontagne at 604-894-0095 to learn more about volunteering or signing up for the above events.
There are lots of ways for artists to get involved in the festival. The Artisans Exhibit will showcase local creativity Feb. 15 to 17 at the Pemberton Valley Lodge. The exhibit will show everything from woodworking and First Nations art to metal works and jewelry. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 12. To register, contact Marnie Simon at 604-894-0242.
Sculptors, painters and photographers are also needed for the Mountains of Art Showcase on Feb. 8 at the Big Sky Golf and Country Club. The deadline for applications is Jan. 11. For registration forms, contact Karen Love at 604-894-5558.
Event photographers are also needed Feb. 8 to 17. Photographers must have a digital camera with a high-resolution setting. Contact Lamontagne at 604-894-0095 before Jan. 12.
Snapping up heliskiing trip win
For two years running, internationally-acclaimed photographer Blake Jorgenson has won the Out of Bounds: Tales from the Backcountry photo exhibition hosted in February by the Whistler Arts Council as part of Celebration 2010.
Jorgenson’s glimpses into the freedom and beauty of backcountry skiing have won over viewers, which has earned him not only the People’s Choice Award for Best in Show, but a heliskiing trip with Coast Range Heliskiing to boot.
Amateur and professional photographers from the Sea to Sky corridor are invited once again to compete for Best in Show, snapping images of skiing and snowboarding in B.C.’s beautiful backcountry whether accessed by foot, snowmobile, helicopter, watercraft or dogsled.
Images that have been computer manipulated and/or developed into artwork will be judged in a separate category, however, these images are not eligible for the heliskiing prize.
Along with Jorgenson, photographers exhibited during the 2007 show included Chris Christie, Bonny Makarewicz, Done Cole Harvey, Greg Eymundson, Toshi Kawano and Dagan Beach.
Photographers submissions will be judged by a jury with only select photographers showcased and eligible to win. Submissions will be judged on artistic merit, composition, technical skill and adherence to show them — no chairlifts please.
The images will be exhibited for the month of February at MY Millennium Place.
The submission deadline is Jan. 4. Contact the Whistler Arts Council at 604-938-9221 or info@whistlerartscouncil.com to apply.
Tune into writing for music
Tune into your inner musician with the LUNA Jam Lounge on Friday, Dec. 14 at the Rainbow Theatre.
Scribble along with seasoned professionals at the Lyrics Writing Workshop starting at 7 p.m. then put those lessons on the music staff with the music jam starting at 8 p.m.
Admission is $3 for LUNA members (free to youth ages 17 to 29) and $5 for non-members.
For more information, visit lunawhistler.com.
Squamish history in the present
Delve into Squamish’s rich history with the Squamish Historical Society’s encore presentation of the Early Days of the Diamond Head Chalet on Friday, Dec. 14 at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. at the Squamish Adventure Centre Theatre.
“To be part of the audience is like being sent back in a time machine to a more pastoral period in our community’s history,” said Bianca Peters, society president. “The film points to the fact Squamish already experienced an active backcountry tourism sector in the middle of the last century. Who knew?”
The film follows the construction of the chalet and the Brandvold family’s exploration of Garibaldi Park by foot, ski and boat.
Rolf Brandvold, whose parents Ottar and Joan built and operated the Diamond Head Chalet, will narrate the film footage live as well as answer audience questions after the screening.
Admission is by donation.
A family Christmas of song
The Sea to Sky Singers gets everyone into the Christmas spirit with a production of WD Armstrong’s The Birth of the Messiah on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Squamish Baptist Church and Saturday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. at St. John’s Anglican Church.
The evening includes music from the Sea to Sky Singers directed by Veronica McPhee and the St. John’s Children’s Chorus directed by Tracy Stuchberry as well as special guests Three-O, a trio of sisters.
The family-fun concert includes jazzy numbers to speed up Santa’s arrival as well as traditional sing-a-longs.
Advance $10 tickets for adults and $8 for students and seniors are available at Billie’s Bouquet, Highland Video, Mostly Books and at the door in Squamish.
