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Hear & Now launches weekly online episodes

Arts News: Pumpkins compete for top prize at Tour De Pumpkins event; Sea to Sky Shorts Showcase participants revealed
Hear-and-Now-2018-02 (1) copy Photo by Scott Brammer
Arts Whistler’s Hear & Now Festival has taken place in the village in previous years. This year, like many other festivals, it’s moving online. Photo by Scott Brammer Photography

Arts Whistler is set to kick off an extra-long online edition of its Hear & Now music festival.

Starting on Thursday, Oct. 29, with The Combat Dolphins, new sessions with local bands and performers will be released on Facebook and YouTube (almost) every Thursday at 7 p.m. through to March 4. 

In total, 17 artists will be featured performing their original songs, as well as talking about their group, the music, and the inspiration behind it all. 

“Hosted by some familiar faces from Whistler’s music scene, check-out our line-up and make sure you don’t miss out on your favourites!” the website says. 

Local performers for the remainder of the year include: Little Biggs Band, Northern Ignition, Bob and Charlie, Brother Twang, Marble Canyon, Poor Dirty Sylvia, and Stephen Vogler & Some Assembly Required. 

Hear & Now first started in 2016 to highlight local musical talent in the fall when events in Whistler tend to slow down. Artists played outdoors around the village over one September weekend. 

To see the full 2020 lineup and find out more visit artswhistler.com/hearandnow.

Check out those pumpkins

Halloween parties might be off the table this year, but one way to get in the spirit of spooky season is to check out the new Tour De Pumpkins event, taking pace on Oct. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Florence Petersen Park.

If you just want to take in the carved-up gourds, you can bring your bubble (maximum six people) with masks to the park for a self-guided tour. Or if you’d rather part take in the artistry, carve your pumpkin in time for Oct. 30 then bring it to the park for a 6:15 p.m. check in—just remember to also bring it home at 8 p.m. to show off the next day. 

If you’re a business that wants to partake, email Arts Whistler ahead of time at cmatthews@artswhistler.com then get set to carve as many pumpkins as you’d like. The only difference is you can deliver them to the Maury Young Arts Centre on Oct. 29 between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. Otherwise, bring them to the park on Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. 

There will be prizes—with the winner chosen by a jury—announced at 7:30 p.m. (And, hey, keep those designs family friendly.) 

But there’s more! Pumpkins will be available for free on a first-come, first-served basis for both businesses and community members. (Thanks to Nesters!)

For more information, or to RSVP, head to artswhistler.com/event/tour-de-pumpkins

Sea to Sky Shorts Showcase participants announced

The Whistler Film Festival has announced the 14 filmmakers selected to compete in the first Sea to Sky Shorts Showcase. 

The local filmmakers—living anywhere from Horseshoe Bay to Birken and D’arcy—will have 20 days to shoot, edit, and submit their short film, shot in the Sea to Sky corridor. They will premiere during the Whistler Film Festival in December where the winner will receive a $2,000 cash prize. The top three teams will also win other prizes. 

Finalists include: Steve Andrews, Whistler; Roshan Beaven, Whistler; Alex Bielawski, Whistler; Janalee Budge, Whistler; Braden Dean of Vantage Media, Squamish; Anna Dziczkaniece and Helen Burt of Lot 17 Productions, Whistler; Wesley Finck, Mount Currie; Paul Haysom, Squamish; Kyle James, Whistler; Amanda Palmer, Squamish; Hugh Saint-Jacques, Whistler; Oscar Tweet and Kyle Killeen, Whistler; and Talia Wittenberg, Whistler.