I Bleed Black debuts… Whistler filmmaker Jamie Houssian’s documentary, I Bleed Black, was screened for a full house last Friday at Millennium Place.
"There was a good local crowd out there, and I’ve been really happy when people have said even if they don’t play ultimate, there’s something in the film they can relate to like the relationships involved," says ex-Black Tide member Houssian.
With parents in support, friends, and a healthy looking, youngish crowd, milling about, cocktails in hand, prior to the 8:30 p.m. show the reception area outside Franz Wilhelmsen Hall was buzzing. But things quietened down as the story unfolded on screen. The question remained, would Black Tide, the University of California at Santa Barbara ultimate frisbee team, make the national championships?
"There’s a lot of things going down you can’t predict – that’s part of the beauty of documentary," says Houssian, who edited the footage here in Whistler this past year from 150 hours (shot from January to May, 2001) down to 90 minutes. From years of play, to time spent editing with co-filmmaker Jim Griswald, Houssian adds "it’s definitely the longest term project I’ve ever had."
The team is waiting on acceptance of submission to the Vancouver International Film Festival among others, and hope to find a sports TV buyer.
Sing! Moving Chords show choir summer camp returns July 22 to 26…
Choir co-founders Sadie Culliford and Colleen Koop are presenting Moving Chords, a 2002 summer show choir camp for young children, ages five through seven.
"It’s a chance to give kids a focus, and learn about music and movement," says Culliford.
The music participation sessions teach young children about music and show performance, in two different locations. The first (for ages five through seven) takes place from July 22 to 26 in Whistler, and the second camp (for ages five through 10) takes place from July 29 through Aug. 2 in Squamish at the Baptist Church, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The Whistler camp takes place in the Millar Room at Myrtle Philip school from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Children lean how to rehearse a show, which culminates in a performance in the village, the location to be announced. Songs to be performed by the children include Hakuna Matata from the Lion King, as well as Teresa Jennings’ Dancin’ on the Roof.
The Squamish camp performance will be with entertainer Norman Foote at the Logger Sports Show. Interested parties can register online at www.movingchordschoir.org or mail in a printed form, with cheques payable to Moving Chords 2002 Summer Camp.
For more information contact Sadie Culliford at 604-932-4908.
Budding talent…
Open Mic is happening every Wednesday at the Pemberton Hotel, which is under new ownership this year. Host Randy Phelan, of Whistler Music, says "The heat’s been keeping them away, but the evening really picked up last Wednesday."
Whistler’s Downtown Jay Brown and the White Guy (who play Merlin’s July 19) played a few ballads at the Pem Ho last Wednesday. Encouraged by the sounds of a stand-up bass, several female singers jumped in on back up for another collective, and other locals showed their deftness at playing the spoons and harmonica.
"Everyone likes live entertainment, and I encourage everyone to go up and try," says Phelan. The show begins at 9 p.m. Arrive early to be added to the set list, or reserve a good seat.
Whistler Writer’s weekend workshop still has room…
August 16 through 18, keynote speaker Andreas Schroeder (co-chair of UBC’s Creative Writing program), leads the Whistler Writer’s weekend workshop. Organizer Stella Harvey says spaces are still available. Interested applicants should submit a manuscript no longer than 4,000 words.
Writers receive both individual feedback from Schroeder as well as group feedback.
The fee for the workshop is $140 for the weekend, or for individual lectures which take place Saturday, the fee is $15 for one, $25 for two. Contact Harvey at 604-932-4518.
Harvey is currently shopping around her new novel, a "psychological story about an older woman voyeur, who lives her life watching others from her living space, imagining what their lives might be like."
