This Thursday, Aug. 21 will be the final offering for LUNA’s Lost Lake outdoor summer film series and the organizers hope more people than ever will come out to support it.
The inaugural twice-monthly event, that organizers say is 90 per cent locals, has attracted an average of 600 people per screening since July. Armed with picnics, blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and low lawn chairs, families and friends of all ages have been setting up camp from early afternoon till midnight at the spectacular location. However, the high cost associated with putting on open-air cinema could be the deciding factor on whether it comes back again next year.
LUNA – which stands for Late and Unique Nighttime Alternatives – has been staging liquor-free events throughout the winter at various indoor venues around town including Meadow Park Sports Centre and MY Place. LUNA co-ordinator Tessa McLoughlin said the Lost Lake Park setting has been the perfect location for summer’s social gatherings, aimed at giving people an alternative to the bar scene.
"I knew that Whistler was needing an event like this but I was very surprised and thrilled at how quickly the Pic-Flicks were so enthusiastically received. We heard noting but positively-charged feedback and I think that we can see there is a need for cheep and alcohol-free events in Whistler. It’s been great to be part of an event primarily aimed at locals and I hope we continue to receive the support from the community for future programming."
At present all costs associated with the event have been covered by an entrance fee of $2, but McLoughlin said prices may have to rise in the future to cover the people who avoid paying by sneaking in through the bushes.
"That’s really been the only disappointment with the evening. Some people jump the fence, others say they’ve got no money or some even make a scene they have to pay at all for the privilege," says McLoughlin. "I very purposely kept the entrance fee to an absolute minimum with the idea of making it accessible to all, but I don’t know of anywhere where you can go and see a movie for $2 – not even in your own living room. It is unfortunate that these people really feel the need to cheat this small cost, which in turn could cheat the Whistler public out of an event that they so obviously love. I hope these few folks thank the many people who do believe this event is worth it by paying more than $2 for the opportunity."
Be aware Thursday’s screening of Amelie is a French film with English subtitles. Shuttle buses will be running from the village transit loop to Lost Lake and back from 9 p.m. and the fire ban is still in effect.
Winter’s LUNA event series will start up again in late October. To get on the mailing list e-mail tessaoutreach@hotmail.com.
