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LUNA shines in December

Group hosts series of activities during the holiday season

A local group that organizes and hosts affordable alcohol-free events throughout the year have had a particularly busy holiday season.

Late and Unique Nighttime Alternatives (LUNA) is a community initiative that offers creative late-night activities as a healthy substitute for Whistler’s nightlife. Kiran Pal-Pross is coordinator of the LUNA program.

“LUNA is a crime prevention, recreation program that offers alternatives to the bar scene, so that young adults in Whistler can lead a more balanced life and see a little bit more than just the inside of a bar while they’re here,” she explained.

Among LUNA’s most popular events are the LUNAFLIKS outdoor film experience held at Lost Lake during the summer months, and the Sea to Sky Battle of the Bands.

So far this month, they’ve held drop-in floor hockey and dodge ball sessions, hosted a Japanese theme night, and held a jam session.

Part of the reason they have had so many events planned for December is because lately, Pal-Pross says people have been approaching LUNA to help plan new events. They’ve recently partnered with LuLu Lemon to host a monthly yoga session and Village 8 Cinemas to host midnight movies.

In the new year, they will also be partnering with the library to host a music documentary night called “the screening room.”

Last Friday, they held the first of three jam sessions planned before they hold their annual Battle of the Bands competition. Pal-Pross explained the sessions began after some local musicians contacted her.

“They said that they wanted a place to jam that wasn’t in a bar, because in a bar you have the pressure of an audience and you have the pressure of having to increase beer sales, and things like that.”

This year’s jam sessions will also include hour-long workshops with local musicians, with Rachel Thom, winner of last year’s Battle of the Bands, hosting a song-writing workshop during Friday night’s jam session.

LUNA also has a Christmas dinner planned for Dec. 21, at the Spruce Grove Field House.

If you’re between the ages of 18 and 35, and are interesting in becoming a LUNA member, you can purchase a membership at the Whistler Employment Resource Centre, or most LUNA events.

For more information and a complete schedule of LUNA events, visit www.lunawhistler.com.