Microsoft has added their Zune brand to the 2009 Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, hosting the annual (and much-loved) free outdoor concert series. Running from April 17 to 26, this year's lineup includes performances by Ozomatli, Ten Second Epic, Thornley, Lotus, The Arkells, The Stills, Metric, DJ Z Trip, and 54-40.
This year, the series also features an exciting chance for an emerging Canadian artist to get their big break, as organizers launch the Zune Concert Series Competition. Undiscovered artists are invited to upload an original track at www.zune.ca to enter the competition, with the winner to be decided by a panel of industry experts by Wednesday, April 11. The winner will be given the chance to play live at the Zune Concert Series, and be put in contact with agents, A&R reps and managers who will offer them advice on what it takes to succeed in the industry.
Members of the public are invited to visit the Zune site to hear and rate submissions for a chance to win a trip to TWSSF.
Styling the stars
The Loft's own Jack Noesgaard has been selected as the hairstylist of choice for the Artist's Sanctuary at the Juno Awards, which are being held in Vancouver on Sunday, March 29.
The Artist's Sanctuary serves as a meeting place for celebrity interviews and as a place for the media, VIPs and stars to hang out, relax and have their hair done before they are interviewed. A New York-based marketing firm, Know Affiliation, is hosting the Artist's Sanctuary, and if their name sounds familiar, that's because they hosted a similar event at Pemberton Festival last summer, where Noesgaard also took on the hairstyling duties. Apparently, he made such an impression that he has been asked to return to the Sanctuary, along with his top stylists, Nicole and Anais.
Taking filmmaking to the extrem e
Are you handy with a video camera and looking for your next big challenge? Local filmmaker, Peter Chrzanowski, is hosting an intensive mountain sport filmmaking course from April 13 to 20 and April 20 to 27, offering aspiring adventure filmmakers the chance to learn all the tricks of the trade.
Participants will ski and shoot during the day, learning about multi-camera operation, in-camera editing and other production aspects. Chrzanowski covers everything from the inception to distribution in the eight-day workshops.
For more information on the program, visit www.explorex.net or contact Chrzanowski at [email protected].
Lending a hand to our Aussie friends
Last month's Victorian bushfires killed almost 210 people, left another 10,000 homeless, and caused massive devastation in Australia. To lend a hand to our mates in Oz., a few local DJs have teamed up to organize a special fundraiser, which will be held at Moe Joe's on Tuesday, March 24.
For a minimum $5 cover donation, patrons can check out some awesome Aussie DJ talents, like Miss Instigator, DJ Crasey, Boaz and Canosis, who are donating their services for the evening. All proceeds from the door, coat check, and the sale of a keg of Kokanee will go to the Red Cross to help victims of the bushfires. Doors at 9 p.m.
To market, to market
It certainly isn't time (yet) for the summertime Farmer's Market, but the Westin Resort & Spa has another option for people who are looking to score some handcrafted wares during the chilly winter months.
The Westin has been hosting a new Artisan Market on a biweekly basis, offering up a wide range of food, jewelry and art created by local artists. The next market will be held on Thursday, March 26, featuring goodies by Nonna Pia's Gourmet Love Baking, Hinda's Cuisine, Whistler Chocolate and Astrid's Fine Foods, and artistic creations by Tess Klein Jewelry and Hidden Gems, so get your shopping bags ready!
Calling all Guitar Hero pros...
Sure, you can rock out in your living room, but what about on-stage, in front of a live audience, sans-guitar?
Here's a chance to find out what your inner rock God is made of. Whistler's very own Johnny Utah - Canada's 2008 Canadian Air Guitar Champion - hosts a special Whistler Air Guitar Competition at Buffalo Bill's on Monday, March 23.
Don your finest rock star outfit, practice your power chords and get ready to rock! The winner will walk away with a full day of catskiing for two, courtesy of Powder Mountain, while the runner-up takes home a backcountry wilderness run snowmobile tour from Canadian Snowmobile. Swing by Buffalo Bill's at any time to sign up.
