On Tuesday, Jan. 11, one of Whistler's favourite après hotspots is playing host to a slightly different type of entertainment. Rather than a band covering rock and roll classics, designed to get you up and on your feet boogying in your ski boots, the GLC presents a team of international headlining comedians as part of the annual Snowed In Comedy Tour.
After tearing up the mountain for the day, a team of four comedians - Dan Quinn, Phil Nichol, Craig Campbell and Paul Myerhaug - step into the spotlight on the first stop of their 23-date tour of Western Canada, to get people rolling in the aisles during an evening of stand-up comedy.
The tour was started in 2008, when Quinn had the idea of combining his two favorite passions: snowboarding and stand-up comedy. He came up with the Snowed In Comedy Tour, which has a schedule built around what ski hills the crew can hit during the day.
This year, the lineup has changed slightly with the addition of Nichol, who many Canadians will recognize from his time with Corky and the Juice Pigs. He has since moved to London, England, where he has established himself as one of the top comedians in the world.
Also joining the tour is Myrehaug, the Grand Champion of the Great Canadian Laugh Off. The four comedians on this tour are very different, but very talented, and have a number of television and festival credits to their names. Together, they'll make up an evening of comedy where everyone is sure to walk away with their own personal favorite.
Last year, the Snowed In Comedy Tour Whistler show sold out days in advance. Organizers are expecting this year to be no different, so get your tickets in advance! They're $15 for the first 50, and $25 after that. For more information on the show, visit www.snowedincomedytour.com.
Whistler's 'Old Lady' sings
Two long-time Whistler residents have released an amusing new single that's sure to hit a note with middle-aged folks, far and wide. Van Powel and Roxanne Chappell, a couple who have called Whistler home since 1995, have written, There's An Old Lady On The Outside of My Body.
"It all started when I was looking in the mirror putting on my make-up one day when I said to my husband, 'My god, there's an old lady on the outside of my body!'" Chappell wrote in an e-mail. "He laughed, but I saw that twinkle in his eye and by the next night he'd written me this song.
"I just howled," she said during a recent interview. "It just hit the nail right on the head, and was exactly how I feel some days."
A few days later, Powel talked Chappell into singing it at a girlfriend's birthday party as he played along on a baritone ukulele.
"...The reaction of the crowd told us we'd struck a chord with women of all ages.
"We figured we'd love our family and friends to hear it as well," she explained.
Powel has a musical background and all of the necessary equipment, so they decided to make a CD. The track was performed and recorded live at Whistler's Crystal Lounge a few years ago to a crowd that ranged in age from 20 to 60 years old. The cover artwork was done by Mike Ferrin, a Missouri artist. The single is available online at www.oldladysong.com.
Powel and Chappell had another musician record a version of the song in Nashville and plan to include that track in an upcoming release. They are also currently working on The Old Man Song.
"Everyone needs a good giggle," Chappell added.
Catch some dreams at SLCC
Families are invited to come out and catch a few dreams with a special family craft activity at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre Friday, Dec. 30, Saturday, Dec. 31, and again on Sunday, Jan. 2.
Drop by the SLCC with the whole family and make a dream catcher with the centre's ambassadors to take home as a keepsake of the holiday season in Whistler.
The workshops take place at 4 p.m. on each of the above dates, and the cost is included in admission to the centre (two complementary dream catchers per family with admission to the centre).
