Anticipating a spike in attendance for 2013, the Whistler Arts Council has decided to move the Whistler Children's Art Festival to Olympic Plaza.
Organizers estimate the venue change could increase attendance to 5,000, up from 3,000 last year.
"Moving the festival to Whistler Olympic Plaza has been on the radar for WAC for the last two years," says Doti Niedermayer, WAC executive director, in a press release. "The strong relationships we have established with Creekside businesses and accommodation providers have been integral to the festival's success so it caused hesitation."
The festival, which features family-friendly arts events and activities, started in the village, but moved to Myrtle Philip Community School in 1992 before heading over to Creekside in 2005. It will run July 13 and 14 for its 30th year.
Organizers say they hope the central location will give families "more choice in planning their weekend" this year.
WSSF events sell out
Procrastinators, consider this a life lesson.
The World Ski and Snowboard Festival's Pro Photographer and 72 Hour Filmmaker Showdowns are already sold out, despite the fact that both are still nearly two months away.
The events — which each pit competitors against each other with a set amount of time to capture action on the mountain then show a selection to a crowd — have both historically been some of the festival's most popular, so, really, you should've known better.
Organizers say you can still purchase tickets for Intersection, another contest in which filmmakers are given seven days to shoot and produce a snow-sports film, and the 72-hour Filmmaker Encore.
The festival runs this year from April 12 to 21. For more information visit www.wssf.com.
Bass Coast art grant
The Bass Coast Festival — which recently announced it's moving from its Squamish home to a site in Merritt — has $20,000 in grants up for grabs for visual artists as part of its art installation programming.
The deadline for applications is March 1. "It's a big jump from last year and it opens the door for people to get involved," co-founder Andrea Graham told Pique recently.
The grants are allocated for different types of art, ranging from large-scale installations to interactive media. The music and art festival has "always been inspired by Burning Man culture with everyone participating," Graham adds, referring to the eclectic Nevada festival that focuses heavily on art and installations. "Part of that process is you don't have to have won an art grant to bring your art."
More information is available at basscoast.ca.
Moose in a Top Hat returns
After performing their debut show in Whistler in December, Moose in a Top Hat is back for an encore Feb. 28.
The Vancouver-based performers combine comedy and magic and add a bit of Vaudeville for a quirky two-hour show. Come check out Christopher Taylor, a mind-reading magician, his comedic counterpart Matthew Johnson and husband-wife magic act Trevor and Lorena Watters.
Tickets are $25 at Millennium Place or artswhistler.tix.com.
Art workshop
The Brackendale Art Gallery is hosting a workshop to help wannabe painters tap into their creativity, even if they've never picked up a brush.
Point Zero Painting with Sophie Brunet is running March 2 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. to guide participants to "reclaim the magic of spontaneous expression."
Brunet is a Squamish-based art therapist experienced at helping both painters and non-artists use painting to breakthrough creative blocks. The course costs $90 with equipment included. To register call 604-898-3333 or info@brackendaleartgallery.com.
