After 12 years, and plenty of performances of "Dazed and Confused," Whistler's Led Zeppelin tribute band A Whole Lotta Led has expanded with new bass and mandolin player Cookie Losee.
"He's played around Whistler for a while. Funnily enough everybody who plays with A Whole Lotta Led lives in Pemberton now and it's easier for us to get together now. Our former bassist live on Denman Island," says frontman Greg Reamsbottom.
"Cookie is an excellent musician. He's helping us learn how to play better! He's primarily a reggae player," Reamsbottom says. "He's such a trained, intelligent musician and he had no trouble picking up our sound."
And, as they do at this time of year, they are performing as part of the A Whole Lotta Ribs night during the Canadian BBQ Championships at Dusty's on Friday, Aug. 1.
"We've been doing this for five, six years now. Led Zeppelin is such a generational draw. There are as many 19 year olds with Zeppelin T-shirts as there are guys and girls who saw them in 1972," he says. "It's one of those timeless bands."
This is one chance for A Whole Lotta Led to roll out their acoustic set of Zeppelin.
"People ask for it but because there is a lot of production involved, we don't always get to do it. And it's really fun," he says.
WFF Feature Project Lab for film Producers announced
Six budding movie producers from across Canada will learn more about the film industry this winter.
The second WFF Feature Project Lab, an intense, four-day business and marketplace immersion experience, is being presented by the Whistler Film Festival in association with Telefilm Canada.
It takes place from Dec. 2 to 5, during the 2014 Whistler Film Festival and Summit.
With the aim of advancing Canadian creative talent, the WFF Feature Project Lab focuses on strengthening dramatic feature projects from script to screen by facilitating feedback as well as collaboration on and investment in film projects that have US and international appeal.
Producers may enter a maximum of three projects. A selection committee consisting of two WFF representatives and two industry professionals, including a key international sales representative, will vet the applications and shortlist candidates for interviews before making final decisions.
Once projects have been selected, producers will receive feedback on their packages and some strategy discussions with Lab facilitators prior to the Lab. Two facilitators will provide high-level strategic advice and counsel to producers over the course of the Lab helping them to address feedback from industry advisors.
At the Feature Project Lab in Whistler, producers will receive strategic guidance and packaging feedback from international market experts and sales agents who have relationships with U.S. and international partners, select distributors and financiers most relevant to the projects, and experts in alternative distribution and marketing.
Canadian producers are invited to submit an application for the WFF Feature Project Lab by Sept. 30. Application forms and guidelines are available at whistlerfilmfestival.com.
Third China Canada Gateway for film competition seeks teams
Canadian screenwriters and film producers who are interested in co-producing their movies in China are invited to submitt their ideas for the third China Canada Gateway for Film Script Competition.
Presented by the Whistler Film Festival and Telefilm Canada, the competition introduces experienced writers and producers to Chinese studios looking to finance new projects.
"This initiative provides a unique opportunity to develop relationships with production companies in China, forge co-production deals, and ideally secure distribution of films into the massive Chinese marketplace," says Jane Milner, WFF's director of China Canada Gateway For Film.
Teams must submit an application and script synopsis by Sept. 30. For information, visit www.whistlerfilmfestival.com.
Singer-songwriter Cullin wins SVMF rising Star Talent Competition
Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Jess Cullin will be performing in front of thousands after winning the Squamish Valley Music Festival (SVMF) and Galaxie's Rising Stars talent competition.
Cullin, who also took home $3,000, grew up in Australia, toured Europe and decided to plant her folky-rock roots in B.C.
She will perform on the Meadow Stage at the festival on Friday, Aug. 8.
Musicians submitted videos to the competition online and thousands of fans voted for their favourite. Five judges made the final winner selection.
The SVMF is also participating in the Pianos in the Street project.
The project brings free, playable pianos to public spaces in Metro Vancouver from July 24 to Aug. 6 in the run-up to the festival.
The project will also be a part of the festival weekend, from Aug. 7 to 10.
Any amateur or professional pianist is encouraged to play, with cash prizes of up to $400 and a performance with the North Shore Symphony in 2015. Visit www.supportpiano.com.
For more information on SVMF visit www.squamishfestival.com.
Wearable art at logger sports festival
The annual Into the Woods wearable art fashion show is a chance for 13 adventurous artists to design pieces inspired by Squamish's forests and logging heritage.
The show, part of the 57th Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival, takes place at the Whistle Stop Boutique on Friday, Aug. 1 at 5:30 p.m.
Artists are challenged to explore Eco Chic, Upcycle and Recycle. Participants include Kylie Rebecca Milne, Myriam Millins, Karen Yaremkewich, Carol Ann Berkley, Vanessa Thackery Cunningham, Krisztina Egyed, Wazzo Kuku, Breanna Wilson, Lynn Wong, Billie's Bouquet, Jan Corkin, Elizabeth Harris, Catherine Nicholls, Masahiko Masuda and Shweta Bhattad.
The event is free. For more information visit www.squamishdays.ca.
Squamish holds 50th birthday picnic
The District of Squamish is hosting a community picnic to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The district was incorporated in 1964.
Representatives of the town's sister city, Shimizu, Japan, will also be on hand.
The picnic takes place on Monday, Aug. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at O'Siyam Pavillion Park on Cleveland Avenue.
This is a family-friendly free event with live music, storytelling and cake.
