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Arts Briefs

Olympic-sized forum

By Nicole Fitzgerald

The Sea to Sky Cultural Alliance moves forward with more than 140 community representatives exploring future opportunities to strengthen and promote the arts at the Sea to Sky Cultural Forum, Nov. 18 at the Sea to Sky Hotel in Squamish.

“I think the timing couldn’t be better,” said event director Heather Sharpe. “It’s almost a pre-formation of what could be a skeleton for a Cultural Olympiad.”

The forum aims to mobilize communities to build on existing opportunities and actions over the next five years, connecting them with governments, strategic partners and community leaders to leverage the opportunities the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games present.

The invitation-only, daylong engagement is hosted by Alliance members Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, mayor of the district of West Vancouver, and Max Wyman, major of Lions Bay.

Featured inspirational forum speakers include Jane Milner, assistant deputy minister to Stan Hagen, West Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA Joan McIntyre, and Minster of Tourism, Sport and the Arts . Representatives from the Alliance for Arts and Culture in Vancouver, the Okanagan Cultural Alliance and the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Committee will share relevant experiences and recommendations as well.

The Alliance has held monthly meetings with select stakeholders over the past six months and now aims to build a broader consensus on the benefits of collaborating to create an economic-generating cultural corridor.

Vote for local design

Recent Pemberton Secondary School graduate Alexandra Lamontagne is in all the fashion newspapers lately — literally.

The current Ryerson University student is one of 10 finalists chosen from more than 200 entries for Toronto’s Now Magazine fashion design competition where participants created a garment out of newsprint as part of Toronto Fashion Week.

The Pemberton youth was a recipient of a Whistler Arts Council scholarship this summer.

She submitted three original gowns for the Now competition. The winner will receive $1,000 as well as coverage in the Now November edition.

The public can vote for their favourite, including Lamontagne’s Komono-esque dress, by visiting www.nowtoronto.com/designerchallenge/ . Balloting closes Monday, Oct. 30 at 11 p.m.

The voting process only takes seconds, so log on to support our local talent.

Monster one-man show

From thrill rides to looks at the shadowy psychological pathway of violence lurking in the hearts of many, the one-man show Monster doesn’t forfeit its frightening grip for its Halloween showing Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. at the Brackendale Art Gallery located north of Squamish.

The main plot of the story centers on the tale of a suburban teenager who tortures and murders his father, cutting him up piece-by-piece with a hack saw. The plot explodes into other characters and stories, aiming to creep out audiences and also shed light on society’s urge to exploit violence and the way society turns children into monsters.

John Kei Mah of Vancouver executes the challenging role under the direction of Alex Bruhanski, founder of the Bruhanski Theatre Studio.

Tickets are $18. Advanced tickets are available at the BAG and Mostly Books. For more information, call 604-898-3333.

Horror Fest matinee

Tickets are still available for the matinee showing of the Fifth Annual Heavy Hitting Films B-Grade Horror Fest Monday, Oct. 30 at 4 p.m. at MY Millennium Place.

Staying true to tradition, the evening show sold out within days. The festival, showcasing local horror short films, is a favourite Halloween pastime.

Approximately 10 to 15 films celebrate the 1950s and ’60s horror film genre made famous by classics such as Devil Girl From Mars and Door to Door Maniac. Films are produced on a nickel and dime budget and packing in B-Grade horror clichés, including zombies, aliens, monsters, murderers, blood, guts and token nudity.

A jury decides the top film, along with choosing the best actor and actress. The winning film will not be announced until the sold-out evening showing.

Tickets are $10.

Film Fest passes now on sale

Advance passes for the Whistler Film Festival, Nov. 30 to Dec. 3, are now on sale.

The fifth annual festival hosts four days of screenings, both features and short-films, as well as education forums and parties.

There are three film package deals for festival attendees looking for a straight up film fest with no extras.

Passes including unlimited screenings are $99 for adults and $79 for students and seniors. The Cinematic Six Pack admits the pass holder to six film screenings for $50.

Passes ranging from $200 to $450 combine screenings with forums and parties. For more information, visit www.whistlerfilmfestival.com .

One, Singular Sensation Sea to Sky Entertainment players rehearse for the upcoming musical production of A Chorus Line Nov. 2 to 4 and 9 to 11 at the Eagle Eye Theatre in Squamish. The evening shows begin at 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturdays. Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for students and seniors. Advance tickets available at Billie’s Bouquet and the downtown branch of Squamish Savings.