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Arts News

Barenaked Ladies, Tom Cochrane booked for Whistler Olympic Plaza

Two of Canada's classic recording artists, Barenaked Ladies and Tom Cochrane, will play free concerts at Whistler Olympic Plaza in August.

Cochrane, best known for the hit "Life is a Highway," will play Friday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. The 'naked Ladies, who scored a hit in the U.S. with One Week, are booked for Sunday, Aug. 21.

Also booked is reggae-tinged singer-songwriter Jason Mraz, who'll be backed by percussionist Toca Rivera, for Friday, Aug. 5. More acts will be confirmed for Aug. 6 but so far no details are available.

The acts are part of the Whistler Presents Concert Series, which will take place over five weekends in August and September as part of the Resort Municipality of Whistler's Festivals, Events and Animation (FEA) program.

Visit www.piquenewsmagazine.com for up to date lineup information.

100 Years of Dreams kicks off Saturda y

Did you know that Alex and Myrtle Philip arrived at Alta Lake 100 years ago this summer? Of course you did, because everyone's been talking about it. And because Whistler has never known war, famine or freedom through bloodshed, we'll have to use the arrival of two adventurous fisher-people a century ago as reason to celebrate Whistler's birth.

And celebrate we will. Spearheaded by the Whistler Museum, "100 Years of Dreams" kicks off Wednesday with the Rainbow Park Flotilla and Fun Day on Aug. 3, the Whistler Writer's Group presentation of "Rolled Into Town and Broke My Wheels" and a Retro Toonie Race on Aug. 4. There are walking tours every day at 1 p.m. and, of course, street entertainment throughout the weekend. Performances will include Paint Off! on Aug. 6 and 7, where 10 local artists will create an art piece over two days in Village Square, themed "100 Years of Dreams." Local musicians will play throughout the weekend as well.

Vote for your favourite Whistler Anthem

Speaking of local musicians, Mountain FM is hosting the Whistler Anthem Project in conjunction with the 100 Years of Dreams celebrations, giving local musicians the chance to pen Whistler's own theme song.

Calls for entry are already closed but voting is open to the public via Mountain FM's website until this Friday. There are 29 submissions from artists as well known as Brother Twang, Rachel Thom and Kostaman, along with lesser-known names.

The online voters will select a shortlist of five qualifying songs, which will then be performed at a special concert at Millennium Place on Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. There, the performers will be judged by a panel of four judges - including former YTV The Hitlist host Tarzan Dan, songwriter Norman Foote and Whistler's own mega-ultra-super-rock star Mayor Ken Melamed. The winner of this contest will win $5,000.

Visit www.whistleranthemproject.strutta.com to vote.

Get "Into the Woods"

The Squamish Arts Council is launching its "Into the Woods" art exhibit in conjunction with the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival Thursday, Aug. 4 in the park outside the arts council office.

The exhibit's opening party theme will revolve around the Little Red Riding Hood story. Artists and participants will dress and create artwork relating to the theme, including sweet treats made by a 12-year-old artist that will be served from Red Riding Hood's picnic basket. There will be live painting and traditional First Nations dancing, as well as a premier showing of the SAC's own Alice of Wonderlands video.

The exhibit is now included in the United Nation's International Year of the Forest program, a global platform to celebrate people's action to sustainably manage the world's forests.