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Celebrate Change with Chopra

Celebrate Change with Chopra

The renowned Indian spiritual physician and author, Deepak Chopra, is hosting a regional gathering right here in Whistler later this month.

On Thursday, Aug. 27, Chopra will take part in a public seminar entitled "Celebrate Change in B.C.," discussing a grassroots movement designed to expand awareness through co-operative participation, creating positive change through personal and social transformation. The movement is actually inspired by Chopra, carrying forward the famous message of spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi: "Be the change you want to see in the world."

The seminar will also explore the question of how to create a critical mass to expand this "conscious coherence" throughout the world. Chopra hopes to engage people in co-operative change and raise awareness of worldwide issues by hosting these local meetings.

The Whistler discussion is open to all community members, and organizers are expecting about 1,500 people to come join in the discussion, which will explore ways to end war, global warming, and human suffering.

Admission is by donation, with a suggested amount of $20 for adults and $10 for teenagers. Doors open at Community Exhibition Hall at the Telus Conference Centre at 6 p.m. The program starts at 7:30 p.m. and runs until 9:30 p.m.

Putting the Fun in Function Junction

After their first event held in July was a resounding success, the Whistler Arts Council has decided to host yet another ArtWalk event in the southern, oft-forgotten regions of Whistler - Function Junction.

On Friday, Aug. 21, WAC is hosting the second and final Function Block Party and this time around they're taking it up a notch, offering more venues, three party hotspots, two DJs and two live bands, plus live art and community mural. Whew! Talk about a block party.

Participating artists include Chili Thom, David Buzzard, Pascale Gadbois, Mike Barry, Anastasia Chomlack, Robin Dutcher Pryor, Dave Petko, Arne Guttman, Bea Gonzalez, Jason Cyr, Vicki English, Chad Chomlack, Justin Ormiston, Shawn Ackerman, Vanessa Stark, Hayley Wirshing, Suzy-Annick Raymond and Randy Smith. Venues include the Creation Station, Pique Newsmagazine's office, Mountain Blooms/Whistler Wedding Planners/Orkidz Art Studio, Cracked Pepper Catering, Black Ohm Tattoos, Patina Home Interiors, Art Junction Gallery, Millar Creek Café, Delish Cafe & Catering, and Podium Auto Detail.

The fun starts at 6 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m., with a free shuttle running from the taxi loop to Function, courtesy of Canadian All Terrain. The shuttle loops every half hour from Whistler Village Taxi Loop to Function Junction starting at 6 p.m., making a stop in Creekside at the Greyhound Bus Location on the way to Function. The last shuttle leaves Function at 9:15 p.m.

Now accepting applications

The community's treasured wintertime artisan market, better known as simply Bizarre Bazaar, is looking for a few good artists to participate in this year's two-day event, which takes place on Nov. 27 and 28 at the Telus Whistler Conference Centre.

What has become known as Whistler's original artisan market has built a solid reputation for finding unique, quality hand-made arts and crafts for people on the hunt for one-of-a-kind finds for the holidays. This year, the 21 st annual holiday craft fair, should be no exception, as over 100 artists from the Sea to Sky Corridor, Lower Mainland and beyond offer up an array of ceramics, clothing, fine art, wood, glass, metal works, jewelry, candles, aromatherapy products and, of course, Christmas decorations.

This vibrant community event also features live music, a silent auction, dance and fresh food to sustain shoppers. More than 5,000 people attend annually.

Any artists interested in becoming part of the two-day event should visit www.whistlerartscouncil.com for full application details and guidelines. WAC also provides assistance to one or two local emerging artisans interested in taking part in Bizarre Bazaar for the first time. The successful applicant must be a student enrolled in craft training programs or new artisans of any age who have been in their craft career for a maximum of three years. The selected new artisan(s) will have their booth fee reduced by 50 per cent.

This year, WAC is accepting portfolios and applications digitally through e-mail submissions or on CD. The application deadline is Friday, Aug. 21.

Tricks of the trade

Most Sea to Sky residents seem to have a serious appreciation for the extreme, coming out in droves to watch the latest big air tricks, in living colour and on the big screen. But have you ever wondered what goes into making an extreme adventure film? The Squamish Mountain Festival has the answers.

As part of the five-day festival, which runs from Wednesday, Aug. 12 to Sunday, Aug. 16, organizers have recruited some well-known film industry members to come out and talk about what it takes to make these movies happen. Simon Yates ( Touching the Void ), Peter Croft, Ian Parnell and Christian Begin ( Carts of Darkness ) will share their experiences (on-screen and off) with the audience during a seminar followed by a Q&A session on Saturday, Aug. 15.

Presented by Arc'teryx and the Media Arts Society of Squamish, the Adventure Filmmaking Seminar takes place at the Squamish Adventure Centre, starting at 10:30 a.m. and running until noon. Tickets are $15, available at the door or on-line at www.squamishmountainfestival.com .

Summer of Funny deadline extended

Pique Newsmagazine's Summer of Funny writing contest is well underway and great submissions are already coming in. However, given the late announcement of the contest, we've decided to move the deadline date back a month to give people more time to prepare. The new deadline is Friday, Aug. 28, with the winning submissions running in our Labour Day issue.

Pique is accepting humorous short stories, scripts, long format jokes and poems, and will be giving $400 in prize money to the top submissions. Pique's editorial staff will determine the winners, with a maximum prize of $250 for an outstanding submission.