Its not just athletes with their sights firmly set on the Olympics. Celebration 2010 is now underway with a large selection of events aimed at showcasing what Whistler has to offer in terms of arts, culture, and entertainment.
During the three week festival, many of Whistlers successful societies and community groups will display their world-class talents.
Heres a snapshot of whats coming up in the next week or so:
Friday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m. at MY Place
Alta Lake School presents Tango Paradiso, a combination of classical and new music with authentic tango dancers to create an original tango language. Ph: 604-935-8418
Feb. 14 and 16, 10:30 a.m.
Whistler Public Library presents Storytime, for pre-school children. Ph: 604-932-5564
Sunday, Feb. 16, 10 a.m. at MY Place
Whistler Arts Council presents the Whistler Art Tour, a free guided tour of Whistler's Art Galleries & Public Art. Ph: 604-935-8419
Sunday, Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m. at base of Whistler Mountain
Fire & Ice: Whistler Welcome Night. An eclectic mix of music, dance and spinning fire with athletes flipping and twisting through a burning ring of fire.
Thursday, Feb. 20, 7 and 9 p.m. at MY Place
Whistler Film Festival presents a showcase of adventure films by local favourites featuring the NFB production of Ski Bums, Treetop Film's Fourplay and the snowboarding film Clockwork. Tickets only $10. Ph: 604-935-8418.
Friday, Feb. 21, 8 p.m. at MY Place
Whistler Arts Council presents The bluehouse, an Australian all-female acoustic folk group mixing drop-dead gorgeous harmonies with wickedly mouthy humour. The Whistler Singers open. Ph: 604-935-8418.
Saturday, Feb. 22, 12 5 p.m. in the Village Square
Tourism Whistler will highlight components of Cornucopia Whistler's Food & Wine Celebration as a prelude to the seventh annual festival running Nov. 5-9, 2003. The weekend begins with an outdoor ice wine tasting, Grapes at Minus 8 Degrees, featuring the nouveau flamenco sounds of Vancouver's Alma Libre, complemented by an ice sculptor showcase. Tickets are $5 on-site.
Saturday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. at MY Place
Whistler Museum & Archives Society presents The Heritage of Our Town: Olympic Experiences, an evening with past Olympians from the Whistler area to talk about their Olympic experience. Admission is free.
Saturday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m. for tots and 11 a.m. for 4/5 year olds at MY Place
Whistler Public Library presents "Dance a story, dance a song, skip, twirl, dance along." A workshop for children with Mary Elizabeth Manley, associate professor of dance at York University. Ph: 604-932-5564.
Sunday, Feb. 23, 1 3 p.m. in the Westin Resort & Spa
Day 2 of the Cornucopia preview with Guilty Pleasures of the Canadian Palate. Enthusiasts will indulge in a two-hour taste-a-thon, exploring the latest culinary inventions from Whistler's hottest restaurants, while savouring sips from Canada's finest wineries and leading breweries. Tickets are $24.95 Ph: 604.938.2769
Ongoing throughout the month:
Daily at MY Place
Face to Face, a clay exhibit by Glen McMillan and paintings by Toya Harris.
Daily at MY Place
Whistler Museum & Archives Society presents an exhibition of Hats & Helmets from past Olympic Games.
Nightly in the village
Whistler Photographic Society presents an outdoor digital slide show
capturing Whistler and mountain sports by our top professional
photographers. Admission is free.