This coming Wednesday evening, the film rolls for the final time at the shores of Lost Lake, as LUNA plays host to the last Lunafliks screening of the summer.
To wrap the season up right, they've decided to end on a nostalgic note, and have selected a crowd-pleasing favourite that heralds back to the inaugural days of Lunafliks screenings (back when they were called the Lost Lake Pic-Flics). In fact, those first two Lunafliks films were Run Lola Run and Amelie .
The first screening this month was Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Tom Tykwer (of Run Lola Run fame), and on Wednesday, Aug. 18, they'll be screening Micmacs , the latest film by director Jean-Pierre Jeunet ( Amelie ).
Micmacs tells the story of Bazil, an "inspired and gentle-natured dreamer" who doesn't have much luck: he was orphaned by a mine that exploded in the middle of the Moroccan desert, and years later was hit by a stray bullet that lodged in his brain. Released from hospital after his latest near-death accident, Bazil is taken in by a motley crew of junkyard dealers living in a modern-day Ali Baba's cave. Then one day, Bazil happens upon the building of the weapons manufacturers that caused all of his misfortune. He sets out to take revenge, with the help of his faithful gang of wacky friends, of course.
The feature film will be preceded by Whistler resident Robjn Taylor's short film, Firetruck Earrings.
This is your last crack at joining in the Lunafliks fun this summer, so dig out your hoodies, blankets and bug spray and head down to the event, which starts at 8:30 p.m. with a BBQ and music. Catch a free shuttle from the gondolas starting at 8:30 p.m.
Entry is $7, and the BBQ spread costs an additional $5. In the event of rain, Lunafliks will move indoors to Lost Lake Passivhaus. Visit www.lunawhistler.com for more film details, and call the Lunafliks hotline 604-966-4800 or download the Pique iPhone app for day-of weather updates.
Support Whistler's storytellers
In small towns like Whistler, gossip can spread like wildfire. And as everyone knows, things can get messy pretty quick when playing a veritable game of "telephone." Instead, we need a group of real, reliable storytellers to collect, preserve, document and interpret the natural and human history of the community.
Enter the Whistler Museum.
This valuable community group has been toiling away quietly behind the scenes, sharing the inspirational stories of Whistler and its founding fathers with residents and visitors alike.
Now, they're looking to get a little love back from the locals: they're hosting a benefit event at Creekbread on Tuesday, Aug. 17, hoping to raise funds for future programming and other initiatives to keep Whistler's true history alive.
From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., people can come out and dig into some fresh pizza and beer with family and friends, while Glenn Mishaw entertains the crowd with an acoustic set or two.
Anyone who comes out to take part in the event will have a chance to win a door prize. People can also purchase tickets for a raffle with a bunch of great prizes up for grabs: $500 worth of Nesters Market Gift Certificates, a Nesters gift basket, two Zoom Zipline passes for Wildplay Whistler, a five-day Edge Card for Whistler Blackcomb, a one-night stay at the Westin, four movie passes for two to Village 8 Cinemas, and two passes to the Scandinave Baths.
For more information on the event, and to find out what the Whistler Museum does, visit www.whistlermuseum.org.
Last call for Bizarre art
Whistler's original artisan market, Bizarre Bazaar, will take place on Nov. 26-27 this year. Organizers are asking any artisans interested in taking part to get their submission packages together, ASAP.
The annual event features over 100 artisans from throughout the Sea to Sky corridor and across the province working in a range of mediums including ceramics, wood, glass, jewelry, metal, leather, aromatherapy, food and clothing. In addition to the assortment of handcrafted goods, the two-day event includes local entertainment and a silent auction. Bizarre Bazaar attracts more than 5,000 visitors each year.
The Bazaar is a juried process, with the majority of products handcrafted. At least 65 per cent of accepted artisans will be from the Sea to Sky region.
Anyone interested in selling their wares at the 2010 Bizarre Bazaar must submit an application, which includes clear photos, a detailed description of their work and a photo or drawing of their booth set-up.
Visit www.whistlerartscouncil.com for guidelines and to apply online. But the deadline for application is Friday, Aug. 13 at 4 p.m., so get your package together quickly!
Where Arts and Business collide
Do you know a local business or businessperson who has made a significant contribution to Whistler's art scene? You should consider nominating them for the 2010 Business and the Arts Award.
This is the seventh year that the Whistler Arts Council and Whistler Chamber of Commerce have offered the award, which recognizes a local business or individual business leader for making a significant contribution to Whistler's arts, culture and heritage community within the past year.
Support can be given through sponsorship, volunteerism, professional services or products, marketing or public relations donations, or business leadership that demonstrated support for the arts above and beyond basic commercial benefits.
Past recipients include Whiski Jack Resorts Ltd. Whistler, Rocky Mountain Production Services Whistler, Whistler Real Estate Company Limited, Nesters Market , Pique Newsmagazine and Sue Adams.
The recipient will be chosen from a panel of businesses nominated by the arts, culture and heritage organizations of Whistler, with the winner announced at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon in September.
Nomination forms are available from the Whistler Arts Council and must be submitted by Friday, Aug. 27. Contact WAC at 604-935-8410 or dniedermayer@artswhistler.com for more information or for entry forms.
