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Manley garners gold, again

Jordan Manley has solidified his reputation as one of the top action sports photographers in the industry, winning yet another photography competition. (This makes it seven for seven, if anyone's counting.

Jordan Manley has solidified his reputation as one of the top action sports photographers in the industry, winning yet another photography competition. (This makes it seven for seven, if anyone's counting.)

On Wednesday evening, Manley enthralled the audiences and judges at the second annual Deep Summer Photo Challenge, a competition that saw six very talented photographers head out into the bike park and trails surrounding Whistler over the span of three days, aiming to capture all the awe-inspiring action on offer. Each photographer then created a slideshow, which was presented to a panel of judges and a sold-out house of 1,100 people at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

After some serious deliberation, Manley emerged victorious, taking home $3,000 for his efforts. Nicolas Teichrob of Robert's Creek captured second place and a $2,000 prize. And legendary Whistler photographer Paul Morrison took home $1,000 for third place, plus an additional $1,000 for Best Photo. Sven Martin and Saint Wildcard photographers Steve Lloyd and Adrian Marcoux were also contenders at this year's competition.

Manley's team was made up of pro riders Darcy Turenne, Mike Hopkins and Thomas Vanderham, but he also showed some love to the unsung heroes of the bike park: the Whistler Mountain Bike Park Trail Crew. His images captured this motley crew in action, giving people a glimpse into the effort and dedication that's infused in the dirt and wood on every trail in the park.

"I think this event is super important to the progression of mountain biking," Darcy Turenne, Deep Summer emcee, pro rider and member of Manley's team said. "Events like this allow people to see what is going on deep in the woods and it is such a beautiful visual showcase to expose the soul of the sport. As an athlete I felt honoured to be a part of this competition. It is prestigious to work with such talented photographers. The time constraints make it a huge team effort and we really bonded. Definitely some of the most fun shooting I have ever done."

 

Film Festival Society gathers this week

The Whistler Film Festival Society (WFFS) is hosting their Annual General Meeting on Friday, Aug. 20, and inquiring minds are welcome to attend and find out what the society has been doing over the past year and what their plans are for 2010/2011.

The society aims to further the art of film by providing programs that focus on the discovery, development and promotion of new talent, culminating with the Whistler Film Festival in December.

The WFFS board of directors is comprised of up to 11 directors, with up to eight elected annually for a one- or two-year term. Two directors may be appointed and the two Co-founders may hold Founding Member Directors positions. Appointments and election of the executive are made following the AGM at a board meeting.

Members and non-members of the society are invited to attend the meeting, though only members may vote at the meeting.

The AGM will be followed by a cash bar reception at 6 p.m. to introduce the new board of directors and to raise awareness of the society's Future in Focus fundraising campaign, which aims to transform Whistler's Rainbow Theatre into a state-of-the-art screening venue, creating a permanent home for the festival.

The AGM takes place at the Rainbow Theatre, which is located in the Whistler Conference Centre, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Anyone interested in attending the AGM is asked to RSVP to kebers@whistlerfilmfestival.com or 604-938-3206.

 

Saving the Art Workshops

Recent budget cuts to the provincial B.C. Arts Council and Gaming Grants have impacted a range of arts and cultural organizations throughout the province, including one of Whistler's popular arts programs, the annual Arts Workshops on the Lake.

The Whistler Arts Council (WAC) program is in its fifth season, offering two- to four-day workshops in a range of visual arts, led by world-renowned professional artists from across the country. The workshops take place throughout the summer at the rustic lakeside setting of the Alta Lake Station House.

Now, WAC is asking art lovers and patrons to come out and support this popular program by attending a fundraising event at Nita Lake Lodge on Sunday, Sept. 12, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The event will feature a raffle of original artwork created by emerging and professional artists, including some of the Art Workshops instructors. Raffle tickets for the small canvases are $50 each, and as people's names are drawn, they choose a piece of artwork on a "first come, first served" basis.

The evening will also feature a cash bar, complimentary appetizers and a chance to mingle with fellow artists and supporters of the arts.

The arts council is calling on aspiring artists to consider contributing to the event by painting a canvas (which they will supply) for the raffle. The deadline for artwork submission is Friday, Sept. 3.

Contact WAC to purchase your ticket to the celebration or to pick up a canvas for creation.

 

If kids built Whistler...

The Whistler Museum's hotly anticipated 14th Annual LEGO Building Competition, has a very interesting theme this year. Organizers are asking Whistler's youngest residents to show them what Whistler would look like if they were in charge, tasking participants to "Build Your Own Resort."

Would there be a sliding centre or bike park? More swimming pools and skate parks, perhaps?

To help inspire the creative process, the competition will begin with a short presentation on the real, historical development of Whistler. Then, the kids are off on a 45-minute session of intense LEGO building.

This year's judges include Sally Reid, a long-time Whistler resident and artist; Mayor Ken Melamed; Isobel MacLaurin, an active community member and artist; and Lauren Stara, Director at the Whistler Public Library.

In addition, a range of local businesses and sponsors, including Blenz Coffee, Orkidz Art Studio, Earls Kitchen & Bar, Armchair Books, Cows Ice Cream, Whistler Blackcomb, The Grocery Store, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Whoola Toys and LEGO Canada Inc., are offering up some great prizes: two $10 Gift Certificates for Armchair Books, a Blenz gift basket, two day passes to art camp at Orkidz Art Studio, three $10 and two $25 gift certificates to the Old Spaghetti Factory, and a family Peak 2 Peak pass for Whistler Blackcomb.

The competition takes place on Saturday, Aug. 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Whistler Museum. Competition entry is $10 per family, which includes admission to the museum. All proceeds from the event go towards programming at the Whistler Museum.

Pre-registration is required, so anyone interested in taking part should contact Jennifer Pringle at 604-932-2019 or programs@whistlermuseum.org.

 

Blank Slate bringing two shows

This year's Blank Slate Theatre Festival is shaping up to be four evenings of fun for theatre-lovers, as organizers have hand-picked two edgy comedies that are sure to have the audience chuckling and chortling their way through the shows.

The festival will feature two shows each day: the Canadian premiere of an existential comedy entitled Almost an Evening from legendary writer Ethan Coen (The Big Lebowski and Fargo) and a quirky one-woman show about an enthusiastic children's performer who gets knocked up in The Big Oops.

The festival takes place at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre from Wednesday, Sept. 1 to Saturday, Sept. 4.

A combo ticket to both shows is $35, while one show only is $20. Tickets are now on sale, and are available at the Whistler Activity Centre or online at www.blankslatetheatre.ca .