The Whistler Film Festival Society recently welcomed another film aficionado into the fold, appointing Stacey Donen as artistic director for the festival.
Donen has an extensive background in the industry, working as director of programming for The Royal, a programmer for Reel Canada, and a filmmaker. He has also worked with the Toronto International Film Festival, Festival Group, Film Circuit, and The Voices Forward Festival.
"Stacey is truly passionate about film and we are delighted to have (him) lead our programming team. He has built strong relationships with filmmakers, distributors and audiences during his ten-year career as a professional programmer," WFFS executive director, Shauna Hardy Mishaw, said in a recent press release, "As artistic director, Stacey will be the creative lens of our festival and our ambassador both in Canada and abroad."
A completed masterpiece
Local artists Corinna Haight and Daniel Poisson have recently put the finishing touches on an impressive two-wall mural beneath the Blackcomb Way bridge underpass. The finished project, entitled "Full Circle" is a bright and colourful depiction of the natural world, starting from the highest peaks, descending to the depths of the ocean, and ascending once again.
Haight and Poisson were commissioned by the Resort Municipality of Whistler to complete the piece, and were assisted by Craig Ross and the crew at CR Contracting, Auli Parviainen, Jane Roberts at Incognito Event Décor, Dave Petko, Randy Smith and many more community members.
If you haven't checked it out yet, take a quick stroll to the upper village via the covered bridge - its well worth the trek.
Hiking through history
Ever wondered what Whistler was like 20 years ago? Heard the one about the village being built on a garbage dump? Well, here's your chance to find out more about this unique little town that we call home: during the warm summer months, the Whistler Museum hosts daily tours of the town.
Starting at 1 p.m. at the Information Centre for the duration of June, July and August you can tag along with a local guide on a walking tour of the village, transporting them back through time to see how Whistler took shape.
Admission is by donation. For more information, contact 604-932-2019.
Summer of Funny
Pique Newsmagazine is hosting the Summer of Funny, a humour-writing competition, with $400 in cash up for grabs for the top entries.
Send your stories, poems, scripts, long-format jokes or other humourous pieces to Pique Newsmagazine at andrew@piquenewsmagazine.com by Thursday, July 23. People can enter as many times as they like, with a maximum length of 2,000 words per entry. Pique editorial staff will judge the entries and award prizes subjectively, with a maximum of $250 going to a single outstanding submission. The winning stories will be printed in the July 30th issue of the Pique.
Rick's Rock 'n' Roll Revival
Rick Flebbe was a beloved Whistlerite, contributing to many aspects of the community throughout the years including the arts through his work in music and photography. He passed away suddenly earlier this year, and on Thursday, June 11, Buffalo Bill's will host a celebration of life in his honour.
Catlow, Brother Twang and DJ Peacefrog will be performing throughout the evening, starting at 9 p.m., so come on out and raise a glass to honour one of Whistler's local legends!
