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Rainbow Theatre project denied federal funding

Plus, WAC and the RMOW search for performance series talent
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The Whistler Film Festival Society has been denied a federal grant for its Rainbow Theatre project, the Resort Municipality of Whistler confirmed Wednesday.

The organization applied for a Western Diversification grant through the federal government to help fund its $2.7 million renovation for the theatre, which would become the home base for the December festival.

But losing the grant has bigger implications for the project. In the fall, the RMOW's Economic Partnership Initiative Committee, which doles out the municipality's Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) funds, recommended council withhold around $350,000 in the 2013 budget for the theatre until WFFS secured funding for the entire project.

"We are disappointed that this grant was not successful," a spokesperson for the RMOW, said in an email. "We must step back and look at how to proceed moving forward. No specific next steps are in place at this time."

Shauna Hardy Mishaw, WFFS executive director, declined to comment.

Wanted: street performers, buskers

We might barely be into spring, but the Whistler Arts Council and the Resort Municipality of Whistler are both anticipating warm, sunny days ahead. The organizations have put out a call to artists, street performers and musicians to apply for their Whistler Street Entertainment and Busking on the Fitzsimmons Trail programs.

The WSE series runs from the May long weekend until September and features live music, dance, arts and crafts and clowns around Whistler Village. Last year, about 90 artists and performers participated throughout the summer.

One highlight: the two-day Paint Off! developed by Pemberton artist Vanessa Stark. That competition featured artists painting live in the village. "WSE has provided me with so many amazing opportunities," Stark says in a release. "I've been able to promote my work and meet new friends in other artists, art lovers and art buyers."

The deadline to apply is April 30.

The busking series, which ran as a pilot program last year, will also return with entertainers of all stripes showcasing their work throughout the Fitzsimmons Creek and Rebagliati Park area. As part of this program, the performers offer up their show (or work) for money from passersby, rather than WAC. There will be two rounds of applications for busking, but the first deadline is May 3. Applicants will have to audition. For more information on both, visit artswhistler.com.

Vote for hometown filmmaker's new project

Remember Peter Harvey?

The Whistler-bred filmmaker's feature film Picture Day won top nod at the Whistler Film Festival this year with the coveted Borsos award. Now, the Toronto transplant is producing his next movie and he and the crew need your help.

The Next Morning, an indie rom-com about a weekend fling between a bumbling romantic and a free spirit, is currently competing for the CineCoup Film Accelerator contest in which indie films from across the country vie for $1 million in financing, along with release in Cineplex theatres. The competition started out with 90 projects, but has since been whittled down to 60, including Harvey's film. The next round of voting runs from April 4 to 7 with subsequent cuts made until June 2.

Fans play a big part by offering feedback, voting and rating the films. You can sign up to vote by visiting cinecoup.com and logging in with Facebook or your e-mail address. Check out Harvey's film trailer and synopsis at cinecoup.com/thenextmorning.

For the record

Last week,

Pique spoke to local artist Arne Gutmann about Night Lights, the photography exhibit he curated for the Scotia Creek Gallery.

At the opening reception April 1, Gutmann revealed that he made up the other photographers in the show and the work was actually all his.

WAC gets award nod

The Whistler Arts Council's diverse Performance Series — which included everyone from spoken word poet Shane Koyczan to singer-songwriter David Myles and children's performer Norman Foote this year — is up for an award from the BC Touring Council.

WAC (under the auspices of executive director Doti Niedermayer) has been nominated as Presenter of the Year alongside six other organizations and venues from across the province.

The awards ceremony takes place April 6 at the Hilton Vancouver.