Celebrate Mardi Gras at Whistler Town Party First-time locals' party is April 11 By Chris Woodall A time for art, a time for tributes and most of all a time to whoop it up like you know how, Whistler — with a Mardi Gras theme at the first-ever Whistler Town Party, April 11. The all-ages event is set for the Macdonald Ballroom of the Chateau Whistler, including the terrace upstairs where teens can shake themselves nutzo in a Much Music dance parlour. The event is planned as a chance to have one last party before the end of the ski season that involves the whole community, say organizers. The ballroom will also showcase Artrageous, an exposition of the finest local artworks in a variety of media. Contact Christina Nick (938-9265) to enter your artworks and to call for details. You should contact her by April 1 to show her your portfolio or works. Artrageous is looking for any fine art — not craft — pieces, including sculpture, photography, works on canvas, multi-media, installations, and so on. Artists will also be asked to submit one piece specific to the party theme. Entertainment details are still in flux, but its hoped DJs will fill in the musical gaps between gigs by local bands with a more well-known band to highlight the night that is to go from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Whistler/Blackcomb has already jumped on board the sponsorship bandwagon, signing on as a platinum sponsor with a $5,000 shot in the arm to get the organizing going. Organizers are seeking other corporate sponsors at that and lower levels of donorship. But they must hear back by early next week or the party may be scaled back drastically, such as dropping the Much Music teen dance portion. A video yearbook and a verbal series of tributes will go out to those Whistlerites who, frankly my dear, did give a damn to make this community a wee bit better for their having done so. You can bet something about our Ross Rebagliati will be among the tributes. The main fund-raiser of the event — Whistler Community Services Society is the beneficiary — will be a people auction. Yes, the Town Party will sell people. Some people may be packaged for auction with an activity, which will add to the successful bidder’s enjoyment. The idea for the Whistler Town party comes from Banff, where they have an annual town party at the Banff Springs Hotel that attracts up to 1,500 from Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore and Calgary. Tickets for Whistler's blast-o-rama will be in the $10-$15 range, depending on whether the party will include food of a Louisiana/Mardi Gras taste theme. When they go on sale and where will be announced soon. For more information, call the Town Party Hotline: 905-3011.
