Whistler goes western

Events for those who are a little bit country

Those who enjoy a little country and western flavour in their life might despair that Whistler’s only offerings seem to be the façades on the new buildings in Creekside, the pony fur Stetsons on the hip club chicks, and the chaps on the strippers in Das Boot Ballet. But a lineup of events in the next weeks promises a little more for the cowboy or cowgal to tip their hat to.

Even up close on Bill’s stage, the Ontario trio of Alicia Sales, Jill Wade, and Libby McGrath will have the most dedicated Dixie Chicks fan triple taking and straining their ears in disbelief that it’s not Natalie, Martie and Emily. The Ontario gals cover the multi-platinum-selling country music group’s best known tunes both vocally and instrumentally. Wade plays banjo, guitar and mandolin, while McGrath steps into Martie Maguire’s boots on the fiddle.

Plus, the Chicklets can say whatever they want about George Bush without inspiring the patriotic wrath of angry American rednecks.

Tickets for the Dixie Chicklets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door, available at Buffalo Bill’s. Doors at 8 p.m. Call 604-932-6613 for more information.

You don’t need to fly to Calgary to participate in organized boot heel click and stomp routines. Those who wake up the next day with Dixie Chicklet tunes on a three part harmonized loop in their heads will want to mosey back to Buffalo Bill’s early Thursday evening for line dancing lessons taught by Bill’s girls Stacey Hughes and Sarah Tambosso.

The line dancing lessons, organized by the fledgling Whistler Social Dance Club, will be a regular Thursday occurrence into December. The club formed out of the group that enjoyed the ballroom dance lessons taught by travelling instructors Beatrix Satzinger and Michael Young over the past months.

Instructor Morgan Montgomery will continue the ballroom and Latin dance lessons on Tuesday evenings. The club is currently looking for new members, singles or couples. Each session costs $10 per person. Call 604-935-1947 or 604-932-3502 for more information.

After line dancing, humour the cowboy within with a shot of liquid courage and a go at the mechanical bull at the Longhorn Saloon. The bull will be a Thursday night regular at the popular apres bar in the Carleton Lodge. The bull is also known to grace the Pemberton Hotel with its testosterone-pumping presence every so often.