The Point Artist-Run Centre is getting in the Olympic spirit for its annual Cypress Point Winter Carnival next month, 10 years since Whistler hosted the world at the 2010 Games.
Scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 16, the "Art-lympics" will feature everything from an opening ceremony and torch lighting to an "Olympic ring" donut-eating contest, Olympic-themed improv, art auction and live music by Vancouver's own rock n' rollers, Small Town Artillery.
The free afternoon activities kick off at noon with a snow-sculpting and snow-angel contest, national flag painting and sketching and painting, following by a campfire sing-a-long at 12:30 p.m. The opening ceremony gets underway at 1 p.m. followed by curling and shinny on Alta Lake (ice permitting), ice and snow dancing and a "drop-the-gloves" event at 2 p.m. The afternoon wraps up at 3:30 p.m. with an awards ceremony and more campfire songs.
The paid evening festivities begin with dinner prepared by chef Michele Bush at 6 p.m., followed by improv, an art auction and live music closing the night out until 10:30 p.m.
Adult tickets are $35 with dinner, or $20 without. Kids 12 and under pay $25 with dinner, or $15 without. Get yours online at thepointartists.com or in person at Armchair Books.
Nominations close Feb. 2 for Whistler Champion of the Arts & Culture Award
Being the adrenaline-fuelled sports town that it is, Whistler has only begun to see its arts scene approach similar heights—which makes recognizing those who go above and beyond in the cultural realm all the more essential.
In partnership with the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, Arts Whistler has been honouring local artists and cultural workers since 2014 who have made significant contributions to the growth of arts, culture and heritage in the community (although the award technically dates to 2003, when it was presented to local businesses).
Nominations for the 2020 award are open until Sunday, Feb. 2 at whistlerchamber.com.
Past recipients include: 2019 winner, theatre producer, actor and educator, Ira Pettle; filmmaker and acting coach Angie Nolan; Mountain Life Magazine's Todd Lawson; and The Point artistic director, writer and musician Stephen Vogler.
The Whistler Champion of the Arts & Culture Award is just one of the honours handed out at the annual Whistler Excellence Awards, scheduled for Monday, April 27 at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.
