13 February, 2008
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Arts & Culture Weekly Update
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Annual Gala a Stupendous Success
Ann Ramsay, Gallery Coordinator/Curator, and the Gallery Committee are pleased to report that the annual fundraising event held last Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Gallery was an unmitigated success. It was standing room only for a festive evening of art, entertainment and fun for all. Fifty Bowen artists generously donated 50 mini paintings for auction and the bidding was brisk. By the end of the sold-out affair, the Gallery had raised $6340 in art sales. Adding in the sales of raffle tickets for an artwork by popular painter, Stuart Slind, the total funds generated by the event, less costs amounted to $7800. The money raised last week will be used to help offset operating and programming costs. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped make the evening a memorable one, and to Stuart for his generous contribution!
For those who couldn't make it, the mini-exhibit runs until 1 March. There are still some very small but beautiful artworks that were not snapped up Saturday night, offered at very reasonable prices by some of your favourite local artists. For more information, contact Ann Ramsay at 604.947.2454, or email gallery@biac.ca.
Head to the Happy Isle café for Wide Open Mic
– an evening of poetry, song and storytelling. Sign up to perform, or
just relax and enjoy the local entertainment. Door open a 7 p.m.,
entertainment begins at 7:30 p.m.
Black Sheep to depart Bowen
 Bowen’s own Black Sheep are going international. This Spring, the Sheep are taking their version of the ancient art to two major Morris Dancing events in England. Hard to believe, but the Bowen Black Sheep have been recognized as a force to be reckoned with in Morris Dancing circles, impressing visiting English teams with both their unique Bowen interpretations of the old dances and their own original island creations. Who knew that, while islanders were distracted by minor details like Cape Roger Curtis, ferry marshalling and soccer fields, the Sheep were quietly transforming Bowen into an internationally-acclaimed mecca of medieval peasant dancing?Sixteen Sheep will be taking their music, sticks and ribbons to the Upton-on-Severn and Holmfirth Folk Festivals for the first twelve days of May. The global financial implosion has knocked some of the ‘Great’ out of Britain and its pound sterling, but it’s still a pricey part of the world. The Sheep are looking for some help, especially with ground transportation, and have planned two evenings of entertainment on the island as fundraisers for the trip. Tir-na-Nog, the super-achieving young people’s theatre school atop Cates Hill, will host a splendid Bowen evening this Friday, February 13th. Friday February 13th is not only a Friday the 13th, it’s also Valentine’s Day-Eve, so it’s no coincidence that the theme of the evening is Happily Never After, a completely flowers-, Hallmark-, and saccharine-free take on love. As well as cameos by many of the island’s best-known talents ― comedians, tragedians, story-tellers, even jugglers ― there’ll be hurtin’ songs from the Lawn Dogs and an excerpt from an upcoming Tir-na-Nog production of Lady Windermere’s Fan. Half of the proceeds will go to the Black Sheep, half to Tir-na-Nog, so you can assist young actors and help get the Sheep off the island with just one dig into your wallet! Head to Happily Never After Friday at 585 Rivendell Drive Cates Hill. Tickets $15 at Phoenix or at the door.
 Everyone is welcome to the Blue Valentine Dance, a fundraiser for the Bowen Island Montessori School. With the Tony Dominelli Band providing great tunes, a chocolate fondue and wine bar. The party begins at
7 p.m. at
Cates Hill Chapel. Tickets available at Phoenix on Bowen. View the YouTube clip for further enticement.
 On Sunday, Feb. 15, join the throng back at BICS for the Walk to Whistler Wind-up,
beginning at 5:15 p.m. Then, as dusk falls, light up your lantern and
participate in the procession to Crippen Park and the 2nd annual Island Winterfest.
The Black Sheep dancers will lead the parade down Government Road,
beginning at 5:30 p.m. Revelers will congregate at the warm and
welcoming bonfire and enjoy a sumptuous snack including a fruit and
chocolate fondue. Local storyteller Allice Bernards will captivate us
all with tales, and we'll wrap up the evening with a rousing community
sing-along.
BIMA seeks input
The Bowen Island Music Association (BIMA), the folks who bring you so many fantastic evenings of entertainment, are holding a Bring Back BIMA meeting on Monday at 7 p.m. at the Happy Isle Café. The intent of the meeting is to be an informal gathering, hosted by Lorraine Ashdown and Cam Hayduk, co-chairs of the music association. The goal is to brainstorm and establish the shape and purpose of BIMA. Whether you want to bring live music to Bowen because you have something specific in mind, or you want to perform yourself, come and join us.
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The Gallery @ Artisan Square
Regular Winter Hours
Fridays - Sunday: Noon - 4 p.m.
Congratulations to
Nicola Murray!
 Nicola (pictured above) was the winner of the Stuart Slind's painting, valued at approximately $2000, that was raffled at the recent Gala.
On the Airwaves
On Artisan Radio, Fridays at 6 p.m., artist/musician Gregg Simpson hosts Classic Mode.
Following, stay tuned in to From Berlioz to Bartok.
The show begins at 7 p.m. T
Thursdays at 4 p.m., its the Gregg Simpson Jazz Hour.
Dial 99.7FM or listen online for these and other fine programs.
 National Heritage Week is celebrated this February 16-11, 2009. The theme this year is education, and communities across Canada will be taking part. This year the Bowen Island Community School (BICS) is participating by celebrating and learning about the history of education on Feb. 18. The Multipurpose room will be transformed into a series of inter-active “Old Fashioned” teaching sessions put on by the Bowen Island Heritage Preservation Association and the Bowen Island Historians.
Students are welcome to dress up in old fashioned clothes on Feb. 18. Each division will have an opportunity to visit the installation and to learn about the history of education and what school used to look like on Bowen Island. With the assistance of volunteer retired teachers and the co-operation of BICS the Heritage Preservation Association and the Historians will present an opportunity to teach the value of heritage knowledge in an entertaining way. Parent volunteers are needed, and encouraged to drop by and to help with the fun! |
| Bowen Island Arts Council 589 Artisan Square, Box 211, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0
(604) 947-2454
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E-mail: admin@biac.ca http://www.biac.ca |