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Vol. 89 Issue 18 • Wednesday, May 2, 2012 • www.arrowlakesnews.com • 250-265-3823 • $1.25 Includes HST
Wassabi Collective schools kids in rock
NSS and NES students learned about all kinds of instruments and music when Nelson’s Wassabi Collective came to town April 25. CLAIRE PARADIS/ARROW LAKES NEWS By Claire Paradis Arrow Lakes News
Classes were clapping along to Stevie Wonder and rocking out to Nirvana when Nelson’s Wassabi Collective came to town Wednesday, April 25. Finishing the last leg of their ankle-biter tour, the musical group brought a whole lot of sound to Nakusp’s two schools. The group has been playing to a different, much shorter crowd than their usual for the last two weeks, touring schools throughout the Kootenays from Creston to Kaslo, to New Denver and Nakusp, and it sounded like a happy change. “Usually we play at festivals and bars,” said singer-drummer Jimmy, “It’s really great to play for you kids.” Both the band and kids were styling: lots of bright spring colours in the crowd with a sprinkling of fauxhawks to match the Nelson style on stage in front of the basketball hoops. It was pretty neat to see a live band set up and ready to go on the abstract technicolour gymnasium floor. The musicians were cool, alright, but also just spazzy enough to get the kids into the show. Starting off with an electric hula hoop extravaganza didn’t hurt either. Mesmerized by the glowing blue hoops, the crowd was ready for anything to happen next. Students from Edgewood and Burton kicked it with the NES kids, literally, when the band got the whole room stomping in time. Starting their educational tour through the different kinds of instruments, the band gave out shaker eggs and got the kids
to stomp their feet like a bass drum and clap their hands like a snare. The teachers and assistants got into the groove just as much as the kids, and in some cases even more. Drummers Melissa and Jimmy put the audience through their percussive paces, and then it was on to the bass guitar, played by “Cool Megatron 650.” Vibrations got down, so low down that it almost did give you a stomach ache like Jimmy said. Next up were the keys, played by Rahj who had sampled the Bieber, and could play his voice at any pitch. “Let’s hear what Justin Bieber will sound like when he grows up,” said Jimmy, and Rahj obliged, playing a super deep version of his voice. “Sounds more like dinosaur Bieber,” joked Jimmy. “Gisto” played guitar, an electric one outfitted with effects pedals which warped the sound into shapes sounding anything but guitarish. A splash of jazz was introduced, and the gig toured through reggae, funk and electronic, a real hit with the kids. “Do you know what dubstep is?” asked Jimmy, who was answered with cheers. Who knew there were so many dubstep fans attending Nakusp Elementary? At the end of a quick Q and A, one boy asked “How loud can you play?” “A lot louder than we played today,” said Jimmy, innocently adding fuel to the fire. The room broke out into spontaneous chanting: “do it, do it, do it.” I’d like to tell you what happened next, but this reporter sneaked out of the gym before a hurricane of noise was unleashed.
Madden and Waterfields honoured
The whole Waterfield family was chosen for the Rotary 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award. CLAIRE PARADIS/ARROW LAKES NEWS cal mayor one after one gave their words of By Claire Paradis praise and thanks to all of this year’s honArrow Lakes News It was standing room only at the Rotary ourees. Citizen of the Year and Lifetime AchieveThis year, Suzie Madden, a well-known ment Award dinner Saturday, April 28. Hon- figure on the ski hill, was voted as Nakusp’s ourees Suzie Madden and husband John, and Citizen of the Year. An ex-Canadian Ski Nigel and Ruth Waterfield were seated at the Team athlete, Madden brought her enthusihead table with Rotary President Kees van asm for the sport to Summit Lake Ski Area der Pol and MC Dan Nicholson. and spread it through the Nakusp population. Madden has been instrumental in making ski programs for the surrounding schools happen, as well as programs to get disabled skiers on the hill, Terri MacLeod told the audience. Her dedication and passion were also pointed out again and again by all the speakers at the ceremony. The 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award went to the entire Waterfield family, whose service to the community spans many generations. This was the first time the award has been given to a family, but from the stories that came out, it was easy to see why. Rosemary Parent spoke of the Waterfields’ many contributions to Nakusp, which included starting the Badminton Club, serving on the Hospital Board, and donating time to cleaning up the arena after the fire Suzie Madden, 2011 Citizen of the and work on the airport. Over half a dozen people came up to conYear, and her husband John at this year’s awards dinner. CLAIRE PARADIS/ARROW LAKES NEWS gratulate the honourees and tell a short story about their experience with them. Terri MaAfter singing the Canadian anthem, a cLeod gave voice to some anonymous Cresbrief introduction and grace, the 100-plus cent Bay Construction employees who said crowd tucked into a dinner prepared by the their experience working for the Waterfields Legion ladies and served by a portion of the there had been like joining the family. Roger Grad 2012 class. and Eric Waterfield, who now run Crescent A heap of cards from well-wishers hinted Bay since Nigel’s retirement, have hired at the congratulations that were to come af- youth at risk in the community and helped ter dinner. Local representatives of political them gain skills and confidence as part of the dignitaries ranging from our MP to our lo- workforce.
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