May 04, 2012

4

Friday, May 4, 2012 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

ELEVATE THE ARTS

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

Explore Fine Arts & Design at North Island College

Head down to the halls, alleys, restaurants, plazas and galleries of downtown Courtenay this Saturday for the first Elevate the Arts!

21 venues + 167 performers = 1 amazing day!

There is truly something for every creative taste and every age being offered this weekend by a great crew of creative folks who want to see the arts elevated in all our lives.

with programs starting this September Fine Arts Diploma

Professional Photography

Explore a variety of subjects from photography and digital visual art to sculpture and ceramics.

Whether you like music, visual art, dancing, photography, kids stuff, participatory art, film making, puppet theatre, circus arts, screenprinting, or odd and unusual crafts — there is something for you at this free one-day event.

Take the first step towards a career in photo journalism, wedding and event photography, or advertising.

NIC’s vibrant setting and wellequipped studios provide you with the resources to ignite your creativity.

Learn about the industry and employment options as you develop your personal creativity and style.

Qualify for priority admission into the Emily Carr University Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program at NIC.

WHO’S MAKING THIS HAPPEN?

Length: 10-month certificate Tuition: $7,038 approx

Elevate the Arts is a 100 per cent volunteer effort organized by a team of community builders and culture lovers.

Their goal is to help elevate the profile of arts and culture in our community, celebrate the creative energy and talent of our community and build an annual destination multi-disciplinary event that will benefit artists, local business and the residents of the Comox Valley.

Length: 2-year diploma Tuition: $2,635 approx per year

NEW! Metal Jewellery Design

Interactive Media Web Design Learn the fundamentals of design, graphics, and animation for web applications.

Learn to conceptualize and create jewellery for artistic expression or as a source of income.

SOMETHING FOR ALL LOVERS OF THE ARTS!

Explore a variety of topics including web analytics and usability, digital photography, and communication design.

Explore professional metal techniques, gemmology, design and more.

The website at www.elevatethearts.com offers lots of details about the program for Saturday including performer, artist and instructor bios, times and locations.

There is even a version of the full schedule that you can download and print.

But here is just a taste of the amazing activities planned for the day!

Qualify for a variety of entrylevel employment opportunities such as web designer, front-end web developer, web graphics technician, and flash designer.

Gain business skills to present and promote your designs.

Length: 30-week certificate Tuition: $5,000 approx + books/supplies

Length: 8-month certificate Tuition: $2,635 approx

DANCING

WWW.NIC.BC.CA

Check out videos of NIC’s Fine Arts Program at www.youtube.com/NorthIslandCollege

DEEP SEA GYPSIES are among a horde of performers lined up for the Elevate the Arts event this Saturday in Courtenay.

VIDEOGRAPHY AND FILM Stop by the Courtenay Museum at 11 a.m. and watch the 52 Weeks Project

by Fox and Bee Productions.

These incredible locals set their sights on producing a short film a week — for 52 weeks. Come see what they’ve achieved!

Then at 2 p.m. the Courtenay Library is the venue to visit for the first-ever Elevate VidzFest. Check out the submission of short films from local film makers of all ages, some funny, some touching, some thought provoking!

At 7 p.m. back at the Courtenay Museum, catch a viewing of The Hooping Life — a critically acclaimed feature length doc about the global hula hooping phenomenon and its greater meaning (by donation).

MUSIC There is so much music going on on Saturday it will make your head spin.

Live music at Zocalo, Union Street Grill and Joe’s Garage all day and all evening!

Awesome ambient and instrumental music will be featured at the underground Art Fair at the lower Elks from 11 to 7. For jazz you can head to the Upper Elks Hall at 7:30 for a night of great music.

If you want to play or sing along, come by the Sid plaza at noon for the massive string jam or at 2 p.m. for a community sing with the Letzsing Choir.

Piano players and piano lovers can stop by Mudsharks Plaza all day for the Piano Corner and listen or play. The CVAG Studio (AKA The Cellar) will be home to kids music from 10 to 2 and experimental music and puppetry from 4 till 7.

CRAFTS There will be crafts — but not typical ones! Elevate the Arts is presenting the first Underground Art Fair featuring over 30 artists and vendors who offer curious, usual or bizarre offerings.

The event includes an onsite tattoo artist, sculpture, perfumes, divine chocolates, tasty tarts, glass works, beading, graphic comics and more! This show runs from 11-7. Visitor disSee CIRCUS, 2

FINE CHINA • FLATWARE • CRYSTAL • COLLECTIBLES • CLOCKS • JEWELLERY • WATCHES • SILVER • GOLD • PLATINUM

For a full list of programs or to register, visit www.nic.bc.ca or call 250-334-5000 today.

J•E•W•E•L•L•E•R•S U P G R A D I N G | B U S I N E S S | C O M M U N I T Y C A R E | F I N E A R T S | H E A LT H | T O U R I S M | T R A D E S | U N I V E R S I T Y T R A N S F E R

Free dance workshops at The Bridge from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m. including Belly

Dance, West Coast Swing, Salsa, Argentine Tango and a big dance mashup at 3 p.m.

Beginner Levels with professional instructors — don’t be shy and give it a try!

Dance is also a big feature of the CVAG plaza programming featuring Circus Arts and Arcana Dea Dance.

And the end of the day you can dance till the wee hours with the Boom Booms (ticketed event). Over at Art Alchemy, check out the dancing, yoga and more “movement and the arts” activities.

250-334-4523

... A Family Tradition for over 42 Years.

2

Friday, May 4, 2012 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

ELEVATE THE ARTS

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

ELEVATE THE ARTS

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • Friday, May 4, 2012

Duke wants you to come into the store and see Boo

Early Bird Café Come see what’s cooking!

Specializing in fresh homemade Breakfast, Lunch and Sunday Brunch!

Breakfast 307 - 4th Street Downtown Courtenay • 250-897-7025

cretion is advised.

The Underground Art Fair entrance is off Simms Alley, where you can check our screen printing demos, tarot readings, glass works and live painting and sculpture.

KIDS STUFF There is so much for the kids to do on Saturday.

There are nature nature stories, poems and activities from 10 to noon at the Courtenay Library with Our Big Earth. The CVAG Studio features kids music and entertainers all day long!

Visit the “Kids Underground” in Simms Alley for hands on arts and crafts that will keep the kids entertained for hours! Circus Arts at the CVAG Plaza will amaze!

CIRCUS ARTS AND HULA HOOPING The Valley has an incredible circus arts community and Saturday they will be flying their flag! Visit the CVAG Plaza for big shows at 11, 1 and 3. Ariel silks, hula hooping, improv dance and so much more. Don’t miss it.

LITERARY TYPES

VISUAL ART

Show at Zocalo.

There’s a mini writers’ festival, too! From 1:35 p.m. to 6 you can hear readings from the Courtenay Museum. Check out the web for info about these talented folks — Kim Bannerman, Matthew Radar, Harold Macy and others.

Visit the Muir Galley, Comox Valley Art Gallery, Art Alchemy or Wallfarmers to view incredible works by local and visiting artists!

Check out the artists in action in the streets and alleys capturing the day.

FIND OUT MORE

SING, PLAY AND PAINT ALONG! Play along with the ukuleles, guitars and fiddles of the Comox Valley for the Massive String Jam at noon at the Sid plaza. Or sing your heart out with the Letzsing Choir at 2 p.m. at the plaza.

All are welcome!

Participatory art is the name of the game in the Alley between Fourth and Fifth — join in!

PHOTOGRAPHY Two of the top Valley photographers will be offering fantastic free workshops for all skill levels. Karen McKinnon hosts a photo walk that starts at 9:30 and leaves from her studio and and Gordon Ross hoists a portraiture workshop at 1 pom at the Muir. Check out the Iphone Photo Show us at the old Leung building or feature pieces from the Tattoo and You Gordon Ross

There is even more going on in the nooks and crannies of downtown Courtenay.

Go to the Elevate website at www.elevatethearts. com for a huge amount of information about the day. Download a complete schedule and plan your Saturday.

Find out about the people, businesses and organizations who are supporting this artistic undertaking. Stop by the Sid plaza all day long to meet some of the local arts and culture organizations that make our community so vibrant.

ELEVATE WITH US! You are part of the energy and passion that makes the Comox valley such a vibrant arts and culture community.

Yes, YOU. The person reading this newspaper.

The Arts requires creators and participants. Come and participate in the cultural life of our community. See you Saturday!

— Elevate the Arts!

DOUGLAS WALKER, ONE of many artisans, will display his fountains.

“Searle’s for that hard to fit foot” Serving the Comox Valley for over 80 Years KKeen “Waterfront” Collect Ke Collection Men’s & Ladies.

Quick-dry, rugged and ready for water.

Assorted colours and prints

“The Cutest Dog in the World” 332-5th Street 338-1233

whalestaletoys@telus.net www.whalestaletoys.com

... well, the second cutest dog in the world

Photo by Jenn Osborne

OR THAT SPECIAL CHILD’S TOY MEMORY!!

FOR

Getting visual at VidzFest

Circus arts only part of the big day

O OPEN: Monda Monday - Saturday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm Friday till 9:00 pm

www.searlesshoes.com 250 Fifth Street, Downtown Courtenay

250-334-3178

Choosing which videos to be shown Saturday at the first VidzFest was no easy task, says the event co-ordinator.

“It’s clear we have a lot of video talent in the Valley,” said Jamie Bowman. “And I have a feeling we have only just begun.”

VidzFest begins at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Courtenay Library meeting room, where viewers can expect “a wide and diverse” selection of original video films, according to the selection committee.

As such, the selected videos have been have been bundled into categories: kids, documentaries, art films, music and promotional. All are either about the Comox Valley or made by someone who lives here.

The event, part of the umbrella Elevate The Arts festival taking place Saturday in downtown Courtenay, attracted dozens of submissions, far too much material for the time allotted.

“In bringing these works to the public, from traditional to abstract, Elevate The Arts hopes to expand the horizons of both viewers and producers,” said Bowman.

After viewing all the works, the selection committee “realized we had a challenge,” said

panel member Shawn Pigott of Fox&Bee music and video productions. “Art is subjective. Art is universal. Where is the middle ground?”

The panel started by assessing the technical merits of each piece, considering whether each video was fully worked through, ready,

Art is subjective. Art ❝ is universal. Where is the middle ground? ❞ Shawn Pigott and appropriate for viewing.

Next, the members considered the likely audience. “We decided we want to present a range of accessible and challenging material so that people could be comfortable with some things and be exposed to new and different ideas with others,” said Pigott.

With diverse views on the panel, “we needed to respect and balance the backgrounds and experiences of our selection committee,” said Pigott. “What resulted was a diverse and exciting line up for the first year of VidzFest.”

Panel member Renee Poisson, a career filmmaker and sculptor

3

with a fine arts sensibility, said she found the selection process highly challenging.

“I hate being critical and at the same time I want to contribute to a deep rooted sense of art in our community,” she said.

Kicking off VidzFest at 2 p.m. will be the Kids bundle, with The Great Hiccup of 2012 (5 min) and a Captain Thunderpants’ visit to a chicken coop (4 min).

Next up will be the docs bundle, led by George Sawchuk – At Home In The Woods, by Mary Alice (9 min), followed by Ginger Goodwin’s Way by Neil Vokey (12 min), Useless by Glen Sanford (28 mins) , and This Was Your Life by Nathaniel Vossen.

That will be followed by a bundle of short art films, and a couple of music items: a Sarah Hagen concert piece and an uplifting tribute to Big Time Out

by Colby MacInnis.

The day will finish with a bundle of ‘promotional’ films with topics in a range that encompasses water conservation, a Canada-India photography project, North Island College’s fine arts program and a personal fitness regimen.

A full listing of the films can be seen on at www.elevatethearts.com.

— VidzFest

ELEVATE THE ARTS The Comox Valley’s first Elevate the Arts festival this Saturday will include the turntabling talents of em.ash.

2

Friday, May 4, 2012 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

ELEVATE THE ARTS

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

ELEVATE THE ARTS

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • Friday, May 4, 2012

Duke wants you to come into the store and see Boo

Early Bird Café Come see what’s cooking!

Specializing in fresh homemade Breakfast, Lunch and Sunday Brunch!

Breakfast 307 - 4th Street Downtown Courtenay • 250-897-7025

cretion is advised.

The Underground Art Fair entrance is off Simms Alley, where you can check our screen printing demos, tarot readings, glass works and live painting and sculpture.

KIDS STUFF There is so much for the kids to do on Saturday.

There are nature nature stories, poems and activities from 10 to noon at the Courtenay Library with Our Big Earth. The CVAG Studio features kids music and entertainers all day long!

Visit the “Kids Underground” in Simms Alley for hands on arts and crafts that will keep the kids entertained for hours! Circus Arts at the CVAG Plaza will amaze!

CIRCUS ARTS AND HULA HOOPING The Valley has an incredible circus arts community and Saturday they will be flying their flag! Visit the CVAG Plaza for big shows at 11, 1 and 3. Ariel silks, hula hooping, improv dance and so much more. Don’t miss it.

LITERARY TYPES

VISUAL ART

Show at Zocalo.

There’s a mini writers’ festival, too! From 1:35 p.m. to 6 you can hear readings from the Courtenay Museum. Check out the web for info about these talented folks — Kim Bannerman, Matthew Radar, Harold Macy and others.

Visit the Muir Galley, Comox Valley Art Gallery, Art Alchemy or Wallfarmers to view incredible works by local and visiting artists!

Check out the artists in action in the streets and alleys capturing the day.

FIND OUT MORE

SING, PLAY AND PAINT ALONG! Play along with the ukuleles, guitars and fiddles of the Comox Valley for the Massive String Jam at noon at the Sid plaza. Or sing your heart out with the Letzsing Choir at 2 p.m. at the plaza.

All are welcome!

Participatory art is the name of the game in the Alley between Fourth and Fifth — join in!

PHOTOGRAPHY Two of the top Valley photographers will be offering fantastic free workshops for all skill levels. Karen McKinnon hosts a photo walk that starts at 9:30 and leaves from her studio and and Gordon Ross hoists a portraiture workshop at 1 pom at the Muir. Check out the Iphone Photo Show us at the old Leung building or feature pieces from the Tattoo and You Gordon Ross

There is even more going on in the nooks and crannies of downtown Courtenay.

Go to the Elevate website at www.elevatethearts. com for a huge amount of information about the day. Download a complete schedule and plan your Saturday.

Find out about the people, businesses and organizations who are supporting this artistic undertaking. Stop by the Sid plaza all day long to meet some of the local arts and culture organizations that make our community so vibrant.

ELEVATE WITH US! You are part of the energy and passion that makes the Comox valley such a vibrant arts and culture community.

Yes, YOU. The person reading this newspaper.

The Arts requires creators and participants. Come and participate in the cultural life of our community. See you Saturday!

— Elevate the Arts!

DOUGLAS WALKER, ONE of many artisans, will display his fountains.

“Searle’s for that hard to fit foot” Serving the Comox Valley for over 80 Years KKeen “Waterfront” Collect Ke Collection Men’s & Ladies.

Quick-dry, rugged and ready for water.

Assorted colours and prints

“The Cutest Dog in the World” 332-5th Street 338-1233

whalestaletoys@telus.net www.whalestaletoys.com

... well, the second cutest dog in the world

Photo by Jenn Osborne

OR THAT SPECIAL CHILD’S TOY MEMORY!!

FOR

Getting visual at VidzFest

Circus arts only part of the big day

O OPEN: Monda Monday - Saturday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm Friday till 9:00 pm

www.searlesshoes.com 250 Fifth Street, Downtown Courtenay

250-334-3178

Choosing which videos to be shown Saturday at the first VidzFest was no easy task, says the event co-ordinator.

“It’s clear we have a lot of video talent in the Valley,” said Jamie Bowman. “And I have a feeling we have only just begun.”

VidzFest begins at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Courtenay Library meeting room, where viewers can expect “a wide and diverse” selection of original video films, according to the selection committee.

As such, the selected videos have been have been bundled into categories: kids, documentaries, art films, music and promotional. All are either about the Comox Valley or made by someone who lives here.

The event, part of the umbrella Elevate The Arts festival taking place Saturday in downtown Courtenay, attracted dozens of submissions, far too much material for the time allotted.

“In bringing these works to the public, from traditional to abstract, Elevate The Arts hopes to expand the horizons of both viewers and producers,” said Bowman.

After viewing all the works, the selection committee “realized we had a challenge,” said

panel member Shawn Pigott of Fox&Bee music and video productions. “Art is subjective. Art is universal. Where is the middle ground?”

The panel started by assessing the technical merits of each piece, considering whether each video was fully worked through, ready,

Art is subjective. Art ❝ is universal. Where is the middle ground? ❞ Shawn Pigott and appropriate for viewing.

Next, the members considered the likely audience. “We decided we want to present a range of accessible and challenging material so that people could be comfortable with some things and be exposed to new and different ideas with others,” said Pigott.

With diverse views on the panel, “we needed to respect and balance the backgrounds and experiences of our selection committee,” said Pigott. “What resulted was a diverse and exciting line up for the first year of VidzFest.”

Panel member Renee Poisson, a career filmmaker and sculptor

3

with a fine arts sensibility, said she found the selection process highly challenging.

“I hate being critical and at the same time I want to contribute to a deep rooted sense of art in our community,” she said.

Kicking off VidzFest at 2 p.m. will be the Kids bundle, with The Great Hiccup of 2012 (5 min) and a Captain Thunderpants’ visit to a chicken coop (4 min).

Next up will be the docs bundle, led by George Sawchuk – At Home In The Woods, by Mary Alice (9 min), followed by Ginger Goodwin’s Way by Neil Vokey (12 min), Useless by Glen Sanford (28 mins) , and This Was Your Life by Nathaniel Vossen.

That will be followed by a bundle of short art films, and a couple of music items: a Sarah Hagen concert piece and an uplifting tribute to Big Time Out

by Colby MacInnis.

The day will finish with a bundle of ‘promotional’ films with topics in a range that encompasses water conservation, a Canada-India photography project, North Island College’s fine arts program and a personal fitness regimen.

A full listing of the films can be seen on at www.elevatethearts.com.

— VidzFest

ELEVATE THE ARTS The Comox Valley’s first Elevate the Arts festival this Saturday will include the turntabling talents of em.ash.

4

Friday, May 4, 2012 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

ELEVATE THE ARTS

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

Explore Fine Arts & Design at North Island College

Head down to the halls, alleys, restaurants, plazas and galleries of downtown Courtenay this Saturday for the first Elevate the Arts!

21 venues + 167 performers = 1 amazing day!

There is truly something for every creative taste and every age being offered this weekend by a great crew of creative folks who want to see the arts elevated in all our lives.

with programs starting this September Fine Arts Diploma

Professional Photography

Explore a variety of subjects from photography and digital visual art to sculpture and ceramics.

Whether you like music, visual art, dancing, photography, kids stuff, participatory art, film making, puppet theatre, circus arts, screenprinting, or odd and unusual crafts — there is something for you at this free one-day event.

Take the first step towards a career in photo journalism, wedding and event photography, or advertising.

NIC’s vibrant setting and wellequipped studios provide you with the resources to ignite your creativity.

Learn about the industry and employment options as you develop your personal creativity and style.

Qualify for priority admission into the Emily Carr University Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program at NIC.

WHO’S MAKING THIS HAPPEN?

Length: 10-month certificate Tuition: $7,038 approx

Elevate the Arts is a 100 per cent volunteer effort organized by a team of community builders and culture lovers.

Their goal is to help elevate the profile of arts and culture in our community, celebrate the creative energy and talent of our community and build an annual destination multi-disciplinary event that will benefit artists, local business and the residents of the Comox Valley.

Length: 2-year diploma Tuition: $2,635 approx per year

NEW! Metal Jewellery Design

Interactive Media Web Design Learn the fundamentals of design, graphics, and animation for web applications.

Learn to conceptualize and create jewellery for artistic expression or as a source of income.

SOMETHING FOR ALL LOVERS OF THE ARTS!

Explore a variety of topics including web analytics and usability, digital photography, and communication design.

Explore professional metal techniques, gemmology, design and more.

The website at www.elevatethearts.com offers lots of details about the program for Saturday including performer, artist and instructor bios, times and locations.

There is even a version of the full schedule that you can download and print.

But here is just a taste of the amazing activities planned for the day!

Qualify for a variety of entrylevel employment opportunities such as web designer, front-end web developer, web graphics technician, and flash designer.

Gain business skills to present and promote your designs.

Length: 30-week certificate Tuition: $5,000 approx + books/supplies

Length: 8-month certificate Tuition: $2,635 approx

DANCING

WWW.NIC.BC.CA

Check out videos of NIC’s Fine Arts Program at www.youtube.com/NorthIslandCollege

DEEP SEA GYPSIES are among a horde of performers lined up for the Elevate the Arts event this Saturday in Courtenay.

VIDEOGRAPHY AND FILM Stop by the Courtenay Museum at 11 a.m. and watch the 52 Weeks Project

by Fox and Bee Productions.

These incredible locals set their sights on producing a short film a week — for 52 weeks. Come see what they’ve achieved!

Then at 2 p.m. the Courtenay Library is the venue to visit for the first-ever Elevate VidzFest. Check out the submission of short films from local film makers of all ages, some funny, some touching, some thought provoking!

At 7 p.m. back at the Courtenay Museum, catch a viewing of The Hooping Life — a critically acclaimed feature length doc about the global hula hooping phenomenon and its greater meaning (by donation).

MUSIC There is so much music going on on Saturday it will make your head spin.

Live music at Zocalo, Union Street Grill and Joe’s Garage all day and all evening!

Awesome ambient and instrumental music will be featured at the underground Art Fair at the lower Elks from 11 to 7. For jazz you can head to the Upper Elks Hall at 7:30 for a night of great music.

If you want to play or sing along, come by the Sid plaza at noon for the massive string jam or at 2 p.m. for a community sing with the Letzsing Choir.

Piano players and piano lovers can stop by Mudsharks Plaza all day for the Piano Corner and listen or play. The CVAG Studio (AKA The Cellar) will be home to kids music from 10 to 2 and experimental music and puppetry from 4 till 7.

CRAFTS There will be crafts — but not typical ones! Elevate the Arts is presenting the first Underground Art Fair featuring over 30 artists and vendors who offer curious, usual or bizarre offerings.

The event includes an onsite tattoo artist, sculpture, perfumes, divine chocolates, tasty tarts, glass works, beading, graphic comics and more! This show runs from 11-7. Visitor disSee CIRCUS, 2

FINE CHINA • FLATWARE • CRYSTAL • COLLECTIBLES • CLOCKS • JEWELLERY • WATCHES • SILVER • GOLD • PLATINUM

For a full list of programs or to register, visit www.nic.bc.ca or call 250-334-5000 today.

J•E•W•E•L•L•E•R•S U P G R A D I N G | B U S I N E S S | C O M M U N I T Y C A R E | F I N E A R T S | H E A LT H | T O U R I S M | T R A D E S | U N I V E R S I T Y T R A N S F E R

Free dance workshops at The Bridge from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m. including Belly

Dance, West Coast Swing, Salsa, Argentine Tango and a big dance mashup at 3 p.m.

Beginner Levels with professional instructors — don’t be shy and give it a try!

Dance is also a big feature of the CVAG plaza programming featuring Circus Arts and Arcana Dea Dance.

And the end of the day you can dance till the wee hours with the Boom Booms (ticketed event). Over at Art Alchemy, check out the dancing, yoga and more “movement and the arts” activities.

250-334-4523

... A Family Tradition for over 42 Years.