splendour the of pink - central mountain air · an outdoor playground year-round fun on the slopes,...

Vancouver’s Iconic Cherry Blossom Festival

Splendourof Pink

SMITHERSAn Outdoor PlaygroundYeAr-rOund Fun On the SlOPeS,trAIlS And rIVerS

SPRING 2018IN

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+POPnOlOgy

Where Pop Culture Meets technology

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C A PA C I T Y • C O N N E C T I O N S • R E L I A B I L I T Y • S A F E T Y

2018 Spring Central mountain Air 3

FEATURE |

220711

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Group Publisher Penny Sakamoto - 250.480.3204 [email protected]

editorial Content Angela Cowan

For Advertising InquiriesKevin Alles, River Trail marketing 250.845.9087 [email protected]

Graphic Design Lily Chan, michelle Gjerde,Janice marshall

Central mountain Air magazine is published four times per year and is distributed on all Central mountain Air flights. The points of view or opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or Central mountain Air. The contents of Central mountain Air magazine are protected by copy-right, including the designed advertising. Reproduction is prohibited without written consent of the publisher.

Contents[ FeATuReS ]

6 The Splendour of Pink Vancouver’s iconic Cherry Blossom Festival

11 PoPnology Where pop culture meets technology

17 Smithers, An outdoor Playground Year-round fun on the slopes, trails and rivers

[ DePARTmeNTS ]4 Welcome aboard CmA President’s message

5 meet the Crew Bill Ashe

14 5 Things to do in… Terrace

21 Q&A Colleen Brines

22 CmA Calendar upcoming events

6

In-flight

Published by Black Press 818 Broughton Street Victoria, BC V8W 1e4 www.blackpress.ca

4 2018 Spring www.flycma.com

| PReSIDeNT’S meSSAGe

Welcome aboard CMA

W

douglas McCrea | PresidentCentral mountain Air

hether it’s a steaming mug first thing in the morning, or a relaxed sip in the afternoon, there’s nothing quite like savouring a great

cup of coffee, especially in these crisp early spring days. CMA consistently strives to offer an exceptional travelling experience to our customers, and so we’re proud to announce that we are now an authorized purveyor of Starbucks® coffee. Customers can enjoy Starbucks premium coffee and tea as our in-flight beverage service on board our Dornier 328 and Dash 8-100 aircraft. All you have to do is lean back, relax and sip away.

We’re pleased to continue to offer discounts on group reservations when

eight or more people travel together on the same flight. Visit our website to submit a group reservation request.

CMA is on social media! Share your CMA-related travel photos with us using the hashtag #FlyCMA. Find us on Twitter and Instagram @FlyCMAir, and on Facebook as Central Mountain Air. You can also follow us on LinkedIn for job postings, company updates and news.

And if you haven’t already, we encourage you to sign up at www.flycma.com for our new e-newsletter to learn about seat sales, promotions, contests and all the latest news. From all of us at CMA, Welcome Aboard!

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meeT THe CReW |

Bill Ashe cMA recognizes and thanks long-term pilot Bill Ashe for his many years of dedicated service to the company.

Bill Ashe began flying with Central mountain Air in April, 1990 and close to 28 years later he has put away his pilot uniform and is enjoying retirement!

Bill had his commercial pilot license when he was 19 years old and began his career on floats. He had over 12,000 hours by the time he joined CmA in 1990, along with experience as an operations manager and Chief Pilot. He retired in December 2017 with a wealth of flying experience. During his flying time with Central mountain Air, Bill was a Captain on the King Air 200, Beech 1900C and Beech 1900D based in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Bill is a family man. He and his wife, Theresa, have raised their five children and continue to raise and support foster children. Central mountain Air has been fortunate to have three of the Ashe children as employees over the years. Bill’s son Josh was part of the company’s Tier 2 Pilot Program, became a CmA pilot and is now flying for Air Canada. His daughter Sharissa was a Customer Service Agent for CmA in Vancouver and is now enjoying a career as an Air Traffic Controller. And Bill’s youngest son Jonathan worked on the ramp for CmA in Vancouver and is now working for Shell.

When asked what he has in store for retirement, he chuckled, “I’m not one to let the grass grow under my feet!” During his flying career, Bill also managed to build six homes and is currently making plans for 100 acres he recently acquired. Bill will be missed by his co-workers and management alike and is wished much happiness and good health in retirement!

Meet the crew

Dance with the Northern Lights in Alberta’s most northerly town–

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Jonathan AsheJosh Ashe Sharissa Ashe

Bill and his wife, Theresa Ashe - photo submitted


| FEATURE

Photo: Linda Poole

By Hans Tammemagi

THE SPlEndOuR OF PInK

vancouver’s Iconic cherry Blossom Festival

THE SPlEndOuR OF PInK

vancouver’s Iconic cherry Blossom Festival

2018 Spring Central mountain Air 76 2018 Spring www.flycma.com

FEATURE |

h, spring! It stirs the soul and arouses the spirits to see nature awakening after long months of winter dreariness. Hope bursts forth with every radiant bud that sprouts. And nothing expresses it better than the delicate pink blossoms of

cherry trees, the quintessen-tial symbol of spring.

In the spring when “a young man’s fancy light-ly turns to thoughts of love” nothing could be more romantic than to stroll with your cherished one under an archway of pink cherry blossoms, or picnic on a cushion of pink petals. As a poet exclaimed, “You are as beautiful as a cherry blossom. Your character unfolds each day like the petals of a blossom opening. And you have flowers in your heart.”

In the month of April it will be easy to revel — and perhaps find love — among pink blossoms in Vancouver, for the city is blessed with 43,000 cherry trees, making it the cherry tree capital of Canada. It all started in 1930 with a gift of 500 trees from Japan.

With a favourable climate, the trees blossomed and multi-plied so well that the Vancou-ver Cherry Blossom Festival was started in 2006 and has been celebrated ever since. It is the only such festival in Canada and is recognized by

BBC World as one of the top ten in the world. Vancouver’s Festival has been hugely influenced

by the Japanese, who are obsessed with cherry blos-soms. They are captivated by the beauty as well as the

It is the only such festival in Canada and is recognized by BBC World as one of the

top ten in the world.

A

Photo: Lukasz Szczepanski


| FeATuRe

ephemeral nature of the blossoms, which are reminders to seize the moment and celebrate life now. In spring-time, the Japanese economy grinds to a halt with every company and organization holding parties under blos-soming cherry trees.

To get your pink fix, here are some of the Festival’s events to attend.

The Cherry Jam Downtown Concert is frenetic, fun and free. You will hear it from afar, for Uzume Taiko, West Coast Canada’s premiere tai-ko drumming group, will be making a lot of rhythmic din. The concert will be held on April 5 from noon to 1:30 pm at the Burrard Skytrain station indoor concourse.

To really get in the pink, nothing beats the Big Pic-nic at Queen Elizabeth Park (date to be determined to synchronize with maximum blossoms) from noon to 3 pm. You can sit on the Festival’s free Petal Mats surrounded by some of the city’s most beautiful cherry blossoms. Food trucks will be present.

nothing could be more romantic than to stroll with your cherished one under an archway of pink cherry blossoms, or

picnic on a cushion of pink petals.

Once dusk arrives the Spring Lights Illumina-tion transforms Queen Elizabeth Park into a visual fairyland. The park and the cherry trees will be ablaze with vibrant projections and multicoloured lanterns. In addition, dance performances and musical acts will be presented. And it’s free. (This will likely happen on April 20/21 but is blossom dependent, so check the Festival

website and Facebook page.) Food trucks will be present.

The health-conscious can enjoy Bike the Blossoms from 11am to 1pm (blossom dependent, so date to be determined). The

approximately 12-kilometre course, which has been chosen to pass numerous cherry blossoms, starts and finishes at Trout Lake on the south side of John Hendry Park. Petal Mats will be set up in the park for post-ride picnicking.

The Sakura Night Gala will be held Sunday April 22 at Stanley Park Pavilion. Vancouver’s top restaurants will present an exquisite evening of Asian-fusion cuisine. This year each food station is being paired with wines

Photo: evan Chen


FeATuRe |

“We aim to engage diverse communities

through accessible arts and culture

that celebrates the transcendent fragile beauty of the cherry

blossom.”

and some sake. Tickets required.Vancouver Sings One Song is

new this year and follows in the tradition of the Festival fostering arts and culture. A choir of 300 will sing to the blossoms at Christ Church Cathedral Tuesday, April 3 from 6:30 to 9:30pm. Not only is the event free, but you can sing in the choir! (See sidebar below for more information.)

Numerous Tree Talks and Walks will be held. You can enjoy the best blossoms while learn-ing about cherry trees and the 35 different cultivars found in Van-couver. Guides will also describe other historical or cultural features encountered on the walks — and there are many. In addition, you can gain an insight into how the Japanese celebrate the cherry blos-som at the Sakura Days Japan Fair. (Hint: With great enthusiasm.) Or you can find your inner poet

by entering the Haiku Invitational competition.

To help you, a team of Cherry Scouts are vigilantly seeking out the best places and times to view blossoms. Their observations are reported on the Festival website so you can grab your camera and find the perfect spot and shot. Fur-thermore, you can be a Scout (see sidebar).

Organizers estimate there are about 120,000 attendees annu-ally, and the numbers are growing. Linda Poole, the Festival’s founder and executive director, gushes, “Yes, everyone loves cherry blossoms so the festival is growing rapidly. We get visitors from across Canada, the United States and internationally, especially from Japan.”

Poole describes the Festival’s goals: “We aim to engage diverse communities through accessible arts and culture that celebrates the

transcendent fragile beauty of the cherry blossom. And, of course, we want to sustain and renew Vancou-ver’s cherry tree heritage.”

Soon spring will arrive and you will be able to walk on a carpet of soft, whirling blossoms under a canopy of shimmering pink. In addition to attending the Cherry Blossom Festival, why not plant your own cherry tree.

majomo Photography

Photo: Artona


| FeATuRe

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to Get Into the PinkFestival Information and to order Sakura Gala tickets: vcbf.ca & Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Facebook page.

To register (free) to sing in the choir for Vancouver Sings One Song: eventbrite.ca/e/vancouver-sings-one-song-vsos-tickets-39940687672

To select a walk or talk: vcbf.ca/community-event/tree-talks-walks

To become a Cherry Scout: vcbf.ca/education/cherry-scouts

Buy a cherry tree to plant: VanDusen Botanical Garden; vandusengarden.org

Learn more; read the book: Ornamental Cherries in Vancouver by Douglas Justice.

Photo: lukasz Szczepanski


FeATuRe |

cience fiction and its technological wonders have fascinated us for decades. From flying cars to instant communication to sentient ro-bots and more, these fantastical inventions have not only entertained us, but inspired us

to reach ever further and higher in our own world, and technology has constantly evolved to keep up.

PoPnology, the newest exhibi-tion at edmonton’s Telus World of Science, celebrates this relation-ship: how technology has been influenced by pop culture through movies, books, television, art and futurists.

“PoPnology is where pop culture meets technology,” says Dan Alfano, interim director of science. “How movies, books and TV meet technol-

Sogy, and how that affects our lives.”

Divided into four main parts, the exhibition gives guests the chance to explore How We Play, How We Connect, How We move and How We Live and Work.

In How We Play, guests can get hands on with interac-tive 3D projected playing fields, play around with familiar and cutting-edge instruments, and enjoy classic games, toys and videogames. There’s even a totally immersive virtual reality experience where you can see, hear and sense an entirely new world.

How We Connect showcases the history and future of commu-

nications technology from rotary telephones and VCRs to the era of social media and smartphones and beyond.

POPnOlOgy Where Pop Culture Meets technology

“there’s some kids who have never seen a rotary telephone…there’s some

great opportunities for kids and parents to connect on

the same thing.”

Clockwise from top left: entranceway to the exhibit; Baxter the robot;

oculus virtual reality exhibit; the world’s first 3D-printed car. Photos courtesy Telus World of Science edmonton


| FEATURE

“There’s some kids who have never seen a rotary tele-phone,” says Alfano. “There’s some great opportunities for kids and parents to connect on the same thing.”

It also explores artificial intelligence and distant alien life forms, and there may just be a few familiar props from science fiction and film.

For a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, don’t miss the How We move gallery, where the actual Delorean from ’80s hit Back to the Future will be on display.

“There’s a lot of nostalgia there for the crowd of par-ents,” laughs Alfano.

Also showcased will be mars rovers, jetpacks, marty mcFly’s hoverboard and ar-tistic sketches featuring future plans for flying cars and the high-speed transportation system, the Hyperloop.

And in How We Live and Work, guests can explore some of the most fascinating innovations shaping how we live our lives today, many of which were predicted in movies and books. Witness a demonstration by autono-mous robot Baxter, the robot that’s revolutionizing the way we work; try out a robotic arm; and see the world’s

first 3D-printed car.“I’m really excited to see that,” says Alfano. “Honestly,

I’ll head straight for the 3D-printed car. I just think it’s cool how you can have a digital model existing on a com-puter and then have the appropriate machinery to build

it. The 3D printer is a tool itself; I think it’s fascinating.”

The entire PoPnology exhibit — which was first created in the summer of 2016 — has something for everyone, he adds.

“I think anybody can relate to technology and pop cul-ture. There’s a wide variety of hands-on interactive por-

tions, and then some things that are fairly simple for the four- and five-year-olds that want to come in and make a robotic arm move.”

The number of exciting displays — including model replicas of R2D2 and the Terminator, and a giant Lite Bright — are almost too many to list.

“I think it’s going to be awesome. We encourage people to come back and check it out again,” says Alfano, who recommends looking into a yearly member-

Witness a demonstration by autonomous robot Baxter,

the robot that’s revolutionizing the way we work; try out a

robotic arm; and see the world’s first 3d-printed car.

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FeATuRe |

ship. “our members always get a great deal, and we do what we can to make sure they can go into these feature exhibits as many times as they can.”

In addition to PoPnology, the Telus World of Science edmon-ton also boasts a number of year-round attractions in its four galleries: The Syncrude environment Gallery, The Body Fan-tastic, The Science Garage and Discoveryland. Staff scientists engage families, children, students and adults in a variety of hands-on science activities, like guided tours of the Touch Tank where guests can hold sea stars and see other sea creatures; Animal encounters where guests can meet the facility’s sugar gliders, tarantulas, corn snake and iguana; and The Workshop, where you can roll up your sleeves and make catapults, circuits, bristle bots and more.

There’s also a state-of-the-art ImAX theatre, which has Alberta’s largest screen, and one of Canada’s only 4K Laser Projection systems. The ImAX theatre screens daily shows, featuring a large library of ImAX educational films as well as Hollywood hits.

Currently, the science centre is undergoing a massive re-imag-ining of the original Space Gallery and the margaret Zeidler Star Theatre planetarium. The Aurora Project will see the two spaces significantly renovated and expanded, and will take place over the next few years. The all new S.P.A.C.e. gallery and the mar-garet Zeidler Dome will open again this summer. Visit aurora.twose.ca to learn more.

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Dan Alfano doing a demonstration for a young science enthusiast.

Photo courtesy Telus World of Science edmonton


things to do in

terraceTerrace is the ‘hub’ of the North-west – a natural meeting place of rivers, highways and people. Na-ture. Adventure. Culture. Terrace has all of this and more. From parks and trails for all abilities, to interna-tionally renowned salmon fishing, to skiing at Canada’s first coopera-tive ski hill at Shames Mountain, to First Nations culture, Terrace has something for everyone. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the elusive white Ker-mode or Spirit Bear!

Lakelse Lake Provincial ParkLakelse Lake Provincial Park is located about 15 kilometres south of Ter-

race on Highway 37. This beautiful area is situated in the Skeena River Watershed and is surrounded by the mountains of the Kitimat Range. There are three distinct areas of the park: Gruchy’s Beach, the Lakelse Picnic Site and Furlong Bay Camp-

ground. At Gruchy’s Beach, a beautiful and easy 1-kilometre trail follows Williams Creek through old growth forest and takes you to a sandy beach on Lakelse Lake. During late summer, take the short Sockeye Viewing Trail from the parking area upstream and across the highway bridge where a plat-form has been built for viewing spawning sockeye salmon. At Furlong Bay, the park preserves stands of impressive old growth cedar, hemlock and sitka spruce forests which can be accessed via the 2-kilometre Twin Spruce Trail. Furlong Bay also has a 156-site campground, boat launch, grassy playground area, wheelchair access to the beach, volleyball net and a toilet/change house. A swimming area is roped off at both Furlong Bay and the Lakelse Picnic Site, and paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking can also be enjoyed here. Both have a day-use/picnic site that has tables, a covered picnic shelter with wood stove, parking, fire rings, water and sandy beaches.

Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Provincial Park / Nass ValleyFor a scenic adventure, travel north on the Nisga’a Highway 113 from Terrace, and in an hour, you will be driving through the youngest lava flow in Canada. The dramatic landscape fused with

the rich Nisga’a culture makes the Nass Valley an utterly unique experi-ence. Stop by the Terrace Visitor Centre and pick up a Self-Guided Auto

Kayakers on Lakelse Lake. All photos courtesy of Visit Terrace.

Kermode Spirit Bear.

Suspension Bridge in Gitwinksihlkw.


FIvE THIngS TO dO In TeRRACe |

Tour Map which highlights the epic scenery, notable features and stories along the drive. Check out the Nisga’a Lisims Government Build-ing in Gitlakdamix, the Suspension Bridge in Gitwinksihlkw, the Git Nu Natural Hot Springs and the Nisga’a Museum in Laxgalts’ap, as well as the harbour and ocean front in Gingolx. All communities are road accessible, and you will find amenities such as grocery stores, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, gift shops, gas stations and health services.

Millennium Pathway Take a stroll or bike ride along the Grand Trunk Pathway (aka Millennium Pathway), located along Highway

16 and the railroad tracks. Enjoy an ice cream at the Chill Ice Cream Shop on the east side of the trail, or sample one of the many craft beer choices at our own Sherwood Mountain Brewhouse.

Ferry Island TrailExplore the easy walking trails throughout the 170 acres of Ferry Island, along the banks of the Skeena River. One of the major highlights is the carvings found along the Ferry Island Trail carved into the bark of the trees. There is said to be over 60 carvings hidden in the forest, all carved by a local Terrace artist, Rick Goyette. You can buy one of his coveted carvings at either

the Visitor Centre or the Red Raven Gallery. Be sure to stop by the Visitor Centre located on Hwy 16 near Ferry Island and borrow a fishing rod and tackle box (at no charge) and try your luck on the river! Ferry Island is also a fabulous spot to pitch a tent or park an RV on the 103-site campground, or have a picnic in one of the several day use picnic shelters.

Nass Valley lava beds.

Tree carving by artist Rick Goyette.

Cyclist on the Grand Trunk Pathway.


| FIvE THIngS TO dO In TeRRACe

Kitselas Canyon National Historic SiteExplore Kitselas Canyon, located

12 kilometres east of Ter-race, just off Highway 16. The Gitselasu or Kitselas First Nation developed this award-winning site. Visitors on a guided tour can wan-der through four thematic longhouse displays, a carving shed, animal displays, histor-ical displays and more. Free outdoor activities include views of the longhouses, an interpretive nature trail that leads to the canyon, six to-tem poles, petroglyphs and a view of historic Ringbolt Is-land and the mighty Skeena River.

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Totem poles in Kitselas Canyon National Historic Site.

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Smithers, An Outdoor Playgroundyear-round fun on the slopes, trails and rivers by Sherry Conly

With extreme sports, well-loved slopes and a charming commu-nity, Smithers, BC has earned the moniker

“Little Switzerland” by visitors and locals alike. Incorporated in 1967 and with a population of just over 5,000 people, Smithers sits halfway between Prince George and Prince Rupert, and is bordered by dramatic mountain ranges and framed by the Bulkley River. Quickly becoming a known destination for outdoor enthusiasts, Smithers is a convenient

three-hour flight from Vancouver and home to year-round adventure.

“What really sets Smithers apart is the combination of beautiful setting, a lovely downtown and community, fierce pride and a place where residents love where they live,” says Gladys Atrill, a lifelong Smithereen, driving force behind Tourism Smithers and a town Council member.

In the winter, you can hit the slopes any way you want, from snowboarding to cross country ski-ing to snowshoeing, or you can even

book a heliskiing adventure with Skeena Heliskiing. Very popular with European jetsetters, Skeena Heliskiing offers solace and pris-tine powder in the remote wilder-ness. An hour and a half outside of Smithers is the company’s presti-gious Bear Claw Lodge, the main accommodation for guests. With 9,525 square kilometres of wild terrain to explore, this experience is second to none. An ecstatic visitor said about the experience: “Skiing amongst the glaciers of the Atna Mountains was a very deep and


| FEATURE

“For the whole family, there’s a 13-kilometre perimeter trail around

town for walking, jogging and, of course, bike riding.”

“Once people make the effort to come all the way up here and realize how amazing it is, I always laugh and make them swear not to tell anyone about our little secret,” says Jason Krauskopf, Owner of Local Supply Co. and long-time resident.

Prefer cross-country skiing to downhill? The Bulk-ley Valley Nordic Centre, located along Hudson Bay Mountain Road, is easily accessible and offers up to 47 kilometres of groomed trails through sheltered forest, a day lodge, a biathlon range, lessons for all ages and many more amenities. Operated by volunteers within

the Bulkley Valley Cross Country Ski Club, terrain ranges from smooth to challenging. A lit track over five ki-lometres long is located closer to town, and is available for night skiing until 9pm.

In the warmer months and the heat of summer, hiking, fishing and mountain biking dominate leisure time. The Valley is home to the aforementioned Smithers Mountain Biking Association, with members of all ages, and an increasing number of visitors checking out the well-developed network of trails. This past summer, the BC Bike Ride North brought in a group of thirty riders from eight different countries, who left raving about Smithers.

“It was pretty exciting to see how enthusiastic and impressed they were with our trails,” says Kristen. Be-tween Burns Lake, Terrace and Smithers, there’s a wide variety along the corridor. “It’s an awesome place, and

powerful experience. I didn’t know whether to scream out in joy or wipe a tear away. It was the landscape, the purity, remoteness and the friends I share the experi-ence with. We all felt it, and were all rocked by it.”

If heliskiing isn’t an option, there’s plenty of fun to be had at Hudson Bay Mountain Resort. The proximity of Smithers’ town centre to the ski hills and trails creates the perfect opportunity for a midday ski, and one of the runs goes straight back to town, letting older children practice all afternoon before gliding back home in time for dinner. Idyllic.

“It’s a nice balance with some runs being closer to town and some further out, for bigger adventure,” says Kristen Brewer, President of the Smithers Moun-tain Biking Association. Kristen moved from North Vancouver a couple years ago, in search of a smaller community and she’s found exactly what she was look-ing for in the northern BC town. “It’s a really great mix of pleasant, cute little town and really great recreational access,” she says. “People are really invested in the com-munity, so all our activities are really volunteer- driven, whether it’s developing new bike trails or Nordic runs.”

Also available at Hudson Bay Mountain Resort is a tube park and terrain park. Presented by downtown board shop Local Supply Co. and Hudson Bay Moun-tain Resort, the terrain park is akin to a skate park, with jumps, rails and sculpted features suited for riders of all ability levels.


FEATURE |

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it’s going to be seen as a really great destination,” she adds.

As far as mountain biking goes, there are three trail networks so far, each with several trails, making it a mountain biker’s Disneyland. The trails range from smooth fast rides to much more technical downhill jaunts like the “Four Horsemen,” one of the oldest, steepest and roughest rides—the triple black diamond of mountain biking. For the whole family, there’s a 13-kilo-metre perimeter trail around town for walking, jogging and, of course, bike riding. There are still more op-portunities for off road fun in Call Lake Provincial Park and Babine Mountain Provincial Park.

For water sports in the summer, the Valley is home to several rivers: the Bulkley, Babine, Morice and Kispiox, all within a short drive from town. Try canoeing, kayak-ing, white water rafting or paddle boarding. The Bulkley River has

over thirty rapids and makes an awesome day trip. On the Babine River is a famous whitewater called Grizzly Drop, which is an incredible way to spend a day during salmon spawning season, with plenty of fishing Grizzlies to observe. Main Current Rafting Expeditions offers rafting, canoe-ing and kayaking trips for all ages, and you can choose from low-key packages like Granny Goes Rafting and Family Floats, all the way to multi-day expeditions and camps.

Year round, this northern oasis offers up something for everyone, from ripping down the moun-tain in sub-zero temperatures, to exploring the many trails on a bike, or simply cooking up the day’s catch under the glow of the Aurora Borealis. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll surely find it in Smithers.


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Colleen Brinesof Quesnel Live ArtsBy Angela Cowan

&

how long have you been involved with Quesnel live Arts and what is your role?

I have lived in Quesnel for 37 years and have been with Quesnel Live Arts for 15 years. I joined the board as a volunteer for the day and am now the Chair of the Quesnel Live Arts Board.

Can you describe QlA and what it does? The mission of Quesnel Live Arts is to provide qual-

ity entertainment at an affordable price to the citizens of Quesnel and District. The committee of volunteers endeavors to sponsor at least six concerts per season. Income is provided through ticket sales (season and individual concerts), sponsorships from local civic-minded businesses and grants from the BC Touring Council.

Committee members are involved in selecting performers, meeting technical requirements for each performing group, soliciting sponsorships and grants, making arrangements for the “care and feeding of performers,” accounting and communication services, publicity and ticket sales. We also have fun together (usually with the performers) as we heave a collective sigh of relief and celebrate the success of each con-cert. There is always room for more volunteers.

What has it done for the community? Quesnel Live Arts enriches the lives of people in

our community as it is a source of culture and quality entertainment at a very reasonable cost. It also assists in attracting professionals and families to move to Quesnel and become part of our community. Through the years, Quesnel Live Arts has offered to its audi-ence such a wide variety of styles: comedy acts, heart-wrenching drama, classical and world music, jazz, folk, dance and pretty well everything in between. Many of

our long-term patrons are willing to buy tickets for the whole season, knowing that all the shows will be of top quality, and they’re willing to be pleasantly surprised by an act that intro-duced them to something new and different.

What are you most proud of? I am proud of the long history of Quesnel Live Arts, going

back to 1960. It has developed from a fledgling institution that accepted pretty well whatever Vancouver was willing to send us for entertainment, to a group of hard-working individuals with varied experience, committed to bringing cultural joy to the citizens of Quesnel and area. I am also very proud of the local businesses and individuals who see the value of our or-ganization and provide financial support season after season.

What’s coming up next? QLA is very pleased to present Phillip Chiu in a multimedia

concert titled “Of Church and State” on Thursday, March 1. Phillip’s program pairs solo piano music with stunning videos of Quebec’s beautiful churches.

On Saturday, March 24, Dinah D & The Contraband Swing-club will hit the stage at The Occidental. This is an extra show and not part of the regular season. This 6-piece band of smokin’ musicians feature 5 stellar vocalists, 3 horns, a deadly rhythm section and loads of smiles for any audience who loves to dance.

The final show of the season celebrates Nelson’s very own Lucas Myers in his latest theatrical show: Campground. Lucas’s shows usually come with a warning and this one is no different. WARNING: FLAShLIGhTS, SeLF-DISCOVeRY, DIDG-eRIDOO. We love to see the audience leave smiling! www.qla.ca

Members of the Quesnel live Arts Board. Back row: Fred Paulson and doreen Wickham. Seated in front from left: Colleen Brines, trish Breisch, Gay Cuglietta, Brenda Paulson and deanna Walker. Missing is Chris Fugler. Photo courtesy Quesnel live Arts


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Museum at Campbell RiverTuesdays through Sundaysexplore the rich cultural traditions and dramatic art forms in the First Nations gallery and follow the changes brought about by ex-ploration and colonization in the Transitions gallery. experience unique working methods and coastal lifestyles in the Logging, Pioneer Cabin, Floathouse and Salmon Industry exhibits. And in the comfort-able Van Isle Theatre, sit back and enjoy a number of film choices, including footage of the legendary Ripple Rock explosion. open Tuesdays through Sundays from 12:00pm to 5:00pm at 470 Island Highway at 5th Avenue. FmI: 250-287-3103 or crmuseum.ca

Recover All That Is Oursmarch 1 to April 25Inspired by a line by mohawk/Tuscarora poet Janet Rogers, this exhibition at the Campbell River Art Gallery redefines the ideas about Canada, and its 500-year-old relationship with Turtle Island through de-colonial poet-ics, mythology and contemporary multi-disci-plinary Indigenous art practices. In the main Gallery at 1235 Shoppers Row. open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. FmI: 250-287-2261 or [email protected]

dAWSOn CreeK

4th Annual Health and Wellness ExpoFebruary 17Come celebrate

health and well-ness with BodyBreak duo Hal Johnson and Joanne

mcLeod! For more than 25 years, Hal and Joanne have inspired Canadians to find ways to incorporate healthy eating and exercise

into their lives. The pair will present twice throughout the expo and attend-ees will also have an opportunity to meet and greet them following each pre-sentation. The 2018 expo will host doz-ens of other regional and local guests and vendors specializing in a wide range of health enhancing products and ser-vices. Tickets are $5 at the door. Doors open at 10:00am on Saturday, February 17 at the encana events Centre at #1-300 Highway 2. FmI: dawsoncreekeventscentre.com/events/detail/hwexpo

FOrt St. JOhn

High On Ice WinterfestFamily Day WeekendCelebrate winter in Fort St. John with the annual High on Ice Winterfest! This weekend-long festival gets families out

and enjoying the crisp days with free hot choco-late and face painting, live music, ice slides and bonfires, horse drawn sleigh rides, ice carving and so much more. There are cross country skiing trials, comedy shows, curling bonspiels and

even an ice fishing derby. Bundle up and get outside to celebrate winter! FmI: 250-785-4592 or fortstjohn.ca/ice

Say Yes to the Dress: A Journey Through the History of Infant’s Clothing in Western Cultureuntil may 31Why do boys wear dresses in old paintings and photographs? Was pink always a girl’s colour? What exactly are swaddling clothes? The Say Yes to the Dress exhibit looks at infant clothing from antiquity to the present. Swaddling clothes, dresses, diapers, layettes and sleepers are all on display. Learn why dresses were popular for both boys and girls from medieval times to the early 1900s. See many never-before displayed items from our museum collection, as well as special items on loan for this display. Daily at the Fort St. John North Peace museum. FmI: 250-787-0430 or fsjmuesum.com


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KAMlOOPS

Kamloops Symphony Great Classics

February 10Welcome back BC’s own world-renowned pianist Avan Yu as he plays the central work in this great classics pro-gramme. The concert features a little-known mozart overture and his brilliant final symphony,

the Jupiter. From 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the Sagebrush Theatre, 1300 9th Avenue. Tickets $42, $39 seniors, $10 students under 19. FmI: 250-372-5000

2018 BC Winter GamesFebruary 22-25The BC Winter Games bring together British Columbia’s best emerging high performance athletes, trained coaches and certified officials for four days of competition. This experience is an important development opportunity and stepping stone toward higher level sport competitions. FmI: 250-828-3822 or bcgames.org

KelOWnA

Lake Country Indoor Children’s Festivalmarch 3enjoy an assortment of children’s activities at the Lake Country Children’s Festival, presented by TD Bank. From 11:00am to 3:00pm at the Community Complex, 10241 Bottom Lake Road. Admission by donation. FmI: 250-766-5650 or okanaganway.ca

Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ MarketSaturdays until march 31Featuring farm, food and craft vendors, the Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ mar-ket draws vendors from between the boundaries of Armstrong and Summer-land, and focuses on handmade, locally grown and artisanal products. From 9:00am to 1:00pm at the Parkinson Recreation Centre, 1800 Parkinson Way. Free admission. FmI: kelownafarmer-sandcraftersmarket.com

PrInCe GeOrGe

Prince George Farmers MarketSaturdays until April 28This year-round market is just the place to drop by to get your fix of homemade goodies and specialty items. organic produce and meats, clothing, jewelry, preserves, leather goods, kombucha, art, soup mixes, knitted items, locally roasted coffee and more. Saturdays from 8:30am to 2:00pm at 1074 6th Avenue. FmI: farmersmarketpg.ca

Cirque du Soleil’s CrystalApril 25-29Cirque du Soleil’s Crystal explores the artistic limits of ice for the first time in the company’s 33-year history. This unique production pushes boundaries of performance by combining stunning skating and acrobatic feats that defy the imagination. At the CN Centre for seven performances only. Tickets start at $35 for adults, $28 for children. FmI: 1-888-293-6613 or ticketsnorth.ca

WIllIAMS lAKe

Craft Beer FestivalFebruary 17

This will be the 3rd annual Craft Beer Festival fundraiser for the Cariboo Foundation Hospital Trust. Last year’s event attracted over 400 attendees and 23 craft breweries, with proceeds benefitting the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre Association, which provides services to children and fami-lies in the Williams Lake community. FmI: [email protected]

CAlGArY

Midwinter BluesfestFebruary 26 to march 3A week of blues to warm your bones! Workshops, annual Singing the Blues vocal camp, the CBmA Blues Awards

& Twilight Blues Jam, Bluesfest Dance Party, Blues at noon hour concert and more performances. Free and ticketed events. FmI: 403-668-7144 or calgary-bluesfest.com

Supertrain 2018April 14-15Canada’s biggest and best annual model train show! over 70,000 square feet of operating layouts, exhibits and displays, railroad artists, hobby shops, model manufacturers, demonstrations, clinics, museums and railroad histori-cal associations, Lego and Thomas play area, garden railways, ride-on trains and more. Tickets $15 adults, children 15 and under free. From 9:00am to 5:00pm each day at Genesis Centre, 7555 Falconridge Blvd Ne. FmI: super-train.ca

Calgary Comic & Entertainment ExpoApril 26-29Calgary expo is a four-day annual celebration of all things pop culture including comics, sci-fi, gaming, fan-tasy, horror and more held each spring at Stampede Park. All ages welcome! Attend workshops and panels featur-ing iconic stars and artists, grab new art from world-class creators and even meet your favourite heroes for a photo or an autograph. FmI: 403-770-3069 or calgaryexpo.com

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