Local Arts

There were at least two pleasant surprises during Monday's Reel Youth Film Festival showing at Roberts Creek Hall.

It could have been the new paint job or the spirit of having survived the winter's worst, but when the annual Friends of the Gallery (FOG) art show opened last week in Sechelt, it revealed a fresher, newer Sunshine Coast Arts Centre.

While spending time in the desert country of Dubai, artist Carol Whittaker came to appreciate that essential element of life - water."In the Middle East, water is so precious," she said.

Once again Black Cat Productions is partnering with the Reel Youth Film Festival (RYFF) to bring a feast of youth-created films back to the Sunshine Coast. The festival screens for one night only on Monday, Jan. 12, at the Roberts Creek Hall.

Sun Haven Waldorf School children received the gift of theatre and the Christmas message from the staff from their school Dec. 19. Performing the Oberufer Shepherds' Play is an historical tradition in Waldorf schools.

Pack Ratt Louie's manager Peter Beauchamp, looking resplendent in red bow tie and dinner jacket, welcomed the nearly 200 guests to the finale of Sunshine Coast Idol last Friday evening with: "We're gonna rock this town like it's never been rocked bef

The legend of Sleeping Beauty came to life last week to capacity audiences at the Heritage Playhouse during the annual Christmas pantomime.

Poet Susan Telfer of Gibsons has received the Gillian Lowndes Award, an annual honour accorded to an artist in any discipline who has demonstrated long-standing achievement and growth.

"Canada's gift to the period instrument musical world" is how Frances Heinsheimer Wainwright, artistic director of the Coast Recital Society (CRS), refers to the world-famous Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.

Saint Cecilia is smiling. The patron saint of music, whose day is coming up this Saturday, inspired the first Canada Music Week back in 1960. The celebratory week is a good time to take stock of musical progress on the Coast.