It is with great sadness and loss of sense of direction that we inform you that the legendary Resurrect Christ Foundation will not be playing at this year's Travscend. Due to this and a few other cancellations the event is looking for a few more original bands to play.  Can you help bring back Jesus from the dark realms of interstellar space? If it is just you and a guitar or herdy gurty that is fine too. The one thing we ask is that you bring your art (no cover bands). If so, call Ben at 250-271-0136 to book your spot on stage!

Travscend is scheduled for 7pm on Saturday, February 20 at The Lido, and is an annual event meant to showcase original music and art and to honour Travis Marsh, a creative young musician who passed away suddenly 2 years ago. For more information on the show click here.

The Doodlebops will be performing at the North Peace Cultural Centre for their Together Forever tour on Saturday, March 27th at 1 pm.  A second show has been added at 4 pm. Tickets for the second show will go on sale February 11th at 10 am for the general public.

The Doodlebops: Together Forever Tour appeals to audiences of all ages. Drawing on the success of the The Doodlebops TV series from Cookie Jar Entertainment, this 90-minute live stage show will feature innovative giant screen technology, original sets and costumes, new songs, signature favourites, and reinforce positive social values. Since their TV debut just a few short years ago, this flamboyant and vibrant, high-energy musical trio - featuring Deedee, Rooney and Moe Doodle - has been propelled to global stardom, and garnered an international fan base beyond compare. From airing on CBC in Canada, Disney Chanel in the U.S., Playhouse Disney in the UK, ‘Doodlemania’ is growing: younger audiences and followers of all ages the world over can’t get enough.

Tickets for all seats are $24.50 each and are available from the Box Office, by phone at (250) 785-1992 or 1-877-785-1992, or online.

Keeping an art journal is a very centering practice that enhances our experience of everyday life, slowing down for a few moments in the day to savour, reflect, and integrate. Our right brain gets to talk for a change….and that change is GOOD! We can keep a visual/art/sketchbook journal for an infinite array of reasons, from witnessing our daily life, to voicing our dreams and aspirations, to enhancing our experience of travel or any transition, or to just having a safe place to play (Imagine!).

On Saturday, January 16 and Sunday, January 17, a small group of very diverse people gathered together in Dawson Creek at “Picture It!”, to enjoy a One Day Mini-Retreat of Introductory Art Journaling, including a hot lunch and all supplies for experimenting. Most participants felt that the highlight of the day was opening their personalized “stash injections”, prepared for them by Barb Daley, Art Journaler Extraordinaire. The next favourite part was having the whole day to create, with kindred spirits, and to learn ALL kinds of simple techniques for self-expression. Someone said it was like a spa for their spirit!

Barb Daley is currently planning a mini-retreat for a local group that will soon be travelling to China. Travelling with a Visual Journal is an excellent way to get the most out of any journey. She will be hosting that event in her home/studio, “Seven Bangles Art & Design”, on Feb 27 and/or Feb 28. She is also planning to host a presentation when she returns from China, in early April, with proceeds going to Haiti.

Also, watch for “Art Journalling for the Singer, Songwriter or Musician” coming later this spring. For more info contact Barb at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.barbarajdaley.com.

According to the New York Times, Fort St. John is on the cusp of witnessing the singles event of the year - The Lonely Hearts Club Dinner.

That means if you're single, and a resident of Fort St. John, you'd be a fool to not be at Whole Wheat n' Honey next Saturday, February 13.  This also means if you're currently in a relationship it would be acceptable to break it off just for the weekend so you can attend in the full spirit of the event.

This is a reminder to all you Peace Region music makers that the deadline for RocKIN the Peace 2010 is fast approaching.  The deadline is one week from today - next Friday, February 12. So if you want to enter, but haven't done so yet, get recording!

This is the 6th year of the Peace Region's annual original music search and once again the lookout is on for some great local talent to grace the stage of the North Peace Cultural Centre.

All styles of music are welcome ... rock, pop, gospel, blues, country....whatever your style is, as long as it's original music!  Simply submit an entry form and a demo of up to 3 original songs before the deadline.

This is a fantastic opportunity for local musicians to gain exposure and experience.  All finalists will have their winning song submission included on the RocKIN the Peace 2010 CD and will perform live at the RocKIN the Peace concert at the North Peace Cultural Centre on March 13, 2010.  The winner will be determined by audience voting at this show.  If this isn't enough, the grand prize is $1500!

Entries can be submitted online or dropped off at the following sponsor locations: Moose FM, 101.5 the Bear, and Energy FM in Fort St. John.

For more details, entry forms, and complete rules visit www.rockinthepeace.com

What's the only logical thing to do upon discovering that the home of your city's Open Mic is suddenly closing? Make some noise and have one last Open Mic, of course!

Yesterday, Feb 3, was a night of tears and beers as musicians and music lovers from across Fort St. John gathered to say farewell to our second home - Egan's Pub. We jammed hard, drank hard, danced hard, laughed hard, and celebrated until long past closing time. To see more of the 4 million photos I took, click here, visit my photoblog, or stalk me down on the ol' Facebook.

Ryan Hennessey, Egan's Open Mic host and creator, opens the night one last time.

Rob Doucette packs the stage for a Rockin' in the Free World sing-along. Pictured (left to right) is Dallas Vienneau, Johnny Gelderblom, Lindsay Pratt, Nikki Poetz, Mark Bodner, Rob Doucette, Ryan Hennessey, Dayna Manning, and Jason Butler ... however I know there are a few more folks crammed in out of camera sight!

Steve Ryan, one of Open Mic's (and Egan's!) most loyal and loved patrons.

Adam Kirschner

Rob Doucette

Johnny Gelderblom

What's the only logical thing to do upon discovering that the home of Fort St. John's Open Mic is closing?  Have one last Open Mic, of course!

With that said, tonight, Wednesday February 3, we're going to gather together for one last Open Mic at Egan's Pub.

Since its humble beginning in 2005, Egan's Open Mic has grown into something magical.  Open Mic has become such a successful event that this year it went from a twice monthly to a weekly occurrence. Since then, every single week has been better than the last as musicians of all sorts come together on the little stage in the corner. 

Wednesday nights truly have a buzz effect on us all.  It's a place where we've met lifelong friends, a place where we've witnessed our friends and fellow musicians grow, and a place where we know we can always go ... really, it's like a second home to a lot of us. 

Let's enjoy "Our House" tonight - let's celebrate and make music and drink beer and dance and laugh and send Egan's Open Mic out in style!  So bring your instruments, come early, and stay late - I'm sure we'll all be there from at least 8pm on.

We'll keep you posted in the coming weeks and let you know as soon as we have more information on what (or where) is happening with Open Mic and other Egan's events.

Photo by Jodie Ponto: The home of our Wednesday Open Mic nights - Egan's Pub.

Some sad news on the local music front today - Fort St. John's beloved Egan's Pub is closing its doors on February 16, 2010.  All events scheduled to be held between now and then are cancelled.

Opening 5 years ago, the pub has witnessed the growth of an almost unbelievable music community. Thanks to hardworking & music loving folks like Jason George, Ryan Hennessey, and Russell Eggleston our local music community went from practically nonexistent to buzzing and vibrant.  Although the music community has deep roots in Egan's Pub, a community is more about the people who gather together than the place they gather at, so we're confident that we can and will continue to thrive even with this closure.

With that said, this is a time when we really need the community's help.  We're going to need new homes for all sorts or events, and we're open to ideas and suggestions of any sort.  This is a great opportunity for our community to expand and for other venues to support local music. 

Post any questions, comments, ideas, and suggestions below or send Russell an e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Northern Groove Magazine is out for Feburary!  Northern Groove is Fort St. John and area's art, entertainment, music, dance, theatre, food, and events guide magazine... This month's magazine is a 32 pager... packed with articles about local arts and entertainment events!  Follow the link, and check it out for yourself!

1960's London? A young woman's coming-of-age story woven with her romance with a man nearly twice her age? A Sundance Film Festival award winner?  Sounds like a film for the Fort St. John Film Society!

With that in mind, it's no surprise that the FSJ Film Society will be showing An Education on Monday, February 8 at 7pm at the Aurora Cinema. Tickets are $8 in advance (at Cosmic Grounds or the Visitor Information Centre) or $9 at the door.

An Education is a 2009 Britsh film based on an autobiographical memoir of the same title written by the British journalist Lynn Barber. The film was directed by Lone Scherfig, with screenplay written by Nick Hornby. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, won the Audience and Cinematography award, and went on to be nominated for numerous other awards including the Golden Globes and Academy Awards.

An Education is the story of a teenage girl's coming-of-age set in 1961 London, a city caught between the drab, post-war 1950s and the glamorous, more liberated decade to come. Jenny (Carey Mulligan) stands on the brink of becoming a woman: a brilliantly witty and attractive 16-year-old whose suburban life is about to be blown apart by the utterly unsuitable 30-something David (Peter Sarsgaard). Urbane and witty, David manages to charm her conservative parents Jack (Alfred Molina) and Marjorie (Cara Seymour). David introduces Jenny to a glittering new world of classical concerts and late-night suppers with his attractive friend and business partner, Danny (Dominic Cooper) and Danny's girlfriend, the beautiful but vacuous Helen (Rosamund Pike). Just as Jenny's family's long-held dream of getting their brilliant daughter into Oxford seems within reach, Jenny is tempted by another kind of life.