Photo: The Outstanding Dance Group from the 2009 Peace River North Festival of the Arts.  Standing left to right:  Cassandra Arntson, Hayley Popwell, Kendra Coulter.  Centre:  Mariah Boot, Sarah Wilkinson.  Front:  Elan Miller Jeannotte, and Kelani Shuster.

Festival time is approaching and young performing artists are working on putting the finishing touches on their musical pieces and their dances before taking to the stage from March 14 to March 21 for the Peace River North Festival of the Arts at the North Peace Cultural Centre.  Preparations began as far back as last summer when visiting teachers choreographed dances at local dance studios, and many hours of practice have been put in since then.

Music Festivals have a long history in Fort St. John with mention of children feverishly practicing their pieces as far back as spring of 1930.  In 1946 the Festival was revived with an impressive 166 entries in drama, vocal and choir, dramatic speech, piano and violin.  In that year Miss Evelyn Jonasson tied with the Misses Dorothy and Marna Stewart for the Bowes & Herron Grand Trophy Shield for the highest mark by pupil or group.  By 1948 dance was a part of the festival with pupils of Mrs. Dorothy Forrester very much to the fore.  Rural schools that have long since disappeared, such as Montney and North Pine, were prominent in those early reports, participating in choral speech, a category that has recently been revived in our own modern version of the festival.

Styles have changed and the children of Fort St. John have opportunities to train in music and dance that the Misses Stewarts could only dream of, but the enthusiasm to perform and the butterflies when getting ready to face the adjudicator probably have not changed very much over the years.

The 2010 version of Fort St. John’s “Musical Festival” will include classes in a wide range of disciplines starting with strings on Sunday, March 14.  Instrumental classes start things off on Monday, March 15, after which the energy level in the Cultural Centre will take a sharp rise when seven bands perform in the afternoon.  Three bands from Fort Nelson will join our four local bands and it promises to be an exciting and entertaining afternoon. 

Voice and choir take over in the evening, then piano takes centre stage through March 16 and 17 with a wide range of style on display from Classical to Popular and Jazz.  There are sure to be some impressive music coming from some very small hands over two packed days of piano classes. Our new category of speech will be introduced on the morning of Thursday, March 18, and the festival organizers excited to put this skill on display for the first time in many years.

On Thursday afternoon, things will really start jumping when five dance studios descend on the Cultural Centre and adjudicators will be busy with this exciting and highly competitive category with very few breaks until the afternoon of Sunday, March 21.  Solos are performed during the day with group sessions scheduled for each evening and duos being feature on the Sunday session.

On Sunday evening the “Best of the Fest” will be on display as the best of every category from throughout the week will perform and delegates to the Provincial Festival in Duncan will be announced.  This show is a wonderful showcase of the outstanding talent in this community and it never fails to be an entertaining evening of music and dance.  All sessions throughout the week are open to the public for a small admission fee of $3.00 per session while tickets to the “Best of the Fest” honours show can be purchased at the Cultural Centre box office.  These young performers deserve our support and their hard work and talent never fail to make us all proud.

The City of Fort St. John is excited to announce a series of upcoming events aimed at promoting environmental awareness, energy conservation and emissions reductions.

Thursday, March 4

The City of Fort St. John Presents: Awareness Film Series at the Lido.

Fifth in the city's Awareness Film Series, the evening will feature a Canadian documentary film that explores the challenges and rewards of living more lightly. The film runs about 45 minutes in length and will be followed by three presenters from the community outlining what they are doing to support living more lightly and offering advice on steps anyone can take to be the change. Presentation topics covered will include:

Community Gardens in Fort St. John

Sustainable Building Options

Save Green – The Benefits of Green Real-estate

Admission is free! Doors open at 6:30pm. Show starts at 7:00pm.

Thursday, March 11

The City of Fort St. John Presents: “Be the Change – Fort St. John” at the North Peace Cultural Centre. 

This event features a powerful musical performance by Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright - the Voices of Nature (more info about them below) accompanied by a choir of 130 local school children, keynote speaker Tzeporah Berman , and an unveiling of our new Community Energy & Emissions Plan by our Mayor and the City Manager. This event is sure to inspire you to be the change.

Admission is free! Doors open at 6:30pm. Show starts at 7:00pm.

Tzeporah Berman is executive director of PowerUp Canada – Canadians for Climate Leadership. She's different kind of environmentalist -- one with deep roots in the nascent environmental movement, but also armed with uncanny business and media smarts. At the not-for-profit Forest Ethics, she works with massive corporations to transform their buying habits and reinvigorate their public image. The companies she partners with -- including Home Depot, Dell and Staples, the world's largest paper retailer -- have boosted employee morale, extended the public life of their brands, and saved millions in costs (and inpotentially ruinous boycotts). The Globe and Mail calls her "one of the most prominent environmentalists in Canada." In the States, The Utne Reader named her One of the 50 Visionaries Changing the World. Through her work at Forest Ethics, Berman has helped save over 12 million acres of endangered forests in Canada, the United States, and Chile.

A young star of the environmental movement, Berman appearaed in Leonardo DiCaprio's documentary The 11th Hour. She was also nominated for the Schwab Social Entrepreneur Award, and named by the BC Royal Museum as one of the 150 people who have changed BC's history. She has been featured in The Globe and Mail, Green Living and The Vancouver Sun, among other publications. In her uplifting keynotes, she draws from her groundbreaking work -- in the boardroom, in the legislature and in forests -- to show us that the notion of activists vs. corporations, of good vs. evil, no longer applies in the age of global climate change. It's about creating dialogue, and finding the solutions that will be mutually beneficial to all. "It's not about whether or not it's nice to have forests anymore," she says, "It's about our future."
 

Friday, March 12

The City of Fort St. John Presents: Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright - the Voices of Nature at Whole Wheat & Honey.

Here is an opportunity to enjoy some upbeat music, enjoy complimentary coffee, snacks, and find out more information on the Community Energy & Emissions Plan.

Admission is free! Show starts at 7:00pm.

Based on Vancouver Island, BC, Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright perform music about sustainability, ecology and the human dilemma: folk pop to rock your world! They are creating the new edge of environmental music by blending their very diverse musical backgrounds and weaving them into songs that touch people’s souls and make them think about the world around them. When Holly and Kevin sing together - think Joni Mitchell and Bon Scott.  With Holly on slide dulcimer and piano and Kevin playing percussion and sax, they produce a wide range of sound and feeling.

With over 30 years as a folk/jazz performer, Holly has appeared at most major music festivals in Canada and has shared the stage with artists such as Bruce Cockburn, Stan Rogers and Herbie Hancock. Since the mid-80s, Kevin has been a pioneering member of the Victoria rock scene performing in seminal bands such as Armoros, Turk and the Rat (Rocktoria 1 winner) and After Dark.

Holly and Kevin form the core of the Artist Response Team (ART) - a ground breaking production house that delivers fabulous Voices of Nature community outreach events throughout BC and Alberta. Using their award winning and provincially recommended Cycle of Life learning resources, they travel the land bringing music and science education to entire school communities.

The Northern Groove Magazine can be found at locations all over Fort St. John and now that magazine is even easier to find. Just look for the unique handmade holders that are beginning to show their ceramic faces around town. The holders are made by Shannon Butler, a local artist who makes one-of-a-kind ceramics and paintings at kilnhouse studio. You can currently find these distinctive holders at Whole Wheat n' Honey Cafe, Uptown Grill, JD Fitzgerald's, Olio's Pizza, and Cosmic Grounds. If you or your business currently distributes the Northern Groove magazine and would like to have them displayed in one of these lovely creations drop us a line at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Watch for March's edition of the magazine to begin appearing in these holders this week as it officially hits the streets!  Until then, you can view the magazine online here.

Photo by Jodie Ponto

Sights. Camera. Action.

Tumbler Ridge is a visually-stunning area jampacked with natural wonders and a vast array of recreational opportunities. Countless stories can be gleaned from the people that have ventured outdoors to partake in the experiences waiting for them. These are the stories and images that Tumbler Ridge would like to share with the world through the Real to Reel Film Experience Contest.

A combined total of $2500 in cash prizes is being offered up to anyone that has visited Tumbler Ridge, has a story to tell, and the video to back it up. The contest’s four prize categories include Summer/Fall, Winter, and Youth (under 18) and a People’s Choice Award. Eligible submissions must be 2-4 minutes long, must showcase Tumbler Ridge in a positive light, and must be owned by person submitting them. Videos will eventually be posted on Tumbler Ridge’s YouTube channel.

Interested filmmakers can view contest guidelines and instructions at real2reel.visitTumblerRidge.ca.

Submissions will be shortlisted by a panel of judges (to be announced) after October 16, 2010. From there the public will be able to vote for the winners. Awards will be handed out at a screening event in December.

For more information, real2reel.visitTumblerRidge.ca or www.VisitTumblerRidge.com

About Tumbler Ridge:

Tumbler Ridge is a community of 3700 people idyllically situated in the rolling foothills on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, within the Alaska Highway corridor. Gifted with a diverse topography that has earned the community the moniker, ‘”Waterfall Capital of the North”, Tumbler Ridge sits amidst a wilderness of lakes, rivers, and numerous breathtaking falls. This four-season destination offers unlimited year-round recreational opportunities for all ages, interests and abilities - River boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, waterfall bagging, trailing running, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice climbing, tobogganing and more. Elevated to global recognition in 2000 by the discovery of dinosaur footprints, Tumbler Ridge is also home to the Peace Regional Palaeontology Research Centre and the Dinosaur Discovery Gallery offering insight and hands on experiences in dinosaur exploration in one of the world’s finest fossil areas.

The time is right to make Fort St. John a place to remember, not only for it's oil and gas, but also for it's diversity and culture

 - Don Dawes, Pan African Caribbean Association of Fort St. John spokesperson

Black History Month is celebrated all across Canada and the United States every February. This year the local Pan African Caribbean Association will make Fort St. John history by holding the city's first ever Black History Month celebration. The 2 day celebration will occur this weekend, Friday February 26 - Saturday, February 27, and will feature keynote speakers, presentations on the black history in the Peace Region, exhibitions and performances of African arts and culture, and an evening of African-Caribbean food, music, and dance.

In addition to celebrating black history, this event is meant to integrate cultures and showcase the diversity that is right here in the Peace Region. The Pan African Association envisions this to be an annual event that welcomes, celebrates, and connects people of all cultures. Another vision for the event is to bring young people from across the community together. Don Dawes, spokesperson for FSJ's Pan African Caribbean Association, says what he hopes to see is young people in one place on one day experiencing and doing things from all cultures.

With that cultural connection and intergration in mind, a big part of the celebration will involve music, dance, and art. Music and art are great cross-cultural communicators and often have the magic power of connecting people. And this is ultimately what the celebration is about – bringing people of all backgrounds together. Perhaps John Lennon said it best with the iconic line from his song Imagine: “I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one”.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, February 25 / 5:00 - 6:30pm

Soccer Game - North Peace Secondary School Gym

Friday, February 26 / 6:00 - 9:00pm

Presentations - Northern Lights College

• "Historical Perspective: Immigrants of African Descent to Northeast BC"
• Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Garbette Garraway (Author and Assistant Professor, Department of Counselling and Addiction Studies, University of Detroit, Mercy)

Saturday, February 27 / 6:00 - 11:00pm

African-Caribbean Dinner & Dance - North Peace Cultural Centre

• Music by Timber of Good Vibrations
• Donations towards dinner would be appreciated. A portion of the funds will go towards the Red Cross Haiti Relief Fun

For more information contact Donald F (250-787-0279) or Donald D (250-785-0815).

"A Night of Stars" - The 36th Annual CDC Talent Show will be on Friday, March 5 at the North Peace Cultural Centre starting at 6 pm.

The show is currently looking for volunteers and performers of all types. If you're interested in performing or volunteering contact Crystal Kalas at 250-785-3200.

All proceeds from this year's talent show will go towards Project Build-A-Fort and the many programs and services offered through the Child Development Centre. For 36 years the Child Development Centre has been providing programs and services to children and youth with special needs and their families. 2010 is a time for celebration as we complete Project Build-A-Fort. The support we have received throughout the years has made Project Build-A-Fort” building expansion/renovation project a reality. At the present time the Child Development Centre serves over seven hundred individual children per year with that number continuing to be on the rise. The project will include space for programs and services that will enrich the lives of children with special and typical needs. It will enable us to offer a broader range of programs, enhance our service delivery, and allow us to better meet the needs of children and families in our area.

International Women's Day 2010 in Fort St. John will be just one of millions of events going on around the world on March 8th. Over a century old, International Women's Day began as a day of protest, a rally against the poor working conditions women in factories were experiencing. It stayed a women's day of protest for many countries where women's lack of political rights were forefront. In countries like Canada, however, International Women's Day has grown into more of a celebration of sisterhood, an acknowledgement of our successes, and of course, a day to embrace the joys we are grateful for.

In keeping with past years, the Fort St. John Poetics Research Group is sponsoring the Fort St. John International Women's Day with a 2-day event! On Sunday, March 7th, at Northern Lights College, a series of expressive workshops, including mask-making, life-writing and burlesque dancing will allow women to embrace the wonders and joys of being a woman through writing, creative art, and sensual dance. Loyal supporters of past events will once again lend their time and skills to this year's March 7th and 8th celebration, like Amaljeet Jhand who every year cooks traditional Indian food, and the dancers from the Latin Dance troupe.

"I don't think the community realizes just how much the women freely contribute to the fibre of this community, and this is one evening where we want to honour and cherish those contributions," states Sylvia Bayley, one of the events' organizers.

On Monday, March 8th, at Whole Wheat & Honey, the community is invited to an evening event celebrating the talents of local women, including long-time resident Deb Butler, poets Jen Salinas and Tanya Clary, and dancers from Suzon Tremblay's bellydance troupe 'Mystic Borealis'. An evening of 'women celebrating women' will also have a female drummer, and hopefully will display some of the creations from the March 7th NLC workshops. And, because every woman deserves to be honoured, no matter her situation, the events of March 7th and March 8th will be 'by donation'.
 

Energetic. Welcoming. Inclusive.

The Spring Activity Fest is a free, family oriented community event which will be held on Saturday, March 20 from NOON until 3 PM at North Peace Secondary School in the gymnasium. This vibrant and energetic event offers the public an opportunity to celebrate the first day of spring while participating in a variety of fun and family oriented activities.

This community event will include:

Obstacle Course and Activity Centre: children and adults of all ages can get active and have fun participating in mini indoor challenges featuring a special chance for you to literally spring or bounce into the new season on the Bungee Run or on the inflatable castle.

Relays: gather a team of family or friends together to take part in this hilarious outdoor competition. Sign up on-location for your chance to brave the spring elements and compete for prizes in the outdoor relay event. Don’t forget to come dressed for the weather!

Cultural Demonstrations: local dancers, performers and sports groups will be on location to demonstrate a range of cultural activities available to residents of Fort St John. Tired of always watching the performances? Want to learn something new? The crowd will be encouraged to get up and participate in the entertainment – watch for your cue!

Multicultural Food Vendors: selling an array of exotic and tasty treats

Live, Local Musical Entertainment: this event is geared towards entertainers with fun, upbeat and family friendly music. Professional sound and technical services will be provided by Russell Eggleston Creative Services. This is an opportunity for artists to perform at a community-wide event, in front of a large and diverse crowd, and with professional technical assistance!

Artists interested in performing at this event, should contact Leslie Oliver, Project Manager at 250-785-5323. Please include the following:

• What is your availability between Noon and 3 PM
• Please specify technical requirements
• Description of the type of music you perform

This event is hosted by the Welcoming & Inclusive Communities & Workplaces Program (WICWP) which is a collaborative community initiative led by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Northern BC Newcomers Integration Service Centre. The WICWP is a special collaborative community initiative aimed at supporting and celebrating cultural diversity. The Spring Activity Fest is the first of four community events to be held in the upcoming year. WICWP is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

This Valentine's weekend is jam-packed with events all across the Peace Region. There are events for couples, singles, Valentine's lovers, Valentine's haters, music makers, cuisine connoisseurs, and diamond lusters. Here is a sample listing:

FSJ Rotary Clubs' Sweetheart's Ball

Saturday, February 13 - Pomeroy Hotel and Casino, Fort St. John

"An Evening of Elegance" presented by the Sunrise Rotary Club. This is the club's big fundraiser for the year. Dark Horse from Dawson Creek/Chetwynd will be playing and Naomi Shore of FSJ will be providing the pre-dinner music. Tickets are $75.00 each and are available at the Visitor Information Centre. The ticket price includes the band and a wonderful meal. There is a .5 carat Canadian diamond up for raffle. Cocktails are at 6pm and dinner is at 7pm.

Lonely Hearts Club Dinner

Saturday, February 13 - Whole Wheat n' Honey Cafe, Fort St. John

The Lonely Hearts Club Dinner is the singles alternative to a Valentine's event. Everyone is requested to dress their best and bring a "Date" someone else may be interested in (sibling, co-worker, friend, etc.). A decadent Prime Rib and Yorkshire dinner will be served and Dayna Manning and Miss Quincy will be serenading the crowd with some broken-hearted music. There will be fun and games to be sure everyone gets to know each other, including a round of The Dating Game hosted by Mark Bodner. You can also win a "Date" to see Merle Haggard in concert courtesy of Northern Groove and the Encana Events Centre. The Lonely Hearts Club Dinner starts at 7pm and Tickets are $50 and include dinner, entertainment, and games. There are only 50 tickets available and you can scoop yours up at Whole Wheat n' Honey. For more information on The Lonely Hearts Club Dinner click here.

Kiwanis Community Band's "Austro-Hungarian" Dinner & Dance

Saturday, February 13 - Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre, Dawson Creek

Kiwanis Community Band's Annual Valentine's Dinner and Dance with special guest, BC's poet laureate, Barbara Adler. Hungarian cuisine will be prepared with the assistance of Café Europa and music will be provided by the Kiwanis Swing Band. The evening begins at 6pm and Tickets are $40. You can pick up your ticket at KPAC, Simple Pleasures, and from band members.

Valentine's Day Coffee House

Saturday, February 13 - Chetwynd Public Library

Bring your sweetie, meet your sweetie, sing a sweet song, listen to some sweet music, or sample a sweet treat at Chetwynd's monthly coffee house. The music starts at 6:00pm and runs until 10:00. Admission by donation and there will be treats and beverages available from the Books'n Bytes Bistro. For more info contact 250-788-1830.

Valentine's Dinner feat. Dayna Manning

Sunday, February 14 - Lone Wolf Golf Club, Taylor

Filet mignon and lobster dinner featuring live music by Dayna Manning. Dinner starts at 6pm. Only a few tickets left! Tickets are $45.00 and are available by calling the Lone Wolf Golf Club at 250-789-3711

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.

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.