The reels of movie film as we know it are coming to an end. Along with the demise of photographic film and conventional cameras, celluloid film will be a thing of the past. Movies will soon come to the local cinema on digital. The familiar saying of left on the cutting room floor will take on a new meaning.  

Stage North has found a way to celebrate the well-known strips of black mini-frames by challenging creative people to make wearable art and art forms out of recycled movie film. As a Landmark Cinema, the local Aurora is making the switch gradually this spring and has supplied rolls of film for all competitors in the challenge.   

A showcase of the creative works will be featured at Stage NorthÆs Annual Oscar Night on the Big Screen on February 26. A fashion show and art exhibit opens at On the Rocks Nightclub on Sunday with the Red Carpet at 5pm and Fashion Show at 7:30pm. The Oscars will be shown on the big screen as they happen live in Hollywood. Tickets are only $15 and available online at tickets.npp.bc.ca or at the NPCC box office. 

This unique event is one of a kind and has caught the imagination of many artists. A Youtube video located under Fashion and Form was created by Stage North member Karen Rutledge with the help of local actors and former mayor, Bruce Lantz. Email enquiries have come from as far away as Manchester, England.  

Stage North has partnered with Northern Environmental Action Team who has recycling at the top of their list and the Fort St. John Community Arts Council who encourages new creative projects. Along with Dimitri Karampalas at On the Rocks, Stage North and Fort St. John will be the first to stage a fashion show and art exhibit with recycled movie film.   

Participants have until February 6 to register and all fashions and artworks are to be delivered by February 22. For further information:  www.stagenorth.ca or phone 250-785-6214. 

On September 8th, 2011, the FSJ Association for Community Living is hosting their Red Carpet Awards Gala. This evening to celebrate the successes of adults with developmental disabilities. The night is run similar to the Oscars and is a fancy, uplifting, amazing event. The evening starts off with live music and memberships (only $10 a year for a membership with the FSJACL). This year the Gothard Band will be entertaining with a live music show, then there will be a short AGM and onto the awards. There are four special awards that are given out yearly: the Gayle Flavelle Memorial Award to recognize an individual for outstanding achievements in supported employment, the Jean Mensink Volunteer Award to recognize an individual for their volunteer work in our organization, the Self-Advocate Award to recognize achievements and successes of an individual that go above and beyond and the Community Support Award to recognize a business for their support of our organization. Mayor Bruce Lantz and Brent Hodson will be presenting the awards. The Gala is being held at the Lido Theatre and the doors are open at 5:30 pm. For more info call 250-787-9262

If you've been to Whole Wheat and Honey lately,( if you're like me you have and possibly live there) you may have noticed something musical near the fireplace. Bruce Lantz, our newly appointed mayor and music lover has loaned a guitar amp and mics to Whole Wheat and Honey. Lantz says, "The idea is to encourage and support local music by giving people the opportunity to play - whenever they want - in a very informal way. They can just go there and play a bit, sing too if they want. I think it adds character to the community to have things like this available.I hope people make use of it and enjoy it." He added that we may even see him play in the future although it's been a long time since he's played for a group. If you are a local musician, or aspire to be one, make good use of Bruce's loan. Who knows you may even find a few fans. Many thanks to Whole Wheat and Honey for supporting live music in Fort St. John.

Just a quick little blurb about a Fort St. John local music person named Bruce Lantz --  As many people probably know, Bruce was editor for the Northern Groove Magazine, and instrumental to ensuring the magazine goes out without the mistakes and errors that it would have if done on my own... What people may not know, is he has a background in the music and arts community -- Bruce is a guitar player (he has a guitar hanging in his office at work), and has told me stories of him performing (poorly he claims)  at open mic's and cafe's across Canada during his "younger years".  I've seen Bruce's name as the photographer credit on an album (like an actual RECORD... a 33) for a local band on the east coast when he lived there.  From the Groove's perspective, he's always willing to listen about local music and events happening in the Peace Region... And anyone who knows him, he's a pretty interesting character!

Anyways, Bruce has had to focus on his campaign for Mayor and unfortunately for us, he is no longer available as the editor and business mentor for the Groove -- As part of our way of saying thank for all the work he has done,  I wanted to post this article and maybe provide a little information for those voting for a new mayor and council this Saturday for the City of Fort St. John.