Get Out!

Friday February 12, 2010

By Vivian Belik

FILM

Lighting your film fire

The eighth annual Available Light Film Festival is burning up the Yukon Arts Centre screen this weekend.

Some film festival favourites to check out are The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights, featuring footage from the White Stripes’ 2007 Canadian tour including tape of their Whitehorse performance at LePage Park; Prom Night in Mississippi, a documentary about a Charleston, MS, high school that had its first-ever racially integrated prom in 2008; Soundtrack for a Revolution, about the musicians and activist leaders of the American civil rights movement; and My Tehran For Sale, showcasing young, modern Iranians struggling for cultural freedom. (See related story on page 52).

Games guilt

To coincide with the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics, the Yukon chapter of the Council of Canadians is screening Five Ring Circus: Myths and Realities of the Olympic Games.

The documentary, based on a book by Chris Shaw, focuses on the financial and social legacies that will outlast the three-week event. Director Conrad Schmidt looks at the true cost of the Games revealing that Vancouverites are trading in their pocketbooks and personal freedoms for the right to host this world-class sporting event.

Friday at the Alpine Bakery, 7 p.m.

THEATRE

Docu-theatre

The Guild Hall presents the true-life story of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old who was murdered in his small town of Laramie, Wyoming, for being gay.

Following his death in 1998, the media descended upon Laramie, painting the town as a backwater community.

Tectonic Theatre company visited the town five weeks later and interviewed anyone who would talk to them to get an understanding of the killing.

The result was an award-winning play that his been syndicated internationally. The Guild Hall production features eight actors playing the roles of more than 60 characters.

The play runs until February 27. (See story on page 50).

DANCE

Get your swing on

Saturday night the Westmark is the place to be for the Whitehorse Dessert and Dance. There will be live swing music performed by the Big Band. Also appearing will be Sax Appeal, and the All City Junior Jazz Band. Hit the dance floor or fill up your appetite with some mouthwatering desserts. The dance starts at 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6:45 p.m.).

Tickets also include a free dance lesson from Dancesport North of 60. Call 668-6787 or go to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information.

MUSIC

Of imaginary beasts and primordial men

Yukon’s Sophisticated Cave Men and Sasquatch Prom Date grease up the stage at Coasters Bar Friday night.

Both bands are doing a pre-show before they jet off to perform at the Olympics next week.

Music begins at 10 p.m.

Showcasing the Yukon

Wave farewell to the Yukon artists who are representing the territory at the 2010 Olympics.

The evening features performances by the Root Sellers, the Dakhka Khwaan Dancers, the Yukon Urban Dance Ensemble, Soir de Semaine, Sasquatch Prom Date and film footage from Marten Berkman.

Tuesday, 7.30 p.m. at the Yukon Arts Centre.

Tickets are $12.

More Olympic music

Musical duo Kim Barlow and Mathias Kom of Spring Breakup and John Wort Hannam are also part of the 2010 Yukon Cultural Olympiad.

Take your sweetheart to the Valentine’s Day show at the Old Fire Hall.

Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

ART

All kinds of love

Photographer Norm Hamilton was invited into the homes of queer couples in the Yukon to document their day-to-day lives.

The result is a photo essay that shows that love is the same no matter who you are.

The exhibit coincides with the Laramie Project and will be on display at the Guild Hall until February 27. (See story on page 64).

SPORTS

Cross-country competition

Marsh Lake holds its 16th annual cross-country ski loppet.

Meet at the Marsh Lake Community Centre on February 13th at noon.

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