READY FOR ITS CLOSE UP: The Whistler Film Festival Society hosted its annual fundraiser in preparation for its 15th installment Dec. 2 to 6. Founder and executive director Shauna Hardy Mishaw once again welcomed actors and industry leaders to the cinematic celebrations at Blue Water Café, honouring two entertainment industry leaders: film and television producer and president of Brightlight Pictures Shawn Williamson and Neal Clarance, president of NG Clarance, both longtime friends of the festival. Yours truly emceed the swish $250-a-ticket affair. In addition to the industry toasts, Mishaw revealed the first six of 80 films to be screened at this year’s festival. All B.C.-grown, the films included O. Corbin Saleken’s Patterson’s Wager, Siobhan Devine’s The Birdwatcher and Jeffery Lando’s Suspension. Mishaw aimed to generate upwards of $25,000 from the curtain raiser.
LOOKING FOR LOVE: The new Canadian series First Dates premiered Sept. 1 in Vancouver. The made-in-B.C. TV program for the Slice Network based on a U.K. show captures all of the awesomeness and awkwardness of first dates, more specifically blind dates. The Loft at Earl’s Restaurant in Yaletown served as the backdrop for the 14 half-hour episodes of singles searching for love. Forty hidden cameras — barely visible to the eye — caught the participant’s first meeting, first bites and, if all went well, first kiss. Earl’s Yaletown hosted the premiere, with many of the daters from the series on hand for all the heartfelt and cringe-worthy moments. And from the first six dates aired, both charming and funny, the results only reinforced the ongoing cry of Vanhattan singles: meeting someone (of quality) in this city is hard. Fortunately, for these first-daters, producers Remedy Canada and Force Four Productions picked up the tab.
UNION MEETING: More than just a statutory holiday, Labour Day is a day to celebrate working people, a reminder of the struggles and victories of individuals who brought us the eight-hour work day, employment standards and health and safety guidelines and benefits, just to name a few. In Metro Vancouver, the largest gathering took place at Swangard Stadium. Yours truly was master of ceremonies once again at the annual celebration hosted by B.C. Federation of Labour, Vancouver and District Labour Council and New Westminster and District Labour Council. Looking to win the votes of working families, many politicos were on hand for the picnic in the park. Activities included a kids play area, interactive booths and special concert by legendary rockers Chilliwack. Celebrating achievements, the only lines drawn on this day were for the always-popular IAFF-sponsored hot dogs and CUPE B.C.-sponsored Chilliwack sweet corn.
