Rafael Lozano-Hemmer lives and works in Canada and Mexico. Born in Mexico, he is a Canadian citizen. Now based in Montreal, he at one time lived in Vancouver. His artwork Vectorial Elevations, a highly visible public work involving searchlights in the Vancouver sky, is part of the Cultural Olympiad (the arts component of the 2010 Winter Olympics) and has become one of the most popular of the Olympiad artworks.

During a Q&A after his keynote speech at CODE: Dialogues, a 2010 Cultural Olympiad conference, Lozano-Hemmer told an audience that when he learned BC arts funding was to be cut by 90% after the Olympics, he felt that in this context his artwork was “obscene,” and said he was dismayed by BC politicians’ lack of vision.

He expressed a faint hope that the key and visible role of the arts in the Olympics would induce politicians to change their minds. He also said he hoped it would induce Vancouverites to ask themselves “what is it about these [art] projects that are making this moment special?” He went on to ask “And what if people get used to that and they demand that of their city, to have that kind of vibrancy and cultural stimulation and so forth? What if the politicans were to be [shown] that this is important not just economically, because culture brings in a net worth, but also in terms of quality of life?”

A number of Olympiad artists have, despite contract clauses limiting free speech, spoken out about the arts cuts, but not all of them have Lozano-Hemmer’s international stature. Lozano-Hemmer represented Mexico at the 52nd Venice Biennale and his work is in the collection of NY MoMA and the Tate Modern and many other key museums worldwide.

YouTube video and full transcript of his remarks are here: http://stopbcartscuts.wordpress.com/2010/02/18/artist-rafael-lozano-hemmer-creator-of-the-vectorial-elevations-searchlight-piece-criticizes-bcs-arts-cuts/

Explanation of the “9-11″ remark in the video clip: Before Vectorial Elevations was launched, its energy use wasn’t fully understood and the piece was accused of being “an environmental 9-11.” In fact, for its entire month-long run, the artwork uses the same amount of power as only 10 hockey games.

For more information please contact Lindsay at Stop BC Arts Cuts: (604) 313-7744 or email: stopbcartscuts@paarc.ca

TV Heart Attack Performing at the Habitat

TV HEART ATTACK will perform an all ages show on Tuesday March 2 at The Habitat (248 Leon Ave). The set time is 9:30 PM.

http://www.tvheartattack.com
http://thehabitat.ca

PRESS RELEASE

VANCOUVER ROCK BAND TV HEART ATTACK TO HIT KELOWNA EN ROUTE TO CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK IN TORONTO

February 2, 2010 – Vancouver rock band TV HEART ATTACK will introduce themselves to Toronto audiences at this year’s Canadian Music Week (March 10-14). After a successful year in 2009 (The Peak Performance Project, Olympics Sega Game, Management deal), the band is ready to hit the road in support of their well-received EP Lost In The Sway. As local support for TVHA skyrockets, other cities such as Calgary, Edmonton, and New York have taken note. Hooking into the Toronto music scene is the obvious next step for TVHA, and they plan to do it loudly.

Lost In The Sway has given the bands live show “a sense of danger that we have only tapped into recently which, in my opinion, is paramount to rock and roll,” says lead guitarist Art Guest. The band is focused and tighter than ever: new songs, new themes, and “a whole new grasp on what the ‘TVHA’ live show is all about,” notes Jason Corbett, the band’s frontman. TVHA audiences can expect to hear material that is “plain and simple, unhyphenated rock music that harks back to the stadium-fillers of prior decades, from glam-era David Bowie to grunge pioneers Nirvana,” (The Georgia Straight).

TV HEART ATTACK is no stranger to touring, both big and small. In addition to multiple cross Canada tours, the band has opened for The Killers, played at Virgin Fest, and shared the stage with 54-40, Sloan, and The Von Bondies. Other recent accomplishments include appearances on the Whistler TV series and MTV’s Kaya, an add to the Sega Olympics 2010 Game Soundtrack, a big budget music video for hit single ‘AO’, and attending the PEAK Performance Project Boot Camp (a $5.29 million project created by 100.5 The PEAK and Music BC to develop BC based emerging artists).

TVHA has experienced a good taste of success due to the fact that they have “no interest in letting time, money or indie status get in the way of (their) ambition,” (See Magazine). Of course, having great songs does help.

TV HEART ATTACK will perform an all ages show on Tuesday March 2 at The Habitat (248 Leon Ave). The set time is 9:30 PM.

“Enticing hooks, big choruses, a swell of guitars, a flurry of drums and little time wasted.” – CMJ Magazine

“TV Heart Attack packs the pieces of your broken heart into bittersweet hook filled rock songs. Their sound is exciting and vital. It’s inspired and completely confessional.” – The Vancouver Sun

“You will be humming along right quick.” – The Province

“Through their connection with audiences and their ability to promote themselves, they’re building their own brand.” – See Magazine

“There is something that sets this Vancouver band apart from the music of two decades ago — the sheer size of its sound.” – FFWD Weekly

For all media inquiries please contact Sarah Hawkins at sarah@shawkinspr.com
Shawkins Public Relations Co.

PRESS RELEASE

PUNKSVILLE (The Movie) to be produced in Kelowna

Producers of the Okanagan-based film and TV production company, Death or Glory Productions, are extremely pleased to announce their new film project, PUNKSVILLE, a full-length motion picture to be filmed entirely in the Kelowna area. Currently in pre-production, filming is set to begin in early April 2010. The scripted film will use Kelowna as the backdrop for the small city of Punksville.

“We are determined to use Kelowna locations – and local characters – in the film as they are in real life, thus showcasing and promoting those who are supporting us,” says James Blonde, producer/writer.

PUNKSVILLE is a drama that follows the story of a young, free-spirited girl, “Jo” (Athena Lebessis, American Pie Presents Beta House), who is torn between settling down with her wealthy, bland boyfriend, or opting for something a little different. When her favourite punk-rock band, The Saint James, comes to town, Jo unexpectedly gets involved in 24 hours of rock ‘n’ roll madness, and is forced to make a life-changing decision.

“We are extremely excited to have Athena on our team. We were lucky to have met her while she was in Kelowna visiting friends. Athena read the outline of the film, and then agreed to our offer of lead female character ‘Jo’,” says Felix Vinyl-Poét, producer/writer.

The Saint James have made local, and national news in recent months, having struggled with the school system, in their efforts to raise funds for school music programs.

Death or Glory Productions is appealing to local businesses and investors to step up and help financially support this project. Sponsorship and investment packages are available from $1,000.

“We hear lots of talk around here, but we aren’t seeing action when it comes to cash,” says Blonde. “We would like to see people put their money where their mouth is, and then be proud when the film hits international film festivals, showcasing the Kelowna area as it is.”

The total budget for the production is set at $600,000 CAD.

“With new tax incentives of up to $10,000 in write-offs, investing in a film production like this is a great way to support the Okanagan film industry. We are offering all sponsors and investors on-set access, and the opportunity to be actively involved in many aspects of the filmmaking process,” says Trance Blackman, producer/writer.

Artistically, with a name like “Punksville”, the producers feel the film will have huge international appeal, and will have subtitles in French, German, Spanish, and Italian.

“We’re so excited to make a film we would want to watch; real musicians, Euro-style cinematography, no green screens, just hands-on Filmmaking 101,” says Blonde. “We’re insisting on local cast, crew and production equipment. We have secured the latest in world-class cameras and editing facilities. Jon Summerland, the Okanagan film commissioner, has been instrumental in accommodating us with local resources, equipment, permits, and locations.”

The producers have also consulted with Kelowna Mayor, Sharon Shepherd, who was open and supportive of the project.

Sponsorship and investment packages are available from Death or Glory Productions. Further details are available at the Punksville website, also home of The Saint James, at www.punksville.com.

Contact the producers by email at info@punksville.com.

Heritage Christian School

Invites you to come and enjoy an evening filled with Fine Food & Inspiring Entertainment
November 26th, 2009 at 5:30

at our Wish List Auction and Gala Event

Eight of your friends or employees can enjoy an evening of top quality dining and entertainment.

Table of 8—$500.00
1/2 table 4—$300.00
Individual seating—$80.00

*50% of the above tickets are tax deductible.

Live Auction only—$40.00

Would you like to donate:

1. Gifts for the Wish List Auction:
All gifts in kind, whether merchandise or services, which we are able to use for our silent or live auction.
*100% tax deductible.

2. Sponsor a student with a GCP Scholarship:
$2900.00 provides all travel and educational costs for the complete 6 week program.
*100% tax deductible.

3. Make a financial donation to the Global Citizenship Program:
*100% tax deductible.

For reservations and donations please contact:

Denise Martell at 250-862-2377 dmartell@heritagechristian.ca
Marianne Wong at 250-862-2377 mcwong@heritagechristian.ca

Join us at Kelowna Christian Center 905 Badke Road

For more information about our Global Citizenship Program visit our website at www.globalcitizenship.ca

Stop by from 11:30 – 5:00pm Friday October 30th.

RSVP if you can.
(250) 765-4247
Email: kelowna@carstar.ca

CARSTAR Kelowna
#3 – 690 McCurdy Rd

The Okanagan Arts Awards is seeking a design for the three-dimensional sculpture that will become the award to be presented to each award recipient. More information about the awards program can be found on the website at www.okanaganartsawards.com.

The process is as follows:
— Submit your drawing(s) of the design by August 1, 2009.
— Submissions will be short listed to 3 by August 20, 2009.
— The 3 short listed artists must submit a maquette of the design by September 20, 2009, to be delivered to the Arts Council Office by 2:00 pm. The maquettes should be about 8” – 14” high, and should have a base that is a maximum of 4” in diameter so it will fit onto a specific base. The maquette can be made out of clay, wood, glass, wax, or other material.
— One maquette will be chosen by September 30, 2009, which will then be used to produce the award sculptures.
— The chosen design will receive an honorarium of $1,000.00.
— Each of the other 2 maquettes will receive $250.00.

Please include the following in your submission:
Drawing(s) of your design
An artist statement that explains your design
Your contact information
Information about how your design can be reproduced,
giving details of processes and costs.
A self-addressed envelope for the return of your material.

Submissions for this Call are due by August 1, 2009. They can be delivered, mailed or emailed to Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, #100, 1690 Water Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 8T8.

Inquiries: 250-861-4123 or to info@artsco.ca

After some ruthless criminals ran sacked Lavan head quarters at the end of 08 and countless production errors, the fresh Lavan produce has finally arrived. This year’s line sees some fresh new designs as well as a few popular carry over designs from last year. We’ve also introduced the use of water based inks on a lot of our designs this year, which helps keep mother Earth happy.

Lavan Apparel is a clothing company that focuses on mountain biking but make designs that everyone will enjoy.  Lavan is more than looking good and getting rad. We design and produce our products locally with a conscious effort to use printing practises that are less damaging to our environment such as the water based inks. We also give back to an organization or charity each year, this year’s being Athletes for Africa (for more info check out our website.)  Lavan has supported some fairly hot names in the bicycle world such as: Casey Groves, Eric Lawrenuk, Luke Fulton and Brendan Howey; as well as being a proud sponsor of the Goatstyle Bike Competition since day one.

The 09 team consists of all returning family members – Andrew Sherry, Dustin Greenall, Dylan Dunkerton, Stevie Smith and Travis Bilton – and one that is still to be determined.  A B-team has recently been launched and so far features Anthony Evans and Colton King.

To place an order or see more check out our website.
www.lavanapparel.com

An ultra chic “Hard rock style” Penthouse is being sold high above Okanagan Lakes deep waters. Download the Press Release to see more images or read it below.

Download Press Release Here

Kelowna, BC, May 26, 2009 – Picture an ultra chic, Las Vegas penthouse – cut right out of the Hard Rock Hotel – and hung high above Lake Okanagan’s deep waters.

Vantage West Realty recently listed a home fit for a rock star in Sunset Waterfront Resort just down from Prospera Place. Kelowna has seen an emergence in style – exemplified in this custom-designed 3,750 square foot double suite, originally built in 2006 and listed for the first time since construction.

“This is a special property that combines the best of both worlds,” said AJ Hazzi, Director of Vantage West Realty. “This is a unique opportunity to show people that Kelowna has more than one speed – and properties that capture all the style and glamour of the world’s most exciting cities.”

The view from this Sunset Drive residence encompasses all of Kelowna’s traditional beauty – an
unobstructed view of Lake Okanagan, picturesque mountains and glorious sunsets. But the vision
inside this newly listed property is something rarely seen in the interior of British Columbia – a glimpse of Las Vegas flash, with an ostrich-leather pool table, fused glass and metallic flooring and eight flat-screen televisions.

A rising percentage of high-end homeowners are turning to Vantage West to find and move the type of places that cater to a very specific home-buyer. They’ve been a beacon of change – focusing on being responsive to the demands of a style migration that’s been sweeping the city.

Kelowna is attracting interesting and successful people from around the world – entrepreneurs,
professional athletes and high-profile celebrities who appreciate the region’s natural beauty. With
international style and flair gaining hold in the Valley, the value of a property like 1902-1128 Sunset Drive is on the rise.

Style has come to Kelowna – and its here to stay.

Media interest in more information or photos of this unique property can arrange interviews or a
viewing by contacting:

Amberly Schamuhn
Vantage West Realty
Ph. 250-878-9648
Toll-free. 1-877-817-3133
Fax. 250-717-3193
pr@vantagewestrealty.com