January 4, 2005 – Artists, entertainers, businesses and individuals have come out en masse to support the Whistler and Pemberton community event at the Telus Whistler Conference Centre on Friday, January 7, 2005 at 3-9 p.m. to raise funds to aid South and Southeast Asian countries devastated by the recent tsunami.

Everyone is welcome to the Asia Tsunami Relief Fundraiser – All Ages Après Event. The community encourages individuals and families, locals and visitors to come out, as well as businesses to bring their staff. With something for all ages, the après event will feature donated participation by a long, growing list of the region’s musicians, DJs, performers, artists and businesses.

Admission to the event is by donation with all proceeds being collected for the Southeast Asia Tsunami Relief Fund of the Canadian Red Cross. Individual or business donations can be made at the event or in advance at The Royal Bank of Canada, Whistler branch. Tax receipts are available for all donations. All donations made to the Royal Bank will be tallied as part of the Whistler-Pemberton fund.

There is still time to get involved. Whistler musicians and other entertainers, artists, or businesses that would like to donate an item or service to the program or silent auction are asked to contact Wendy Mah at Tourism Whistler by e-mail (wmah@tourismwhistler.com) or telephone (604-938-2786).

Local business owner/operator Lawrence Black of Black’s Pub and Restaurant has challenged the bars/restaurants of Whistler and Pemberton to raise $1000 each to be donated at the fundraiser. Participating restaurants are asked to have a representative bring their contributions to the event or contact Wendy Mah to make other arrangements.

As well, businesses have donated creative elements to make the event fun, with proceeds being donated to the fund:
-lululemon will present a 4:30 yoga session by Cathy High open to everyone
-Patrick Demers will be demonstrating his delicious and entertaining “maple taffy pulling”

Musicians and entertainment has been donated for the entire evening by the following entertainers:
-April Caldwell
-Chicks with Picks
-Guitar Doug
-KostaMan & the Mighty Backhoes
-DJ Matt the Alien
-Ali Milner
-Pissed Ninnies (Susan Holden and Catherine Batchelor)
-DJ Phroh
-Royal Conservatory of Music students (Whistler)
-Gord Rutherford
-Short Skirt Theatre Company
-Still Smokin’
-Suzanne Wilson

The silent auction will include not only local businesses goods and services, but an extensive display of local artwork. The growing list of participating artists:

-KLC Nash
-Chili Thom
-Mountain Galleries/Gallery at the Chateau
-Maya Eventov
-Victoria Harper [a kwakwakawalw jewelry artist]
-Cori Ross
-Duane Perrett
-Borgi Rayen
-Lynn Pocklington
-Teresa Mura
-Cheryl Massey
-Vincent Massey
-Ruth Massey
-Penny Martin
-Greg Murdock
-Barb Hirano
-Nancy Balogh
-Blake Jorgenson
-John Hewson
-Cary and Tazara Campbell-Lopez

In addition to the extremely generous support of the many Whistler entertainers and artists, and other businesses, the event is being made possible by the Whistler Village Resort and AVW-TELAV, the conference service and audio visual contractors for the conference centre, the Pique Newsmagazine, RBC Royal Bank – Whistler branch, Maurice Young Millennium Place (MY Place), Telus Whistler Conference Centre.

Whistler Art Teacher and artist, Barb Hirano, who is organizing the art element of the event, approached Tourism Whistler with the idea for an event last week, while many other Whistlerites have also expressed interest in helping in some way with this worldwide disaster effort. The event has taken on a life of its own since.

The latest program and details of the event will be continue to be available and updated at www.tourismwhistler.com.