The Peak Performance Project is well into its second year and today they announced their Top 20 Finalists for 2010.
The annual competition (that will go on until 2015) aims to seek out local music talent, mentor them, send them to bootcamp, showcase them in a special concert series, and have the public vote on their favourite. The crowned champion will receive $105,000 and the secondary prizes are nothing to sneeze at either. So far just for qualifying, each of the 20 finalists have been awarded $3,500 to work on their craft. In partnership with Music BC, this is a legacy program run by The Peak that is working wonders for the British Columbia music scene.
The Top 20 Finalists for 2010:
2009 winners We Are the City
Adaline (Vancouver)
Kuba Oms (Victoria)
41st and Home (Vancouver)
Acres of Lions (Victoria)
Aidan Knight (Victoria)
Behind Sapphire (Vancouver)
Bodhi Jones (Vancouver)
Christina Maria (Surrey)
Christopher Arruda (Nanaimo)
2009 winners We Are the City
Debra-Jean (Vancouver)
Delhi 2 Dublin (Vancouver) *declined/unable to participate
Greg Sczebel (Salmon Arm)
Jess Hill (Vancouver)
Kyprios (North Vancouver)
Parlour Steps (Vancouver)
The Racoons (Vancouver) *declined/unable to participate
Said the Whale (Vancouver)
Steph Macpherson (Victoria)
Vince Vaccaro (Victoria)
Yes Nice (Burnaby)
They had over 470 entries this year and from what I hear, it was a pretty tough decision to narrow it down. “It was a long process and we had to be fair to everybody,” said Bob D’eith of Music BC. “The talent was just incredible.” Among the finalists are Irish/Banghra fusion group, hip hop, and folk artists. “There’s such a diversity,” continued D’eith. “That’s the beauty of The Peak, they can play it all.”
A few of last year’s runners up, Adaline and Kuba Ohms, were giving an automatic spot in this year’s event. Others returned from last year who climbed their way to the top of the pack, such as Bodhi Jones.
The 2009 winners, We Are the City have been hard at work since winning the series last year. Touring, making music, and helping promote other local acts such as The Zolas. Second place The Left and third place Bend Sinister have been busy as well with Bend Sinister playing a show in New York City this week.
The Top 20 will move onto live performance coaching sessions before taking off for bootcamp this summer where they’re learn the ins and outs of songwriting, performing, and take part in some team-building events at a retreat. In the fall there will be a series of showcase concerts at a local venue where the finalists will compete for the public’s love and affection. Given the line up of finalists, these shows are bound to be hot ticket events.
Yesterday I finally made it to Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver. I’ve profiled the park before and I’ve also done a history post about lighthouses in the region. However, this was the first time I took to the trails and saw the Point Atkinson Lighthouse for myself.
Just hours before I was crossing the Brooklyn Bridge and here I was on the shores of the Pacific looking over the Burrard Inlet. That’s probably one of the things I appreciate the most about our region — the ability to travel mere minutes from home to totally escape the city. Seems like we weren’t the only ones who had that idea this weekend.
Point Atkinson was named by Captain George Vancouver in 1792 and is also a National Historic Site. Aside from its past, it’s an old-growth getaway that is simple to navigate, if you’re okay with a few inclines. However, the views are definitely worth the workout.
As the tide retreated it uncovered beds of navy and aubergine mussels along with thick ropes of bull kelp. Bees buzzed through thickets of salmonberries and the air was as thick and moist as the rich carpet of moss that covered rocky surfaces.
You can get to Lighthouse Park by car or bus along Marine Drive in West Vancouver. The park is also dog-friendly and was hosting a Westie Walk the day we visited. For updates about the park you can follow the activity of the Lighthouse Park Preservation Society.
The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs is a local social group dedicated to networking, mentorship, and educational programming for women in business. On Thursday June 3rd they will be hosting a special event that will celebrate 14 entrepreneurs in the “e-series” category.
What The Entrepreneur Affair (previously known as the graduation event)
When June 3, 2010 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Where Birks Vancouver Flagship Store (698 West Hastings)
The event will feature guest speaker Barbara Ross-Denroche (The Refinery Leadership Partners) and the 14 women entrepreneurs who are being showcased. The list includes Heather Huntingford (Kiss & Makeup), Debbie Collins (Soya Marketing), Traci Costa (Peekaboo Beans Inc.), Deborah Drummond (Metropolitan Aromatherapy) and more.
There is a cocktail reception and silent auction from 5:00pm and the celebration showcase plus live auction will commence at 6:15pm.
One of the “celebrity entrepreneurs” that is being auctioned off for his time, Mike Jagger of Provident Security, has offered up an extra ticket for a giveaway on my site. The ticket is valued at $125 and will provide the winner with some excellent opportunities to connect with this group.
Here’s how you can enter to win the ticket:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw a winner on Wednesday, June 2nd.
Update The winner is Ruth — have a great time at the event! Ruth was unable to attend the event so I drew another name, congratulations Karilee (@karileeo)!
I have recently rekindled a love affair with books — books about Vancouver, history, cooking, and life. It could be the fact that I’m now a published author myself, but there’s always been something charming about the anticipation of flipping to the next page to be even more inspired, intrigued and educated.
I was recently approached to do a giveaway of The DebFit Method: Weight Loss Secrets Based on SaltSpring Weight Loss Detox Camp. While I haven’t read the book myself, it is written by a local author and promotes a healthy lifestyle in a unique way. Deb Leblanc is a fitness trainer and weight loss specialist who has written this lifestyle guide to help women lose weight safely.
Reader review on Amazon: Deb Leblanc feels more like a girlfriend trying to kick your butt into shape and I like her writing style. I really can relate to her own story of weight loss and maintenance. But one of the main reasons I picked it up was the three day non supplement cleanse. I usually do a two week cleanse that just depletes me by the end, so I wanted to try the Debfit cleanse that promised to be more gentle on my body. I loved the recipes and really, it was much easier on my body with not having to take huge amounts of supplements throughout the day. I would really recommend this book, it’s an easy read with some unique tips. And really, the cover is enough to motivate you to get off the couch!
The book is available for $17.99 online (through the website or Amazon). If you would like to win a copy of this book, please leave a comment below to enter the draw. I’ll select a winner at random Friday June 4th at 9:00am.
You can follow @DebFit on Twitter or Facebook for more information.
Update The winner of the book is Valerie. Congratulations and enjoy the read!
The Olympic and Paralympic Countdown Clock in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery was a symbol of the Olympic Games for many. It ticked away the months, days, hours, minutes and seconds of anticipation for what became the largest global party this city has ever seen.
At first it was an eyesore for some, then it soon became something so much more. It was vandalized, it was a shadow cast on a homeless man in need of shade, it was a meeting point, a melting pot of emotion, and a celebration site. Now that the Games are over, the fate of the clock is uncertain.
The Omega-owned sculpture at the northwest side of the Vancouver Art Gallery site could be moved or it could stay put… …“The city has been in discussions with Omega, VANOC and the province of B.C. on the options for the clock. No decision has been made on what to do with the clock, but the partners are now finalizing an agreement and we expect a decision to be made shortly,†according to a prepared statement from Mayor Gregor Robertson’s executive assistant, Kevin Quinlan. [Bob Mackin for 24 Hours Vancouver]
This has many wondering what will become of the clock and even News1130 was doing a listener poll this morning. I re-tweeted their inquiry on Twitter and here are some suggestions that I received:
From @mojaveband: will it fit around flava flav’s neck?
From @250joules: Suggest the clock go to the Vancouver museum along with the protest pictures – the good and the bad… it’s all history.
From @KimAnami: Turn it into a World Cup TV screen and scoreboard.
From @WhistlerFacts: Auction! Give the money 2 the people.
From @joebonka: It should be set to countdown to December 21, 2012 of course!
I like the idea of it being added to the Museum of Vancouver however I would like to see it benefit citizens somehow. I also like the idea of it living on in some capacity around town. The final decision is yet to be made and I expect a few ideas will also be officially tossed around in the near future.
