The Stoke

The new Matchstick Productions teaser was released for their 2009 offering ‘In Deep.’ Check out the trailer on MSP’s website. It’s beautiful - visually stunning, but with a very organic feel. Its message is simple: pick a line, commit to it, and then float down the mountain. All you need is a pair of skis (oh, and some cojones).

You can be sure the Revelstoke premiere will rock - stay tuned for dates and more info. It’s certainly gratifying to watch a movie like this and recognize spots from your own personal snowy playground.

From MSP’s website:
For 2009, MSP Films takes an original look at the sport of skiing. All of the skiers in the film–park rat or big mountain charger–share a common bond: the overwhelming desires to ski. Each person finds stoke in his own unique way, whether it be a double cork 1260, a deep turn on a storm day or ripping a giant AK line. Skiing is an incredibly diverse sport that offers it all. With the progressive skiing and award-winning cinematography that has made MSP famous, MSP Films takes you along for the ride deep into the experience as we share the love for the greatest sport in the world. IN DEEP will feature an epic Shane McConkey tribute segment.

Featuring the skiing of: Mark Abma, Sean Pettit, Eric Hjorleifson, Daron Rahlves, Henrik Windstedt, Chris Davenport, Bobby Brown, Colby West, TJ Schiller, Mike Douglas, Kaj Zackrisson, James Heim, Hugo Harrisson, Rory Bushfield, PK Hunder, Ingrid Backstrom, Jacob Wester, Russ Henshaw, Henrik Harlaut, Alexis Godbout, Michelle Parker, JT Holmes, Sammy Carlson, Chris Rubens and Shane McConkey.

The Revelstoke Music Festival is into its second day today. Go check out some great music with a really lively crowd, and make sure to munch on some of the requisite festival food. On a budget because you’re saving up for your RMR season pass? If you go on Saturday night after 9:00 pm, admission is only $25. The lineup tonight includes Kyemara and the amazing flamenco-african-middle eastern-fusion Tambura Rasa.

The first day of the festival was already a success - a big turnout ensured a fun, festiva atmosphere. Red-Eye Empire really turned it up for their show, and Revelstoke locals Blind Spot followed it up a killer set on the B stage. Friday night headliner Donald Ray Johnson kept the crowd grooving late into the night, and people were in a dancing mood!

Head down to Centennial Park today to people-watch, mingle and have a great time outside on a beautiful summer day.

Missed it the first time? Here’s your chance to see the acclaimed performance ‘Down the Road’ at the Traverse Lounge on Thursday, June 25 and Friday, June 26 at 8:00 pm. The play, about two writers who interview a serial killer and then engage with questions of guilt and morality, “sends the fickle finger of blame roaring around,” says Director Denny Kaulback. He calls the play disturbing but incredibly riveting, and admits that after reading Lee Blessing’s dark story several times he couldn’t pass up directing it. The play won top honours for production at Nakusp’s Theatre BC Kootenay Zone Festival in May, and Kaulback was handed the Best Director award. Several of the actors also won accolades - John DeVitt nabbed the Best Novice award for his portrayal of a serial killer, and Dan Sculnick won the Best Actor award.

Do you have a knack for taking great pictures? The North Columbia Environmental Society wants to see Revelstoke through your eyes! The NCES invites the Revelstoke community and visitors to submit their best photos taken in and around Revelstoke over the last five years in order to display the natural beauty of Revelstoke, increase awareness of the NCES, and to raise much-needed funds to continue NCES’ environmental education programs. There are prizes to be won including gift certificates, bike gear, bragging rights and more!

Download more information and an entry form right here.

There are three categories available, each with three age divisions (12 and under, 13 - 17 years, and 18 and older):
Creative Images of Nature - The natural environment of Revelstoke: the landscape, its animals and plant life. Be original and creative.
Spirit of Revelstoke - Photos that capture the unique character of the town and its residents. It could be an event, a sport or cultural activity, the Revelstoke townscape or any aspect
of life in Revelstoke that is important to you.
Alternative Route - What’s your alternative mode of transportation in and around Revelstoke? Non-motorized modes of transport used around town or for recreation: cycling, skating, mountain biking, skiing, boarding, skateboarding, kayaking, canoeing… You are only limited by your imagination!

Interested in entering? The cost is $5.00 per photograph, and you may enter one photo per category. Fill out an entry form for each photograph entered. Submit your pics in digital format or in an 8×10″ print. Entries will be accepted starting on Wednesday, July 1 through to Thursday, October 1, giving you loads of time to look through old photos and take great new ones.

Entries will be narrowed down to the nine best pictures per category, and these will be on display at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre starting on November 13. The winning photographs will be announced at a special awards presentation night on November 26. The finalist photos will be auctioned off to raise money for the NCES, and copies of the winning pictures will be displayed throughout town.

If you have any more questions, email organizer Hayley Johnson. And remember, if you have great pictures of the Revelstoke area, you can always send them in to The Stoke as well!

The 10th annual Revelstoke Music Festival (recently re-branded from the Mountain Beats Festival) is coming up on June 26 & June 27 at Revelstoke’s Centennial Park Grand Stand. Performers include Blind Spot, Donald Ray Johnson, Ghost Brothers, Kyemara, Lily Come Down, Nuna’y, Paul Filek, Red Eye Empire, Rick Garvin, Shane Philip, Steve Smith & Band, Tambura Rasa, Valdy, and Yoro & Koca. The Saturday night headliner is Tambura Rasa - check out the interview with them in the latest edition of the Revelstoke Times Review. Adult weekend passes are $75, teen weekend tickets are $35, and passes are free for kids under 13, making it a great festival for the whole family.

Time is ticking on your chance to buy an early bird season pass to Revelstoke Mountain Resort! You can pick up an adult pass (ages 19-64) for only $589 until June 30, and there are even more savings for youth, children, seniors and students. Click here for a full list of season pass prices.
Pre-Season pricing kicks in from July 1 - September 30, and it’s still a great deal - you can buy your Season Pass for $659. After October 1, an adult season pass is $997, so it is definitely worth your while to buy a pass before October 1 (and compare that to a Whistler Blackcomb pass, upwards of $1500). Also ending on June 30 is the opportunity to pay for your pass in three equal payments through RMR’s payment plan option.
Download the 2009/2010 application here, and then email, fax or mail it in to RMR.

RMR, minus the snow!

There are also some benefits for season pass holders - book an early season day of cat skiing (Dec. 5, 2009 - Jan. 1, 2010) for only $325, or an early season day of heli-skiing (Dec. 11, 2009 - Jan. 15, 2010) for $625. Parents can also register their kids in a weekend Snow School program for 10% off the program cost.

Looking for some company on your ride? Want some encouragement in a group setting? Flowt Bikes and Skis holds group rides each week to suit many different biking needs.

Monday nights - Road bikers rejoice! Ride some of the amazing roads around the Revelstoke area. Meet at Flowt at 5:30 pm.

Tuesday nights feature a group women’s mountain bike ride. Get on your hard-tail or full-suspension bike and ride with the ladies. Open to women of all abilities - riders generally split into two groups. Meet at Flowt at 5:30 pm.

Thursday nights are Pedal & Pint rides - meet behind the Canadian Avalanche Association on MacKenzie Ave. at 6:00 pm for a mountain bike ride and a post-bike pint.

Sex on the Beach, a trail east of the Begbie Falls Forest Service Road

If you’re looking to explore on your own, there are some fantastic options available. Grab a trail map from the Visitor Centre at 111 MacKenzie Ave or a cycle shop, or click here for a map of trails on Mt. MacPherson and Mount MacKenzie. If your pace is more relaxed, there are great trails along the Columbia River and the Illecillewaet River Greenbelt.

The annual Big Bear Soccer Tournament is happening this weekend in Revelstoke. This men’s and women’s tournament hosts teams from across British Columbia and beyond at the Centennial Park field, so go check out some fun and competitive action on the field. The tournament also features a dance on Saturday night, open to anyone. If you’d rather hit the town, then head to the River City Pub on Saturday night for the Big Bear foam party!

In the spirit of football, here’s a neat video from Australia with a Revelstoke connection - this is the brother of Stoke House roommate John Davies doing what he does best:

EZ Rock Radio and Revelstoke Mountain Resort want you to get a jump start on the 2009-2010 Ski Season with a chance to win a Season Pass. This contest is limited to Canadian residents living within listening range of the radio station, so if you live in or around Revelstoke make sure to enter for your chance to win!