FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Musical Theatre Legend Honoured
High Steppin’ Walk‐a‐thon raises money for Lloyd Nicholson Memorial Scholarship… In Heels!

Vancouver, BC… Thursday, April 1st 2010 (12:30 – 2:30pm) – April Fool’s Day at Langara College will see a raucous celebration of life and music as participants in the First Annual High Steppin’ Walk‐a‐thon parade down 49th Avenue in a marathon of crazy high heels, cleats, and clogs. Adorned with feathers, glitter and glam, Langara College students, faculty, colleagues, and friends will vamp to the funky beat all in support of the Lloyd Nicholson Memorial Endowed Scholarship.

Sponsored by the Office of Langara College Advancement, this explosive event will feature music by local DJ talent r i c c o, with awards granted to the most outrageous participants by a distinguished panel of judges from the Vancouver theatre community.

“Lloyd’s contributions to the local and national theatre community have inspired friends and colleagues to get steppin’ to raise money for the Lloyd Nicholson Memorial Scholarship. The High Steppin’ Walk‐a‐thon is a fitting tribute to a man who loved music and a wonderful opportunity to raise funds for a Studio 58 scholarship. With all donations matched by Langara College, we encourage everyone to slip on their flashiest shoes and race to the start line to participant or donate!”, Sandy Biggerstaff, Manager of College Advancement.

About Lloyd Nicholson:

“It is with great sadness that Studio 58 mourns the passing of instructor Lloyd Nicholson. Lloyd was an integral part of Studio 58. His passion for musical theatre was an inspiration to our students for over 25 years. Besides teaching the students how to sing a song in front of a crowd with pleasure and aplomb, he also musically directed many of our productions. An expert in the field of musical theatre, he brought a richness and depth to his artistry which he passed on to the students. His creativity, musicianship and dedication will be sorely missed by Studio 58 and the Vancouver theatre community. He was one of a kind!”
‐ Kathryn Shaw, Artistic Director for Studio 58.

As well as instructing at Studio 58 for over 25 years, Lloyd served as Musical Director for many productions, including Bye Bye Birdie, The Boy Friend, Guys & Dolls, and Hair. Lloyd was the Artistic Director of the Royal City Musical Theatre, and was just beginning to receive international acclaim for his work on The Drowsy Chaperone. Often referred to as a walking encyclopedia of musical theatre, Lloyd Nicholson was a tenacious and unstoppable force whose talent, energy, and pursuit of perfection will not soon be forgotten.

All are welcome to come and join in the fun and celebration. Monetary donations are matched by Langara College. To make a donation through a direct pledge or a donated item to be used as a prize in the event, please contact the College Advancement Office at 604.323.5673.

Media Contact:
Sherri Sadler
Communications Manager, Studio 58
(604) 323.5652, ssadler@langara.bc.ca

Alternate Media Contact:
Trevor Ellestad
(604) 723.3355
telles00@mylangara.bc.ca

Glasnost at POP UP...the Shop

POP UP… The Shop, located in the heart of Gastown is an exciting concept in Vancouver retail. POP UP provides local designers, vintage dealers, and retailers the opportunity to showcase their wares for a couple of days in their very own shop.

On October 16th and 17th, local designer Stephanie Schneider will be unveiling her Fall Collection to Vancouver. Her line, Glasnost, consisting of skirts, shirts and jackets complemented with leather work designs including hip-sacks, wallets and custom flasks for the gents will all be priced to sell.

Come down and check out Stephanie’s exciting new line on October 16th and 17th between 11am-9pm.

glasnost.ca

More information on POP Up… The Shop:

Located in the heart of uber-hip Gastown, this unique concept store offers an ever-changing installation of retailers and products from emerging designers & vintage dealers to bigger brands blowing out discount stock and samples.

Parade of Lost Souls

I spent tonight in the company of a three-year-old and a cacophony of bubbles and the beating of drums during the Parade of Lost Souls on Commercial Drive. The candle-lit tables and shelves scattered throughout Grandview Park caught my attention first. Perhaps it was the opportunity for the slightest of heat that drew me to the fire, or my fascination with the strange edifices that they adorned.

Parade of Lost Souls

The streets that surrounded the park were covered with decorations as unique as the costumes around me. I am amused to see faces in windows and the lifelessness of houses that have been left vacant of surprises. There is a unique fascination that we westerners seem to have in Halloween, and I wonder where its origins lie. Why we find cause only once a year to dress silly and traipse around escapes me. Often I find it merely leaves us feeling obligated to outshine others or perhaps guilty for not partaking. Needless to say, this festival is a gift to the neighbourhood and the city, bringing light and sound to an otherwise deadly still season.

A sign proclaims to honour the dead, above me, and white birds born of paper dance around our heads. It is in the delicate nature of these things that I find us to be celebrating life more than anything. And, amongst all these various forms of death, it is the vibrancy of the changing of seasons, the fire, and the musical accompaniment that shine through.

The clear skies send the chill in the pavement through the soles of my converse and up into my legs and abdomen. As I walk away I can feel the heat of the festivities on my back and hear the fireworks fading in the distance. Soon my companion and I reach 1^st Avenue, and I’m reminded of the existence of cars and pavement. We are forced to walk once again on the sidewalk and the shock of reality sets in.

I wonder sometimes, if to an outsider, it is the traffic jams and the regular routine of our work-weeks that seem peculiar. If it is in the honouring of the dead that I find such warmth, why is it still, that in what we call life, I find such a cold embrace? It seems sometimes, that all our struggles need to dissipate, is the closing of roads and a certain balance of chaos, fuelled by candles, bubbles, and fireworks.