News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

(Photo: Nanaimo students performed a Voices of Nature musical last spring, and 250 Williams Lake students have the opportunity to perform next week with the same 'Dream Band' when 'Up Your Watershed' comes to the Gibraltar Room.)

By LeRae Haynes

More than 250 school kids from grades two to 12 will take centre stage next Thursday, November 5 in the Gibraltar Room to perform ‘Up Your Watershed’, a Voices of Nature musical designed to foster ecological literacy. 

The Artist Response Team, a group of musicians who use their talent to promote ecological awareness and action and put on three Voices of Nature performances in BC. This fall, Williams Lake is one of them. 

Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright from the Artists Response Team have been working with the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society to organize the event. A member of Daybreak Rotary saw the performance on the coast, and told Holly and Kevin that they should definitely come and put it on in Williams Lake.

(Photo: These salmon suits and salmon puppets make regular visits to elementary schools throughout the area, helping to promote awareness about the environment, thanks to the Water Wise program of the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society, who are organizing the 'Up Your Watershed' performance next week.)

Sponsors for the event are Fraser Salmon & Watershed Program, Daybreak Rotary, Encorp Pacific, Nature Trust of BC and the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society. 

Daybreak Rotary of Williams Lake is covering the expenses to get Voices of Nature here, and the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society is providing busing and assisting with things like contacting teachers/schools, arranging the dress rehearsals and the advertising. The schools that will be performing include Columneetza, Nesika, Kwaleen and Cataline. 

The students have been practicing with their teachers, will work with Holly and David next week, and then have one large dress rehearsal in the Gibraltar Room on Thursday before the performance. 

“Having this message brought to life right now is crucial because of the salmon plight: there is a petition asking for an inquiry which will be available for signing at the performance,” said Marg Evens from the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society. “I think the timing is wonderful.” 

She said that it’s time that everybody gets concerned about ecological issues. “We’re right in the middle of it,” she continued. “It’s great to have kids involved---the biggest influence on adults is kids. When kids come home aware, concerned and inspired, parents listen.” 

For more information about the ‘Up Your Watershed’ performance or about the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society, phone 250-398-7929.

| More...