Game designers help hospice

Lively City column by Dan Hilborn
Published Dec. 15, 2004


Students at the Burnaby campus of the Art Institute of Vancouver have created a non-violent video game, complete with scenes of Lower Mainland landmarks, for donation to the sick children at the Canuck Place Children's Hospice.

A Vancouver Odyssey is, in fact, a collection of mini-games all set in well-known areas and attractions such as Playland, the Vancouver Aquarium, Granville Island and the Orpheum Theatre, said James Mouat, the 21-year-old team leader on the project that was put together with help from local game design studio Radical Entertainment.

"In the process of playing the game, kids get to draw, create new species of fish, compose music, arm wrestle a strong man and even listen to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, which provided some of their recordings for the game," Mouat said.

The entire project was put together in just eight weeks' time and is the first game ever produced by the students. Canuck Place officials expressed great thanks for the work and said they are considering a plan to use the game in a fundraising campaign early in the New Year.

"I know that our children at Canuck Place will really enjoy playing this game, which incorporates many enabling and inclusive elements that our children will embrace," said Fil Nalewajek, executive director of the hospice.

SPACE NINE FLIES

Keyboard player Laurence Santos of Burnaby is heading into the studio this week with his funky new jazz combo, Space Nine.

Santos, who previously played with Funkshun, recently joined forces with the five-piece band that will play one of the hottest regular gigs available in the Lower Mainland.

Space Nine will be performing every first and second Wednesday of the month, beginning in January, at the prestigious Backstage Lounge of the Arts Club Theatre on Granville Island.

The band features Nathan Wylie on drums, Brad Shipley on guitar, Michael Louw on mixer and bass player Mark Campbell, who's also in my personal favourite reggae band, Dubfreque.

STREETCAR COMING

One of the most revered dramas of the 20th century will be coming to the Norman Rothstein Theatre in Vancouver next month, and two of the most successful actors from Burnaby are taking the lead roles.

Gina Chiarelli plays Blanche DuBois and Craig Erickson takes on the role of her obnoxious brother-in-law Stanley when the Chemainus Theatre Festival presents the Tennessee Williams classic A Streetcar Named Desire next month.

Chiarelli was the winner of the 2004 Leo Award as the best female actor in a feature role in B.C. film for her portrayal of a homeless schizophrenic in See Grace Fly, which is now playing at Tinseltown.

Erickson was seen most recently in God's Man in Texas at the Pacific Theatre and was the winner of the Quad Theatre Co.'s community actor award in 1999. Erickson previously spent two seasons each with the Stratford and Shaw theatre festivals.

Streetcar runs from Jan. 13 to 30 at the Norman Rothstein Theatre, 950 West 41st Ave., Vancouver. Tickets are $25 to $28, plus service charge, from Festival Box Office at 604-257-0366 or at www.festi valboxoffice.com.

CROP CIRCLES HERE

Are you interested in crop circles?

If so, check out tonight's presentation of Star Dreams: Exploring the Mystery of the Crop Circles, a feature documentary film by Sunshine Coast producer Robert Nichol.

The movie will be presented at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 15 at the South Burnaby United Church Hall, 7551 Gray Ave. Tickets are $12, or $10 at the door.