While the presentation formats and the audience’s anticipation level is expected to be much the same as previous years, the one big change to this year’s Night of Lies event is the venue.
The 11th annual gathering of local climbers and outdoor adventurers that was launched in the living room of organizer Wade Graham is taking the stage at Canmore’s 250-capacity Cornerstone Theatre, Saturday (Nov. 26).
The other thing Graham said he’s most excited about with this year’s NOL is the number of women presenters, which comprise half of the eight-person line-up, and which, as always, remains a secret until show time.
“I think this will be a great venue,” Graham said. “It lends itself well to the grassroots feel of the event. And I’m really excited about the huge selection of women presenters. That’s something we’ve always lacked in the past; we’ve not had a strong female presence on stage.
“This year they all stepped forward. I think it reflects what’s going on with women in climbing –seeing them step up and climb the hard routes that men have typically dominated. With that, they’re adding their own flavour, their own sense of what climbing is. I think that’s cool.”
This year’s presentations will include the usual mixed bag, from cutting edge short films to slides shows to book stories, all of which may or may not be politically correct.
“Everybody takes his own style, whatever medium works for them,” Graham said. “Because of that we get some quality content. It’s still going to be off-the-cuff, a grass roots show.”
Proceeds from this year’s admission sales will go toward the Stoney Adventure Group Experience (SAGE), the Canmore Collegiate High School-organized program designed to improve high school completion rates for the school’s First Nations students.
“The goal of this project is to take these young people on backpacking and climbing expeditions on their traditional lands in the Rocky Mountains and to challenge them physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually in order to foster personal growth,” Graham explained.
“This develops their self-confidence, pride and personal strength, and this resiliency is transferred into their personal lives, goals and dreams.”
Previous NOLs have raised $25,000 for the program (not to mention other worthy climbing-related causes and projects), as well as indirectly helping secure a $50,000 anonymous donation, resulting in the students being treated to a CMH heli-hiking adventure, week-long wilderness hikes, guided climbing outings and kayaking trips.
“More importantly, we have them completing high school, going to university and receiving awards and scholarships,” Graham said
“We are having a profound impact on these kids’ lives. I am proud of the work Jeff Horvath (CCHS Aboriginal liaison and project leader) has done and I’m proud to support them in any way I can.”
As usual, the event includes a silent auction and door prizes donated by numerous loyal and generous sponsors, some of whom have been on board since the beginning.
Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door and can be purchased at Vertical Addiction in Canmore and at Wicked Gravity in Calgary. Doors open at 7 p.m. For more info visit www.nightoflies.com
