http://www.fraservalleypulse.com » Arts & Entertainment

Spotlight: September 19, 2010 – Fresh! Fraser Valley

Kristi Ferguson — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 17:34:05 +0000

We are so excited that this week has finally arrived. Fresh! Fraser Valley is taking place this Saturday, September 25th and we can’t wait! You are all invited to join us from 9AM – 5PM, at the Ramada Plaza in Abbotsford, as we celebrate our glorious Fraser Valley!

Fresh! Fraser Valley is a collaboration between FVP’s Kristi Ferguson and Danielle Knowles of Red Pencil Editing Services. As we both work with many talented local businesses, we thought it would be great to bring together the best of the Fraser Valley under one roof, for one day with a locally owned business showcase and a dynamic workshop series. The intention is to showcase the best of the Fraser Valley: our artisans, entrepreneurs and exciting “Mom ‘n Pop” enterprises, and to encourage area residents to support these local businesses.

You will see many of our past Pulse Spotlights at Fresh, including Freetoes, Clayburn Comforts, Out of Line Designs, Aromatica and Frosting Cupcakery (who will have plenty of tasty cupcake samples for you to try). The exhibitor list is exciting, with over 50 exhibitors coming from White Rock, Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford, Mission, Maple Ridge and Chilliwack. There will be custom boots, a chocolate shop, business services, decorating specialists, a stationary shop, baby boutique, Halloween costumes, custom furniture, artisan jewellery, men’s and women’s clothing boutiques, talented photographers… even a pumpkin patch! There will be lots to see, experience and purchase We have heard some of the giveaways and contests the individual exhibitors are planning and they are goooooood!

Attendees will also be treated to the sounds of a local Fraser Valley talent. Jared Fowler will be playing throughout the day and we think he is awesome! Have a listen to some of his original sounds.

For those in business, there are 20 minute workshops running throughout the day. 13 dynamic workshops will cover everything from how to get a website, intellectual property law, hiring a Virtual Assistant to strategic planning and making the shift from traditional to new media. Local leaders are sharing their expertise for just $10 per workshop, or all 13 for $50! A fabulous deal and some amazing information to be shared, indeed. We have one full day workshop ticket to share with one of you – Realtors, shop owners… anyone in business will benefit from these sessions. Please leave a note below to be entered to win.

With thanks to our amazing 2010 sponsors, the Fresh showcase is FREE to attend! At the door we will be collecting donations to the Fraser Valley Chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society, should you wish to contribute a little something to the charity we’ve selected to support this year. They will also be on site with Jeans & Gems tickets and raffle tickets for tickets to anywhere Westjet flies! Nice!

Be sure to book your FREE Fresh! showcase tickets or your workshop tickets online to be automatically entered to win 2 nights at the glorious South Garden B&B, 4 tickets to Jeans & Gems and a host of other door prizes. Winners will be contacted after the event.

Fresh! is taking place at the Ramada Plaza in Abbotsford: a central Fraser Valley location that is just off of Highway 1. We look forward to seeing you all this Saturday. You won’t want to miss this fabulous celebration of all the hard working, creative local businesses that make our Fraser Valley so fantastic.

*Update: we have had one exhibitor spot become available last minute. If you are interested in exhibiting, please contact us asap.*

Fresh! Fraser Valley
www.freshfraservalley.com
36035 North Parallel Road, Abbotsford
For more Fresh! information, contact 778.298.4255

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Spotlight: May 17, 2010 – Rockin’ Reception

Kristi Ferguson — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:31:59 +0000

‘Tis the season for weddings! We love everything about weddings, especially how creative some couples are nowadays with their decor, dresses, favours and new traditions. What fun and interesting things did you do at your wedding celebration? If you’re getting married this year, you’ve got to check out this rockin’ Fraser Valley company who is bringing a little fun & funk into the local wedding scene. We wish we’d known about Rockin’ Reception when we’d all been married, because it looks like some serious F-U-N!

Rockin’ Reception is run by Chilliwack’s Shelley Wojcik, who offers original wedding dance choreography for your wedding reception. Imagine a soft, romantic melody beginning as the newly hitched couple take to the dance floor… and suddenly the music changes into something wild, fun, crazy! Similar to this internet video sensation, couples create a unique dance to add something memorable to their wedding day. Hip hop, line dancing, ballroom – whatever style suits you, Shelley will accommodate. This is not just for brides and grooms either – Shelley is used to choreographing groups of folks… so get your whole bridal party involved! Dance sessions take place at the CSOPA studio or if you have space for dancing and can provide a sound system, Shelley will come to you (Hope to Vancouver).

FVP’s Editor, Kristi, visited Shelley at CSOPA and had a little lesson… such fun!

Shelley works as a dance instructor and choreographer at the Chilliwack School of Performing Arts (CSOPA). Over the past six years, Shelley has been responsible for choreographing main stage productions such as Willy Wonka, Once Upon a Mattress, Beauty and the Beast, Guys and Dolls and many more. With a Theatre Arts Diploma from UFV, dance training in jazz, ballet, tap, contemporary and ballroom, teaching children and adults, Shelley’s creativity will certainly add a special something to your wedding day!

If you’re planning a wedding, we think you should call Rockin’ Reception. Plan something extraordinary and memorable for yourselves and your guests.

Rockin’ Reception
www.rockinreception.ca
Ring: 604.799.1047

Weekly Spotlight, January 18/10 – Cathy Empey

Kristi Ferguson — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:30:32 +0000

It’s the pure passion of entrepreneurs that drives us and keeps us excited about these Weekly Spotlight features. From start up companies to those who have been serving the Fraser Valley for several decades, one thing always captures our attention at each: the drive, spirit and special sparkle of entrepreneurs. It’s so inspiring and we love celebrating their accomplishments by sharing their stories.

Today’s featured entrepreneur is one of the most inspiring, positive people we’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. This woman knocks our socks off, and we’re super thrilled to share her story with you. Meet Cathy Empey – Boudoir Photographer and Mom to 6 kids under 10 years old!

Cathy comes by her love for photography honestly. Her father always took loads of photos and slides when she was a kid. She even recalls a photo of herself as a toddler, wandering around with Dad’s camera. But since a photography course in high school, Cathy hadn’t pursued this love until after her sixth baby was born in November 2007. Just before she gave birth, Cathy had some maternity pics done with her friend who was also due with her sixth – how sweet!! Cathy recalls how amazing and beautiful she felt during the photo shoot, and how incredible the finished product made her feel. How could she make other women feel this beautiful and empowered, regardless of what size or shape they were?

Cathy got to work with borrowed photography books and a camera lent to her by the photographer who had taken her amazing photos! She practiced and practiced, taking photos first of landscapes, then moving onto family and friends. Cathy hit up google to see if there was a name for what she wanted to accomplish… and there was! It was called boudoir photography.

The past two years have been a whirlwind of fun for Cathy. Her boudoir photography business has taken off in leaps and bounds. With little to no advertising efforts, happy clients have helped Cathy spread the word. She is loving every minute of it and enjoys seeing women’s eyes light up when they receive the finished product. ”I’m just… happy!” says Cathy. Noting that she couldn’t do what she did without the support of her great husband and family, Cathy shares how finding this joy really rubs off on her family of eight. When she’s happy, her kids are happy and the household runs smoothly.

We told Cathy that while we loved the idea of what she did, we weren’t sure if we could whip it all off for the camera. Was it just us who felt nervous about the prospect of her lens capturing all the wrong lumps and bumps? She says almost everyone is nervous at first, but she enjoys helping people feel at ease and reads each person’s comfort level. “Boudoir photography isn’t all about lingerie and being nude though,” explained Cathy, “bring what makes you feel beautiful. Maybe it’s a pair of jeans, cowboy boots, a favourite sweater.” Looking through Cathy’s boudoir portfolio, it’s clear she has a knack for making people feel comfortable in whatever they are, or are not, wearing. Look at all those beautiful women! If we do take the plunge, it will definitely be with someone as fun, friendly and talented as Cathy!

Cathy says don’t wait till you lose those last ten or twenty pounds, celebrate you today. Her goal is to create artful pieces that are timeless, tasteful and beautiful – like a little black dress.

2010 sounds like an exciting year for Cathy and we’re looking forward to watching her do more great things. She’s planning on some more stylized shoots with a bit of a story line, as well as couple shoots to help them “rekindle their flame”. Book your boudoir session today, email Cathy or ring 604.613.8639.

Thanks for sharing your story and beautiful work with us Cathy. We think you are amazing!

www.boudoirbycathyempey.com