According to longtime MC Maureen Douglas, there have been seven or eight past iterations of Icon Gone: a good-natured public debate presented by the Whistler Museum and Archives where residents argue the merits of their chosen "icons" (people, places, traditions, etc). The event hasn't taken place since 2013 at Merlin's, and for a time it appeared to be joining the ranks of beloved local items lost to time.
Reports of this gig's demise have turned out to be premature.
Icon Gone will return next Friday with Stephen Vogler, Emily Wood, Ace Mackay-Smith (a.k.a. DJ Foxy Moron), Chris Quinlan, Kevin "Big Kev" Mikkelsen and Pique Newsmagazine's own Brandon Barrett on deck.
Douglas thinks back to a conversation she had with Bradley Nichols, the Museum's executive director and curator. She asked: "What if we bring [Icon Gone] back together and elevate awareness in the community again of the importance of our local history—and importance of the Museum's work? There's a whole host of people who have certainly never been to an Icon Gone … and you can spend many afternoons in [the Museum] learning a ton about this crazy little place we call Whistler.
"I can't believe it's been 12 years," she adds. "Icon Gone was a great way to breathe fun and dynamic energy into Whistler history. Even our very short, intensive history since the '60s, when the resort started, is filled with fascinating and hilarious characters and moments."
Take for example the notorious Toad Hall poster. Mandy Rousseau, nowadays the Whistler Institute's executive director, lit up 2013's debate by defending the nude image and the skiers depicted within as central to our town's legacy… in a flesh-coloured morph suit.
Mayor Jack Crompton once spoke passionately about Jeanie, a black bear whose untimely death helped Whistler become a far more "bear smart" community than it was in the past. To accentuate his point, Crompton dressed like a bear and scaled one of the pillars at the Garibaldi Lift Co. (GLC).
Psychotherapist Greg McDonnell argued the iconic status of mountain man beards, all the while forcing Douglas to wear a felt beard.
Furthermore, Douglas remembers somebody (whose name eludes her) talking about the village's final grove of trees, which was cleared in the late 2000s to make room for what is now Whistler Olympic Plaza.
"The presenters are so good at taking even an issue that might have an edge to it and bringing humour so people can be thoughtful about their own opinions," Douglas says. "Humour provides a broader context for people to consider things in."
Same old, same old
Allyn Pringle, events and community manager for the Whistler Museum, has assumed a key role in reviving Icon Gone for today's generation.
"It's always important to know where you've come from and what the history of your community is, because that is how you build the current and future community," she says. "Being able to look not necessarily [through the lens of] 'the past was better' or 'everything used to be better,' but as 'this is where we've come from and this is where we're heading' is really valuable.
"Some of these icons that people are presenting on behalf of are not gone. It's a way to recognize that things change, but some things do continue. Also, some of the worries and concerns we've had over the years aren't new either."
Unfortunately, several of Whistler's founding fathers have passed away recently, such as Garry Watson, Al Raine and most recently Roger McCarthy. It's a poignant reminder of time's inevitability, and Douglas feels such losses make the town's history all the more valuable for the rest of us to grasp.
The upcoming Icon Gone will not feature discussion of any real-life individuals because organizers don't want the night to become a popularity contest. Outside of that, the format will be similar to previous editions.
"There's three rounds [of debate]," Pringle elaborates. "You start with all six contestants, narrow it down to three, and then after the third round we crown the winner. It's not meant to be taken too seriously. In the past, there were costumes, songs and people climbing up poles."
The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is approaching its 50th anniversary, so there's no time like now to have another chat about the Sea to Sky's most recognizable—or infamous—elements. Douglas is optimistic a dozen-year hiatus will make next week's Icon Gone feel fresh. These proceedings promise not to drag on, for contestants usually have a brisk three minutes to make their case.
"I just get to MC and have some fun on what everybody's saying, but the hard job goes to the judges because the arguments are so smart, they're funny … and people dig deep for some really great arguments," says Douglas. "The audience is just so with everybody through the whole thing. It's a pretty raucous night."
Icon Gone will be held on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. For tickets, check out artswhistler.com/calendar-upcoming/icon-gone.
