End of the world party in Penticton

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Penticton Art Gallery readies for celebrations

The Penticton Art Gallery will mark the conclusion of its "The End of the World as We Know It" exhibition with a multi- media extravaganza on Friday, Dec. 21.

The celebration is timed to coincide with the day the world is supposed to end and will feature music, dance and art.

The premise behind the exhibition was the impending date of a 5,125 year long cycle in the calendar used by the Mayan civilization, to which many have ascribed predictions ranging from cataclysmic to transformative.

 According to some interpretations, Dec. 21 marks the end of a cycle in the calendar and the beginning of a new world.

West coast multi-instrumentalist  Shane  Philip will be the special guest . Known worldwide for his didgeridoo-infused music,  Philip has been touring constantly  for the last few years.

There will also be a short ritual honouring and celebrating children.

In recognition that the world may not end on Friday, there will be an event titled Birth Day 2012 Celebration: Penticton Evolves, held the next day.

Saturday is the first day following the end of the Mayan calendar, the beginning of a new age.  At the art gallery it will be celebrated with face painting, a community paint-in mural, a speakers' corner, yoga, crystal bowl meditations and more.

The extravaganza on Friday will be held from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Ticket prices are $25 for non-members, $20 for gallery members and students and $10 for ages 13 to 18.

Children 12 and under are free.

Birth Day 2012 will be from 12 to 5 p.m.