Rumor Has It
Posted on | March 5, 2010 | Comments Off
Paul Butler, a visiting snowbird from Alberta, is taking the plunge. Not off the diving board or hurtling from a ski jump, but something almost as daring. An early retiree from the forest product industry with no previous acting experience, Butler is taking centre stage in his first theatrical production. He joins the cast of Rumors by Neil Simon, a comic farce presented by the South Okanagan Amateur Players (SOAP). The same playwright also penned the comedy classics California Suite and The Odd Couple.
“My wife and I saw all the posters around town advertising the audition, and I thought, why not?” The production runs Thursday April 8 to Saturday April 10 at the OSS Minitheatre (Osoyoos), and Thursday April 15 to Saturday April 17 at the Venables Auditorium (Oliver). The dates suited the Butlers’ holiday in the Okanagan, and so, much to the surprise and amusement of his wife, Paul auditioned and won a role.
At left: Four desperate dinner guests play “Ones and Twos” to determine who will have to impersonate their unconscious host when the police arrive. The actors (left to right) are Garth Robinson, Paul Butler, Paul Everest, and Patrick Turner. Photo: Penelope Johnson
Butler plays “Ernie”, a psychoanalyst who is one of eight dinner guests invited to the tenth anniversary of the deputy mayor of New York. When the first couple comes on the scene, they discover the hostess is missing, the servants have disappeared, and their host is lying unconscious with a bullet hole through his ear. As guests continue to arrive, the attempted cover-up becomes more complicated and rumors run wild. When the police inevitably turn up, the socialites become desperate to maintain the facade, and the evening dissolves into deception and impersonation with hilarious results.
“It ends up like a case of the patients running the asylum,” chuckles Butler, taking his cue from his role as the shrink. At first, his character keeps a professional calm, but as the tension mounts, Ernie’s composure begins to crack and he joins in the frenzied physical comedy.
Butler admits rehearsals are a “big challenge”: learning stage right from stage left, how to stand and move in such a way as to remain visible to the audience, how to memorize lines, how to listen and react naturally to other characters. It’s a lot for a new actor to absorb. But director Ted Osborne gave him kudos at a recent rehearsal. After Butler delivered a particularly emotional speech, Osborne spontaneously jumped up to applaud: “That was fantastic! You absolutely nailed it! Keep it up!”
Judging by the nods and smiles from the rest of the cast, they agree: Butler’s daring plunge into acting has been worth it.
Tickets for Rumors are $15 adults and $12 seniors, and are on sale now at Your Dollar Store with More (Osoyoos) and Sundance Video (Oliver). The curtain rises at 8:00 p.m., all performances. For more information, contact 250-498-3597 or SOAP@telus.net
Tags: cast > comedy > dates > drama > farce > Member Groups > Neil Simon > performance > performer > play > purchase > Rumors > show > SOAP > theatre > tickets
Art to Charm Ye!
Posted on | March 4, 2010 | Comments Off
You’re invited to Paw Prints Studio and Gallery for some light refreshments and a bit o’ green cheer at their next Sunday Showcase, March 7, featuring art by John Salsnek. St. Paddy’s Day specials last the whole month long!
Tags: acrylics > fine art > gallery > John Salsnek > oils > painting > paw prints > purchase > sale > Salsnek > studio
SOAP Players Spread “Rumors”
Posted on | March 2, 2010 | Comments Off
Tags: acting > actors > comedy > Neil Simon > performance > play > Rumors > simon > SOAP > SOAP Players > theatre > tickets
Blooming Awards
Posted on | February 27, 2010 | Comments Off
Oliver Community Arts Council is in charge of a part of Communities in Bloom. The Arts Council has formed a committee chaired by Secretary Penny Ruddy to organize awards and recognition for participants in the “In Bloom” improvement section.
For more information see the links to application forms at
Members Welcome New Board
Posted on | February 27, 2010 | Comments Off
The Annual General Meeting of the OCAC saw the acclamation of four new Board members, all of whom have joined the arts council within the last year. The new directors are Hella Prochaska, Shirley Nilsson, Darryl Mackenzie (of Oliver and District Heritage Society) and Craig Rusinek (of Nature’s Elements Jewelry). Returning OCAC president Esther Brown described the new Board as “a balance, a perfect mix” of experienced members and fresh ideas.
Prochaska, Nilsson, Mackenzie and Rusinek join returning Board members: Esther Brown (President), Penelope Johnson (Vice President), Jack Bennest (Treasurer), Penny Ruddy (Secretary), and directors Sally Franks, Brian Mapplebeck, Jennifer Mapplebeck, and Steve Staresina.
Retiring from the Board this year are Stephanie Salsnek (past Vice President), Heather Fink, Linda Blaschuk, and Jan Kreut. President Esther Brown thanked them for their years of dedicated service. All four remain active members of the OCAC, providing valuable contrinutions on many committees and projects.
In the photo above, the newly acclaimed president cuts the Volunteer Appreciation cake following the AGM. Sage Valley Voices Choir representative Linda Nunweiler looks on. A closeup of the cake is below. A BIG “thank you” to all our volunteers!
Photo credits: Thea Haubrich, of Twin Lakes Encaustic Art
Tags: AGM > annual general meeting > board > directors > election > officers > vote
Art at the Owl
Posted on | February 26, 2010 | Comments Off
Enter now for the Spring Art Show and Sale kicking off Arts and Culture Week April 17 – 24. The Oliver Community Arts Council, together with support from the Oliver Sagebrushers, are soliciting local artwork from artists in all media. The venue, the guest house at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, is a marvelous location for showcasing and selling local art. To receive an entry form, or to find out more information about the show and sale contact olivercac@gmail.com
Tags: 3D > art > call for entry > entries > entry > exhibit > fabric > fine art > sale > show
Make a Poster, Win a Prize
Posted on | February 8, 2010 | Comments Off
The Oliver Community Arts Council welcomes your submission for poster artwork to advertise the Fall Art Show & Sale, October 2 -3 , 2010. The theme for the 2010 Fall Art Show & Sale is “Those Were the Days”. The poster image may be a photo, a painting, or other 2-D representation, but must be your own work, and presented in 8 x 10″ format in portrait layout. The image must represent the theme but not include any wording.
The deadline for poster submissions is April 1, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. The winner will be announced during Arts and Culture Week, April 18 – 24, and displayed at Handworks Gallery. The image will be used on posters, flyers, newspaper and other advertising, in the weeks leading up to the Fall Art Show & Sale.
The winner will receive a prize basket valued at $250, and will be honoured at the Fall Art Show & Sale reception on the evening of October 2, where the winning submission will be featured.
The Oliver Community Arts Council reserves the right to crop, or otherwise adjust your image for poster suitability and quality, and to use the winning image and the name of its artist in all its advertising for the 2010 Fall Art Show & Sale.
Submit your poster contest image to
Handworks Gallery, P.O. Box 271, 35648 97th Street Oliver, BC V0H 1T0For more information about the “Those Were the Days” Poster Contest or the Fall Art Show & Sale, contact Handworks Gallery ( 250-498-6388) or the OCAC at olivercac@gmail.com.
Poster contest entry forms available on this website by looking under “Forms” at the top of the page. They are also at Handworks Gallery on Main St, Oliver BC or by emailing olivercac@gmail.com.
Comments? Let us know you’re reading us! Send an email to olivercac@gmail.comTags: contest > design > enter > entry > Fall Art Show and Sale > form > painting > photograph > poster > submit
We Appreciate You!
Posted on | February 7, 2010 | Comments Off
Please join us at the OCAC Volunteer Appreciation celebration at the Arts Jam! gathering immediately following the
Thank you for the many ways you dedicate your time and energy to the arts council: all the various committees, OCAC programme volunteers, plant operations, repairs and cleaning, administration, and donations. Join us for a special cake and lots of toasting!
Interested in playing a leadership role? Nominations for all Board positions are still being accepted. Email olivercac@gmail.com and a member of the Nominating committee will contact you immediately.
Tags: AGM > appreciation > arts jam > cake > directors > meeting > nomination > party > thanks > volunteer > volunteers
WOW! Welcome!
Posted on | February 7, 2010 | Comments Off
The OCAC welcomes a new member group to the arts council: Women of Oliver for Women (WOW). This active group promotes women in business and also support local projects for women in need.
The public is invited to the WOW Trade Show on Saturday, February 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oliver Community Centre. Visit dozens of vendors and information booths offering products and services by women and/or for women: health and home care products, jewelry, pottery, artwork, handicrafts, kitchen aids and foods, and many professional services from financial planning to landscaping. Of course, there’s lots on display to appeal to men as well. Many short presentations and information sessions, and lots of door prizes offered throughout the venue. Great lunches are served!
There are many reasons to drop by the OCAC table at the show:
* purchase your 2010 OCAC membership * find out about upcoming concerts and performances * buy tickets to SOAP’s April production, Rumors by Neil Simon * purchase some small items from member businesses * pick up information about member groups and businesses * purchase your very own OCAC quail mug, and… * enter a contest for door prizes!Tags: booths > information > sale > show > trade > trade show > women > Women of Oliver for Women > WOW
Heartwarming Art and Gifts
Posted on | February 7, 2010 | Comments Off
Tags: art > exhibit > fine art > gallery > gifts > painting > purchase > sale