Call for performers to be “holly jolly”

We are inviting performers of all ages to join the “Holly Jolly Oliver!” community concert on Sunday November 25 at the Venables Theatre. Singers, dancers, musical groups, spoken word performers, magicians, clowns, and other entertainers are welcome to submit their request to enter. The concert is eclectic, celebrating the many aspects of the festival season from Diwali to New Year, whether sacred or winter-themed.

With all proceeds going to the Oliver Food Bank, and performers kept to an 8-minute (or 3 song) maximum, participants are asked to donate their time and talent. However, the concert provides terrific exposure for participants the arts council will advertise any upcoming gigs performers have scheduled.

To request a performance slot, submit the performer’s name, the title(s) of the selections, their performance length, and any staging requirements (e.g. sound, lighting, props, instruments or mp3), along with contact information to OliverCAC@gmail.com or contact 250-498-0183 for more information. Deadline is November 14 but avoid disappointment by entering early. Backup selections are recommended so there is no duplication of acts. Performers will be given an opportunity for a short stage and sound check.

Holly Jolly Oliver is being produced by arts council director Andrea Furlan. The programme’s final lineup and order of performances will be determined by the Holly Jolly Oliver committee, to maximize diversity and entertainment value.

Rev up your country engines!

Monday November 26 – 7:30
BRETT KISSEL
We Were That Song 2018 Tour – With special guest Dan Davidson
TICKETS: $57
BUY TICKETS HERE
Brett Kissel – the CCMA Awards’ reigning Male Artist of the Year – brings Part 2 of his “We Were That Song” tour to Venables Theatre! The Juno award winning artist is joined by Country Newcomer Dan Davidson. Brett received the CIMA Road Gold Award for Part 1 of the Canadian tour earlier this year, which recognizes a high level of achievement during a touring period. Last month, Brett released his new single “Guitars and Gasoline” to country radio.

Where we all do our seasonal shopping

The season of wonders and good will

When the days getting shorter and one thinks of cozy evenings we’re getting ready to wow you out of your comfy couches and lazyboys to this awesome event!

We can hardly believe it that our Oliver community has supported and loves this pre Christmas event for the 42 years. You guessed right, it’s the Oliver Arts and Craft Show which starts Friday November 16th from 10 am till 6 pm and the next day Saturday from 10 am till 4 pm.

There is no entry fee but, like in years past, we do take donations for our local food bank, either cans or cash, thank you already.

We will be presenting a wide array of wares with quite a few new vendors, old favourites still have their spotlight too and lots in between. Remember that it’s all handmade by artisans in this region that sourced things locally. From Salsa and Chutney to handmade chocolate and rocks mined in the region to honey, pickles, hand carved spoons and baking! Also felted items(tea cosies, mittens or needle-felted ornaments) knitted socks, shawls, gloves and toques are on display. Vintage jewelry, handcrafted soaps, glass ornaments, iron dinner bells, pottery and, of course, Christmas decorations all found their way into this event.

Did we mentioned all that fantastic quilting and sewing that’s been done for this? Tree skirts,baby blankets,purses,and wall hangings or just a fancy little or big bag. Table runners and placemats are here as well.

Last but not least, the kitchen this year will be handled by the Oliver Eats Deli and it sounds already very delicious. One more stop to check out!

Wonderful live theatre for the holidays

SOAP Theatre, EZ Rock and a talented group of performers will be presenting a classic holiday story with a special twist thrown in later this fall.

It’s A Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry, will be presented at the Osoyoos Elks Hall on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and at the Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver Dec. 7-9.

Rather than a play full of action, this version of Frank Capra’s classic film brings the ever-timely story of disaster, redemption and holiday magic to life on stage before your eyes and ears in the form of a radio broadcast. It’s Christmas Eve, 1946 in the Golden Age of radio. Five actors have gathered in the WBFR studios for the weekly instalment of Theatre of the Air, a live radio broadcast. The talented ensemble brings a few dozen characters to the stage to tell the memorable story.

It’s a Wonderful Life is about the life of George Bailey, a generous and well-meaning man who has become too downcast and tired to continue living. He considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve when his guardian angel, Clarence, shows George what his town of Bedford Falls would have looked like if it hadn’t been for all his good deeds over the years. Even the cynics among us will cheer as George Bailey, standing on the brink of despair, famously learns that “no man is a failure who has friends.”

The versatility of the cast — Vance Potter, Jeff Smith, Bertie Barens, Karen Hawitt and Curtis Boomhower – will be evident, right from the opening cue from Stage Manager Ritchie Kendrick. An interesting twist and fun part of this production will be having the “Foley artist”, or sound effects technician, namely Tom Szalay, live on stage, creating the necessary sounds using props, rather than relying on recordings played from the sound booth.

Under the direction of Trevor Leigh and producer Patrick Turner all the components are coming together in the twice weekly rehearsals that started in early September.

“Bringing this classic to life with this lovely and talented artistic team has been a dream,” says Leigh. “It’s a great way to bring in the Christmas season and it’s fun for all ages!”

Patrons will be able to take part in some Christmas carolling prior to the performances, starting about 30 minutes before curtain time.

The play will be presented in Osoyoos as part of the Osoyoos Lite-up Festival Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Performances begin at 7:30 pm at the Osoyoos Elks Hall, which is another break from SOAP tradition.

Three performances are scheduled at Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver the following weekend with 7:30 pm performances on Friday, Dec. 7 and Saturday, Dec. 8. The popular Sunday matinee returns with a 2 pm curtain on Sunday, Dec. 9.

More information on this show and other SOAP Theatre productions this seasons is available at www.soplayers.ca. Tickets are available on the Venables Theatre website at www.venablestheatre.ca as well as at Your Dollar Store With More in Osoyoos. Tickets are $23 in advance or $25 on the day of the show. Special rates are available for students and for groups of 10 or more. Contact the Venables box office for details at 250-498-1626.

TICKETS: www.venablestheatre.ca