Singing songs of the west

The legendary Sons of the Pioneers are the gold standard for Western music, delivering thrilling harmonies, iconic yodeling, and poetic images of the West. Signature songs like “Cool Water,” “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” and “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” forever rooted in Western lore, are stirring new audiences of all ages.

The Sons of the Pioneers, Western music legends, perform on Wednesday October 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Venables Theatre.
TICKETS: $56, Under 19 $28 www.venablestheatre.ca

The Pioneers are the most decorated group in Western music, winning honours such as the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Western Music Association Hall of Fame, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Texas Swing Hall of Fame, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, to name a few. The group’s renditions of “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” and “Cool Water” have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and the Smithsonian Institution has named the group one of America’s “National Treasures.”

“We are honoured to return to British Columbia,” says Tommy Nallie (lead guitar and vocals), “Canadians really know and appreciate Western music, and that makes it really fun for us, too.”

Roy Rogers Jr., “Dusty” is the son of the ‘King Of the Cowboys’- Roy Rogers Sr. Roy Rogers Sr. founded the band in 1934 with Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer. Today “Dusty” Rogers is the M.C. for the Sons Of The Pioneers and sings middle harmony in the vocals- like his father did years ago !”

Family fun showcase has five

The Venables Theatre’s “Family Showtime Series”, is back, and we’ve added another show. This year we are bringing you five fantastic evenings of family fun!

Kicking off the series this year on Saturday October 5th is beloved Canadian singer songwriter Charlotte Diamond. She will be joined by her equally talented son Matt and the Hug Bug band, (Linnea Good and David Jonsson). Charlotte is best known for favourites like Four Hugs a Day, I am a Pizza (Je suis une pizza), Octopus (Slippery Fish) & All the Nations Like Banana.

Just in time for Christmas, DuffleBag Theatre returns to Oliver Friday December 13th with A Christmas Carol. DuffleBag creates theatrical magic by inviting audience members on stage as stars of the show in this timeless classic.

On Friday January 24th, Samajam kicks it up a notch with Rythmo 2. Drumsticks and musical tubes are distributed to all audience members to give them a unique, rhythmic, powerful and energizing experience. You become the music!

Will’s Jams, (from CBC kids), is a power trio who perform high-energy songs in English and French with fun actions and sing-along choruses. Kids and parents alike will be cheering for libraries, loving their bikes and rallying for vegetables on Friday February 21st.

Rounding out the series is Uzume Taiko on Saturday April 18th. Taiko means “drum” in Japanese and “Uzume” is the Japanese Goddess of Laughter. Uzume Taiko is known around the world for its bold musical collaborations, humour and theatrical stage presence.

Family ShowTime is presented by Venables Theatre with the support of the Community Presenters Assistance program (of the BC Arts Council and BC Touring Council).

All performances are at 6:30pm at Venables Theatre at 6100 Gala Street in Oliver. Tickets to all five shows are on sale now for only $50. Single show tickets are $12.50. For more information visit www.venablestheatre.ca/familyshowtime

Concert series comes with strings attached

Last year’s season ended with a packed house and a jubilant crowd as the reception saw concert goers in deep conversation with the 8 cellists who performed after coming from major European orchestras. It felt like a major cultural event fulfilling the dreams of those who have worked so hard to make Venables Theatre a huge success.

This year, buoyed by the beauty and unique, exceptional sound of the cello, the Concert Society decided the first concert of the new season on October 4th would be cellist, Ofra Harnoy. Harnoy has established herself on the world concert stage, won 5 Juno awards and is a member of the Order of Canada. She is not to be missed.

Then on November 15th, the dynamic Bergmann Piano Duo perform. With a repertoire that encompasses everything from baroque to contemporary music, they have inspired audiences throughout the world for more than two decades.

January 31st, 2020, songwriter, Lizzy Hoyt, will let us hear why she is now known as one of Canada’s most powerful Celtic-folk artists. She plays fiddle, guitar, harp and mandolin, tours with her trio throughout the year and is known for the way she brings history to life with music.

Finally, March 20th, the Montreal Guitar Trio is back by popular demand. Guitarists Sebastien Dufour, Glenn Levesque and Marc Morin win over audiences with their virtuosity, rigour, creativity and engaging stage presence. You can hear them in prestigious venues across the world or you can hear them in Oliver! You choose.

Tickets for the series are available now on line at www.venablestheatre.ca or at the theatre box office Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10 am to 3 pm. Generous sponsors make ticket prices affordable. Any 2 or more tickets in advance are $21/ticket. Single ticket in advance is $23 and at the door $25. Children and youth are only $2.50. Bring kids and grandkids and introduce them to top quality live music.

Talk to friends and join together to get tickets and make winter months a time for extraordinary musical experiences. It is the best way to rise above valley cloud!

Check the brochure for more details:

Fabric & craft items at sale

Oliver Grandmothers for Africa are holding a huge CRAFT SALE of fabric and crafty items on Saturday Sept. 21st. It will be from 9 to 2 pm at Oliver United Church Hall. This sale will include some beautiful fabric, some utilitarian fabric, baskets of yarn, lots of sewing notions, knitting needles, crochet hooks, scissors and a wide variety of craft materials. The group is looking forward to seeing many members of the community who are supportive of the organization and are also looking for some excellent buys.

The proceeds from this fund raiser and others held throughout the year all go to support community based organizations turning the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

The Stephen Lewis Foundation launched the grandmother to grandmother campaign in 2006 and since then hundreds of groups of Canadian grandmothers have taken up the call to action. To date they have raised more than $16.5 million
for African grandmothers and the children in their care.

The situation in sub-Saharan Africa remains pressing. It is impossible to be discouraged when we see projects working with tenacity and sophistication, providing support, solace and hope for the women, children and grandmothers affected by the AIDS pandemic.

The resources we provide help African grandmothers become self sustaining. They don’t want hand outs. They know best what has to be done and how to do it. We are astonished by their reserves of love and emotional resilience and are honoured to stand by them and offer support to programs that reflect their dedication to bringing hope and dignity to the lives of those they reach.

If you would like to join the Oliver Grandmothers for Africa group, please introduce yourself to any of the women at the sale wearing the bright yellow t-shirts. They will be happy to give you information. Together we are strong.

Under Paris skies with Piaf


Celebrated Vancouver Island jazz singer Edie Daponte is taking her sell-out Edith Piaf show on the road in September to 8 different cities in British Columbia. Inspired by a trip to Paris, and encouraged by the emotional affect her renditions of La Vie En Rose and Non Je Ne Regrette Rien had each time she performed them, Edie conceived of her “Under Paris Skies” show in 2017. The format of the show has the audience transported to an intimate Parisian theatre. With carefully selected music, lighting and costumes, the stage is set to invite the audience in for a captivating evening of music and storytelling.

Edie is joined on the tour by a full band comprising long-time collaborator Joey Smith (arranger with the Glen Miller Orchestra) and a veritable who’s who of Victoria jazz musicians including Karel Roessingh, Aaron Watson and Jonathan Eng. The musicians have performed “Under Paris Skies” together for sold out shows in Victoria, Sidney and Vancouver theatres. Inspired by audience enthusiasm in both 2017 and 2018 the show is set to run in more theatres including the Okanagan, Sunshine Coast, North Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

It’s been a busy year for Edie. With the support of a grant from Creative BC the singer has recorded not one, but two albums this year! Alegria is a joyful, globally-inspired collection of jazz, bossa nova, fado and blues numbers. Also available is Under Paris Skies featuring music from the show. She has experienced “such warm reactions to the show” and feels “so connected with Piaf that it’s a feeling of coming home to perform this show.”

Audiences can expect a mix of classic French and English songs with the music of Edith Piaf taking centre stage.

Beloved by millions, Piaf gave her last performance at the Paris Olympia in 1963. Her unique voice and passion evoke a time and place for listeners, of Europe before and after the war, and of a life filled with tragedy and endurance. Widely regarded as France’s national chanteuse, Edie will perform many of Piaf’s soulful and emotional numbers with the full live-band. Non Je Ne Regrette Rien; La Vie en Rose; Sous le Ciel de Paris; and many more, interwoven with Edie’s engaging style of audience-interaction, and interpretation of the French numbers. In the mix are songs that fit alongside Piaf’s oeuvre – inspired by Edie’s travels in Paris.

There’s passion, laughter, sparkle, costume changes and a few surprises in store for audiences at every show. Edie and the band are ready to embrace new audiences as they present Under Paris Skies – La Musique de Edith Piaf; a night of music and entertainment inspired by Paris.

Come sing with Sage Valley Voices

Sage Valley Voices starts its season this Monday! EVERY MONDAY EVENING! If you love to sing, come join us! We are currently preparing for our Christmas concert in early December. Rehearsals for our spring concert begin in January.

Beginning this Monday, September 9, 2019 7 to 9 pm. (We will continue to accept new members throughout September.)
Oliver United Church, 358 Okanagan Ave., Oliver, BC
Contact: Lois lbzdel @ shaw.ca
or Lori lmartine @ sd53.bc.ca