Famous red-head dances in Oliver

Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet™ is a playful, colourful and evocative production that will transport audiences to early 20th century Atlantic Canada. Based on the beloved Canadian novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables follows the adventures of Anne Shirley, an orphan girl sent to live on a farm in the fictional town of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. It tells the story of the adventures of 11-year-old Anne, who is mistakenly sent to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a middle-aged brother and sister who had intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm. The novel recounts how Anne makes her way with the Cuthberts, in school, and within the town.

Anne is highly imaginative, eager to please and, at times, quite a dramatic individual. However, she is defensive about her appearance, despising her red hair and pale, thin frame. She is often quite talkative, especially when it comes to describing her fantasies and dreams. At first, stern and sharp Marilla says Anne must return to the orphanage, but after much observation and considering, along with Matthew’s strong liking to Anne, she decides to let her stay.

Over the last 28 years, Canada’s Ballet Jӧrgen has produced a total of 216 original creations by 80 choreographers, including eight full-length ballets and five works created especially for children.

Canada’s Ballet Jorgen’s presents
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES – THE BALLET™
Tuesday January 28
7:30 p.m.
Venables Theatre
TICKETS: Adult $45, Students $20
www.venablestheatre.ca 250-498-1626

You be the rhythm!

Rythmo 2 is an interactive musical show. ALL participants become musicians by playing with several musical instruments during the performance. It’s impossible to stand by and watch! As a warm-up and to familiarize themselves with the rhythm, audience members discover body percussion by tapping on different parts of their bodies. Drum sticks and musical tubes are then distributed to everyone to give them a unique, rhythmic, powerful and energizing experience! With SAMAJAM’s Rythmo 2, you are the show!

Venables Theatre presents
Samajam – Rythmo 2
Family ShowTime Series
Friday January 24
6:30 p.m.
Venables Theatre
Single show tickets $12.50
www.venablestheatre.ca 250-498-1626
Will’s Jams (CBC Kids): Friday February 21
Uzume Taiko: Saturday April 18

An Oliver “blizzard” on its way

TV comedy star and Canada’s funniest man, Tim Nutt and his crew are coming to town to dig you out of your frozen January blues. The Firehall Brewery co-hosts the comedy show with Oliver Theatre on Thursday January 16 at the Oliver (movie) Theatre.

Tim Nutt has been getting away with telling his one-of-a-kind funny stories for just over 20 years and has performed at comedy festivals all over the world, including the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs in Montreal, the Halifax Comedy Festival, and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival. He’s often described as a consummate storyteller and entertainer, not unlike his comedy heroes, Billy Connolly and George Carlin

Tim will bring Alberta’s top comic, Jordan Strauss who destroyed the competition to take 1st place at the Calgary Funny Fest and Valley comedy king Andrew Crone who sliced and diced his way across Western Canada, alongside some of the biggest touring acts.

Opening for this star studded cast of comics is Oliver’s rising comedy star and very funny fellow: Glen Heinrichs. Glen has been cutting his comedy teeth at open mic events at the Kelowna Comedy Club and Yuk Yuk’s in Vancouver. Come laugh with him, or at him, he is fine with either.

Tickets are only $20 and available at the Firehall Brewery, The Oliver Theatre box office or online at firehallbrewery.com/comedy
Thursday January 16 Doors at 7:00: The event will be licensed with some great appies you can choke down while laughing.

Make you shake your money-maker!

Angelique Francis is a versatile and exceptionally gifted musician with talent that is way beyond her years. This multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist, multi-genre singer song writer and composer has wowed audiences across the globe with her electrifying performances, instrumental abilities and powerful textured vocals. She is known for her eclectic mix of various musical genres including Blues, Soul, Jazz, and Gospel. Angelique’s soulful Smoky vocals and instrumental techniques are reminiscent of a bygone era, but with a unique and modern sensibility. Within her vocal style, you can hear influences of legends like Big Mama Thornton, Koko Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Bessie Smith and many more. Her instrumental abilities call to mind Willie Dixon on the bass, Sister Rosetta Thorpe on guitar, Big Mama Thornton on the Harmonica and Aretha on the piano. Her diversity, passion and love of music can be heard in all of her original compositions.

Osoyoos Blues Society & Venables Theatre present
Angelique Francis
Friday January 17
7:30 p.m.
Venables Theatre
Adult $30 || Student $20
www.venablestheatre.ca 250-498-1626

Celtic folk music at Venables

Mark Friday, January 31st on your calendar and don’t miss Lizzy Hoyt in concert at Venables Theatre, Oliver. Arriving under the auspices of the South Okanagan Concert Society, Lizzy has a crystalline voice of rare beauty. Acclaimed as a songwriter and a multi instrumentalist on fiddle, guitar and Celtic harp, she delivers soaring melodies rooted in Celtic and folk traditions.

Lizzy is known for bringing stories and history to life with themes of home, war, immigration and love. She is able to poignantly connect with our deepest memories and feelings. In 2013 the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal was awarded to Lizzy for her work commemorating Canadian veterans and Vimy Ridge history through music. The program for the Oliver concert includes some of these songs as well as traditional jigs, the Irish “Star of County Down” and pieces from her newest album “New Lady on the Prairie” that blend Celtic influences with bluegrass and folk traditions. Her songs are touching, poignant and lyrically rich.

Keith Rempel, an Edmonton bassist, has been working with Lizzy as both bassist and harmony singer since 2009. Chris Tabbert, guitarist and accomplished mandolin player, singer and songwriter joined to form a trio in 2010 . The three tour across the country and will be at Venables Theatre together.

Tickets for the 7:30 pm concert are available on line at www.venablestheatre.ca or at the theatre box office Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 to 3 pm. Generous sponsors make ticket prices exceptionally affordable. Two or more tickets in advance are only $21/ticket. Single tickets in advance are $23 and at the door $25. Youth are ‘almost free’ at $2.50 so they have opportunity to experience fine live music.

While many folk artists concentrate mainly on their songwriting, Lizzy Hoyt places equal emphasis on her musicianship and plays and sings with clarity and precision. Music runs in her family for a number of generations. Her parents are both professional classical musicians. Lizzy graduated with distinction from the University of Alberta and she has become a sought-after instrumentalist and adjudicator for music festivals as well as the recipient of many awards. Her distinct combination of lyricism, gentleness and passion place her among Canada’s best.

South Okanagan Concert Society presents
Lizzy Hoyt
Friday January 31
7:30 p.m.
Venables Theatre
‘Montreal Guitar Trio: Friday March 20
2 – 4 shows: $21/show
Advance: $23 Door: $25 Student: $2.50
www.venablestheatre.ca 250-498-1626