Rat race? Take the Off-Ramp

Stressed? Life a little bit … crazy? Take the exit to smooth jazz with the OffRamp Jazz Sextet.

We welcome the return of a new concert series presented by the South Okanagan Concert Society. They are determined to bring quality performances to the community that engage and delight.

Get your tickets now for the first concert on Sunday, November 7th at 2 pm when pianist Justin Glibbery will be on the Venables Theatre stage with his Offramp Jazz Sextet, formed in 2010. Glibbery handpicked each member of the sextet to compete in the Penticton Jazz Festival. Festival goers responded to the music with excitement and the sextet returned for subsequent festivals before starting to perform around the Okanagan Valley. They continue to grow their audiences and receive accolades from jazz enthusiasts and music lovers alike. They have performed sold out concerts at the famous Dream Café, Hillside Winery & Bistro, the Vernon Jazz Club and at previous engagements with the South Okanagan Concert Society.

The Offramp Jazz Sextet appeals to all generations of jazz lovers. Their music is accessible to jazz fans and easy-listening music lovers alike. From ballads and “standards” to exciting, breathless improvisations, they bring the best of the swing era.

Tickets are $22.50, and sold by the single concert rather than a series. Tickets are available at the Venables Box Office, by phone at 250-498-1626 or www.venablestheatre.ca The price includes automatic membership in the South Okanagan Concert Society, and voting privileges at their AGM.

Please note that at Venables Theatre performances will be sold at a 50% capacity of 200 people. Patrons 12 and older will be required to wear masks and show proof of FULL vaccination. See link to download proof. This concert will be 1 hour long with no intermission so everyone can feel safe and happy.

Tracy Fehr‘s lovely voice will have her audience feeling festive on Sunday, December 12 at 2 p.m. Penticton lyric coloratura soprano, Tracy Fehr and her musical friends perform an uninterrupted hour of seasonal music. The performance will be further enhanced with elegant costumes created by Medieval Fehr.

The Christmas-themed programme will feature Handel and Mozart, rousing carols and Renaissance motets as well as much loved songs including O Holy Night, Maria Weigenlied, Ave Maria and Hugo Wolf’s stunning Schlafendes Jesuskind.

Fehr will be joined by talented Kelowna artists Graham Vink (piano) and Olivia Walsh (cello) and the Early Music a cappella trio, Seraphim Vocal Ensemble (Tracy Fehr, Heather Allen and Olivia Walsh).

Tickets are $22.50 for the concert. Don’t be disappointed, book early! Box office hours at the Venables Theatre are Tuesday to Thursday 10 to 3 pm. Walk in or phone 250 498 1626. You can also pick your seats online at www.venablestheatre.ca

Watch for more live music in the new year, brought to you by the South Okanagan Concert Society.

Arts & Crafts Fair October 23

Returning once again to the Oliver Community Centre, this year’s 44th annual Arts and Crafts Show takes place Saturday October 23rd from 10am to 4pm. A showcase of some of the finest arts and crafts in the valley, the show includes home decor and seasonal decorations from etched glassware and hand-made pottery to woven and quilted table linens.
Many popular booths will be returning this year including two of the South Okanagan’s largest fabric guilds – the Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers and the Double O Quilters. The perfect gift can be found as artisans and crafters are well stocked with a wide variety of articles for display and sale. The work of dozens of local artisans and craftspeople will be available show and sale this year including booths filled with re-purposed silverware and upcycled clothing.
Admission is free to the 44th Oliver Arts and Craft Show which takes place one-day only on Saturday October 23rd from 10am – 4pm in the Community Hall of the Oliver Community Centre at 6359 Park Drive, Oliver.

Easy to start sculpting

Never sculpted in your life? Don’t consider yourself an artist? Let Maureen Walker show you how easy it can be with her step-by-step process and just a few simple tools. Students have already exclaimed about their own creations and how much they enjoy her classes.

Classes are all held at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 5840 Airport Street, Oliver. Register for one or more or all! Each requires a separate pre-registration deposit. Class size limited. Masks required. All COVID protocols will be followed.

Monday October 18: Garden Gnomes

Wednesday October 27: Standing Lady

Monday November 8: Reindeer

Wednesday November 17: Garden Fairy

Pre-registration is required: maureen.walker2010 @ gmail.com 250-306-3379

Follow her on Facebook or visit her website to see her beautiful artwork up close.