Screaming success

ripoffs 2016Here is a photo of the RipOff artists with their creations just after the bell rang on Saturday signalling the end of this year’s challenge.

Although the iconic painting, “The Scream” by Edvard Munch is considered a depressing picture, the RipOffs did their best to liven it up.   Each of the nine artists added an element from the previous nine years challenges: perhaps a dancing girl from Toulouse Lautrec, a cypress by Vincent van Gogh, or a tulip by Geoorgia O’Keeffe. In addition, the current challenge was to add an anachronism – often a reason for the “scream”. For example, a number of artists chose some form of industrialization or climate change in the background as their anachronism. Guest artist, Bethany Handfield with her encaustic talent was a delightful addition.

To celebrate the group’s 10th anniversary, a grand opening reception was held in “big blue”.  Guests were surrounded by previous year’s RipOff challenge pieces.  Shown together the impressive display gave kudos to the merits of the RipOff’s artistic achievements.

The artists wish to thank the Oliver Community Arts Council  for their support in mounting this year’s special anniversary challenge.

Who knows what the group will conjure up for next year.  Perhaps something acknowledging Canada’s 150th birthday….any suggestions?

It’s a what?

TaraMarion ThingTara Hovanes and Marion Trimble are having a show and sale of their latest work and would love to have friends drop in to come by….. or , come buy!

Visit them at 6220 Main Street – between the Oliver Shoes and the Artisan Bakery.  Enter through the doorway and proceed down the hall towards the back of the building.

 

Weavers in “harness” at fall workshop

3623642Thanks to funding from the Oliver arts council, the Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers are able to invite weaver Alison Irwin from Duncan for a two-day workshop on Pick-Up weaving using 4-harness looms on October 1 – 2 at the Shatford Centre in Penticton.

Alison Irwin lives in Maple Bay and has a weaving studio set up in her home. Irwin WeavingShe teaches beginner courses and more advanced classes both locally and beyond BC’s borders. One look at her handouts and you know she’s got a graphic arts background! Several of her projects have been published in ‘Handwoven’ magazine. Alison also likes to keep a camera close by. Some of the images taken on her walks down to the beach, or out in the yard, or in the studio are then altered a little or a lot in Photoshop.

 

Anyone not yet registered will be out of luck: the workshop is booked solid already. As weaver Barbara Levant explains, “It has sold out because our Guild is quite big and we do have a waiting list. 4_Harness_Loom_mainOur members go from Summerland to the border, so the OCAC funding has been spread over the South Okanagan. The participants are all very appreciative as the cost of the workshop is reasonable for all because of the funding. So again thanks to the Board for supporting this workshop!”

 

 

Magic at the library

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Abracadabra!  Hocus pocus! and the Oliver Library was transformed into the enchanting world of Leif David’s magic. Nearly a hundred kids in the Library’s Children’s Summer Reading Club were thrilled last night by the deft sleight-of-hand of Leif’s amazing tricks. In his highly participatory program, the magician had the kids rollicking with laughter with his mystifying illusions. Thanks to the Friends of the Oliver Library and the Community Arts Council who once again sponsored this highly entertaining performer. The Reading Club continues every Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. through the summer with a variety of excellent programs. Registration any time at the Library or on Thursday evenings. All kids over five are welcome._DSC09342
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It’s Friday!

Friday Night  Live, a night of great live music and entertainment is on this Friday July 22nd at 7:00 PM. Our summer shows are huge with so much talent passing through our town. Our last FNL featured some piano and guitar work from some fine Quebec musicians. Our summer shows are often the biggest of the year. Come experience the night. Come play for us!!

Come kick the doors down with your own vibe this Friday coming. The beer is cold and the music IS of course always sooooo HOT!  Marcel Morneau and our crazy talented local artists will fill the night.   We crank up the music shortly after 7:00. The music is huge…Tons of talent…all we need is you!                        .

We are licensed. We have beer, wine, coffees with a kick and our usual great gelato and snacks, sweet treats and of course…our great host Marcel. Medici’s this Friday July 8th at 7:00 PM. 522 Fairview Road. 250-498-2228.medicis

Beamer: youth not wasted on this teen

BeamerBeamer Wigley delivered a strong performance of current country hits at Music in the Park on Thursday night. Anyone familiar with his work as an actor and singer in Penticton’s Soundstage productions will know he packs a lot of charisma and stage presence into his slender 14-year old frame. He’s mastered the country “slides and growls”, and his musical theatre background has taught him to convey the emotion of a song.  His youthful voice has an impressive range, handling the falsetto with ease, and reaching down into light baritone.

Appealing to all ages, Beamer mixed contemporary hits by Ed Sheeran and Enrique Iglesias with  some oldies by Percy Sledge and Jim Croce, putting his own style on the classics by serving them up with a side of country.

Mr Wigley was ably backed by Dustin McGifford on acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies. McGifford, a music teacher at Wentworth Music Kelowna, entertained with deft flamenco style on one Latin number, and provided some amusing “transition music”. Content to stand in the backline, this guy was a solid pro.

Most impressive of all, Beamer premiered two of his own compositions, showing some real talent with catchy melodies and an enviable way with lyrics. His romantic ballad “Greener”  was a good example. Watch for his debut album, “Meteorite” on sale this August. For this busy and gifted young man, youth is definitely not wasted.

Check out a video from the concert, and updates on Beamer’s music at www.beamerwigley.com

Next in the Music in the Park lineup: classic rock duo Timbre Wolves on Thursday July 14, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Photo by Penelope Johnson

Folk Road Show at Medici’s July 28

Four international songwriters join together to create a powerful and intimate show filled with harmony, honesty and storytelling: Benjamin James Caldwell, Dominique Fricot, Olaf Caarls and Pieter Van Vliet.Once upon a time live roadshows were a staple of the music industry with the likes of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Buddy Holly setting out on the road together to fill up community halls and theatres across North America. For years, friends Olaf Caarls (Long Conversations) and Benjamin James Caldwell (Broken Down Suitcase) fantasized of reviving this concept across Europe with each act performing a handful of songs before banding together for a grand finale, offering a diverse and exciting show to each audience.

Finally the stars aligned with the interest and subsequent addition of Canadian folk pop artist Dominique Fricot and the brilliant up-and-coming Dutch songwriter Pieter Van Vliet (Port of Call). With all on board they set out on a rigorous tour in the fall of 2014 playing a head-spinning 30 something shows across 7 European countries in little over a month. Moving as they did from street corner to theatre, from bar to living room, the four gentlemen of the Folk Road Show mastered the art of transforming a large club into an intimate venue; making your living room feel like Carnegie Hall.

Despite having never been in the same room until one hour before their first show, Caldwell, Van Vliet, Caarls and Fricot immediately started collaborating on each other’s songs, joining in for backing vocals and extra guitar or banjo parts. The result is a mesmerizing show, what Ben Wysocki of the Grammy nominated and Billboard Chart topping band “The Fray” described as “The closest you’ll get to seeing Crosby Stills Nash and Young in the comfort of your living room”.

Your living room is Medici’s on Thursday July 28 for the sweetest summer sounds you’ll ever hear. This show is selling very quickly and as you know we have limited seating, so get your ticket quick for only $25. We have planned seating and will open our doors at 6:30 and Folk Road Show will take the stage and open your hearts at 7:30…Medici’s at 522 Fairview Road in Oliver..250-498-2228Medici's Road Show

“Sheep to Shawl” Demo

Desert Sage Spinners & Weavers featured at

100 Seasons in the Sun

July 16 – 17

10 am – 5 pm

Summerland Ornamental Gardens

(Agricultural Research Station, 4200 Highway 97)

www.summerlandgardens.org

The guild will be crafting along with other heritage arts and crafts such as
quilting, rug hooking, and pottery in honour of the centennial event. DSSW Sheep to Shawl 2