Daily Archives: October 12, 2016

Are you a scribbler?

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writing-group-1If you’re a writer or ‘wannabee’ writer, you may want to consider joining this new writing group.

We will focus on honing writing skills through ‘short short stories’ (also known as Flash Fiction). We’ll focus on various aspects of writing including, grammar, punctuation, word usage, phraseology, point of view, style and more. It’s always more fun to have a goal when embarking on something new. Our goal will be to produce an Anthology with our writing collection and—publish it! We will also register Oliver Scribblers with the Federation of BC Writers.

For those not familiar with Flash Fiction here is a very brief description:

A Flash is a story with beginning, middle and end in approximately 1000 words or even less. It’s not just a matter of writing something and then trying to reduce the number of words. It’s deceptively complex. It involves painting a picture that encompasses a mystery or a twist with an emotional impact. It means selecting the right words with the right shades of meaning without strangling the plot or characters.

Writing Flash is not a fad, it’s an art. Some contemporary Flash writers are Meg Pokrass, Sherrie Flick and Stuart Dybek. One of the masters is Hemingway. Here is an example of Hemingway’s famous six-word story. ‘For Sale: baby shoes, never worn’. The last two words evoke a powerful image —grieving parents coping with tragedy and writing this classified ad.

Developing skills to write Flash is an excellent basis for other writings – novels, memoirs, family histories, business letters, letters to editors, essays and biographies.

If you are seriously interested in sharpening your writing skills, join Oliver Scribblers. The tentative plan is to meet once or twice a month for a couple of hours in the morning. The venue will depend on the number of people in the group. All the details will be decided at the first meeting to be scheduled later.

I’m a member of the Federation of BC Writers (FBCW) and you can view my profile at

http://www.bcwriters.ca/member-directory/#action=Listing&value=11504&searchID=12011&cid=1226&did=100

Use this one February 2010

Simply click on the address and it will take you directly to my profile.

Oliver Scribblers – Head Scribbler -Vi Brown vi.oliverscribblers @ gmail.com

“Musical adventure” this season

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SOUTH OKANAGAN CONCERT SOCIETY  2016-2017 SEASON

Imagine yourself the evening of November 11th arriving with friends to the bright lights of the Venables Theatre and hunkering down to the virtuosity, musicality, elegance, sensuality and humour of Quartango.    Four highly accomplished musicians and two tango dancers evoke deep emotions as they share their passion for this Argentinian musical tradition.

Then imagine an evening of this calibre available at only $16.15 until November 10th.   The South Okanagan Concert Society, very close to full capacity audiences, has created this “on-line incentive” as we join the modern age and use the new technology of online ticketing in our own new theatre.   You can now be confident that when you arrive with your ticket you will have an assigned seat and no anxiety at the door.   Tickets will also be available at the theatre box office on Mondays from 11 am to 3 pm and at the door.   If you need assistance during the transition from our old flex pass system call Janet at 495 6487 or Bob at 498 8889.  Ticket prices after November 10th are $22.50 with those under age 17 free.

The season this year brings lots of musical adventure.  The November 11th performance will undoubtedly be a sell out so don’t sit on your hands.   Get your tickets and hear Quartango shed new light on the music of the tango with its international take on an Argentinean musical tradition.

Then on December 2nd come to hear Russian-Canadian pianist, Sergei Saratovsky, show off his skills on our new grand piano.   Sergei has been recognized with awards from Russian President Putin and Governor General Michaelle Jean.   Coming to Canada in 2002 he now has a doctorate in Piano Performance from UBC.   His younger brother, Nikolai, is coming from Moscow to join him in a dynamic concert of well known one piano four hand repertoire.

When we enter the new year, Remi Bolduc, one of Canada’s best jazz saxaphonists, will be on stage.  Mark January 27th when his ensemble will captivate our audience with stunning virtuosity in “A Tribute to Dave Brubeck”.   Acclaimed from New York to Paris via Geneva, Tokyo and Beijing, this performance will lift any winter blues sky high!

For over fifteen years, critics have praised the ‘artistry, poetry and impeccable technique’ of Duo Concertante.  Partners in life and in music, Nancy Dahn and Timothy Steeves are Canada’s premiere violin and piano duo.  They will come to us February 24, 2017 to close yet another satisfying South Okanagan Concert Society season of music.

Tickets for all concerts are on sale now.  Don’t wait to secure yours and get dates on your calendars.   All concerts are at the beautiful Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver and start at 7:30 pm.   Those requiring bus transportation from Osoyoos can call Maureen at 250 495 7978 to make arrangements.socs-2016-7

Piano fundraiser in memory of Agnes

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agnes-fundraiser

Sharing the memories and art, Sally Franks holds a painting done by her mother,during the weekend fundraiser, Agnes Sutherland “For the Sound of Colour”.  Sales yielded $2,450 in sales of art, home baking and canned items bringing the total in the memorial fund to over $7,500. A baby grand piano is in the sights of the organizers who look forward to its debut in the lobby of the Frank Venables Theatre sometime next year.

FNL “Blow-out” to end wine festival

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Medici’s Friday Night Live Wine Festival Blow-Out II

by David Badger

Friday Night Live ‘Wine Festival Madness’ continues. If you were here last time around then you were part of, arguably, our best FNL ever. The level of talent, the sheer number of great musicians, the spontaneity of artists jumping into performances that took off into the firmament, the amazing diversity of the artists….yada yada. You can’t predict it but, once in it you don’t want it to stop.
Accolades to some of our great performers of the night; Tom, Larry, Marcel, Bettyanne and Gidd, Seradaye and Trevor, Pasquale and her her amazing band of musical friends, Jeff, Mountainview Drive, James, our newest harmonicat Dean, Evelyn and everyone I missed when I had to make a beer run.

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 wonderfully talented 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 Oct 14th at 7:00 PM. 522 Fairview Road. 250-498-2228.medicis-22