Zappacosta at Medici’s

Alfie Zappacosta is undeniably one of Canada’s premier songwriters and performers, with a string of chart-topping hits and a recording and acting career that has spanned 40 years. Medici’s is both honoured and proud to present Alfie Zappacosta in concert on Thursday, February 2nd at 7:30 PM. 

Zappacosta has a polished live concert performance that exposes his sophisticated, intimate and intense personality. His performances deliver a blend of acoustic, jazz and pop music, and of course the hits that originally brought Zappacosta to the world’s attention. You will hear them performed the way they were originally written and meant to be heard.

He penned and sang “Overload” exclusively for the multi-platinum soundtrack “Dirty Dancing”. Loverboy recorded Zappacosta’s “That’s Where The Money Goes” for their Wildside album. In 1988, he was awarded Juno awards for “Album of The Year’ and “Most Promising Artist”, an American Music Award for “Most Popular Album of The Year” and named the Canadian Publishers Music Association’s “Best Rock Star. He also starred in musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber, as Christ in Jesus Christ Superstar and Che Guevara in Evita.

With a massive catalogue of songs in many genres, Zappacosta’s true art is in his words and his god-given voice. Zappacosta is a gifted artist and performer extraordinaire.

It’s a treat when an artist of this calibre comes by. Do not miss this!!!

Tickets are $25 in advance and seating is assigned. Some tickets have already sold, so don’t leave it too late.

We are at 522 Fairview Road in Oliver, phone 250-498-2228.

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Art for Peace and Solstice Celebration at Shatford Centre, December 21

Come to a Celebration of the Solstice, Peace Talks and Art for Peace exhibition at the Shatford Centre

Activities at the Shatford Centre begin at 4 pm on Wednesday, December 21st and we hope you can come to this community event. 

As in years past, some people will go to Munson Mountain to be at PenHenge at sunset around 3:30 pm on December 21st and has been our tradition, they and others can come to the Shatford Centre for warming beverages and some snacks afterwards. 

Dr Chris Purton, PhD Astronomy will begin the conversations around 4 pm to kick-off this event. There will be some references to how different cultures celebrate solstice around the world, which includes Christmas. 

Norberto Rodriguez will talk about the Art for Peace exhibition and his passion for being an artist with social activism and a lot of passion to bring peace to the world. 

Peace Talks begin around 5 pm with speakers such as:

Randy Janzen, Director of the Mir Peace Centre, Selkirk College in Castlegar. The Mir Centre builds and understands cultures of peace through learning and dialogue. Our programs and lectures make a significant new contribution to Peace Studies and Justice Studies in Canada and the world.

JJ Verigin will be speaking and brings his UN and world view to the conversation. From the internet: J. J. Verigin received his post-secondary education in Canada, Russia and Germany, and in addition to extensive world travel, spent a decade employed as a peace and disarmament advocate with Non-governmental organizations in Ottawa and at the United Nations in New York.  Returning to his home town of Grand Forks, BC in 1990, Mr. Verigin was initially employed as a USCC Executive Assistant and Working Group Coordinator, and for the past decade, as USCC Executive Director. 

Paul Crawford, Director/Curator of the Penticton Art Gallery will be speaking. Paul has curated exhibitions from artists in Syria and other war torn countries in the world. 

There will be a ‘humble meal’ with donations of produce from our farmers and food that we will bring together for this community event. 

This event is by donation, suggested to be $10 and $20 for families.

A new piano!

agnes-sutherland-by-j-bennestby Marion Trimble

News from the Agnes Sutherland Memorial Committee…….WE HAVE A PIANO!

The Venables Theatre lobby has a magnificent addition.  The Grand Piano we’ve been hoping for exceeds our expectations.   It’s a beautiful piece of craftsmanship lovingly cared for in its past life – a glossy black instrument with rich tones.  Such a blessing to have it installed in its new home before Christmas.

We know Agnes would be thrilled looking down, enjoying this moment, imagining with us the many possibilities the piano will give Oliver in filling our lives with more music in this marvelous setting.
Thanks to the generosity of the former owner and the donations received so far, we have managed to pay a substantial amount of the total price, and to purchase a cover and a rolling platform for the piano.

There is a small balance owing, so we continue to fundraise and hope to have it fully paid off this spring.

Towards that end, talented painter Robert Woods from Gainsborough Gallery in Calgary has kindly donated an oil painting for us to use for further fundraising.  We’ll display his very collectable work and sell tickets, hoping this will raise enough money as the final step in acquiring the piano in memory of Agnes Sutherland.Venables piano Sutherland

In the meantime, a celebratory welcome occasion is being planned for sometime after Christmas.  All the donors and everyone responsible for achieving our goal will be invited, and together we’ll experience the first exquisite melodic strains heard from our stunning grand piano.  We are so excited!

Editor: Agnes Sutherland, a founding member of the Oliver Community Arts Council was both a painter and a piano teacher. Her home was the venue for many house concerts over the decades, and became the inspiration for the OCAC’s “Showcase of Talent”, a regular spring event featuring local music students, organized faithfully by Sally Franks, Agnes’ daughter. After Agnes’ passing on March 25, 2016, the Agnes Sutherland Memorial Fund was established by an independent organization for the sole purpose of raising funds for a grand piano for the Frank Venables Theatre.

 

Still Tickets Left for Quartette! Act Fast!

Quartette featuring Sylvia Tyson are on the way!!! On December 7th, Sylvia Tyson and the wonderfully talented women of Quartette: Cindy Church, Gwen Swick and Caitlin Hanford will be at the Venables Auditorium to bring you seasonal cheer!

The great ladies of our local Grandmothers For Africa, along with CAMH ( Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) folks will be in the lobby with some great stuff for you. Road 13 will be there to pour some of the very best from the vine.

And we owe a HUGE thank you to Tom and Hilary of Elm Tree B&B for being such friends and supporters of our music efforts!

The show is on December 7th at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $45 each and seating is assigned. Don’t be lookin’ back wishin’ you got a ticket, qet yours quickly at the Venables box office online at venablestheatre.ca or call us at Medici’s at 522 Fairview Road. 250-498-2228

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