Jazz Out West was a classy end to Music in the Park

P1060094Jazz Out West brought Music in the Park to a close with style on Thursday August 22  at the historic Oliver Visitor Centre.. The three handsome gents (Jim Wyse on keyboard, Bob Larratt on bass, and Bob Park on drums), were fronted by the lovely and sparkling Iris Larratt on vocals.

P1050959Her smoky contralto reached low for some warm honeyed tones, and Iris handled the mic like a pro to modulate the notes in her upper register. Iris is particularly gifted at connecting with the audience, peppering some of her light-hearted numbers with a husky laugh that made the crowd laugh along with her. Her eye contact with each person gave special meaning to her songs.

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Jim Wyse shared some banter with Iris, and introduced a few of the numbers. He was all concentration though when tickling the keys. Bob Larratt looked to be having a great time on upright bass, swaying and smiling.  And a peak-capped Bob Park was a real cool cat on drums, shrugging his shoulders in time to his beat. Just need some shades to complete the jazzman look!

The band performed a lunar theme for the first half of the program in celebration of the full moon: Moon Dance, Fly Me to the Moon, No Moon at All, and Paper Moon, among others.

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Jazz Out West opened the second half with their signature theme song and performed some crowd pleasers such as the rousing Come to the Caberet as well as many soulful jazz ballads, crooned with Iris’ trademark rivetting interpretations of the lyrics, wringing every emotion out with her expressive face, hands and voice.

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The seven Music in the Park  concerts have been well-attended by some of our most appreciative audiences to date, with generous donations landing this arts council programme securely in the black.  Your support means we can continue .bringing the local talent you love and spicing things up with new performers each year.

The Oliver Community Arts Council is grateful for their corporate sponsor Valley First Credit Union, and

P1050907their regular venue at the Oliver Visitor Centre (Oliver Tourism Association) and is appreciative of the collaboration with Oliver Lioness Club on refreshments and Oliver Parks and Recreation and Oliver Kiwanis for the bandshell use for the Penticton Concert Band.

Photo Credit: Penelope Johnson

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Old-Fashioned Picnic — with games and cake

by Helen Overnes, Oliver Women’s Institute President

BCWIThe Oliver Women’s Institute is celebrating their 90 years of working in this community and wish to invite interested citizens, families with children or grandchildren and visitors to

Family Picnic

Sunday August 18th

11am – 3 pm

Oliver Parks & Recreation Grounds (by the Oliver Community Bandshell)

 

11:00     Introduction of Dignitaries

11:15     Historical background of area 90 years ago by Helen Overnes.

              Presentation of our work by members

11:30     Entertainment

12:30     Meet and Greet / Family Picnic

1:30       Team Games for 6 – 12 Year Olds

              Obstacle Race for Parents

2:30       Birthday Cake

 

Admission: $2 per family.
Bring a picnic… water and juice will be provided. Hats, chairs, rugs, umbrellas, sunscreen and your children for an interesting fun time discovering what we were like back in 1922 when the area was opened up for Agriculture for Veterans of WW1 and other people hoping to find a better life for their families. In 2013 we are now a prosperous fruit & vegetable growing area and the Wine Capital of Canada.
For more information:  250-498-4705

Hot flamenco to cool jazz at summer’s Music in the Park

Nankama-Aug-09-018

The musical lineup reads like a whirlwind trip around the world. Spanish flamenco, Caribbean reggae, funk, South American Latin, country, African djembe …. Save yourself the cost of an airline ticket and join the summer crowd at Music in the Park instead!

Music in the Park is held on Thursdays throughout July and August,  6:30 to 8:00 pm, on the Riverside Patio behind the Oliver Information Centre (the historic CPR Station) at 6431 Station Street with two exceptions listed below. All concerts are admission by donation, with a suggested $5 minimum. :

July 4: Penticton Concert Band: Spanish classics and big band favourites. Oliver Bandshell, Oliver Community Centre, 6359 Park Drive 
July 11: William Leggott, Spanish and Flamenco Guitar. Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street

July 18: The Cha Cha Laca Love Machine, funk, reggae, Latin, plus insanity! Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street Feed the Valley Concert, sponsored by Valley First Credit Union, Food donations accepted in cash or in kind.

July 25: Okanagan Divas; Cindy Doucette and Mikie Spillett. Country, pop, jazz, rock and original. Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

Saturday August 3: Michael Burgess in Concert. “Canada’s own Jean Valjean”. Special ticketed performance.  $25 advance, $35 door.  7 pm Oliver Bandshell, Oliver Community Centre, 6359 Park Drive 

August 8: Nankama Drum & Dance. African djembe drumming and dancing.  Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

August 15: Guys with Guitars: Jeremy Cook & Brian Highley. Classical guitar, original instrumentals, pop and folk vocals. Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

August 22   Jazz Out West. Light jazz and popular standards.  Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Picnics welcome, or light refreshments available for purchase.

Pictured: Nankama Drum and Dance

Hot flamenco to cool jazz at summer's Music in the Park

Nankama-Aug-09-018

The musical lineup reads like a whirlwind trip around the world. Spanish flamenco, Caribbean reggae, funk, South American Latin, country, African djembe …. Save yourself the cost of an airline ticket and join the summer crowd at Music in the Park instead!

Music in the Park is held on Thursdays throughout July and August,  6:30 to 8:00 pm, on the Riverside Patio behind the Oliver Information Centre (the historic CPR Station) at 6431 Station Street with two exceptions listed below. All concerts are admission by donation, with a suggested $5 minimum. :

July 4: Penticton Concert Band: Spanish classics and big band favourites. Oliver Bandshell, Oliver Community Centre, 6359 Park Drive 
July 11: William Leggott, Spanish and Flamenco Guitar. Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street

July 18: The Cha Cha Laca Love Machine, funk, reggae, Latin, plus insanity! Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street Feed the Valley Concert, sponsored by Valley First Credit Union, Food donations accepted in cash or in kind.

July 25: Okanagan Divas; Cindy Doucette and Mikie Spillett. Country, pop, jazz, rock and original. Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

Saturday August 3: Michael Burgess in Concert. “Canada’s own Jean Valjean”. Special ticketed performance.  $25 advance, $35 door.  7 pm Oliver Bandshell, Oliver Community Centre, 6359 Park Drive 

August 8: Nankama Drum & Dance. African djembe drumming and dancing.  Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

August 15: Guys with Guitars: Jeremy Cook & Brian Highley. Classical guitar, original instrumentals, pop and folk vocals. Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

August 22   Jazz Out West. Light jazz and popular standards.  Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Picnics welcome, or light refreshments available for purchase.

Pictured: Nankama Drum and Dance

Ingrid Inspires

The Oliver Community Arts Council presents
Music in the Park
Celtic Harp with Ingrid Schellenberg
Celtic, classical, and popular pieces
Thursday August 11
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Oliver Visitors Centre “Riverside Patio”
(Rain venue: Quail’s Nest Arts Centre,
34274 – 95th St)
 
Suggested minimum donation $3
Bring a blanket or lawnchair.
Picnickers welcome. Dessert vendor on site.
 
The OCAC gratefully acknowledges the support of
Valley First Credit Union
for our summer concert series.
Non-perishable food donations to their Feed the Valley program are welcome or drop off at your local branch.

We also acknowledge the support of the BC Arts Council, the Province of BC, the Town of Oliver, the RDOS, and Oliver Parks and Recreation for all our programming.

Photo Credit: Heather Fink  (file photo 2010)

Music in the Park for July

All OCAC programmes and events are made possible by funding from the Province of BC and the Bc Arts Council.

The Oliver Community Arts Council is grateful  to their NEW sponsor for Music in the Park: Valley First Credit Union! Show your thanks for this arts subsidy by dropping off your canned goods at the local branch in support of their Feed the Valley program. All your canned goods go to Oliver’s local food bank.

Goes to show you music IS “food for the soul”!

Summer’s Coming and so is… Music in the Park

Summertime is outdoor concert time in Oliver! The arts council has been hosting Music in the Park concerts at the old CPR station for 11 years now, and they keep getting better and better. We make sure to bring back your favourites, but there’s always lots of new music in the mix.

This year, things get off to a heart thumping start with something new: West African drumming and dancing courtesy of Nankama, with leader Bobby Bovenzi. Local audiences will know Lou Lou and the Scrappers,  newcomers to Music in the Park,  and will love their  1940s flair.  The Naden Band of the Maritime Pacific will present sure-fire entertainment.  

Some old faves return after an absence: Long John Baldy ( a tongue in cheek name for a local rock /alternative group), and Shindigger Rick Wood with his classic rock n roll on guitar. 

Gospel Night always brings out a crowd. Ingrid Schellenberg returns with lyrical sounds from her harp. And the season would never be complete without Jazz  Out West closing out the summer. They are pictured at left from their 2010 concert.

The Oliver Community Arts Council presents
Music in the Park
Thursdays 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
July 7 – August 25
Oliver Visitor Centre: Riverside Patio
(Rain Venue: Quail’s Nest Arts Centre)
Suggested minimum donation: $3
Dessert Vendor on site! Buy a tasty treat!
 
July 7: Nankama Drum and Dance: toe-tapping West African rhythms
July 14: Lou Lou and the Scrappers: hits from the 30s and 40s
July 21: Long John Baldy: rock and alternative music
July 28: Shindigger Rick Wood: classic rock ‘n’ roll
August 4: The Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific: big band, swing, dixie, and show tunes
August 11: Gospel Night: joyful inspirational music
August 18: Ingrid Schellenberg on Harp: Celtic, classical and popular music
August 25: Jazz Out West: light jazz and favourite standards

Please support this program generously. It is costly to produce, so those donations are sure welcome!

Photo credit: Heather Fink

Summer's Coming and so is… Music in the Park

Summertime is outdoor concert time in Oliver! The arts council has been hosting Music in the Park concerts at the old CPR station for 11 years now, and they keep getting better and better. We make sure to bring back your favourites, but there’s always lots of new music in the mix.

This year, things get off to a heart thumping start with something new: West African drumming and dancing courtesy of Nankama, with leader Bobby Bovenzi. Local audiences will know Lou Lou and the Scrappers,  newcomers to Music in the Park,  and will love their  1940s flair.  The Naden Band of the Maritime Pacific will present sure-fire entertainment.  

Some old faves return after an absence: Long John Baldy ( a tongue in cheek name for a local rock /alternative group), and Shindigger Rick Wood with his classic rock n roll on guitar. 

Gospel Night always brings out a crowd. Ingrid Schellenberg returns with lyrical sounds from her harp. And the season would never be complete without Jazz  Out West closing out the summer. They are pictured at left from their 2010 concert.

The Oliver Community Arts Council presents
Music in the Park
Thursdays 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
July 7 – August 25
Oliver Visitor Centre: Riverside Patio
(Rain Venue: Quail’s Nest Arts Centre)
Suggested minimum donation: $3
Dessert Vendor on site! Buy a tasty treat!
 
July 7: Nankama Drum and Dance: toe-tapping West African rhythms
July 14: Lou Lou and the Scrappers: hits from the 30s and 40s
July 21: Long John Baldy: rock and alternative music
July 28: Shindigger Rick Wood: classic rock ‘n’ roll
August 4: The Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific: big band, swing, dixie, and show tunes
August 11: Gospel Night: joyful inspirational music
August 18: Ingrid Schellenberg on Harp: Celtic, classical and popular music
August 25: Jazz Out West: light jazz and favourite standards

Please support this program generously. It is costly to produce, so those donations are sure welcome!

Photo credit: Heather Fink

Vaseux Lake Celebrated in Heritage Week

The Oliver and District Heritage Society celebrates BC’s Heritage Week in the third week of February (21st – 27th). This year the provincial theme is “A Century of Conservation: Parks and Cultural Landscapes”, selected in honour of the centennial of BC Parks. “Whatever its size, makeup or purpose, every park is a testament to the culture of conservation which unites the values of heritage and environmental protection.” says the Heritage BC website (http://www.heritagebc.ca/events/heritage-week)

The ODHS festivities include an evening celebrating the local heritage of the Vaseux Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary. The evening will include some fascinating history of conservation at the sanctuary, and some remarkable facts about its ecosystem. Adding a visual dimension to the evening will be a display of artisitic impressions of the Vaseux Lake area and its wildlife. The Oliver Sagebrushers have volunteered to showcase some of their artwork. Other arts groups are invited to exhibit pieces reflecting the natural heritage of this local park. Contact

The Oliver and District Heritage Society presents
“A Century of Conservation: Vaseux Lake Bird Sanctuary”
Thursday February 24
7:00 p.m.
Quail’s Nest Arts Centre,
34274 95th Street, Oliver BC
Information: museumdirector@persona.ca, 250-498-0490

More information about the park: The park protects 10 red listed plant ecosystems the cover the whole spectrum from desert to wetland. Including Antelope brush, Big sage, Bluebunch wheatgrass, Balsamroot, and Red osier dogwood.

There is an astounding number of rare wildlife species in this small park. There are seven blue and two red listed mammals known in the park, including California bighorn sheep, badger and Pallid bat.  The park is a birder’s paradise with 11 red listed species and 9 blue listed species present. Five blue listed reptiles are found in the park, as well as the red listed Night snake, the rarest snake in Canada. Common waterfowl are Canada geese, trumpeter swans, blue-winged teal, widgeons and wood ducks. Lazuli bunting are spotted in the spring – sharing the area with toads, turtles, beavers, muskrats, rabbits and deer.

Come discover things you never knew about Vaseux Lake and celebrate 100 years of conservation with the Oliver District Heritage Society!

Music, Sweet Music

Have a look at Music in the Park’s photo album of outdoor summer concerts:

The Desert Airs Men’s Chorus work their a cappella magic on the crowd at Music in the Park’s opening concert July 8.

The Nouveau trio, featuring Chris Stodola on piano, and Lori Stodola  (voice) share the opening night with the Desert Airs.

Shane Swift and Luke Whittall share some fun moments making indie folk music on July 15th.

The ever-popular Dale Seaman delivers great country hits and some of his own songs on July 29th.

Singer-songwriter  Deborah Lee Puder wows the crowd with her compositions, on August 5th, backed by a trio of great local musicians.

The young men of  Tusk Mountain ( Travis Eek, Carson Ruhland, and Mike Szalay) rock out  on August 12.

Ladies’ turn! Zyonya MacKenzie and sister Chenoa sing on August 12.

Celtic harmonies with harpist  Ingrid Schellenberg, on August 19th, 2010

All photos courtesy of Heather Fink.

So where will you be on Thursday nights in August? At Oliver’s CPR Station (Visitor Information Centre) of course! See you at 6:30 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket, even a picnic, and a $3.00+ donation!  

 
August 26th: Jazz Out West, light jazz and vocal standards