Guitar music soothes audience

Jeremy Cook 1

The audience attending  Music in the Park was undeterred by rain on the evening of Thursday August 16, moving to the rain venue at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre eager to hear locals Jeremy Cook and Brian Highley perform two sets on guitar.

Jeremy created a relaxing atmosphere for the first half of the program, displaying considerable talent both as a classical guitarist and as an arranger and composer of instrumental pieces. Jeremy Cook 2Acknowledging his meditative style of playing, he joked “I won’t mind if you nod off. Really.”  Jeremy varied between familiar classics such as Greensleeves, considered “an old song” in Shakespeare’s day, and some of his own soft jazz and blues compositions. He also brought new interpretation to some sacred music, particularly hymn tunes such as the Welsh Hyfrydol.

Brian Highley 2Brian Highley plugged in at intermission and delivered an emotional performance of  covers ranging from  60s folk to light rock such as Into the Mystic by Van Morrison, Simon and Garfunkel’s The Boxer, Neil Young’s Harvest Moon, and I’m on Fire by Bruce Springsteen.  Particularly affecting was his rendition of Steve Earle’s Goodbye, perhaps outdoing Earle himself with a heart-wrenching interpretation of the lyrics.

The audience comfortably filled the space in “Big Blue”, a mix of ages from toddlers to seniors. Musically there was something for everyone from traditional to modern, religious to secular, old faves to new tunes. Despite the wet weather outside, there were plenty of smiles inside. These two gents created a wonderfully calming and relaxed mood that stayed with listeners for their journey home.

Brian Highley 1The last concert of the season is Jazz Out West on Thursday August 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Oliver Visitor Centre (historic CPR Station). Rain venue Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 5840 Airport Street. Bring a lawnchair or blanket, a picnic and a donation (suggested: $3 per person). Bottled water and desserts available for purchase by donation. ,

The Oliver Community Arts Council gratefully acknowledges the support of their corporate sponsor for this summer programme: Valley First Credit Union. Please continue to support their Feed the Valley initiative with your donations of food items for the Oliver Food Bank.

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