All Oliver Community Arts Council members and visitors are welcome to the OCAC’s  Annual General Meeting on Monday February 24 at 9:30 a.m. at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 5840 Airport Road.  Renewing and new memberships are welcomed at the meeting. Coffee, tea, and refreshments provided.

The AGM promises to be quick and painless, with a financial year-end report from the Treasurer and the election of 2014 slate of officers and directors. We are especially grateful to Casorso and Company for a thorough financial review and “Notice to Reader”.

Thanks to all members of the departing Board who served during the past year: Stephanie Salsnek (President), Mary Fry (Vice President), Diane Gludovatz (Secretary), Arleyene Farnworth (Treasurer),  directors  Betty Lou Trimmer Bahnsen, Sally Franks, Penelope Johnson, Brian Mapplebeck, Jennifer Mapplebeck,, Bernice Myllyniemi, Bob Parker, Marion Trimble, and interim VP Jack Bennest.

Immediately following the AGM is Arts Jam! the monthly gathering to share local arts news and views. Catch the buzz about the new community theatre, and hear what’s planned for the spring: productions, concerts, quilt shows, gallery exhibits and more. Come meet our creative bunch!

There’s nothing to do in this town on a Friday night!! Well there is now! Medici’s Gelateria and Coffee House is kicking off a regular Friday Live Music night. We’re opening our doors at 7 and closing when you’ve had enough. We have great single acts and bands and often more than one night.

Our opening night features The Man himself, Brian Highley (aka The Human Jukebox). Brian will kick off our new weekly event with a couple of sets of everything and anything you’ve known and loved over the years. Brian had played lots of venues around the Okanagan: most recently The South Okanagan Music Revue right here at Medici’s. Our second act of the the night is an exciting new performer to the valley, Karson. Piano man, vocalist! A very talented young dude with a great new sound to our town including some old time rock and roll.

Come sit in and listen for a few hours. We are licensed. We have beer, wine, coffees with a kick and our usual great appie platters and sweet treats.

Friday February 7

Doors open at 7:00 PM

522 Fairview Road

250-498-2228

Cover at the door

The new Venables Theatre was open to the public on Thursday February 6, along with the new wing of Southern Okanagan Secondary School. It was a marvel of beauty and engineering. Be a part of the first audiences this spring and see the glorious architecture for yourself!

Above: the rotunda of the Venables Theatre lobby. Below, the staircase and mezzanine of the stunning lobby, the amazingly comfortable seats that cushion your lumbar region, and the catwalks high over the audience.

So what was art in architecture for you? Share your favourite part of the new building, big or small, in the comment section. Click on the thought bubble beside the headline!

Photo Credit: Penelope Johnson

The SOAP Players have made public their new website after months of discussion and design. The website designer is SOAP Board member, Tom Szalay, pictured at right in this file photo from the comedy The Long Weekend (October 2012). The website is still under construction, but the theatrical group is now ready to hear feedback from visitors.

Click on the link to open the website in a new window. www.soplayers.ca

You can also visit the website any time by clicking on their name under “Member Groups” on the column at right.

Among the features on the website:

* upcoming auditions and productions

* an archive of photos and other print memorabilia from past shows. This will be expanded as time permits, but for now there are a few photographs from each of the last five productions

* ways to get involved on stage, backstage, or offstage

* a link to other media such as their Facebook page

* administrative information such as Board news

* sponsorship information

You may notice the name of the theatrical troupe is in flux, appearing as SOAP Players in this article, and SO Players on the website. The troupe is still in discussion about a possible name change, one that accurately reflects who they are and what they do, is vivid and memorable, and is easy to fit on publicity!

Photo Credit: Louise Szalay

The SOSS production of The Wizard of Oz is underway and slated for performance on April 10 – 12. Director and drama teacher Alison Podmorrow has recruited the talents of some members of the Double O Quilters to make costumes for the musical. Nevertheless, a few costumes still need willing hands to bring them to life. Are you crafty? Please consider donating some time to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work on the first musical production at the new Venables Theatre! Wardrobe still requires the following:

** three crow costumes

** one Cowardly Lion costume (mane and tail especially)

** one Aunty Em dress

Most material for the costumes has already been supplied. The costumes should be simple and easily adaptable to resizing. You will have access to lots of suggestions for making costume pieces simply and easily. The photos displayed here are only ideas.

If you can help, contact quilter Wendy Arnett or director Alison Podmorrow, or email the arts council to be put in touch with the production team. olivercac @ gmail.com