Monthly Archives: April 2014
Choral Bells
White coral bells upon a slender stalk
Lilies-of-the -valley deck my garden walk.
Oh don’t you wish that you could hear them ring?
That will happen only when the fairies sing.
Hear the hand bells ring on May 25 — and make your heart sing!
Musaic Choral Ensemble here May 24
Every two years the small coastal community of Powell River hosts an International Choral Kathaumixw. This year’s festival takes place July 1-5. The word Kathaumixw is a Coast Salish word that means “a gathering together of different peoples.” The concept for this festival began in 1982, after Don James, music director of the Powell River Academy of Music, returned from an international festival in Wales with the Powell River Boys Choir. He wondered aloud why there couldn’t be a festival of a similar calibre in North America and was convinced not only that there could be but that it also should be right amid the beauty of Powell River. Over the years the choral festival has earned an excellent reputation in the international choral community attracting choirs from Australia, China, Africa and Europe as well as North America. Today more than 1,200 people gather to share their music, culture and friendship. Each year the festival features Artists in Residence, internationally renowned soloists, orchestras and a distinguished international jury. Founder, Don James, has been awarded Canada’s highest honour, the Order of Canada, in recognition for his distinguished service to music.
Choirs are selected to attend through an audition process. Participating choirs this year represent Canada, the USA, New Zealand, Uganda, Russia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Taiwan. This will be the first time Musaic Vocal Ensemble has participated in an event of this calibre and the choir is excited! Thanks to the support of both the Summerland and Penticton communities who have enthusiastically attended concerts over the past three seasons, dedicated and talented singers, and the skilled leadership of director Tracy Stuchbery, Musaic has gained the experience, finesse and confidence to be selected to attend such a festival.
This spring there have been four opportunities to hear the choir before they head off to Powell River. Two of those remain: a concert in Kelowna and one in Oliver. Musaic is presenting a spring concert program called “Mountain, Sea and Sky”. They will debut a brand new work by choir member and Oliver resident Brian Mapplebeck, entitled “A Creation Cantata”, as well as a choral arrangement of Squamish composer Joanna Schwarz’s song “Mountain, Sea and Sky” which celebrates the beauty and nature of the Squamish/ Howe Sound area. For these concerts Musaic welcomes special guests Dennis Nordlund, piano, Christine Robinson, soprano and Antonia Mahon, flute.
Saturday, May 10 at 7:30pm at St.Michael and All Angels Anglican Cathedral in Kelowna
Saturday, May 24 at 7:30pm at the Oliver Alliance Church in Oliver.
Tickets are $15, $5 for children and are available at the Leir House in Penticton, at James on Kelly in Summerland, from choir members and at the door.
For a sound bite of the choir, check out this video of a Musaic rehearsal on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXsO029KjBw
Beautiful music, ugly step-sisters, beautiful ladies
The Sage Valley Voices performed for a full house on Sunday afternoon, April 27th. “Moments to Remember” involved some of the fun of ‘Grandma’s Feather Bed’, some of the heartbreak of ‘Unchained Melody’, some of the sweetness of ‘The Rose’ and some belly laughs “With a Little Bit of Luck”. Tamara Nunes,with husband Brad accompanying her on guitar, filled the United Church with her rich full voice in a signature rendition of “House of the Rising Sun”. You could hear a pin drop before the audience erupted in applause.
Ugly stepsisters, Portia and Joy, had the audience laughing at their heartfelt “Stepsisters’ Lament” from Cinderella. You may not recognize them immediately but that is Sue James (purple top and pink boa) and Sue Morhun (white top and purple boa). A picture of their more normal selves will help you!
Submitted by Marion Boyd
Screwball comedy aims for funnybone
It’s an era of evening dresses and tuxedos, sparkling champagne and even more sparkling tiaras, of romantic opera stars and their enamoured fans. In this world of luxury, chaos is about to ensue, in the style of classic 1930s screwball comedy. The South Okanagan Players bring this hilarious chaos to the stage in Lend Me a Tenor by Ken Ludwig. The production is a farce, and definitely not an opera, hitting the stage on May 23 -24 in Osoyoos and May 31-31 in Oliver.
Tito Merelli (played by Nathan Linders) is “Il Stupendo”, the Italian tenor of the title. The imposing singer arrives at his hotel suite, ready to open the Cleveland Opera’s 1934 season starring in Otello. World famous for his stupendous voice, Tito is also famous behind-the-scenes for his way with women, stage door admirers and co-stars alike. He soon attracts Maggie (Tracey Granger), an adoring fan and daughter of the Cleveland Opera’s general manager Saunders (Ted Osborne). Also vying for Tito’s attentions is his ambitious co-star Diana (Robin Stille), who aims to bed the tenor and advance her career in one fell swoop.
The tenor’s plans are put on hold by two immutable forces: a terrible stomach ache, and his hot-tempered wife Maria (Carrie Lyle). Concerned that his performance is in jeopardy, either from illness or conniving women, the fiery Maria orders him to rest. She wants him safely tucked up in bed – alone. In one of the farce’s funniest exchanges, Maria and Tito let their tempers flare: “Take-a you pills!” she shouts. “You wanna pills?” sneers Tito. ”OK. I take-a pills. I take–a four pills.” “Now you-a gonna be sick. You peeg!” “Shaddap!” “Shaddapa you-self!” Gulping down a handful of tranquilizers with wine, Tito passes out cold.
With Tito down for the count, the role of Otello is without a replacement. Opera house manager Saunders is justifiably worried about his sponsors, but has a cunning plan to fool the opening night audience. But is his hapless assistant Max (newcomer John Guiliano), an aspiring (albeit amateur) tenor, up for the challenge? What happens next is a whirlwind of frantic costume changes, mistaken identities, slamming doors, bed-hopping madness, hilarious sight gags, and romance.
Also featured in the cast are David Badger as a sassy singing bellhop, and Louise Szalay as Julia, a regal opera patron.
Lend Me a Tenor marks the directorial debut of Tom Szalay, a 10-year SOAP veteran. “Staging a high-energy farce such as this with eight characters is a lot of hard work and cast and crew are stepping up to play an important part in our success.” Szalay counts on the experience of stage manager Jen Jensen, producers Patrick Turner and Jennifer Mapplebeck, costume magician Bernice Myllyniemi, and set and props wizardry from Robert and Marla Wilson, among the many talented crew.
Lend Me a Tenor opens at OSS Theatre Osoyoos on the weekend of May 23 – 24 , and at Venables Theatre in Oliver, May 30 – 31. Curtain rises 8 p.m. for all shows. Tickets are available now at Sundance Video (Oliver) and Your Dollar Store with More (Osoyoos) for $18 adult, and $15 senior or student.
Photo: The hapless Max (John Guiliano) costumed as famed tenor Tito, tries to romance two of Tito’s admirers at once: Maggie (Tracey Granger, left) and Diana (Robin Stille).
Photo Credit: Penelope Johnson
Singing their hearts out this weekend
Remember this moment with Sage Valley Voices
Show me the quilts!
The Double O Quilters’ Townscape, an art walk of quilts, is on display in businesses and storefronts all over Oliver until April 30. Take your favourite walking buddy, get some fresh air and exercise, and view some fine fabric art. Here’s where you can find them, north to south, and east to west, including three of our arts council business members (linked):
Dog Town Cafe, OK Falls
Tickleberry’s, OK Falls
Oliver Tourism (Information) Centre, Station Street
Echlin Insurance, Main Street
CIBC, Main Street
Beyond Bliss, Main Street
Heather’s Threadz, Main Street
OK Photo Lab, Main Street
Edward Jones Financial, Main Street
Grapevines Optical, Main Street
United Church, Kootenay Street
ReMax Realty, School Avenue
Fairview Mountain Golf Course, Golf Course Road
Christ the King Catholic Church, Spartan Avenue
Innervisions, Fairview Road
Medici’s Gelateria and Coffeehouse, Fairview Road
Pilates, Fairview Road
Town Hall, Main Street
Oliver Regional Library, Station Street
Remedy’s Pharmacy, Fairview Road
Southern Okanagan Physio, Fairview Road
Oliver Shoes, Fairview Road
Nu Beginnings, Fairview Road
Dr Leinor, Fairview Road
Firehall Bistro, Main Street
Uptown Beauty, Main Street
Dr. Noftle, Main Street
Dr. Jones, Main Street
Oliver Art Gallery, Main Street
Valley First Credit Union, Oliver Place Mall
Sears, Oliver Place Mall
Athina’s Desert Spa
Buy Low Foods, Southwinds Mall
Royal LePage, Southwinds Mall
Expert Hearing, Southwinds Mall
Alberto’s Hwy 97
Photo: Ice Storm, by Joan Swan (closeup)
Photo Credit: Penelope Johnson
April = Arts and culture galore!
Tickets for SOAP comedy on sale NOW
More stories, photos and updates at www.soplayers.ca
Love heritage? Don't "ditch" this meeting!
2014 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Oliver and District Heritage Society
Wednesday April 16, 2014
7 pm
Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 5840 Airport St., Oliver
Join us to learn about the progress and victories of 2013, meet our new Community Heritage Manager, and learn about the history of “The Ditch” through the eyes of the Norton family. Greg Norton, a 5th generation resident whose family was instrumental in building “The Ditch” and shaping our community, will tell the ‘real stories’ of what happened in those early years – as recalled by his family.
Only Heritage Society Members in good standing may vote at the AGM. To become a Heritage Society member please drop by the Archives, 430 Fairview Road, on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday between 9am and 4pm or at the Museum, 474 School Avenue, on Wednesdays between 9am and 4pm, to renew or purchase a membership.
For more information please call us at 250-498-4027, e-mail info @ oliverheritage.ca or visit our website at www.oliverheritage.ca
Love heritage? Don’t “ditch” this meeting!
2014 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Oliver and District Heritage Society
Wednesday April 16, 2014
7 pm
Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 5840 Airport St., Oliver
Join us to learn about the progress and victories of 2013, meet our new Community Heritage Manager, and learn about the history of “The Ditch” through the eyes of the Norton family. Greg Norton, a 5th generation resident whose family was instrumental in building “The Ditch” and shaping our community, will tell the ‘real stories’ of what happened in those early years – as recalled by his family.
Only Heritage Society Members in good standing may vote at the AGM. To become a Heritage Society member please drop by the Archives, 430 Fairview Road, on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday between 9am and 4pm or at the Museum, 474 School Avenue, on Wednesdays between 9am and 4pm, to renew or purchase a membership.
For more information please call us at 250-498-4027, e-mail info @ oliverheritage.ca or visit our website at www.oliverheritage.ca
Sage Valley Voices ready to set the pace
This Spring the Sage Valley Voices bring you “Moments to Remember”, a programme of past favourites sure to warm you heart. Mark Saturday, April 26th at 7 pm or Sunday, April 27th at 2:30 pm on your calendar and join us at the Oliver United Church for some great entertainment. Tickets available at the door for $10 include a social following the concert where you can meet with friends and chat with members of the choir.
Alice DeRoche is back to lead numbers that include “Come Follow the Band”, “Do Wah Days”, “Shenandoah”, “Bring Him Home” and a medley from Fiddler on the Roof and another from Hair. Alice loves entertaining and she loves costumes. This time she is creating a spring flower theme with women wearing a rainbow of colour and men sporting new vests and shirts in bright hues.
Pianist, Sandy Andres, brings her exceptional talent to this 35 voice community choir. When she arrives to accompany, she is frequently cheered. She has a way of making us sound better than we are and she can exorcise errant notes when they appear. Basses and Baritones pay attention and Sandy gives them the little cues that make all the difference.
Recently I read a Globe and Mail article about choirs. It asked, “What is it about singing in harmony with other humans that changes the way we feel and think?”
Apparently British scientists have found that choirs boost the mental and physical health of their members. Researchers studied 375 people who sang alone, sang in choirs and played team sports and found the choristers experienced the greatest benefits by far. One study even found that choral singers unconsciously synchronize their heartbeats with other choir members. Our group is wondering if pacemakers help!?
“We’re always encouraged to sing as children,” said one member, “and then you grow up and unless you go to church, when do you sing?” Singing in a group gives us something we have lost as a society. In Oliver we sing twice a week preparing for the concerts and pursue harmony with those around us. We sing together, laugh together, and entertain together. New members are always welcome. Those who regularly attend our concerts know the fun of lifting their voices and joining in for some finale numbers. Together we create community! Come and enjoy!
Photo Credit: Marion Boyd
Fine fabrics take the breath away
Remarkable, breath-taking quilts are on display Friday April 11 and and Saturday April 12 at the Oliver Community Centre. Here is just a small sampling – and cannot do justice to the colours, richness of the detail, dimensional elements, and tiny embellishments. See the bottom of the photo spread for the list of titles and fabric artists.
1. Maria Fontinha: “Stars and Tulips”
2. Margaret Helgeson with her chair
3. Lorna Fairbanks: “Under the Ocean”
4. Yvonne Crothers: “Lone Sunflower”
5. Darlene Chapman: “Drawer Flotsam”
6. Marilyn Cade: “Poppies on a Picket Fence”
7. Dianne Birnie: “Bottles”
8. Kathie Kirby: “Love-Lies-Bleeding”
9. Darlene Chapman: “May”
Photo Credit: Penelope Johnson