Good Friday is back. Medici’s is back again with another Friday Live Music night. We open doors at 7 and close when you’ve had enough. Join MC Marcel Morneau, some great invited talent from around the valley and our open mic performers. Come sink into some music. Can you perform a bit? Bring your instrument, bring the music inside you and come be part of the nights sounds. We are stoked to announce a couple of talented artists from SOSS are coming to sing.
We are licensed. We have beer, wine, coffees with a kick and our usual great appie platters and sweet treats. Friday May 2nd. Doors open at 7:00 PM. 522 Fairview Road. 250-498-2228. Cover at the door? Nope!
Good Friday is back. Medici’s is back again with another Friday Live Music night. We open doors at 7 and close when you’ve had enough. Join MC Marcel Morneau, some great invited talent from around the valley and our open mic performers. Come sink into some music. Can you perform a bit? Bring your instrument, bring the music inside you and come be part of the nights sounds. We are stoked to announce a couple of talented artists from SOSS are coming to sing.
We are licensed. We have beer, wine, coffees with a kick and our usual great appie platters and sweet treats. Friday May 2nd. Doors open at 7:00 PM. 522 Fairview Road. 250-498-2228. Cover at the door? Nope!
by Tracy Stuchbery, director of Musaic Choral Ensemble
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 24at 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.
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!
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).
It’s not too early to start thinking about autumn. The Fall Art Show and Sale committee certainly is! Entry forms are now ready to register your submissions to the competition. The theme this year leaves lots of room for imagination and interpretation: “Dreams and Visions” The overall prize is always “Best Interpretation of the Theme”, so put your thinking cap on!
The entry form has been redesigned this year, and comes with a set of terms and guidelines to help improve the process. As the show gets bigger (and better) each year, we try to keep well ahead of the chaos! Please read everything over carefully:
These forms are always available by clicking on the word “Forms” on the black banner at the top of this page.
Speaking of keeping chaos at bay, the FASS committee is already working on streamlining the voting procedure with Excel-based vote tallying. Instead of laboriously counting the first, second and third place in each of seven categories by hand (what were we thinking?!), a couple of volunteers will do quick data entry on a laptop, leaving the spreadsheet program to do the math.
The FASS committee is also investigating a mobile system for credit card payments, making your purchases of art and auction items faster, easier, and more secure. The arts council Board is currently collecting information on various merchant services aggregators which will allow credit card sales to be processed on site using a smart phone or other wireless device. We hope this device can be used for credit card transactions year-round.
The arts council Board has also just approved a purchase of professional quality display grids, supplementing those bought last year, in anticipation of a growth in entries in the coming years.
Get your entry in, and join us for another great Fall Art Show and Sale!
Photo: Photographer Merle Somerville, with his Best in Show at the 2013 FASS
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
The Oliver Community Arts Council is collaborating with Oliver Parks and Recreation to mount the Music in the Park concert series at the Community Stage (bandshell). Join us Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 through the summer. Bookings are happening now, so if you are an interested local musician, contact olivercac @ gmail.com A night market is also planned to co-ordinate with the concerts. We welcome artists, artisans, food services, souvenirs, and farm-gate ;produce on any and all nights. Are you a vendor? Contact Oliver Parks and Rec to set up your booth.
Arts council member Firehall Brewery also amps up their Back Alley concert series, one a month from May to July. Cool off with some fantastic locally crafted suds (Holy Smoke Stout or an Ember Ale, say) while you listen to some rockin’ sounds. Tickets sold at the Firehall Bistro for $12. Check out www.firehallbrewery.comfor info on their fine products and their concerts.
The Oliver Community Arts Council is collaborating with Oliver Parks and Recreation to mount the Music in the Park concert series at the Community Stage (bandshell). Join us Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 through the summer. Bookings are happening now, so if you are an interested local musician, contact olivercac @ gmail.com A night market is also planned to co-ordinate with the concerts. We welcome artists, artisans, food services, souvenirs, and farm-gate ;produce on any and all nights. Are you a vendor? Contact Oliver Parks and Rec to set up your booth.
Arts council member Firehall Brewery also amps up their Back Alley concert series, one a month from May to July. Cool off with some fantastic locally crafted suds (Holy Smoke Stout or an Ember Ale, say) while you listen to some rockin’ sounds. Tickets sold at the Firehall Bistro for $12. Check out www.firehallbrewery.comfor info on their fine products and their concerts.
