The Fibre Broads and Friends are open Tuesday August 12 to Saturday August 16 at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 5840 Airport Street. Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop in to watch the artists at work, chat about their projects and techniques, and purchase cozy and colourful items such as shawls, scarves, slippers, socks, jewelry boxes and jewelry. Rovings in great colours also available. Honey and beeswax candles for sale.
Photos:
1. A cozy night-time for someone you love (above) features jewelry box by JoAnn Turner and slippers by Klaudia Deschenes
Medici’s is delighted to bring you the ladies of Quartette: Cindy Church, Caitlin Hanford, Gwen Swick, and Sylvia Tyson, on Saturday August 16th.These ladies are one of Canada’s most successful vocal quartets, both as a group and as soloists as well. They are not only singers and entertainers, they are songwriters as well and perform to thousands of people across Canada, whether as in their group Quartette or as individual soloists or with other groups.
Quartette will perform an acoustic version of their great road show. This is the valley’s concert event of the year. We still have a few tickets left. Get yours quickly.
Tickets are $50 and available at Medici’s: 522 Fairview Road in Oliver. 250-498-2228. Our doors open on concert night, Aug 16th, at 6:30 and the ladies will take to the stage at 7:30
Take one part sun-hot, zesty lemon and one part cool sugary sweetness and you’ve got a tall drink that goes down easy on a summer evening. Singer-songwriters Andi Zack and Ken Johnson hit that same perfect balance between tangy and sweet with their performance at Music in the Park on Thursday night. And an audience with a thirst for great country pop drank it all up til the glass was empty.
Oliver girl Andi moved to Nashville over a decade ago to pursue her talent as a song-writer. She met hubby Ken in 2005 through a songwriting connection and “it was love at first sight”. Their continuing affection was apparent onstage as they sang back-up on each other’s compositions, smiling and laughing, joking with the audience. Together they created a wonderfully warm vibe that spread through the audience.
Strumming her ukelele, Andi’s sweet voice and summery lyrics brought instant smiles. “How can you not write happy songs on the ukelele?” she mused, before singing her hit “Lemonade Maker”. Like a lemon zester, Ken’s raspy-edged voice and soulful blues licks provided a welcome tangy complement.
The couple is well-respected in the country music business. Humble about their talents, each has written music for for famous names, including Vince Gill, his daughter Jenny Gill, Wayne Newton, as well as music for film soundtracks. Singing their own compositions in their own style in front of an audience made for a special evening indeed.
The audience was treated to some behind-the-scenes stories of how lyrics are written. Ken shared a delightful tale about asking his daughter to finish eating her supper. “Dad, did you hear what you just said?” she asked, then promptly parroted back to her dad his own words: “There’s still a little chicken left on that bone.” When Ken looked confused she said “Daddy, that’s a country song!” Now a Top 40 hit released by Craig Morgan, “Still a Little Chicken Left on That Bone” encourages listeners who feel “past their prime” to realize “it ain’t over til you say it is”.
Another hit, popularized by country singer Josh Thompson, was prompted by a few words from a waiter when the songwriting couple were out to dinner with friends. While chatting with their server, the man commented on his minimum wage job, saying “Well, you gotta put beer on the table.” Joking with the audience, Ken said “Andi put a big ol’ bruise on my arm jabbing me with her elbow that night.” Andi joined in the storytelling: “I wanted to make sure he heard what the waiter said.” “Yeah, I heard, I heard,” nodded Ken. “Beer on the Table.” A day later, those few off-hand words were a song.
After two sets made up entirely of their original compositions, Andi and Ken were reluctant to stop and the audience reluctant to let them go. So much talent, so many songs, and too little time. “We wanna come back soon,” said Andi. Yes, please. We still have a pitcherful of that lemonade to drink.
Take one part sun-hot, zesty lemon and one part cool sugary sweetness and you’ve got a tall drink that goes down easy on a summer evening. Singer-songwriters Andi Zack and Ken Johnson hit that same perfect balance between tangy and sweet with their performance at Music in the Park on Thursday night. And an audience with a thirst for great country pop drank it all up til the glass was empty.
Oliver girl Andi moved to Nashville over a decade ago to pursue her talent as a song-writer. She met hubby Ken in 2005 through a songwriting connection and “it was love at first sight”. Their continuing affection was apparent onstage as they sang back-up on each other’s compositions, smiling and laughing, joking with the audience. Together they created a wonderfully warm vibe that spread through the audience.
Strumming her ukelele, Andi’s sweet voice and summery lyrics brought instant smiles. “How can you not write happy songs on the ukelele?” she mused, before singing her hit “Lemonade Maker”. Like a lemon zester, Ken’s raspy-edged voice and soulful blues licks provided a welcome tangy complement.
The couple is well-respected in the country music business. Humble about their talents, each has written music for for famous names, including Vince Gill, his daughter Jenny Gill, Wayne Newton, as well as music for film soundtracks. Singing their own compositions in their own style in front of an audience made for a special evening indeed.
The audience was treated to some behind-the-scenes stories of how lyrics are written. Ken shared a delightful tale about asking his daughter to finish eating her supper. “Dad, did you hear what you just said?” she asked, then promptly parroted back to her dad his own words: “There’s still a little chicken left on that bone.” When Ken looked confused she said “Daddy, that’s a country song!” Now a Top 40 hit released by Craig Morgan, “Still a Little Chicken Left on That Bone” encourages listeners who feel “past their prime” to realize “it ain’t over til you say it is”.
Another hit, popularized by country singer Josh Thompson, was prompted by a few words from a waiter when the songwriting couple were out to dinner with friends. While chatting with their server, the man commented on his minimum wage job, saying “Well, you gotta put beer on the table.” Joking with the audience, Ken said “Andi put a big ol’ bruise on my arm jabbing me with her elbow that night.” Andi joined in the storytelling: “I wanted to make sure he heard what the waiter said.” “Yeah, I heard, I heard,” nodded Ken. “Beer on the Table.” A day later, those few off-hand words were a song.
After two sets made up entirely of their original compositions, Andi and Ken were reluctant to stop and the audience reluctant to let them go. So much talent, so many songs, and too little time. “We wanna come back soon,” said Andi. Yes, please. We still have a pitcherful of that lemonade to drink.
We are at it again with another Friday Night Live at Medici’s. Host Marcel Morneau is back in the host’s chair and he’s got a fire extinguisher with him this time. Our last live music night was screaming hot with 14 performers moving in and out of the spotlight. We have some great local performers and a growing throng of open mic regulars. We crank up the music shortly after 7:00. Come sink into some music and fun with the Friday nighters. Bring your instrument, bring the music inside you and come be part of the nights sounds.
We are licensed. We have beer, wine, coffees with a kick, great eats and sweet treats. Friday Aug 8th at 7:00 PM. 522 Fairview Road. 250-498-2228. Cover at the door? No chance!!
Admission by Donation : suggested minimum $3 – $5 per adult
Here’s Andi’s bio posted on Lucky Diamond Music: Oliver BC native, Andi Zack, moved to Nashville to pursue a career as a singer/songwriter after an impressive run as a cartoon voice over actor for Chinook Animation in Calgary, Alberta. Andi can be “heard” performing in over 100 features released by the company in numerous countries around the world.
Shortly after moving to music city, Andi interned for publisher Ginny Johnson and producer Billy Joe Walker. There she got to experience the music business in full swing, working with Travis Tritt, Tracy Byrd, Mark Chesnutt and Billy Ray Cyrus. She then signed her first publishing deal and landed her first top 20 hit in 2010 with a song she co-wrote called “Beer On The Table” recorded by Columbia recording artist Josh Thompson which reached #16 on the respected U.S. Billboard Chart.
Since then she’s had songs recorded by artists such as Danielle Peck, Dawson Reigns, Elle Maze, Etta Britt and two songs produced by Vince Gill on his daughter, Jenny’s debut record.
Andi’s aspirations didn’t stop there. In 2011 she incorporated her own film production company called “Lemonade Maker Productions”. In 2012 she has been credited with producing and directing multiple music video’s including four for CMT and GAC television. Sony, Columbia and Warner Brothers Records have all put their faith in Andi to take the video helm with their artists including Josh Thompson, The Dirt Drifters, Bush Hawg and Adam Hood.
While enjoying the success of Lemonade Maker, Andi is still very focused on her songwriting and has just signed a new contract with Nashville’s Diamond Eye Music.
Note: Andi just sent off 11 new songs to be mastered on CD — maybe we’ll hear a few of those fresh lyrics and vocals Thursday night!
And here’s something about Ken:
Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Ken Johnson is a Nashville, Tennessee based singer songwriter putting his music out there with a guitar and his unique southern soulful raspy voice… Ken is an up and coming singer/songwriter regularly co-writing with the best of the best in music city and is one of Nashville’s most sought after session vocalists.
As a staff writer at Combustion Music Nashville, Ken has written songs recorded by many artists such as Craig Morgan, Josh Thompson, Uncle Kracker, Joey and Rory, The Farm, Ty Stone and Tyler Farr among others. Ken even wrote and released an album with Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton!
He has achieved Top 40 Airplay success . He co-wrote the recent top 40 hit “Still A Little Chicken Left On That Bone” released by Craig Morgan, as well as last year’s smash hit “Beer on the Table” recorded by Josh Thompson. As a writer Ken has placed singles on the charts with artists in the U.S., Japan, Australia, Canada and across Europe along with numerous film and TV placements.
He had three songs appearing in the second season of the ABC television show “Nashville.” Clare Bowen sang Ken’s song “Every time I Fall In Love,” which is available on iTunes. Ken’s song “Who Do You Think You Are” was also featured in Fall 2013 on the hit TV show “Hart of Dixie”. Ken also co-wrote the opening track for the major motion picture, “The Marine”. In 2012, Ken released his own album, “Dang Good Day,” in association with Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Combustion Music.
Ken has also performed on TV’s Good Morning America as well as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. On the business side, Ken and Grammy winning and platinum album-selling producer Skidd Mills (Saving Abel, Third Day, Skillet) have now partnered in a new joint venture to seek out and produce new talent. Ken is currently a staff writer at Lucky Diamond Music in Nashville, in conjunction with his own publishing company opened in January of 2012, MaxMarlee Music.
Another successful Back Alley Concert Series is finished for the season, and because of everyone involved, they just keep getting better and better. It truly is an amazing sight to see an ugly industrial alley brought to life by the colour of community and the sounds of socializing.
We had three concerts this year, kicking off with Fighting Orange, an acoustic duo from Kelowna, who got the crowd singing classic favourites. The next show was Oliver’s own Wined It Up, drawing our largest crowd yet with the release of their new album: Small Town Talk. The season finale was just last Saturday, rocked by Johnny’s Hat from Princeton, who had the crowd dancing to their incredibly diverse array of classic covers. Rustico Winery, Tinhorn Creek Winery, and Stoneboat Vineyards were the featured wineries this year, which turned this particular brewer onto a few new favourite reds. Two new additions to the Back Alley Concert Series this year were the specialty cask beers served at each show one-night-only (the EmerGINcy Ginger Beer, the Citrus Siren, and the Apricot Alarm), as well as art displays from local artists. Luba Chpak, Linda Blaschuk, Janet West, and Leann Parrent graced the walls of our Captain’s Room this season with their beautiful pieces. We are lucky to have so much talent so close to home.
But none of this would be possible without our volunteers and attendees. A round of applause to Sandy Boblin, Gabby Campbell, Grant Chyzzy, Cal & Trish Craik, Richard Drescher, Hillary Frank, Randy Houle, Darryl & Sheila Lange, Jim Murray (AKA Coffee Jim), Mike Nicholls, Joanne, Carson, Marisa & Celina Ruhland, Mike Szalay, Larry Schwartzenberger, and Joe VanderHyden (AKA Joe Five-O) for their volunteer support of these community events. Also, a thank you must go out to Oliver Rental Centre for the tent and Darlorn Septic for the toilets, which help make our alley area a bit more comfortable. Also, thank you to the Firehall Bistro for selling the tickets for us, and to EZ Rock Radio for promoting the series through on-air ticket give-aways.
And finally, thank you to all you attendees of the Back Alley Concert Series. This is a break-even event dependent on volunteers and local patronage, and we salute you all for helping to build community and preserve the person-to-person social relationships that are so easily drowned out by our modern, fast-paced, technology-driven global society. The big picture has gotten so big that it’s sometimes tough to see the beauty in the details; details like the colours in a painting swirled by someone you know in town that you didn’t know was a painter, or the crisp enjoyment of a white wine grape variety that you thought you didn’t like, or the meaning you get from song lyrics written about a small town rumour you can relate to. The details go on, and so will our concerts.
Next spring, keep your eyes peeled for more Back Alley Concert posters around town, announcing new dates, new featured wineries, new artists, new bands, and new opportunities to mingle with friends and friendly strangers.
Until then, don’t forget to EXTINGUISH YOUR THIRST with THE BEER OF WINE COUNTRY! (shameless plug). CHEERS! –
Vineyards and wine making in the Wine Capital of Canada is the prominent industry in the Oliver area and brings thousands of tourist dollars to the economy. Tourists use wine as the main reason for coming here and wine is a large tourist purchase, but they also buy food, accommodations souvenirs and more.
The “more” is often art at the Oliver Art Gallery. The gallery sells about half of its total sales to tourists in the summer months. The best souvenir is a painting of local scenery, vineyard field or any wine related subject. However other subjects are also good sales.
During the month of August the gallery will be featuring vineyards and wine as its theme art. There are paintings of the local fields and wineries, grapes, barrels and other wine related subjects.
As an added bonus during August the gallery will also feature the art of Bonny Roberts (pictured: Hawthorne Vineyards). Bonny is a very popular B.C. artist and holds the A.F.C.A. status with the Federation of Canadian Artists. She will be displaying a variety of her many famous landscapes and abstract paintings. Bonny lives in Keremious and works out of her studio there.
The Oliver Art Gallery represents and shows beauty and culture for Oliver and the South Okanagan. If you still have not been to our beautiful gallery, you must visit it this month. You will see art priced at half or even a quarter of similar art in the big cities. That is why the tourists from the big centres buy the art here, because it is produced by great high quality artists and when they get home with the art, it will double or triple in value.
Our Oliver gallery has reached a point where it has achieved a reputation as a very High Quality Destination Art Gallery. Collectors come from all over B.C., other Provinces, the U.S.A., and even return a repeat trip from Europe to buy the high quality art displayed right here in Oliver.
There are eighteen artists making up the Art Gallery Co-op, from Summerland down to the American border, east from Greenwood and West to Princeton.
They work in all mediums with their own styles making up a beautiful variety. The gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday from 11:00AM to 4:00PM at 6046 Main Street. Since it is a co-operative gallery and is owned by the artists, there is always an artist on site to host and guide its visitors.
Come and enjoy the spectacular pieces being shown in August and get in the habit of visiting the Art Gallery. Every month there is new art. Look forward to a new subject for the different monthly themes. Coming up in September, will be a display on Wildlife.
Ask about art classes taught at the gallery. Whether you are a beginner, a novice or an almost professional we will have classes for you. The gallery also sells prints and gift cards. There are Gift certificates you can buy and pass on to family members or friends. Prices start with art at $3.00 and go up to a fair priced value.
Great women of song were both onstage and in the music on last Thursday’s Music in the Park. The evening featured three talented local ladies, Carol Sheridan, Sam Marsel and Hilary Drummond performing some of their favourite female singers and songwriters. Carol (top) came out strong on her set with an eclectic mix of indie, folk, and pop. In an ideal opener, she warmed up the crowd with her sweet vocals, and accompanied herself with some great chord work on guitar with tunes from Indigo Girls, Sarah MacLachlan, and Joni Mitchell. She also treated the audience to a couple of her own compositions, joking on one number that the subject was “an old boyfriend from way way back — and not my husband”.
Sam Marsel (above) opted for a digital backup band so she could work the mic and the crowd while strutting her stuff in true country style. Her confident singing on scorchers like “Pontoon” by Little Big Town quickly set a hot summer groove. The hot evening was a great time to sing about “motorboatin’ “. Marsel followed up on the “diva” theme by singing songs by her favourite country ladies, including Dolly Parton and Lady Antebellum.
Hilary Drummond (above) changed the tone once again, with her quirky humour. She opened with a number on ukelele, guaranteeing instant smiles from the audience. She demonstrated her musical skills by switching to guitar and harmonica half-way through her set. Perhaps the biggest hoots and hollers from the crowd came on her final number, Never Wear Panties to a Party by Kacey Jones. The lyrics contained some good advice for ladies on a hot summer night: “You don’t have to decide bikini or thong / Leave ’em both at home and you can’t go wrong / It’s not because of the panty line / It’s ‘cos the breeze feels so fine” . Drummond certainly knows to leave ’em laughing.
Up next week at Music in the Park is Andi Zack and Ken Johnson. Calling Nashville home for several years now, Andi is still an Oliver girl at heart. With a new CD under her belt, Andi is ready to treat the hometown crowd to some new country pop. Thursday August 7 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Oliver Community Stage (band shell). Bring a blanket or lawn chair – there’s plenty of shade under the marquee or the trees. A donation for the concert is appreciated, as all musicians are paid. Don’t forget the market is open from 4;30 – 8:30, so bring something extra in your wallet for food fare, beverages, market items, and of course, Andi’s new CD!
The Fibre Broads and Friends are open Tuesday August 12 to Saturday August 16 at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 5840 Airport Street. Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop in to watch the artists at work, chat about their projects and techniques, and purchase cozy and colourful items such as shawls, scarves, slippers, socks, jewelry boxes and jewelry. Rovings in great colours also available. Honey and beeswax candles for sale.
Medici’s is delighted to bring you the ladies of Quartette: Cindy Church, Caitlin Hanford, Gwen Swick, and Sylvia Tyson, on Saturday August 16th.These ladies are one of Canada’s most successful vocal quartets, both as a group and as soloists as well. They are not only singers and entertainers, they are songwriters as well and perform to thousands of people across Canada, whether as in their group Quartette or as individual soloists or with other groups.
Here’s Andi’s bio posted on Lucky Diamond Music: Oliver BC native, Andi Zack, moved to Nashville to pursue a career as a singer/songwriter after an impressive run as a cartoon voice over actor for Chinook Animation in Calgary, Alberta. Andi can be “heard” performing in over 100 features released by the company in numerous countries around the world.
