Local dancers, carollers, and bell ringers usher in the season at the Community Christmas Concert on Sunday November 29 at 2:30 p.m. at the Frank Venables Theatre, 6100 Gala Street. The annual musical revue is a family–friendly event with quizzes and prizes to be won throughout the show and goody bags for children at the end of the concert. Admission is by donation, and goods for the Oliver Food Bank are also welcome. The new venue for the concert is made possible through a co-presentation between the Oliver Community Arts Council and the Oliver Community Theatre Society.

The Oliver Dance Studio (pictured above) bound onstage with a spritely opening featuring a young troupe of dancers under the direction of Leah Moen. Next, crowd-pleasers Mikie Spillett and Ken Repkow return. They are sure to delight the audience with their country-rock carols. Several choirs give a sneak preview of their December programmes: the Sage Valley Voices  (pictured left), the Oliver Elementary School Chorus, and the Holy Cross School Choir will each tantalize with a few selections.  A flute and clarinet duo, Lori Martine and Brian Mapplebeck, will set a wintery mood with pure crystal tones. Also chiming in the season will be the Oliver Elementary Handbells Team. Two local songstresses with powerful pipes, Aimee Grice and Dawn MacRae, will each perform some seasonal numbers. Winding up the afternoon will be more little lords leaping and little ladies dancing to send the audience on its merry way.

Between sets, MC Penelope Johnson will keep the audience guessing with festive-themed quizzes from holiday traditions around the world, to winter activities, to knowledge of seasonal songs and carols. Who knows, perhaps prizes will also be awarded for high-spirited folks who dress in seasonal costume and colours! Prizes have been generously donated by Your Dollar Store with More and include two larger gift certificates in addition to the small prizes awarded. Goody bags have been provided by The Bargain Shop and members of the Oliver Community Arts Council. Sponsored in part by Oliver Daily News — visit  them here!

Many thanks to Brian Mapplebeck, program organizer and stage manager, to Tom Szalay and Nathan Linders on sound and lights, to stage crew Diane Gludovatz, Terry and Janice Goodman, greeters Shirley Corley-Rourke and Brita Park, the Oliver Ambassadors, and the Oliver Community Theatre Society.

Three years ago the Daniel Gervais Trio performed here and anyone at that concert will be rushing back for more.   High spirits and fun are guaranteed when the trio hits the Venables Theatre stage Friday, December 4th, at 7:30 pm.  Daniel is Canada’s Grand Master Fiddle Champion and he is joined by guitarist Clinton Pelletier and Keith Rempel on Bass for a eclectic and entertaining mix of jazz, classical, bluegrass, country, old time, ragtime and Celtic music.   Three years ago they had the South Okanagan Concert Society audience on their feet clamoring for more.  Full command of the music combined with spontaniety and high energy appeals to all ages and musical tastes.  Daniel is also a master at engaging everyone prior to each piece with fascinating bits of history of the genres and styles.

Flex tickets are on sale at Beyond Bliss in Oliver, Imperial Office Pro in Osoyoos and at the door.   The four admission pass is entirely flexible and admissions can be used together or in any combination. Single admissions are $20 and those 17 and under are welcome to attend concerts free.   The venue is wheelchair accessible and those in the Oliver/Osoyoos area requiring transportation can call Maureen at 250 495 7978.

Daniel’s ability as a classical violinist was broadly recognized in 2002 when he attained the highest mark in Canada from the Royal Conservatory for his Gr. 8 Strings exam.  A little older now, he has a Masters degree in Music and an active portfolio of performance, recording and teaching.   His talents are not one dimensional.   He moves from traditional fiddle music to classical violin and to entertaining, story telling and composing.   He has toured North America and France.

Clint Pelletier (pictured left)  is and outstanding free lance guitarist not content with just playing chords in the background.  He has the skills to put the guitar on an even footing with the violin and together with Daniel their Gypsy Jazz explorations are reminisent of Belgian guitar virtuoso, Django Rheinhardt and French violinist Stephane Grappelli.   Clint has initiated several bands, released many recordings, and is tracing his French Canadian roots through stories and music.

Perhaps the most amazing musician in the trio is Keith Rempel, a professional electric and upright bassist, currently residing in Edmonton.   Blind since birth, Keith has never seen the notes on a sheet of music.  He is a graduate from the Grant MacEwan College of Music and is known for his perfect pitch and talent with vocal harmonies.  He says,  “In one way, blindness can be an advantage because I have to pick things up by hearing it and then memorize it.  When you know something from memory, you perform a lot better.”  Indeed. This is exactly what he does!

Chase the winter blues and come out Friday, Dec. 4th, for an evening of lively upbeat music.   The Daniel Gervais Trio, devoted to excellence,  loves what they do best.   It shows and the feeling is contagious!

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without attending a Sage Valley Voices concert.  People of all ages turn out each year to hear some spirit-lifting music, raise their voices in some sing along numbers and then visit afterwards.   A ‘cuppa tea’ and delicious Christmas baking shared with choir members in Victorian garb put closure to another annual Christmas tradition.

This year the choir will be performing at the Oliver United Church at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 5th, and again on Sunday afternoon, December 6th, at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets for the events are available at the door for $10.00 and proceeds, after expenses, go to support the winter Soup Kitchen at the church.

Music from around the world creates some beautiful moments. “Celtic Noel”, “A Japanese Christmas”, the “Ukranian Bell Carol”, “Christmas in Killarney” and an “African Celebration” link us to traditions in other countries.  Other numbers bring back memories from our own culture.   “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and “Ave Maria” are but two of these with a rollicking “Partridge in a Pear Tree” always a favourite.

Lori Martine is the choir conductor and Sandy Andres provides piano accompaniment.   Other instrumentalists share their talents too.   Do come, sit back and enjoy.   It’s Christmas time!