The Fall Art Show and Sale (FASS) will be “Going Wild” on October 1st and 2nd. Visual artists of all ages are encouraged to enter with their interpretation of this theme. “Going Wild” could inspire an abstract expression of wild emotions: passion, anger, lust or joyful abandon. The theme could reflect an artist’s choice of unusual media, going “wild and crazy” with new fibres, new digital techniques, new designs, new surfaces and applications. The theme could refer to the artist’s choice of subject matter: psychological turmoil, political ideology, liberation, anarchy. “Going Wild” might also inspire a nature lover to submit a work featuring flora or fauna, such as an overgrown garden, an exotic animal, or a wilderness adventure.

Categories include photography, fibre arts, oils, acrylics, watercolours, three-dimensional, and other media (encaustic, pen and ink, mixed media, etc), Two categories for youth, emerging artists and budding artists, invite entries in any visual medium. Awards are given in each category, as well as an overall “Best Interpretation of the Theme” (Best in Show).

Entry forms must be received by Friday September 9, 2016. Artwork need not be completed by that date. Artwork is delivered to the venue on the,morning of the show, Saturday October 1. This gives artists three extra weeks to complete their piece. More details available in the terms and guidelines below.

Download your entry form and the terms and guidelines here. An entry form is required for each submission (maximum two artworks per person).

FASS 2016 Entry Form

FASS 2016 Terms and Guidelines

Ready, set, … go WILD!

With the shift into spring our glorious Okanagan colours are starting to appear!  The Federation of Canadian Artists presents a juried exhibition of works at the Osoyoos Art Gallery by active members of the South Okanagan-Similkameen Chapter.  Art Work for this show comes from a range of inspirations but all exhibit a spectrum of hues seen in the flux of the spring season, whether bold, subtle, cool or warm.  Artists in this Chapter of the national organization come from Osoyoos, Keremeos, Oliver, Okanagan Falls, Penticton, Naramata and Summerland.

The show is called “Spring Colours”, and it will be held at the Osoyoos Art Gallery from Mar 2-26/2016.  The opening reception is March 5/2016 from 2-4 PM. Everyone is invited:  come and see the new show and enjoy the opportunity to meet the artists.

The Osoyoos Art Gallery is at 8713 Main Street in Osoyoos.  Exhibition hours at the Gallery are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 12:00 to 4:00 pm.   Take some time to connect with art, colour and Spring!

Oliver, BC – The Maps and plans created by the South Okanagan Land Irrigation District [SOLID] are being saved for posterity through the generous support of the Documentary Heritage Communities Program [DHCP] provided by Library and Archives Canada. Using funds granted by the program the Oliver and District Heritage Society has been able to purchase a high quality digital camera and associated hardware that will enable them to take pictures to ensure the information on these documents is not lost to time.

Thanks to the grant, provided by DHCP program, the over 800 maps and plans that were donated to the Society as part of the South Okanagan Land Irrigation District collection in 1997 are all being digitally recorded. A very important part of these records is a high resolution photograph of the document. The new photography equipment can create photographs that allow researchers to zoom in on a portion of a map or technical drawing no matter how large the original document, thereby limiting the number of times the original document must be handled. This is vitally important for ensuring the longevity of the documents as handling exposes them to tears, creases and light damage.

To find out more about this project or learn more about the services of the Oliver Archives please feel free to visit us at 430 Fairview Rd or call us at 250-498-4027.

PHOTO: Linda Schroter takes a picture of a map using the new digital photography equipment recently purchased by the Oliver and District Heritage Society.

by Penelope Johnson

Three dozen voices, light, sprightly and well-tuned, swept through an astonishingly varied repertoire at the Venables Theatre last Friday evening.  The Capilano University Singers, tightly controlled by their conductor Lars Kaario, impressed the large audience with their range from the Baroque and classical composers, to Afro-American and South African folksong, 21^st century compositions, and new Canadian music. The concert was the third presentation in the South Okanagan Concert Society series of four.

The Singers’ first impression, walking confidently onstage in formal attire, was marred by a shaky performance of famous choruses from Handel’s Messiah. Kaario chose a quick tempo, in keeping with the original baroque style, which suited these youthful, energetic voices. Much like the sheep in “All We Like Sheep” the singers were remarkably sure-footed through the lightning-quick arpeggios. The sopranos and tenors especially showed great facility. Unfortunately, the pace often left the piano accompaniment floundering to keep up, resulting in a few faltering starts.

A more robust sound for Messiah would have been welcome. These music students are commended for tackling such important repertoire, but the resulting sound was light and thin.  The choir may have fared better had Kaario, as well as two student conductors, slowed the tempo enough to afford the singers opportunity to develop a rich chest sound.

Worthy of note was a promising young counter-tenor soloist, Gary Sun. What a treat to hear a live performance of this relatively rare voice type. His breath control and diction struggled under the quick tempo, but his fluid tone and animated expression more than made up for it.

Sun’s emotive performance was perhaps the most deserving of applause in Messiah. Sadly, Kaario instructed the audience to refrain from clapping until the final “Amen”. While this would be common practice for the full oratorio, it could have been modified to allow audience appreciation to be given where it was deserved. Bravo, Mr. Sun.

The concert’s second half, a varied repertoire of mostly modern choral compositions, was a dramatic improvement. Here, the Singers’ light voices were better suited to the material. The rapid tempo of “An Elizabethan Spring” was entirely appropriate, with the tricky triplets in the final measures absolutely perfect. Conductor Kaario and his attentive choir showed complete mastery here. The following “Sleep” could have been sung at a more lulling tempo, to caress the dissonant chords. A lovely jewel of close harmony was “Ave verum corpus” by young BC composer Ian Cox. Good dynamics in “Let My Love Be Heard” demonstrated the Singers are capable of greater volume and colouring.

The audience delighted in a refreshing interlude of musical selections by choir members. These young performers showed remarkable poise in engaging with the audience. Pianist Daniel Nguyen excelled on Chopin’s Aeolian Harp Etude.  The sonata trio and four-part madrigal were equally enchanting. Receiving the most applause was a bluesy trio on “Love Gone Wrong” by You+Me. Their funky groove set the stage for the choir’s lively, final selections.

The Capilano University Singers kicked it up several notches with the spiritual “John Saw duh Numbah”. Their percussive consonants made for an energetic, exciting piece. Saving the best for last, the Singers let loose with the South African “Emjanleni / Yeleyele” accompanied by djembe drum, rhythmic foot stomping and clapping, and ululating women’s voices. These rousing numbers brought the audience to its feet with the most enthusiastic applause of the evening.

The South Okanagan Concert Series concludes on Friday March 18 with a blend of classical and jazz music from the Wolak / Donnelly Duo. Their instruments? Clarinet, piano, and oodles of charm. Keep your fingers crossed that “Bach with Spoons” is in their programme for the evening! Join the crowd at  7:30 p.m. at the Frank Venables Theatre. Single tickets are $20, and four for $75, available at Beyond Bliss and Imperial Office Pro. Students 17 and under free. Early bird tickets for the 2016/7 concert season will be available at the concert.

New SOAP member Trevor Leigh (who played the role of temperamental director Lloyd Dallas in Noises Off) brings a wealth of acting and directing experience from more than 25 years in professional theatre.  Sign up for his acting classes this winter!  Classes for tweens and adults of all levels of acting experience.  Contact Trevor for details. 250-999-9396 or ftleigh @ mac.com

It’s Friday Night Live, a night of great live music and entertainment this Friday Feb 5th at 7:00 p.m. The beer is cold and the music IS of course always sooooo HOT! What an incredible FNL we had 2 weeks ago. The place was crammed full of you good people. Twin Peaks put on such an amazing performance. They brought the house down and will be back in August for their own complete concert night. Great back-up band with Bettyanne and Gidd…. The night was perfect and all our great valley musicicians were at the top of their game.

Host Marcel Morneau is becoming more Scottish each week and is applying for citizenship I hear. Our great local stable of talented great artists is becoming huge…It’s still growing and we have room for YOU. Come hang out with Leann and Rod (thank you so much Rod for our fantastic new monitor platforms.

Bring your music, your instrument and your voice and become part of the night sounds. We crank up the music shortly after 7:00. The music is huge…Tons of talent…all we need is you!

We are licensed. We have beer, wine, coffees with a kick and our usual great gelato and snacks, sweet treats and of course…our great host Marcel!. Medici’s this Friday Feb 5th at 7:00 PM. 522 Fairview Road. 250-498-2228.