by Marion Boyd

Grab a chair and $10 (only $5 if you are a student) and come for some fun! Thursday, June 9th at 7 pm Oliver’s Grandmothers for Africa are presenting the Thursday Night Jazz Band at the Quail’s Nest on Airport Road.

Last year these amazing musicians filled the air with toe tapping, body swaying music. The audience, camped out on chairs they carried to the venue, spilled out the big doors into the warmth of a perfect Spring night. We should be so lucky again!! It was a happy mellow mood. Walls were hung with African fabrics. Host grandmothers wearing their distinctive lemon yellow shirts with the black logo of mother and child plastered on front welcomed the crowd.

The idea of the Thursday Night Jazz Band is unique, brilliant and quite different from a formal concert. Talented and generous, a substantial group of jazz musicians from the South Okanagan get together in various combinations to perform. They have to practice and most have day jobs. So Thursday nights, informal and fun, are practice time and why not practice in front of an audience and help local charities raise money for worthwhile causes?

On June 9th the cause is the Stephen Lewis Foundation programs in Africa to help African grandmothers raise grandkids orphaned by the AIDS pandemic. The history of AIDS in Africa chronicles hardship and painful losses but it also is the story of indomitable grandmothers. They put their grandchildren through school, harvest crops, create local savings and loan groups, teach others about HIV prevention and treatment, and participate in innovative income-generating programmes. They form support groups and deliver comfort and hope through home-based care.

When you join us June 9th you will be part of a win/win musical evening with a variety of big band jazz pieces and some incredible improvisations. Come with your friends for some fine entertainment knowing that by attending you are helping children in Africa survive and thrive.

With a little bit of muscle, and a whole lot of heart, a new memorial bench in honour of Jennifer Mapplebeck was installed at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre on Saturday May 14. The project has been in the works since the long-time arts council director passed away on April 8, 2015.

The OCAC Board agreed to purchase a bench in the spring of 2015, a landscaping project that had been on the “to do” list. The Board had also felt the addition was especially fitting as a memorial to this tireless volunteer who had laboured away quietly behind the scenes for many years. The bench was delivered in late September, and a concrete pad laid in late fall.

The “gullwing” style bench, made of grey concrete aggregate, is situated in a sheltered corner beside the Studio Building, where Jennifer, the facility’s rental agent, could often be found tidying and cleaning. In  the warmer months, the Studio bay doors are rolled up to create an open air site for exhibits, sales, workshops and demonstrations. The bench will be a shaded place for enjoying all the artistic activity at leisure.

The bench faces the other building on site “Big Blue” where SOAP (the local theatre troupe) builds its sets and rehearses. Jennifer had been an even more active member of SOAP, first onstage as an actor and singer in the 70s and 80s, and later as a producer, stage manager, and crew. She was the set dresser for her last show, “The Melville Boys”, whose production run was dedicated to her memory.

Installation by Nathan Linders (OCAC and SOAP, pictured), Trevor Leigh (SOAP), and Penelope Johnson (OCAC and SOAP). 

Up-cycled Container Gardening

Monday, May 2

6 – 7:30 pm

Oliver Community Garden

Quail’s Nest Arts Centre

5840 Airport Street

Join us to make a teacup planter just in time for Mothers’ Day, and learn about creative planters from Caroline Whyte. Bring along an old boot or other container if you wish. Workshop is hands on and both kids and adults are welcome. Fee of $7 per person to cover supplies.

For more information or to register email olivercommunitygarden @ yahoo.com or call Heather at 250-485-2575

This workshop is the first of a series being presented with the support of the Oliver Community Arts Council.