Iris Larratt, vocals with David Esler, trumpet
Bob Park, drums
Jim Wyse on piano (and vocals for one special song!)
David Esler on trumpet, Iris Larratt enjoying the solo
Jazz Out West thrills audience
Monthly Archives: July 2016
Share this:
Save The Date!
Share this:
Screaming success
Here is a photo of the RipOff artists with their creations just after the bell rang on Saturday signalling the end of this year’s challenge.
Although the iconic painting, “The Scream” by Edvard Munch is considered a depressing picture, the RipOffs did their best to liven it up. Each of the nine artists added an element from the previous nine years challenges: perhaps a dancing girl from Toulouse Lautrec, a cypress by Vincent van Gogh, or a tulip by Geoorgia O’Keeffe. In addition, the current challenge was to add an anachronism – often a reason for the “scream”. For example, a number of artists chose some form of industrialization or climate change in the background as their anachronism. Guest artist, Bethany Handfield with her encaustic talent was a delightful addition.
To celebrate the group’s 10th anniversary, a grand opening reception was held in “big blue”. Guests were surrounded by previous year’s RipOff challenge pieces. Shown together the impressive display gave kudos to the merits of the RipOff’s artistic achievements.
The artists wish to thank the Oliver Community Arts Council for their support in mounting this year’s special anniversary challenge.
Who knows what the group will conjure up for next year. Perhaps something acknowledging Canada’s 150th birthday….any suggestions?
Share this:
It’s a what?
Tara Hovanes and Marion Trimble are having a show and sale of their latest work and would love to have friends drop in to come by….. or , come buy!
Visit them at 6220 Main Street – between the Oliver Shoes and the Artisan Bakery. Enter through the doorway and proceed down the hall towards the back of the building.
Share this:
Weavers in “harness” at fall workshop
Thanks to funding from the Oliver arts council, the Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers are able to invite weaver Alison Irwin from Duncan for a two-day workshop on Pick-Up weaving using 4-harness looms on October 1 – 2 at the Shatford Centre in Penticton.
Alison Irwin lives in Maple Bay and has a weaving studio set up in her home. 
She teaches beginner courses and more advanced classes both locally and beyond BC’s borders. One look at her handouts and you know she’s got a graphic arts background! Several of her projects have been published in ‘Handwoven’ magazine. Alison also likes to keep a camera close by. Some of the images taken on her walks down to the beach, or out in the yard, or in the studio are then altered a little or a lot in Photoshop.
Anyone not yet registered will be out of luck: the workshop is booked solid already. As weaver Barbara Levant explains, “It has sold out because our Guild is quite big and we do have a waiting list. 
Our members go from Summerland to the border, so the OCAC funding has been spread over the South Okanagan. The participants are all very appreciative as the cost of the workshop is reasonable for all because of the funding. So again thanks to the Board for supporting this workshop!”
Share this:
Magic at the library
Abracadabra! Hocus pocus! and the Oliver Library was transformed into the enchanting world of Leif David’s magic. Nearly a hundred kids in the Library’s Children’s Summer Reading Club were thrilled last night by the deft sleight-of-hand of Leif’s amazing tricks. In his highly participatory program, the magician had the kids rollicking with laughter with his mystifying illusions. Thanks to the Friends of the Oliver Library and the Community Arts Council who once again sponsored this highly entertaining performer. The Reading Club continues every Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. through the summer with a variety of excellent programs. Registration any time at the Library or on Thursday evenings. All kids over five are welcome.
Share this:
Beamer: youth not wasted on this teen
Beamer Wigley delivered a strong performance of current country hits at Music in the Park on Thursday night. Anyone familiar with his work as an actor and singer in Penticton’s Soundstage productions will know he packs a lot of charisma and stage presence into his slender 14-year old frame. He’s mastered the country “slides and growls”, and his musical theatre background has taught him to convey the emotion of a song. His youthful voice has an impressive range, handling the falsetto with ease, and reaching down into light baritone.
Appealing to all ages, Beamer mixed contemporary hits by Ed Sheeran and Enrique Iglesias with some oldies by Percy Sledge and Jim Croce, putting his own style on the classics by serving them up with a side of country.
Mr Wigley was ably backed by Dustin McGifford on acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies. McGifford, a music teacher at Wentworth Music Kelowna, entertained with deft flamenco style on one Latin number, and provided some amusing “transition music”. Content to stand in the backline, this guy was a solid pro.
Most impressive of all, Beamer premiered two of his own compositions, showing some real talent with catchy melodies and an enviable way with lyrics. His romantic ballad “Greener” was a good example. Watch for his debut album, “Meteorite” on sale this August. For this busy and gifted young man, youth is definitely not wasted.
Check out a video from the concert, and updates on Beamer’s music at www.beamerwigley.com
Next in the Music in the Park lineup: classic rock duo Timbre Wolves on Thursday July 14, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Photo by Penelope Johnson
Share this:
“Sheep to Shawl” Demo
Desert Sage Spinners & Weavers featured at
100 Seasons in the Sun
July 16 – 17
10 am – 5 pm
Summerland Ornamental Gardens
(Agricultural Research Station, 4200 Highway 97)
www.summerlandgardens.org
The guild will be crafting along with other heritage arts and crafts such as
quilting, rug hooking, and pottery in honour of the centennial event. 
