Oliver and District Heritage Society will be officially opening their new permanent exhibit “Deep Roots” with MP Richard Cannings and other dignitaries on May 16th 2018. “Deep Roots” is about Oliver and area’s history, culture, and identity, exploring themes such as geology, natural history, language, sports and recreation, agriculture, and transportation. The public are welcome to join us in this celebration at the Museum (474 School avenue) on Wednesday May 16th at 7:30 in the evening – immediately following our Annual General Meeting at 6:30 pm.

The evening will begin with our AGM in the council chambers at Town Hall. The meeting will adjourn by 7:15 and will join the public at 7:30 pm in front of the Museum for the ribbon cutting with our special guests, including Member of Parliament Richard Cannings. “Deep Roots” is a unique exhibition for a number of reasons: It’s been designed and constructed completely in-house, and features never-before seen local photos, artifacts, and historical documents. This exhibit features S’yilx captikwl (oral histories), and includes extensive N’Syilxcn terminology and pronunciation guides throughout. It will also be the only Museum in the province to have its complete exhibit translated into both Punjabi and French (coming later in 2018). There’s also an audio component; a dramatized radio broadcast show of actual historical events and newspapers advertisements from 1920-1945 Oliver, specially written and recorded by Peach City Radio for this exhibit.

The Heritage Garden will be nearing completion, pending cooperation of the temperamental spring weather. Visitors will still be able to enjoy the outdoor exhibits and view the Fairview Jail as well. The public will be able to enjoy Deep Roots with snacks, beverages, and plenty of good company in the evening until 9:30 pm. All are welcome to both to attend both the AGM and exhibit opening.

AGM — Oliver & District Heritage Society
When: Wednesday May 16 at 6:30 pm

Where: Town of Oliver Council Chambers

Who: ANYONE can attend, but you must be a member in good standing to vote.

Official Exhibit Opening —  “Deep Roots”

When: Wednesday May 16 at 7:30 pm

Where: Oliver Museum

Who:  Public is welcome!

Ribbon cutting with special guests including MP Richard Cannings.
Snacks and drinks provided.

Three award-winning artists exhibit together at the Leza Macdonald Art Gallery in May. All have won in their categories at the Fall Art Show & Sale over the years, including the youthful Ava Grice!

All are invited to the Opening Reception on Thursday May 3 from 4 – 6 pm.

South Okanagan Concert Society 2018/2019 Series.
Friday, October 12, 2018 – Marc Atkinson Trio with Cameron Wilson
Friday, November 16, 2018 – Double Double Duo
Friday, February 15, 2019 – Duo Fortin-Poirier
Friday, March 29, 2019 – O-Celli

TICKETS: Early Bird Special!
Until May 31st, all 4 shows for only $76 ($19 ea)
After May 31st
2-4 shows – $21/show
Single show advance – $23
Door – $25
Student – $2.50

Tickets? Click Here: Venables Theatre Box Office 

Friday October 12 – 7:30
MARC ATKINSON TRIO with CAMERON WILSON

Marc Atkinson is one of Canada’s finest JUNO-nominated, Western Canadian award-winning musicians. He is the leader and composer of the internationally renowned Marc Atkinson Trio (and co-founder, composer and performer in the acclaimed, The Bills). Atkinson’s fiery but elegant guitar style, is infused with a catchy blend of influences while still maintaining the laidback humour and casual ‘good time feel’ of Canada’s West Coast. The music of this virtuosic group is melodically captivating, sensually charged and ferociously, technically awe-inspiring. Violinist Cameron Wilson is a composer and arranger whose works have been performed by numerous symphony orchestras and ensembles and soloists across Canada and the U.S.​

Friday November 16 – 7:30

DOUBLE DOUBLE DUO

Double-Double Duo is about much more than coffee; each duo member is a ‘double threat’ on two instruments: Kornel Wolak (clarinet / piano) and Michael Bridge (accordions / piano). Classically trained international soloists, they use comedy, virtuosity, and musical sensitivity to bring their broad repertoire to life. Wolak and Bridge began their collaboration in 2011. They have since performed across Canada for arts organizations as diverse as the music they play – from the Ontario Philharmonic to the Calgary Stampede. Actively touring in Poland, France, Ecuador, and across Canada, DDD performs their all- original arrangements of classical showpieces, sensitive jazz ballades, and fiery folk music from around the globe.

Friday February 15, 2019 – 7:30
DUO FORTIN-POIRIER

Since their inception in 2005, Duo Fortin-Poirier have made waves both in Canada and abroad, garnering scholarships, prizes, and other distinctions. Very active on the North American scene, in 2008 they premiered Vingt doigts et un piano, the first classical concert to be chosen for Loto-Québec’s Entrées en Scène. Recently, the duo also performed at the 2015 Festival de Lanaudière,toured the Maritimes with Debut Atlantic in 2017, and presented their new concert Mémoires as part of a tour with Prairie Debut in 2016-17. Since then, they undertook a tour in the western US. Theirs albums, Vingt doigts et un piano (2013) and Mémoires (2017) are broadcast regularly on Espace Musique, ICI Radio-Canada Première, and Radio-classique.

Friday March 29, 2019 – 7:30
O-CELLI

What can sound better than a cello? Eight cellos! Ô-Celli is a musical project, characterized by its originality and dynamic presentation, in the world of classical music. Since its creation in 2010, through the initiative of Sébastien Walnier (Principal Cello of the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, Brussels) and Alexandre Beauvoir (chamber musician), these eight musicians never fail to share their passion for the extraordinary richness of their instrument. Ô-Celli has had the honor of performing for numerous European festivals. Most notably, the International Cello Festival in Beauvais, the Flâneries musicales de Reims, the Festival Sully sur Loire (France), Festival Musiq’3 (Belgian National classical radio station), and the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie (Belgium). 2017 was highlighted by Ô-Celli’s first international tour, performing from Ontario to Nova Scotia in Canada. In addition to this adventure they also broadened their horizons with concerts in Switzerland and Luxembourg.

Click on the Frank Venables Theatre link at right for information and online ticket sales

They are back with bells on! The University of Alberta Mixed Chorus and Hand Bell Ringers Concert comes to Oliver on Tuesday May 1st at the Oliver Alliance Church at 7:00 pm. Their fresh bright voices and muscular bell ringing delighted audiences a few years ago. The SOSS Enrichment Fund Society are happy to host them once more.

The University of Alberta Mixed Chorus (UAMC) is a non-profit, student-run organization at the University of Alberta. Every spring they embark on a week-long tour to share their music with communities across Canada. This is their 74th year of being a student group and their 74th year of doing the tour. In each town they visit, the choir  finds a community member to host and provide a venue for us to sing at in the evening. The set list for the concert features a range of choral music including classical arrangements, folk songs, and Broadway medleys. The concert also features the Faculty of Education Handbell Ringers, both in accompaniment to the choir and as a featured group. The concert tour is a celebration of music and the wide varieties it comes in. the choir is very excited to ring out a cheer in our town.

The choir of 50-60 participants will perform on the Tuesday evening and again for elementary students at Tuc El Nuit school the following morning. Says organizer Larry Shannon: “We are always hoping to entice students to witness the enjoyment of having music in their lives.” Check them out here: www.mixedchorus.ca

The forsythia is in bloom.   The Lily of the Valley is sprouting.   Spring has come and “LOVE IS IN THE AIR”!

Sage Valley Voices community choir will be in full voice on Saturday, April 21st, at 7 pm and again Sunday, April 22nd at 2:30 pm.   The Spring concert will be at the Oliver United Church.   Tickets are only $12 (children under 12 free) and include refreshments and lots of socializing after the last notes fade away.  Donations to the food bank are always appreciated.

The ever capable Lori Martine will direct the choir while you can expect rhythms to make your heart race with Sandy Andres at the piano to provide accompaniment.    A whole program of love songs will bring back memories of special times.   Think “Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man”,  “You Send Me”, “The Way You Look Tonight”, “Yesterday”,  “The Rose” and many other favourites.  There will be a little bit of dancing, a lot of full choir singing,  some solo work and some numbers suited to the all male or all female choir. Stephen Hershey’s big smile and welcoming manner will put you at ease as he MCs the event.

Fresh from their Australian tour, the cast of “The Ultimate Comedy Show” are ready to bring the laughs to the South Okanagan. This May, Frank Venables Theatre hosts the hilarious troupe of comedians for a lively evening of entertainment.

Featuring a variety of stand-up and improv, it’s more than a show – it’s a comedy experience! Starring Roman Danylo who has appeared in several Canadian TV Series including CTV’s “Corner Gas”, CBC’s “Just For Laughs”, CBC’s “Made In Canada”, and two stand-up specials for CTV’s “Comedy Now”. Also appearing are special guests Chris Cassilian and Denise Jones.

Two time Canadian Comedy Awards winner Chris Cassilian is a professional actor, comedian, and musician. He is also a long time member of The Vancouver TheatreSports League. Cassilian has performed in many improv and comedy festivals including the Vancouver International Festival, San Francisco Sketch Festival and the Chicago Improv Festival.

Denise Jones is the Artistic Director at Vancouver TheatreSports and has been performing with them since 2003. She is also a film and TV actor and was nominated for a Leo Award for her performance in the film “Preggoland”. Her most recent credits include Steven Spielberg’s “The BFG”.

The hilarity arrives on stage Friday May 4th at 8pm at the Frank Venables Theatre, 6100 Gala St, (corner of Fairview Rd.) Tickets are now available online at www.venablestheatre.ca or visit the Theatre Box Office Tuesday – Thursday from 10:00 to 3:00 for tickets and more information. May the 4th be with you.

For further information contact Aimee Grice, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator for the Frank Venables Theatre, by phone or email. (250) 498-1626, tix @ venablestheatre.ca