Acclaimed Nelson dancer-choreographer-storyteller, Hiromoto Ida has now CANCELLED his latest piece, Birthday Present for Myself ​on April 3rd at the Venables Theatre.

Inspired by the subtlety and simplicity of Japanese Noh Theatre through western contemporary dance and music, Hiromoto aims to touch the hearts of audiences; to explore a shared moment through the inner world and emotions of the old man, with the hope that they will be inspired to find unexpected beauty in their own lives.

“I see western culture giving messages of aging and getting old as being a negative element of one’s life” Hiromoto observes. “I grew up with both my grandfather and grandmother in my home. Even when I was small, I could feel something special about them.” By touching on themes of love, transformation and regeneration, Hiromoto hopes the audience will gain a new perspective on aging and the last chapter of their lives.

In addition to dance and theatre, Ida is an accomplished screen actor. His first film debut in 1994, as the lead in the movie Tokyo Cowboy, won the People’s Choice Award at Vancouver International Film Festival.

Ida skillfully merges dance, theatre, classical music and voice to tell the story of an old man, raising a glass of sake to himself in celebration, on what will be his last birthday. Birthday moves beyond ideas of grief and sadness into a deeper awareness of the stages of life and the inevitability of death.

This exceptional performance was to have taken place Friday April 3rd at the Venables Theatre (6100 Gala Street, Oliver) is now CANCELLED. For more information visit www.venablestheatre.ca

Birthday Present for Myself is presented by the Venables Theatre with the support of the Community Presenters Assistance program (of the BC Arts Council and BC Touring Council) as well as The Coast Oliver Hotel.

You asked, and you got it, folks! The Firehall Brewery is firing up one more Trivia season before the busy summertime hits. The next 6-week spring season edition kicks off Saturday, March 21st! Hosts Veronica and Ryan will be leading another run, riding the crazy Trivia train!

As per usual, there’ll be weekly prizes, weekly themes with hints dropped in advance on social media, and a Trivia Trophy for the season’s winning team to have their name inscribed onto. Teams can be a max of four people, though feel free to come on your own to play solo or join other stragglers. See you on Saturday, March 21st!

Firehall Brewery, 6077 Main Street, Oliver (downstairs, lower level)

(778) 439-2337
info @ firehallbrewery.com

The Okanagan Art Gallery celebrates MASTERS OF THE OKANAGAN with its First Friday monthly reception, March 6th from 5 – 7 p.m. The show opens at the Okanagan Art Gallery #5 8302 Main Street, Osoyoos BC. The show will feature three of the OAG’s professional artists, Mike Jordan, Larry Hunter and Anne-Marie Harvey. They will be featuring works done in both oil and acrylic.

This March’s Alive after Five First Friday will feature wine presented by Quinta Ferreira Estate Winery. What better way to celebrate Spring. For information, call 604 308-3995. Or you can go to our website at www.okanaganartgallery.ca

Pastel power suit? Check. Pince-nez? Check. Scottish accent? Check. The Lord is in the building.

Canadian comedian Mike Delamont entertains in his one-man show, God is a Scottish Drag Queen. As the Almighty, he shares God’s trade secrets and pokes gentle fun at humankind’s follies. God is the comedian, not the punchline. Come and hear why God has a soft spot for monkeys, apologizes for creating redheads, and shakes his head over circumcision, Justin Bieber, tacky religious theme parks, and Scientology. In Delamont’s show, God is the comedian, not the punchline.

What elevates the comedy is Delamont’s marvelous delivery. He combines the wacky exuberance of Dame Edna and the razor-sharp wit of Eddie Izzard. With glasses perched on the end of his nose, and the commanding presence and accent of Scottish funnyman Billy Connolly, Delamont’s Deity is feisty, candid, and endearing. Such is his divine comedic power that in only minutes you forget you’re watching an ungainly frump of a man in an ugly dress. Decidedly irreverent but not sacrilegious, this is damned funny stuff.

Delamont’s divine talent has been recognized with 22 “Best of the Fest” awards and 3 Canadian Comedy Award nominations for his Adam’s-rib-tickling hilarious shows that have sold out major theatres from coast to coast. Victoria’s Mike Delamont is easily one of the fastest-rising standup comedians in Canada.

God is a Scottish Drag Queen opens at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday March 14 at the Venables Theatre (6100 Gala Street, Oliver). Tickets are $30. For more information visit www.venablestheatre.ca

God is a Scottish Drag Queen is presented by Venables Theatre with the support of the Community Presenters Assistance program (of the BC Arts Council and BC Touring Council) as well as The Coast Oliver Hotel.

Cold weather and quiet evenings getting you down? Crush your cabin fever by joining us at the Oliver Museum for a board games night for grown-ups!

On Wednesday March 11th from 6 – 8 pm, bring your friends and head to the museum’s galleries to play, chat, and escape from those winter blues. Play our varied selection of board games or bring your own! Warm drinks and snacks will be provided, and gamers will also have the chance to explore our exhibits after hours. RSVP at the Oliver and District Heritage Society’s Facebook page by March 11th to attend. So, come out, test your luck, and game your winter doldrums away!

What a way to end the season!  The Montreal Guitar Trio, described by the CBC as the hottest guitar ensemble in Canada, will be performing Friday, March 20^th at 7:30 pm at Venables Theatre, Oliver.   Presented by the South Okanagan Concert Society,  this Trio is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser and judging by previous performances  a full house is anticipated.

Get your tickets quickly on line at www.venablestheatre.ca or contact the theatre box office Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 to 3 pm at 250-498-1626.  Supported by generous sponsors, tickets are exceptionally affordable.  Two or more tickets in advance are only $21/ticket.  Single Tickets in advance are $23 and at the door if there are any left, $25.  Youth are ‘almost free’ at $2.50 so young people have opportunity to experience really fine live music locally. 

The Montreal Guitar Trio is a “force to be reckoned with”.  For over 20 years, the trio’s virtuosity, rigour, creativity and impressive stage presence has won converts all over the world.   Humour and interacting with the audience go hand in hand with this group in hundreds of concerts in prestigious venues across North America,  Europe, New Zealand and Australia.

The trio is composed of guitarists, Sebastien Dufour, Glenn Levesque and Marc Morin performing on Bruno Boutin guitars.   They first met as classical music students at the University of Montreal.  This year they are marking the 20^th anniversary of their first live concert.   That conservatory background hasn’t stopped them from tackling flamenco and tango, nuances of Indian and Arabic music, hits from Queen and Rush or even Emio Marricone’s music for spaghetti westerns! As a trio, they have released six albums and won an Opus award for concert of the year in the Jazz & World Music category.  In January 2017 the trio launched its 7^th album “Danzas” in Montreal.  It pays tribute to the great composers of Spanish music such as Paco de Lucia and Manuel de Falla.

Even more interesting, is the sextet that has emerged when the Montreal Guitar Trio combined with the California Guitar Trio some ten years ago.  Now each group performs as individual trios but approximately half their gigs are as a sextet together.   This has invigorated both groups and speeds past classical oriented guitar acts to embrace a wider contemporary repertoire and unexpected approaches.  A new album “In a New Landscape” was created together and has recently been released.

You can expect an exceptional concert when you arrive at the Venables Theatre March 20^th.  Don’t forget next year’s SOCS series will be revealed and early bird tickets available for sale in the theatre foyer.

The Oliver Community Arts Council membership elected a new board on Monday February 17, 2020 at its Annual General Meeting. Several deserving nominees stood for the opportunity to serve on the board.

Returning to the table as directors are: Roberta Barens, Tiffany Beckedorf, Adrienne Herbert, Bernice Myllyniemi, and Caroline Whyte. Joining them are the newly elected Leanne Scott (MOVE Therapies), and Bailley Rose Starkey (Gems and Stems at Eastside), filling the slate. The council thanked Janet Bednarczyk and Bev Penny for their willingness to stand. Both are active volunteers with the arts council, Bednarczyk as the chair of CreateAbility and member of the landscape committee, and Penny as a tireless volunteer with the Fall Art Show, Wine Capital Art Walk, and booth staffer at the WOW Trade Show.

Treasurer Diane Gludovatz presented the year-end financial statements, externally reviewed by Addventive Bookkeeping. The financial review noted exemplary records, concluding “the records are thorough and transparent. There is no long-term debt. Questions were answered promptly and thoroughly. Financial Statements (Balance Sheet and Income Statement) can be easily produced with the current procedures in place. Treasurer maintains a Chart of Accounts that is clear and logical. President and Treasurer have an excellent working rapport.”

The meeting concluded with a roundtable discussion of upcoming arts events.

Sssh… don’t say a word. It’s Prohibition… unless you know how to not get caught. At the Beer Shop & Speakeasy, hiding in the basement of the Old Firehall (sneaky parking ’round back on Brewery Alley), the gang will all be there, celebrating the Roaring 20’s with cocktails by the Dubh Glas Distillery, live tunes by Anna Jacyszyn & the Jazz Cafe Trio, and some good ol’ dancing and debauchery. It’s all behind locked doors, so try to keep a lid on it, won’t ya?  

$25 gets you past the big man at the door, which includes your first bootlegged “giggle water” from the distillery. Seating is limited and this will sell-out, so get your tickets while you can.

Join the Prohibition Bash on Saturday March 7 at 7 pm the Firehall Brewery, 6077 Main Street Oliver, lower level. Cover $25 includes your first gin cocktail. Jazz, dancing, cocktails, and games. Costumes encouraged!

This event sold out last time, so reserve your place in the speakeasy by clicking here:

Prohibition Bash

With incredible authenticity, DREAMS replicates the Fleetwood Mac sound as they were at the pinnacle of their fabulous run. Fleetwood Mac was the band of  the 70s and 80s producing a stunning range of musical styles and powerhouse vocals. Today, 30 plus years later, their music still fills the airwaves. Close your eyes and let Dreams of Fleetwood Mac, take you away.

The great ABBA tribute band ARRIVAL has a sound and stage show honed and fine tuned to such a degree that they have often been actually mistaken for the real thing. Be part of this lucky audience singing along with all of ABBA’s famous great tunes during ARRIVAL’s exciting high energy live stage show! Every song on ARRIVAL’s roster was a number one ABBA hit. ARRIVAL delivers with such incredible, accurate and enjoyable authenticity. You will be transported back to height of ABBA’s glory.

TICKETS – $43

www.venablestheatre.ca

Special offer – purchase a ticket to DREAMS / ARRIVAL and one other show being presented by OM Oliver Music & Entertainment by February 15th and save $15. Telephone or in person only for this special offer. Call or visit the box office Tue – Thu from 10 – 3, 250-498-1626 or visit 6100 Gala St.
Qualifying shows:
The Day Trippers – Friday May 8
Moondance – Friday June 26
Tower of Song – Friday September 18

The Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers hold their annual spinning retreat at Walnut Beach Resort in Osoyoos on Saturday March 28. The public is welcome to attend their Open House, view spinners at work and purchase hand-dyed rovings and other fibre goods.

Vagabond performs at the Firehall Brewery on Tuesday February 11th at 7 p.m. $15 ticket. 6077 Main Street, Oliver

Vagabond is a Penticton-based acoustic trio specializing in “rockabilly, blues, and country soul,” comprised of none other than veteran lead guitarist Lindsay Mitchell, founder and guitarist of renowned Canadian rock band, PRISM, with lead vocalist Leslie Thompson, and double bassman Stefan Bienz. Tickets are only $15, with only 40 seats in the house! Reserve yourself a seat for this intimate show while you can, tickets available in advance by clicking here: Vagabond Concert at the Firehall

Expect an eclectic repertoire of radio hits from the 1950s and 60s, plus original tunes penned by Lindsay Mitchell as founder and principal songwriter for the classic 1970s Canadian rock band PRiSM.

Lindsay Mitchell began his career in the mid 1960s as lead guitarist and songwriter with the notorious Vancouver-based rock band the Seeds of Time. His 1969 composition My Home Town (Coast Records) was a nationwide hit. In 1977 he formed the multiple Juno Award winning group PRiSM (GRT Capitol) for whom he composed numerous multi-gold and platinum hits including Armageddon, Young & Restless, and A Night to Remember. Along the way he has shared the stage with a host of rock celebrities: Rod Stewart, Tom Jones, the Byrds, Meatloaf, Heart, Roy Orbison, kd lang, and AC/DC just to name a few. He has also performed with many blues and R&R legends: T-Bone Walker, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Del Shannon, Willie Dixon, Pinetop Perkins, Big Joe Duskin, Albert Collins, and many more. But the musical memories he holds most dear involve old friends: the late Billy Cowsill and Long John Baldry, and celebrated BC bluesmen Kenny Wayne and Jim Byrnes.

Leslie Thompson, based in Okanagan Falls, began taking music lessons at age 5, and was soon playing drums in her parents’ country western band (mommy played bass, daddy lead guitar). After studying music at Capilano University in the late 80s, she took to the road in Western Canada with a number of country-rock acts, later returning to BC to reunite onstage with her parents. An Okanagan resident since 2000, she plays and sings in several local outfits.

“I saw her a few years ago playing drums for a Penticton country-rock group,” Mitchell explains, “and was so impressed by her voice (a cross between Bonnie Raitt and June Carter), that I resolved to call her up if I ever needed a singer in the Okanagan.”

Stefan Bienz of Summerland is the undisputed number one “go to” bassman in the South Okanagan. As such he has performed with a host of local and visiting musicians and singers. Accordingly, we are delighted to have him on board.

“When I first invited Stefan to play with us,” Mitchell says, “he asked what kind of bass playing was needed.”

“I’m looking for a Willie Dixon,” I answered, “simple, low down, with a deep groove.”

“I’m your man.” he replied.

The rest is history.

Do you enjoy the Christmas Craft Fair in November? Would you like to see it continue? Jen and Klaudia are two great gals, who have run this fair for decades, and who are now looking for some help to manage the fair so they can (eventually) put their feet up. . This is a great opportunity to learn from a very experienced and cheerful team.

Oliver, BC – Longing for the days when family time was separate from screen-time? We’re bringing back family fun, without the screens! This Family Day weekend, join us at the Oliver Museum for our Old-Fashioned Family Fun Day on Sunday, Feb. 16th, an afternoon of fun and creative activities from 1- 4 pm.

This free, family-oriented event includes opportunities for all ages to learn heritage skills such as leatherworking and weaving keepsakes to take home. Kids and parents can craft their leafiest family tree and decorate it with the names of loved ones. Teens and adults can try their luck at a number of different board games in the museum’s main gallery. Finally, join in and build mini catapults for our epic indoor snowball fight at 4 pm where you’ll have the chance to line up and launch pom-pom “snowballs.” The team who sends the most snowballs over the line wins! Free cookies, granola bars and juice boxes will be available throughout the day. Mark Family Day this year by making some memories. We can’t wait to see you there!

Made possible thanks to the support of the B.C. government.

Contact: Julianna Weisgarber, Executive Director, Oliver & District Heritage Society

250-498-4027 www.oliverheritage.ca info @oliverheritage.ca