Will Stroet of Will’s Jams is a JUNO, WCMA and CFMA nominated musician, CBC Kids, Universal Kids and Kidoodle TV star, educator and dad, well loved for his original rock, folk, and blues music with witty wordplay and catchy choruses.

Will’s Jams is a power trio who perform high-energy songs in English and French with fun actions and sing-along choruses. Kids and their parents will be cheering for libraries, loving their bikes and rallying for vegetables – all while they’re on their feet and dancing away. Will’s educational rock, pop and blues songs ignite imaginations and motivate movement for the young and young at heart.

For more than a decade, Will’s been entertaining kids through his bilingual music, inspiring them to be active, healthy, creative and engaged in the world. Part of the Family ShowTime Series:

Friday February 21 – Will’s Jams
Saturday April 18 – Uzume Taiko

Visit the arts council booth to find out all the latest arts information: upcoming events, entry forms, and memberships. Ask about the Annual General Meeting and other arts council Board initiatives.

The arts council is offering prizes to be won by entering the free draw at their booth. On offer are tickets to Born Yesterday (produced by SOAP Theatre) and tickets to Will’s Jams, part of the Venables Theatre’s children’s showcase.

The Trade show title “Mainly for Women” reflects the W.O.W. Society mission statement, with the funds raised going to support our projects which focus mainly on women and children within our community.

The trade show displays feature everything from beautifully handcrafted jewelry to pottery, wood crafts, fibre art, health products and services, real estate and investments, home improvement, fashion, food, and many more themes.

The ‘Mainly for Women’ Trade Show occurs every February.  Forty to sixty individual vendors showcase their wares in the Oliver Community Centre, where there is free parking for patrons.  A lunch and snack area is available.

Sage Valley Voices Community Choir, along with President, Lois Bzdel, presented cheques to representatives of the Oliver United Church and the Sumac Ladies Auxillary respectively.

Proceeds from their 2019 Christmas Concert were in support of the local community outreach programs and soup kitchen.

Sage Valley Voices Choir would like to express their thanks to the Oliver Elementary School Choir for their performance and the communities of Oliver and Osoyoos for their continued support of their concerts.

Their upcoming spring concert is entitled TV in TECHNICOLOUR, Lori Martine conductong. Saturday April 25th at 7pm and Sunday April 26th at  2:30pm at the Oliver United Church. Tickets at the door $12.00, children under 12 admission is free.

Just when politics has lost its sense of humour, in rides Billie Dawn on a breath of fresh air. Her smarts are buried under layers of satin and showgirl sass but are highly combustible. When her powerful and shady boyfriend, Harry Brock, sets out to buy a senator, he decides Billie needs a bit more class and he hires journalist, Paul Verrall, to make her appear more intelligent. But a little education can go a long way, and Billie may be smarter than the men in her life give her credit for.

​Born Yesterday is a sparkling 1946 romantic and political comedy as relevant today as it was 70 years ago! Personal and political oppression are exposed and outwitted in the intellectual rebirth of the iconic “dumb blonde”, who stands up to corruption & intimidation.​ Suitable for ages 13 and older.

More information on plot, cast, and tons of commentary here: www.soplayers.ca/born

Fri-Sat February 7 – 8
7:00 p.m.
Sunday February 9
2:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat February 14 – 15
7:00 p.m.
Frank Venables Theatre www.venablestheatre.ca

​TICKETS
Single Show Ticket Prices
Adults Day-of-the-Show $25/person
Adults in Advance $23/person
Group of 10 or more Adults $19/person (use promo code GROUP)
Students Day-of-the-Show $15/person
Students in Advance $13/person

The amazing Ryan McMahon, the “Fox” of Lion Bear Fox, returns to Oliver! Ryan has slipped away from BC’s best band, Lion Bear Fox, to come back to the Firehall Brewery to light up the night again. If you saw LBF then, you know their performances as individual and combined vocalists are delicious. Ryan has been lured back for another One Night Only special show on Thursday, Jan 30th.

As a co-founder of Lion Bear Fox, Ryan fills not only the stage but the whole house wherever he plays. He has released five full-length albums, and seen his music licensed nationally and abroad. He has garnered 3 wins (Male Vocalist, Record & Artist of the Year) at the Vancouver Island Music Awards.

In April of 2014, Showtime’s original series, “Californication” featured his single “I’ll Be Damned”. In 2017, Ryan released an EP titled “Song Shelter Recordings,” created entirely at his home studio in Ladysmith, BC. Legendary Canadian TV/Radio personality Terry David Mulligan may have summed up Ryan best: “The complete package. Singer. Songwriter. Performer. Troublemaker. Passionate human being. For me… priceless.”

The Firehall Brewery is offering limited tickets to this incredible musician. Hear him in person on Thursday, Jan 30th at $20 per person. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Come enjoy our great space and intimate atmosphere for an immersive experience. Tickets will fly quickly for this one! Get yours at the Brewery, or at:

Ryan McMahon Tix

Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet™ is a playful, colourful and evocative production that will transport audiences to early 20th century Atlantic Canada. Based on the beloved Canadian novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables follows the adventures of Anne Shirley, an orphan girl sent to live on a farm in the fictional town of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. It tells the story of the adventures of 11-year-old Anne, who is mistakenly sent to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a middle-aged brother and sister who had intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm. The novel recounts how Anne makes her way with the Cuthberts, in school, and within the town.

Anne is highly imaginative, eager to please and, at times, quite a dramatic individual. However, she is defensive about her appearance, despising her red hair and pale, thin frame. She is often quite talkative, especially when it comes to describing her fantasies and dreams. At first, stern and sharp Marilla says Anne must return to the orphanage, but after much observation and considering, along with Matthew’s strong liking to Anne, she decides to let her stay.
​
Over the last 28 years, Canada’s Ballet Jӧrgen has produced a total of 216 original creations by 80 choreographers, including eight full-length ballets and five works created especially for children.

Canada’s Ballet Jorgen’s presents
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES – THE BALLET™
Tuesday January 28
7:30 p.m.
Venables Theatre
TICKETS: Adult $45, Students $20
www.venablestheatre.ca 250-498-1626

Rythmo 2 is an interactive musical show. ALL participants become musicians by playing with several musical instruments during the performance. It’s impossible to stand by and watch! As a warm-up and to familiarize themselves with the rhythm, audience members discover body percussion by tapping on different parts of their bodies. Drum sticks and musical tubes are then distributed to everyone to give them a unique, rhythmic, powerful and energizing experience! With SAMAJAM’s Rythmo 2, you are the show!

Venables Theatre presents
Samajam – Rythmo 2
Family ShowTime Series
Friday January 24
6:30 p.m.
Venables Theatre
Single show tickets $12.50
www.venablestheatre.ca 250-498-1626
Will’s Jams (CBC Kids): Friday February 21
Uzume Taiko: Saturday April 18

TV comedy star and Canada’s funniest man, Tim Nutt and his crew are coming to town to dig you out of your frozen January blues. The Firehall Brewery co-hosts the comedy show with Oliver Theatre on Thursday January 16 at the Oliver (movie) Theatre.

Tim Nutt has been getting away with telling his one-of-a-kind funny stories for just over 20 years and has performed at comedy festivals all over the world, including the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs in Montreal, the Halifax Comedy Festival, and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival. He’s often described as a consummate storyteller and entertainer, not unlike his comedy heroes, Billy Connolly and George Carlin

Tim will bring Alberta’s top comic, Jordan Strauss who destroyed the competition to take 1st place at the Calgary Funny Fest and Valley comedy king Andrew Crone who sliced and diced his way across Western Canada, alongside some of the biggest touring acts.

Opening for this star studded cast of comics is Oliver’s rising comedy star and very funny fellow: Glen Heinrichs. Glen has been cutting his comedy teeth at open mic events at the Kelowna Comedy Club and Yuk Yuk’s in Vancouver. Come laugh with him, or at him, he is fine with either.

Tickets are only $20 and available at the Firehall Brewery, The Oliver Theatre box office or online at firehallbrewery.com/comedy
Thursday January 16 Doors at 7:00: The event will be licensed with some great appies you can choke down while laughing.

Angelique Francis is a versatile and exceptionally gifted musician with talent that is way beyond her years. This multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist, multi-genre singer song writer and composer has wowed audiences across the globe with her electrifying performances, instrumental abilities and powerful textured vocals. She is known for her eclectic mix of various musical genres including Blues, Soul, Jazz, and Gospel. Angelique’s soulful Smoky vocals and instrumental techniques are reminiscent of a bygone era, but with a unique and modern sensibility. Within her vocal style, you can hear influences of legends like Big Mama Thornton, Koko Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Bessie Smith and many more. Her instrumental abilities call to mind Willie Dixon on the bass, Sister Rosetta Thorpe on guitar, Big Mama Thornton on the Harmonica and Aretha on the piano. Her diversity, passion and love of music can be heard in all of her original compositions.

Osoyoos Blues Society & Venables Theatre present
Angelique Francis
Friday January 17
7:30 p.m.
Venables Theatre
Adult $30 || Student $20
www.venablestheatre.ca 250-498-1626

Mark Friday, January 31st on your calendar and don’t miss Lizzy Hoyt in concert at Venables Theatre, Oliver. Arriving under the auspices of the South Okanagan Concert Society, Lizzy has a crystalline voice of rare beauty. Acclaimed as a songwriter and a multi instrumentalist on fiddle, guitar and Celtic harp, she delivers soaring melodies rooted in Celtic and folk traditions.

Lizzy is known for bringing stories and history to life with themes of home, war, immigration and love. She is able to poignantly connect with our deepest memories and feelings. In 2013 the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal was awarded to Lizzy for her work commemorating Canadian veterans and Vimy Ridge history through music. The program for the Oliver concert includes some of these songs as well as traditional jigs, the Irish “Star of County Down” and pieces from her newest album “New Lady on the Prairie” that blend Celtic influences with bluegrass and folk traditions. Her songs are touching, poignant and lyrically rich.

Keith Rempel, an Edmonton bassist, has been working with Lizzy as both bassist and harmony singer since 2009. Chris Tabbert, guitarist and accomplished mandolin player, singer and songwriter joined to form a trio in 2010 . The three tour across the country and will be at Venables Theatre together.

Tickets for the 7:30 pm concert are available on line at www.venablestheatre.ca or at the theatre box office Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 to 3 pm. Generous sponsors make ticket prices exceptionally affordable. Two or more tickets in advance are only $21/ticket. Single tickets in advance are $23 and at the door $25. Youth are ‘almost free’ at $2.50 so they have opportunity to experience fine live music.

While many folk artists concentrate mainly on their songwriting, Lizzy Hoyt places equal emphasis on her musicianship and plays and sings with clarity and precision. Music runs in her family for a number of generations. Her parents are both professional classical musicians. Lizzy graduated with distinction from the University of Alberta and she has become a sought-after instrumentalist and adjudicator for music festivals as well as the recipient of many awards. Her distinct combination of lyricism, gentleness and passion place her among Canada’s best.

South Okanagan Concert Society presents
Lizzy Hoyt
Friday January 31
7:30 p.m.
Venables Theatre
‘Montreal Guitar Trio: Friday March 20
2 – 4 shows: $21/show
Advance: $23 Door: $25 Student: $2.50
www.venablestheatre.ca 250-498-1626

The Okanagan Valley has no shortage of artistic and talented folks. The Oliver Handbell Ringers Association (OHR) is a coterie made up of 9 ringers, that wrangle 115 different bells and chimes, and a vocal choir of 15. For more than a decade they have made it their mission to entertain and lift the spirits of the communities up and down the Okanagan Valley.

The weeks leading up to St. Nicholas’ arrival is always a busy time for the handbell club, since nothing says “Christmas” like ringing bells.

The troupe has already jingled their way through the Yuletide market in the Penticton Lakeside Resort and delighted residents and guests of Penticton’s Sun Village Retirement Residence.

Performances are set for both care home facilities in Oliver – McKinney Place and Sunnybank Centre. Being welcomed into these homes is a privilege and honour that the club enjoys not only at Christmas, but in the spring each year as well.

The Kiwanis Club of Oliver has booked OHR as entertainment for their annual Christmas party once again. Director Helen Wollf chimed in, “We have been so kindly supported, since our group’s inception, by the Kiwanis club of Oliver. It is an honour to be asked to perform for them once again.”

Meeting on at least a weekly basis starting in September, the ringers don’t only get a physical workout. Research shows that there is no other activity that engages the brain so completely as learning a musical instrument. Perhaps the biggest benefit to being a member of OHR is the group “therapy” that members are treated to. Unlike learning other instruments, which are generally done in solitude and isolation, this instrument is like no other. It simply doesn’t work without all its parts. “I look forward to our Thursday nights together as a highlight of the week,” says Wollf.

The culmination of all the hard work is the two public performances coming up

The Oliver Handbell Ringers and Singers present their Christmas concert
A Festive Celebration
Thursday December 12
7:30 p.m.
Sunday December 15
3:00 p.m.
Oliver Alliance Church
Freewill offering
Support of the Oliver Community Arts Council is gratefully acknowledged.

Audience members from one to 101 are sure to be filled with Christmas goodness when the ringers and singers combine their efforts, along with their friend and master of ceremonies Mal Bearman, in presenting “A Festive Celebration”, with no admission fee to the public.