After a “feat” of preparation, Oliver’s Music in the Park committee is sure that feet will be dancing on the grass on Thursday evenings this summer. Shows run 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Oliver Community Bandshell, admission by donation, with $5 a suggested minimum. An inclement weather venue is in the community hall next door. All shows will have food truck service. Audiences are invited to bring a chair, shades, and picnic items to enjoy the concerts. SEE POSTER BELOW.

Lining up the roster of performers was an easy feat this spring. All bands are tried-and-true audience favourites from the last six years. The Room to Dance duo of JC and Andy Plett return with groovin’ pop tunes to open the season on Thursday July 6. Rebel Luv’s Mikie and Ken on July 13 always get the audience up on their feet and moving.

Big vocals are a prerequisite for band shell performers. Lisa Salting, the gutsy lead singer of Naramata’s Uncorked! band is a fine example, and will rock it out of the park on July 20.

Audiences will be anticipating the return of The Blueshounds, who put on a high energy, hot performance last summer. A hooting hollering standing ovation rewarded the band’s sweaty workout on harmonica and blues guitar last year. Their July 27 date is also the Feed the Valley food drive. Goods will be collected by Oliver Food Bank.

On August 3, the Cliff McIntyre Band (a play on MacIntyre Bluff) returns after being almost rained out last year. The hardiest audience members crammed onto the stage to party with the band, dancing until the sun reappeared. Their mix of Americana, folk-rock deserves two full sets in the sunshine this summer, so sun dance moves are recommended to stave off any rain.

The Naden Band (Royal Canadian Navy) makes a welcome return August 10 after a hiatus of several years. Show tunes, jazz, sea shanties, pop… they play it all. Their bright brass and bright whites always impress the audience. This summer the Naval Security Team will exhibit a ridged hull inflatable boat along with other promotional displays.

Sister Soul brings the boys along on August 17. Fans of Diane’s sweet melodies and sister Joanne’s complementary hard rockin’ vocals will love the full sound of the Rattler’s Band on backup.

Winding up the summer on August 24 is the charismatic rocker Steve Jones and his “Patio Bandits”. Monika harmonizes and Ryan plays stellar keyboards. Steve, with several albums to his credit, connects well with audiences and earned a rousing ovation with his last Music in the Park appearance.

The Music in the Park committee has secured mouth-watering dinner fare for concert goers this summer. Two new food trucks will pull up on site at the bandshell on Thursday nights. Pit Stop Smokery shares its smoky goodness on July 6, and August 10, 17, and 24. Law of Attraction serves upscale tacos, paninis, and poutine on remaining nights. EnRoute Espresso & Tea returns with a truckload of iced and hot beverages plus baked goods for after-supper munchies. An arts council market will promote the activities and wares of its members at many of the concerts.

Art is hatching in Oliver this spring. The bay doors roll up at Oliver’s Quail’s Nest Arts Centre for their second open house on Sunday May 28th between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visitors will discover art exhibits, sales, and demonstrations, as well as live music, children’s art activities, and door prizes. Information booths will introduce visitors to many local artists, upcoming arts events, and ways to become active in the arts community. Admission is free, although there are also opportunities to purchase wares.  

Writers, fibre artists, painters, quilters, jewelers, and multimedia artists will all showcase their creativity. Shoppers can purchase art cards, handcrafted jewelry, pine needle baskets, clothing and souvenirs.  More than just a market, the event salutes local arts-and-culture groups who want to display and demonstrate their craft. “We will see not only some favourites, but some soon-to-be favourites,” says JoAnn Turner, Oliver’s arts council president. JoAnn is excited to welcome newcomers including the Wine Country Writers Festival, a Mexican handcrafter, and an indigenous society selling merchandise in support of reconciliation and mental health. 

The Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers, Kreutopia encaustic art, and GNR Alpaca Boutique will demonstrate their skills. The RipOff Artists are set to reveal what famous Canadian painter they will reproduce in their summer studio. Turner adds, “SOSS Art Club students will partner with the RipOffs this year, and have impressive art on display.”  The Ukraine Nightingale Project will raffle a quilt and also sell merchandise in support of the refugee crisis.  “Art is interactive and wide-ranging,” explains JoAnn, “and we’re always trying to capture that variety.”

Door prizes include a gift certificate from Sagebrush Nursery paired with gardening supplies, bottles of wine from Kismet Estate Winery and River Stone Estate Winery paired with wine glasses, and several beautiful home decor items.

Children’s activities include quail-themed craft projects, colouring pages, and some quirky quail dress-up opportunities at the photo booth. Oliver Ambassadors will guide little hands although parental supervision is required. Folk duo Markin and Celli will create a relaxing, friendly atmosphere, singing a mix of Americana, folk, and their own compositions.

All artists are members of the Oliver Community Arts Council, the organizers behind this colourful event. The arts council will promote their own programs and events, including CreateAbility, Music in the Park, and the Fall Art Show and Sale. Handbills, entry forms, and memberships will be available.

The Quail’s Nest Open House welcomes the public to see what art is hatching at 5840 Airport Street, Oliver. Public parking is available on the north side of Big Blue.

If you love quilts, Oliver’s Quilts and Beyond show is the quilt-essential place to be. The event runs on April 14 and 15, 2023 at the Oliver Community Centre, 6359 Park Drive.

The Double O Quilters have hosted this quilting show every three years and drawing hundreds of people from all over the province for the last 30 years.

The two-day show includes demonstrations, a silent auction on several quilted artworks and other products, public voting, and sales of quilting supplies. There are also refreshments served in the “cafe” area.

This year Quilts and Beyond includes a special challenge section for participating artists. This year the theme is “Rainbow”, with contributed works including various interpretations in colour, form, and abstract interpretations. The finished works will be a surprise, both to other guild members as well as the public. These Rainbow Challenge entries have their own voting and special awards.

Quilts range in size from enormous king-size bedspreads to small banners, table toppers, linens, and accessories. Everyone can enjoy the colour palettes and patterns without needing to be a quilter or sewer. Artistic talent abounds, with some national and international award winners entering the show.

Admission is by donation. As an extra incentive for donating, every visitor will receive a small felted heart with a message on them a souvenir.

Among the many quilters that will be in attendance at the show will be Colleen Baptiste who works in human resources at the Osoyoos Indian Band teaching homemaking and life skills. In her free time she enjoys trying out new creative quilting skills.

She joined the Double O Quilters 25 years ago, and ever since she has been creating quilted comforts for her three children, two grandchildren and friends.

About 15 years ago, she created a block representing the Okanagan Nation for the internationally acclaimed Quilt of Belonging, and she has been making the annual SOSS Grad Award quilt from the Guild for the last 14 years. She particularly enjoys the camaraderie of the guild.

Quilts & Beyond will take place Friday, April 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oliver Community Hall on Park Drive. Entry to the event is by donation.

It’s a frenzy of fibre in April and May! Celebrate the Fibre Arts: spinning, weaving, knitting, felting and natural dyeing on display over the next two months as the Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers Guild mount two shows in local South Okanagan venues.

See tapestry, fibre paintings, rag rugs, woven shawls, knitted and felted handicrafts, and more!

Oliver Public Library (April 1 – 26, see library hours)

Osoyoos Art Gallery (April 29 – May 20, Tues – Sat 10 – 3)

Funding from the Oliver Community Arts Council is gratefully acknowledged.

Fabric arts, fine arts, plastic arts, and performance arts: Oliver has them all! The Oliver Community Arts Council (OCAC) has been a hub of artistic activity since 1970. Its talented member groups include: the Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers, the Double O Quilters, the local chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists, the Friends of the Oliver Library, the Oliver Sagebrushers, the Oliver Country Market A-Fair, the Oliver Arts and Crafts Sale, the Sage Valley Voices Community Choir, the South Okanagan Amateur Players, and the South Okanagan Concert Society. New members are always welcome.

The Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 34274 95th Street, just west of the airport, is home to the OCAC and many of its programs. The smaller Studio building is used for meetings, workshops, classes, rehearsals, and small displays. The larger building on site is slated for a major renovation to create a multi-use performance space and gallery.

The various member groups are active during the fall and winter, holding classes and rehearsals, and presenting concerts, plays, and exhibits.

Arts and Culture Week (3rd week of April) A province-wide celebration! Watch for exhibits, open houses, workshops, and concerts featuring local arts and artists held at many locations around Oliver.

Showcase of Talent (May) The best of local Kiwanis Festival talent perform for the hometown crowd. These young stars receive a share of the proceeds, which assist them with their continued studies.

Music in the Park (July & August) Local musical performers entertain at these relaxed outdoor concerts. Jazz, classical, country, pop, gospel, blues, and good ol’ rock and roll – every night is different. Concerts run every Thursday evening during July and August, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Lion’s Park next to the CPR station. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic and enjoy!

Summer Studio (July & August) Week-long displays, demonstrations, and workshops featuring local artists and  artisans at work!  Located at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre. The Studio is open Mondays 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and Tuesdays to Saturdays 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Special features include a weekly opening reception (Mondays, 6:00 to 8:00 pm). Come meet the artists! Food, beverages, music, and scmingle!  Kids Day activities each Wednesday from 10:00 am until noon.

Fall Art Show (October) Artists from all media exhibit a veritable harvest of colour and texture on the first weekend in October. The art show is held in conjunction with the Festival of the Grape at the Community Arts Centre. Come on the Saturday for the opening reception, show, sale, and competition for awards in several categories, including People’s Choice. Sunday continues the show and sale, attracting patrons of both the arts and the grape!