What does the nature, history and culture of Oliver look like in 2019? Local youth are here to answer that question with breathtaking photographs.
On June 7th at 6:30 pm, “Oliver In Focus,” an exhibit featuring pictures taken by 25 students in South Okanagan Secondary School’s grade 11/12 Photography class, will open at the Oliver Museum. The exhibit will feature student photographers’ own perspectives on Oliver and area, with guidance and technical support from photography teacher Lindsey McVicar. Photographs will be displayed in the museum’s exhibit space as well as on the Heritage Society’s Facebook page. The images will highlight what’s unique about Oliver and the surrounding area and preserve it for the future.
There are five different themes for the photographs: People of Oliver, Flora and Fauna, Landscape, Heritage, and Oliver Colours. As part of their preparation, student photographers took field trips to Vaseux Lake, to Spotted Lake and Sẁiẁs Provincial Park/Haynes Point with Indigenous Education Advocate Taylor Baptiste, and to the Fairview area with local historian Larry Shannon. This helped them choose photographic subjects and enhanced their understanding of local heritage. The pictures were taken during several different seasons, and are both creative and visually striking.
The exhibit opening on June 7th runs from 6:30 – 7:30 pm at the museum, and many of the student photographers will be present to answer questions and show off their work. Photographs will be on display for two weeks following the opening. The museum’s extended hours (10 am – 4 pm, Tuesday through Saturday) start in June giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy the exhibit. So come on out, meet our talented local youth photographers, and enjoy some fresh perspectives on Oliver.
SOAP Theatre will hold two
open auditions for Born Yesterday, a classic comedy by Garson Kanin, and
directed by Tom Szalay. While the production is slated for February 2020,
casting begins in June.
Set in Washington, DC in
1946, the play is as fresh and topical today as when it was written. Born
Yesterday tackles such timely themes as political corruption, influence
peddling, and misogyny all served up in a delightful mix of satire, romance,
and above all, comedy.
Overbearing junkyard mogul Harry Brock sets out to buy a senator. After his girlfriend, the sassy ex-showgirl Billie Dawn, publicly humiliates him with her lack of education, Brock decides she needs a crash course in class and intelligence, and hires journalist Paul Verrall as her tutor. Billie is determined to outwit Brock and give him an overdue comeuppance. Can street-smart Billie prove she is much more intelligent than her crass boyfriend and tutor give her credit for?
Born Yesterday calls for 15 characters including three leads, four supporting cast and eight minor parts. Szalay anticipates selecting two female and six or seven male actors to fill the roles. Some actors will play more than one minor character. Alternatively, backstage crew members may be costumed to make minor appearances and walk-ons as various hotel staff.
Auditions will be held on Sunday June 23 at 2 pm at the Big Blue Building (Quail’s Nest Arts Centre), 5840 Airport Street, Oliver, and again on Monday June 24 at 7 pm at the Osoyoos Art Gallery (upstairs), 8713 Main St. Osoyoos. Newcomers are always welcome. Those seeking to work backstage are also welcome to attend. No RSVP or appointment necessary.
Full descriptions of each character and preparatory materials for the audition, are available on the SOAP Theatre website: www.soplayers.ca/audition. There hopeful actors can find script excerpts, background information, rehearsal plans, and accent tutorials (Billie and Brock). To level the playing field, the director advises the material be read before the audition, although memorization is not required.
Cast members selected will be given scripts to review prior to rehearsals. There will be two read-throughs and a couple of meetings to discuss character development before rehearsals begin in earnest in the fall of 2019. Rehearsal scheduling will be done in consultation with actors and crew.
Born Yesterday is booked to play five performances at
the Venables Theatre between February 7 and 15, 2020.
Information about the
auditions is available from the producer, Penelope Johnson, 250-498-0183.
Derek Edwards is “the funniest man in Canada” according to Rick Mercer. Anyone who has heard Edward’s baritone voice, contrasting with his slightly hapless hiccupy delivery, will agree. Derek casts himself as an Everyman facing crises at every turn, whether it’s taking his dog for shots at the vet or trying to find milk and bread at an enormous grocery store.
On Sunday June 2, prepare for side splitting laughter when Derek Edwards takes over the stage at the Venables Theatre. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to see this icon of Canadian comedy: $47.50 There is no better way to start your work week with a smile!
From Victoria to St. John’s, this Just For Laughs veteran is universally considered to be among the comic elite. Certainly his peers think so, as evidenced by the fact that he’s a four-time nominee, and winner of Best Standup Comic – Canadian Comedy Awards, as well as a multiple Gemini nominee for Best Performance in a Comedy. Derek’s numerous TV credits include The New Red Green Show, A & E’s Comedy on the Road, Just For Laughs, and CBC’s Comics.
Alls I’m Saying is Derek Edward’s latest 90-minute stand-up show. Identifying himself with the ordinary working guy, his comedic gift is making the ordinary extraordinary. Derek is also known for keeping it clean. As one fan testifies: “It was so refreshing to see a terrific comedian that does not need to constantly swear to be funny.“
Derek’s credentials are huge: “5 STARS – the funniest man on earth” – Winnipeg Free Press; “4 STARS – the crowd howled” – Victoria Times Colonist; “still the funniest man in Canada” – Toronto Sun; “Edwards reigns as the King of Canadian comedy” – Charlottetown Guardian; “Derek Edwards is hysterical” – Calgary Sun; “Edwards takes stand-up to next stage” – Georgia Straight; “the epitome of timing & storytelling” – Halifax Chronicle Herald; “the comedian’s comedian” – London Free Press.
Shay Kuebler Radical System Art presents EPILOGOS – Creative Residency May 19 – May 24 FREE performance!!! Friday May 24 5:00 p.m. Venables Theatre Coming to Oliver from May 19th to May 24th is an exciting and innovating way to promote contemporary dance in our community. Venables Theatre will be hosting a creative residency with Shay Kuebler Radical System Art. What does that mean? It means that a professional dance company from Vancouver will be taking over our theatre and our town to create their newest work EPILOGOS before heading out on a national tour.
While the technical crew take over the theatre every morning to develop the lighting, projection and sound for EPILOGOS, the dance company will be at Plass, the new community studio at 6570 Park Drive. Dance professionals and teachers from throughout the Okanagan have been invited to drop-in for these 90 minute morning class, Monday – Friday starting at 11.
On Monday evening, Plass is also partnering on a community Master Class for advanced dance students in the area and on Wednesday there’s an event at River Stone Winery for their members.
Local visual artists and photographers are also invited to attend some of the afternoon on-stage rehearsals in the theatre to sketch the dancers and capture photographs of this new dance piece in development.
Creative Residency Schedule is found here: EPILOGOS
The creative residency culminates on Friday May 24th at 5:00 pm with a dress rehearsal to give our local audience a sneak peek of the performance. Admission is free of charge and open to the everyone.
This Thursday is stand-up comedy night at the Firehall Brewery. Who is Brittany Lyseng? Hailing from Calgary, Brittany has performed at the Just For Laughs Festival in Vancouver, Toronto and, Montreal. She is currently listed as one of the top eight comedians in Canada after placing in the Sirius XM Canada’s Top Comic last fall. Joining Brittany are host Andrew Verge and comedians Kate Belton and Andrew Crone.
Thursday May 16 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Firehall Brewery 6077 Main St. Oliver $15 250.498.4867
A tribute to Bruce Springsteen will have the audience dancing in dark in the Venables Theatre on Saturday May 25.
“Boss” Tom O’Leary fronts Canada’s premier Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band tribute act. Bruce’s working-class anthems take centre stage: “Born to Run”, “Glory Days”, “Fire”, “Blinded by the Light”, “Hungry Heart”, “Born in the U.S.A.”, “Brilliant Disguise” and yes, “Dancing in the Dark”. Songs of loss, hope, desperation, exaltation, youthful vigour and the grittiness of life’s hard-fought battles. Anyone coming of age in the last quarter of the 20th century had the Boss as the soundtrack to their life’s key moments.
Tom O’Leary and his band honour Bruce with an energetic show that captures the essence of the man and his music. As a special bonus, Oliver local, and Nashville singer/songwriter Kristi Neumann will open for The Boss.
“The Boss — a Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band” perform on Saturday May 25 at the Venables Theatre, 6100 Gala Street. Tickets are $35 and available at box office, by phone at 250-498-1626 or online at www.venablestheatre.ca or below:
“Tim Tam” Tamashiro is all about accentuating the positive. His laid-back jazzy vocals lift your spirits. His stories are told in a warm and engaging style. And his wide grin invites everyone to smile. On Wednesday May 29, settle back for an evening of retro jazz tunes and tales with “When You’re Smiling” at the Venables Theatre at 7:30 p.m. We dare you not to sing along to “High Hopes” , “Candy Man” “I Get a Kick from Champagne” and “That’s Amore”.
Vocalist Tim Tamashiro is joined by his jazz trio performing songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. You might know them as The Rat Pack but in their day when they were planning a party they called themselves “The Summit”. Together they really were the pinnacle of entertainment.
Tim combines his story-telling skills (honed on his CBC 2 radio jazz program, “Tonic”) with his career as a jazz vocalist, and brings them together for an evening of Rat Pack tales and song. It promises a cool cocktail mix of their Vegas lifestyle, behind-the-scenes buddy stories, naughty hi-jinks, lots of laughs, and of course, the unforgettable songs of the mid-century jazz scene. Think of it like The Vinyl Cafe with a jazz band.
Seats are just $37.50. Groups of 10 or more $30 (Use promo code GROUP or call the box office at 250-498-1626) Purchase your tickets by phone or by visiting www.venablestheatre.ca
Art runs rampant next weekend during the Wine Capital Art Walk, on what is becoming Oliver’s funkiest little street. From a beatnik bistro at the Oliver Legion at the north end of Station Street, to a hip artisan market at Oliver Eats near the south end, Oliver’s arts community will be “busting out all over”.
The Wine Capital Art Walk big event is a street festival on the afternoon of Saturday May 11 from 1- 4 pm. However, the area around the Oliver Library gets a head start on the art, 10 am – 4 pm from Tuesday May 7 – Friday May 10. Visitors can view wine barrel artists at work all week long, and place their earlybird bids at the silent auction, just north of the library. Inside the library, an SOSS student art exhibit gets underway during the week.
The wine barrel silent auction features work by such artists as Marion Trimble, Painted Chair artists Rachel Allenbrand and Robert Lacasse, Lorraine Gibson, Tiffany Beckedorf, CreateAbility artists, Ava Grice, and Little Wonders Daycare. The decorated barrels have been a hot commodity each year. These one-of-a-kind barrels make attractive show pieces for gardens, patios, businesses, and homes. Bids start at $150 and are accepted in person at the art walk, and has already opened online. OliverCAC @ gmail.com or @Oliverartscouncil on Facebook. Bidding ends at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday May 11. The wine barrel auction revs up with competitive bidding that afternoon. A capped bid of $800 can buy a barrel outright at any time. Winners will need to prepare to drive (or roll) away with their wine barrel on the Saturday.
Saturday’s festival features more than a dozen artists displaying their artwork in many media — photography, jewelry, wood carving, fibre arts, 3-D, acrylics and oils. Follow the chalk footprints into Maker Place, Oliver Library, Beyond Bliss, Oliver Laundromat, S.O Physiotherapy Centre, and Oliver Eats. A chainsaw sculpting demonstration takes place next to the Oliver Food Bank, which will open to receive food donations. Chat with some fascinating artisans, and do a little shopping. Pick up a “Passport to Art” at participating locations, have artists initial it, and enter the completed passport into the draw for a wine-and-theatre gift basket or a children’s art bag.
Children join in on the creativity at the Kids’ Art station beside Maker Place: cork crafts transform the humble bottle stopper into brooches, tie pins, key rings, and other make-and-take projects. Across the street at the library, high school students exhibit their latest SOSS art projects.
Live dance music by Diane Ball and Cindy Doucette will have patrons swaying to the beat in the parking lots at Beyond Bliss and Oliver Library. The Dance Studio in Oliver is preparing a colourful routine for audiences who prefer to leave dancing to the truly talented.
There will be no shortage of food and drink at the Wine Capital Art Walk. Wine tastings are served at Maker Place and S.O Physiotherapy; and the Firehall Brewery pours at Beyond Bliss. For big appetites, Oliver Eats will serve up lunch fare, and food trucks will park at both ends of Station Street. The Oliver Legion Hall (Main St entrance) opens its doors to all ages from 3 – 5 p.m. for appetizers and arts-inspired cocktails. Sip Van Gogh’s Vodka Sunset or the non-alcoholic Picasso’s Punch.
An information booth at the corner of Station and Fairview will issue Passports to Art, answer questions about art walk activities, and advertise upcoming arts events.
As the art walk winds down at 4 p.m. the Wine’d Up Party cranks up the energy. From 4 – 5 p.m. at the Oliver Legion Hall, participants enjoy light refreshments and cheer the winners of the barrels and passport draws.
The Wine Capital Art Walk is presented by the Oliver Community Arts Council, with the sponsorship of Kiwanis Club of Oliver, the Town of Oliver, Oliver Parks and Recreation and the Oliver-Osoyoos Winery Association, and the support of Station Street businesses.
Oliver knows how to grow big talent, if local youth are anything to go by. Young performers all get their start under the tutelage of great local teachers. On the evening of Wednesday May 1, some of Oliver’s classy youth take centre stage at Showcase of Talent in the Venables Theatre atrium. Music students will perform selections from recent Kiwanis Festival competitions, highlights from musical theatre, and recital pieces from their studies. Their repertoire is wide-ranging: not just classical. All performers will be acknowledged with bursaries to assist with their music education. Many Showcase “graduates” have continued performing as adults, even professionally. Meet the performers at the reception following: autographs are welcome!
The students play the Petrof grand piano, a memorial to local music teacher Agnes Sutherland. The intimate setting has warm acoustics, with the sound floating to the mezzanine above. Evening views from the rotunda windows add visual beauty to the beautiful sound.
Showcase of Talent begins at 7:00 p.m. Admission is by
donation. Refreshments will be served.
Showcase of Talent is sponsored by Oliver Kiwanis, and
presented by the Oliver Community Arts Council.
Over the years the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre has had several major upgrades: insulated bay doors, new lighting, kitchen cabinetry, an accessible washroom, and several coats of paint applied to the smaller Studio Building. Most recently, radiant heat was installed in the Big Blue Building, home of SOAP Theatre. Now it’s time for a facelift outside.
Beginning last spring, a landscape committee has been tasked with planning for driveway signage and xeriscaped beds along the street frontage. On the planning team are four OCAC Board members: Caroline Whyte (landscape designer), Janet Bednarczyk, Bertie Barens, and Penelope Johnson. They have given careful consideration to the placement and illumination of a sign (to identify the property to traffic), and the colourful plants and hardscaping that will reflect elements of the arts council logo.
Plants will include the grasses: feather reeds and blue oat grass, flowers such as day lilies, salvia, iris, and succulents and cacti like hens and chicks and prickly pear. Drought-tolerant shrubs and trees have been selected with care. The committee selected slow-growing, weeping, or dwarf varieties: barberries, potentilla, kinnickkinnick, oregon grape, evergreen shrubs (juniper, spruce and pine) and deciduous maple and dogwood.
A “Quail’s Nest Arts Centre” sign will be illuminated with solar lighting. The design also includes the physical address, the quail logo, and the arts council name. It will be placed parallel to the south side of the driveway, visible from both traffic directions.
The landscape committee now seeks a team of “hardy perennials” to help install a beautiful new garden in front of the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre. Landscape plan posted on our website. We already have machinery + labour for the major prep work and for installing the new sign. The committee needs many willing hands to assist them with: laying landscape fabric, mulch, and plantings. We also need a few trailers and trucks for a short haul of gravel and river rock. The garden will be installed mid-May to mid-June. Dates & times are flexible — determined by the team. Come learn some great landscaping tips, as well as socializing, and yes, some exercise!
Contact OliverCAC@gmail.com to join in! We’ll schedule specific dates with the whole landscaping crew.
The Oliver and District Heritage Society holds its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday May 8 at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre.
Longtime Oliver resident Yvonne Moore (below) will provide an informal talk entitled “School Days at Testalinda & Oliver School Memories” about her experiences growing up and attending the Testalinda Creek, Oliver Elementary, and Southern Okanagan High Schools.
The talk will begin after the business portion of the meeting, accompanied by refreshments and a photo slideshow of local schools. Yvonne’s stories of herself, her siblings and her friends are sure to educate and entertain. After the talk, we’ll open the floor for your own reminiscences about schooling in Oliver.
Yvonne Moore was born and raised in Oliver and briefly lived in Victoria before returning to the South Okanagan. Her father Frank Venables was school board chair. She worked as a telephone operator at the Oliver Exchange and as a homemaker while raising 6 children. She graduated in 1952.
The AGM will take place May 8th at 7:00 pm at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre at 5840 Airport Street, Oliver. All are welcome to attend.
Picture of Yvonne Moore at the former site of the Testalinda School, erected in 1927.
