There’s no denying it. Christmas is on its way.

The Oliver Handbell Ringers (OHR) are ramping up and getting set to present “Under a Winter Sky” to the Okanagan Valley. Emcee Mal Bearman explains to a crowd of holiday shoppers, “Don’t be confused! We definitely have a beautiful venue to play “Under a Winter Sky” in…The Oliver Alliance Church!”

Eclectic mixes of musicians gather several times per week to work on an art that can bring joy to many, especially during this busy season. OHR members hail from both sides of the 49th parallel, and range in age from early 20’s to the members that are a bit more than 20. This troupe consists of ringers and singers working under the direction of a pair of dedicated ladies, who happen to be a daughter/mother team. The dynamic duo – Helen Wollf and Sue Gay – share both their passion and talents in music with many.

When ringer, Shana Cachola, was asked about the appeal of ringing bells Cachola explained, “This craft is different than anything else I do. It takes intense practice, both together and individually. It’s REALLY hard! We work closely with one another, and the teamwork is truly something to treasure. It also makes me smile, right from my heart.”

Christmas icon that it is, the bell can instantly transport us to happy, snowy times in days gone by. With the pressures of modern life and expectations running high, the directors of the Oliver Handbell Ringers hope you can take a moment to relax and enjoy the efforts of their hard-working players. Wishes from Director Wollf, “We hope that our Christmas celebration of music is a gift to all ages!”

Performances at Oliver Alliance Church, admission is free (free-will offering will be taken)

Friday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 16 at 3:00 p.m.

Oliver Handbell Ringers Facebook Page

Photo: Helen Wolff and Sue Gay, invite you to enjoy, “Under a Winter Sky”

Call for Artist Submissions – $40,000 in Awards – The Salt Spring National Art Prize

Online Submissions open Jan 10 – May 31, 2019

The Salt Spring National Art Prize offering $40,000 in awards, one of Canada’s largest visual art prizes!

Submissions for the 2019/2020 SSNAP awards begin on January 10 and end May 31, 2019.

SSNAP Awards Totalling $40,000:

SALT SPRING PRIZE – THE JOAN McCONNELL AWARD + RESIDENCY FOR OUTSTANDING WORK – $20,000 ($15,000 and a $5,000 Salt Spring Island artist residency)

JURORS’ CHOICE AWARDS – four awards of $3,000 selected by each juror

PEOPLE’S CHOICE – ROSEMARIA BEHNCKE AWARDS – three awards determined by a vote of visitors to the exhibition – 1st prize – $3,000, 2nd prize – $2,000, 3rd prize – $1,000

SALT SPRING ARTISTS AWARD for outstanding work by a Salt Spring Artist – $2,000

Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada who are eighteen years of age and older as of January 1, 2018 are invited to submit their two- and three-dimensional work for consideration.

Guidelines and submission details to be found on our website www.saltspringartprize.ca

The Salt Spring National Art Prize is a biennial competition and exhibition of Canadian visual art.

The intent of SSNAP is to encourage artists whose practice demonstrates originality, quality, integrity and creativity—resulting in significant work with visual impact and depth of meaning.

Approximately 50 finalists will be selected by an independent jury of four from across Canada to participate in the Finalists’ Exhibition on Salt Spring Island. All artists’ submissions will be anonymous to the jury.

Finalists may be selected to win one of nine awards, five selected by jurors and three selected by public vote. The award winners will be announced at the Gala Awards Night on Saturday October 19, 2019.

This exciting endeavour is an initiative of the Salt Spring Arts Council, which represents the arts for Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, known as one of Canada’s premier arts communities.

www.saltspringartprize.ca

Lot of seats sold!!!…some still available!

Buckle-Up…..The Silver Bullet is Coming…..

Bob Seger is an American music legend second to none with countless hits loved by millions everywhere! With the powerful vocals required for this show, Night Moves Vancouver starring Dan Hare re-creates Bob Seger of the 70s and 80s when his hits were on every rock radio station in the world.Night Moves, starring Dan Hare IS the ultimate Seger tribute.
Seger… Video:

Thank you all for your generous donations made at the Holly Jolly Oliver concert last Sunday afternoon. We supplied the Oliver Food Bank with dozens of bags of goods, additional givings of $150, and our own cheque of the concert proceeds totalling … a whopping $553.84. In the photo, OCAC member Brian Mapplebeck (right) presents cheques to Jim Ouellette of the Oliver Food Bank. THANK YOU also to our sponsors: Coast Oliver Hotel and Oliver Daily News whose generous support enabled us to lower our expenses and make this large donation of our proceeds.

The Oliver Handbell Ringers and Singers bring you sparkly silvery winter sounds, just like an evening spent “Under a Winter Sky”. There is nothing like this group to make you feel Christmas-y all over! This year, the venue is the Oliver Alliance Church on Highway 97 at the north end of Oliver. You’ll stay warm and toasty as your imagination soars with the twinkling stars, the crisp air and the sound of clear bells chiming … December 14 and 16th. 

With a ho-ho-ho, the Holly Jolly Oliver! concert sets a merry mood on SUNDAY November 25. Local talent performing songs and dances from around the world will celebrate the season. The family-friendly event begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Venables Theatre. Admission is by cash donation, with all proceeds going to the Oliver Food Bank. In addition, canned and dry goods will be accepted for the local food bank.

As the audience enters the Venables atrium, the costumed Sage Valley Voices choir will serenade from the spiral staircase. Elves (otherwise known as the Oliver Ambassadors) introduce the onstage action. Special guests from Ballet Kelowna perform three dances from the Nutcracker: the entrancing Sugarplum Fairy Waltz, the Cavalier solo and the romantic Grand Pas de Deux. Gifted siblings Kelan and Laura Harty each perform several selections at the piano, including a uniquely Australian Christmas song, and a hummable tune from The Grinch. Things heat up Bollywood-style when the OES Bhangra dancers grace the stage. The Mad Hatters (Milan Starcic and Sandra Tanemura) keep it Caribbean-warm with Feliz Navidad.

A special red-suited gentleman arrives from the North Pole in time for the intermission. Cameras are welcome for those wishing to snap a selfie with the grand old elfie. In celebration, handbells make the rafters ring in the Venables atrium. A concession of warm beverages and snacks will be available.

In the second half, SOAP Theatre tantalizes with a preview of their Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, performed as a 1940s radio studio broadcast. Park Drive duo, Bart Thomas and Nicole Kreisel, will perform a lovely meditative medley before the high energy Oliver Dance Studio and OES Choir crank up the fun. Everything wraps up with an rousing audience singalong. Children will receive goodie bags at the conclusion of the concert.

Holly Jolly Oliver! is produced and presented by the Oliver Community Arts Council. Grand piano courtesy of the South Okanagan Concert Society and Marley dance flooring courtesy of the Oliver Community Theatre Society.

Check out the Firehall Brewery this month! They celebrate “Movember” in a big way, so go ahead and dip your growing ‘stache in a mug of foam! If you like reggae, and ska, they have the Chipko Jones band to warm you like it’s the Caribbean! If you are a “Thinker”, try some trivia with your brewskie! Check out the newsletter for all the details:

Firehall Brewery November 2018 Newsletter

We are inviting performers of all ages to join the “Holly Jolly Oliver!” community concert on Sunday November 25 at the Venables Theatre. Singers, dancers, musical groups, spoken word performers, magicians, clowns, and other entertainers are welcome to submit their request to enter. The concert is eclectic, celebrating the many aspects of the festival season from Diwali to New Year, whether sacred or winter-themed.

With all proceeds going to the Oliver Food Bank, and performers kept to an 8-minute (or 3 song) maximum, participants are asked to donate their time and talent. However, the concert provides terrific exposure for participants the arts council will advertise any upcoming gigs performers have scheduled.