Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without attending a Sage Valley Voices concert.  People of all ages turn out each year to hear some spirit-lifting music, raise their voices in some sing along numbers and then visit afterwards.   A ‘cuppa tea’ and delicious Christmas baking shared with choir members in Victorian garb put closure to another annual Christmas tradition.

This year the choir will be performing at the Oliver United Church at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 5th, and again on Sunday afternoon, December 6th, at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets for the events are available at the door for $10.00 and proceeds, after expenses, go to support the winter Soup Kitchen at the church.

Music from around the world creates some beautiful moments. “Celtic Noel”, “A Japanese Christmas”, the “Ukranian Bell Carol”, “Christmas in Killarney” and an “African Celebration” link us to traditions in other countries.  Other numbers bring back memories from our own culture.   “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and “Ave Maria” are but two of these with a rollicking “Partridge in a Pear Tree” always a favourite.

Lori Martine is the choir conductor and Sandy Andres provides piano accompaniment.   Other instrumentalists share their talents too.   Do come, sit back and enjoy.   It’s Christmas time!

by Val Friesen

There were eight musicians and they sang sixteen songs—but there’s no way to put a number to the amount of joy that wonderful performance brought to those who attended the opening concert of the South Okanagan Concert Society last Friday evening in the Venables Auditorium. Locarno, from Vancouver, is quite simply a gift to any audience lucky enough to see and hear them.

Locarno’s music is nearly all their own, often based on son jarocho music from Vera Cruz, Mexico, with a lot of Cuban colours and flavours thrown in.

Never heard of it? Well, yes you have, because the most famous piece of that genre is that incredibly joyous, rhythmic blockbuster known around the world as La Bamba—a high octane piece which they performed near the end of their program. So if you weren’t there, you have a pretty good idea of the adrenalin stomp this concert was.

The fountain of creative talent behind Locarno is the Juno award winning Tom Landa. Mexican born but with a Canadian mom, Landa infuses his sunny music with the energy and rhythms that reflect his Latin roots, and it’s fresh, modern, inventive—and simply terrific. He’s got a great voice, plays the guitar-like jarana jarocho marvelously, and has stage presence he was seemingly born with.

The music came alive thanks to the work of Landa’s fellow musicians, including the sole woman, his wife, Kalissa Landa, who plays a red hot fiddle. Malcolm Aiken- trumpet, and Kevin Tang- trombone, added mariachi-like colours, but it was Robin Layne (Vancouver Island fella) whose marimba and congas seemed to be an extension of his internal perpetual motion that added incredible enjoyment to the program. Go, man! Steady work, too, from drummer Liam MacDonald and bassist Ronnie Swirl.

The eighth musician arrived only after the intermission when Pedro Mota joined the group, and later performed the only solo of the evening. This guitarist from Mexico City has a spectacular high tenor voice that at times goes stratospheric, and as well, he’s a jazz guitarist to be reckoned with. Very impressive, as were Landa’s songs with their complex rhythms, and Mexican themes derived not only from Vera Cruz, but from Oaxaca and Chiapas as well—dancing under the sun, sunshine on water, a bullfrog, a snake, and even a touching one about his son, Joah, sung by both parents here.

And the concert had it all—not just wonderful, joyous music, with enough variety to keep interest high, but also all the welcome extras of live performance: interaction between the performers that was real fun for the audience; brief, interesting intros to the songs; explanations of the instruments; and lots of invitations from Landa for the audience to participate in some of the singing—and all delivered with fun, warmth, and professional polish and style. Thanks for all of that, Locarno. You very much deserved the standing ovation the audience awarded you. And thank you, Tom and Kalissa, for your beautiful encore, sung with your acoustic accompaniment to show off the quality of sound in our fine auditorium.

Bottom line of any concert is the question: but would I like to see them again? A five star yes to that one! Festival of the Grape, get on the phone! Thanks, South Okanagan Concert Society —and your generous sponsors. You’ve whetted the appetite for whatever follows in your 2015-16 season.

Arts Jam! is back for the cooler months after a summer hiatus. Relocated to the first Monday of the month since last year, the “news and views” gathering is an opportunity for member groups and businesses, individual members, visitors and board members, to share what’s going on in the local arts community. It is not a business meeting! Come to share and hear what art is happening in the area. It’s a great time to plan your season around exciting arts events and workshops. It’s also a great time to reflect on wider artistic issues: bring your views on arts in the current media.

There is always coffee, tea, and refreshments. For visitors, it’s a fun way to become immersed in the local art scene and meet some great people.

Next up at Arts Jam!: “Our Colourful Language”, a presentation by Marianne Parsons and hosted by the Friends of the Oliver Library.

Arts Jam

Monday November 2

9:30 a.m.

Quail’s Nest Arts Centre

5840 Airport Street

Arts Jam  begins with news from attending member groups and businesses. Tell us about your fall / winter event. Flyers welcome! Some news from the Board is included. Take a look at the new Memorial Bench and concrete pad now in place.

Following 45 minutes of regular Arts Jam and a refreshment break, Marianne Parsons will inform and delight you with a slideshow presentation entitled “Our Colourful Language” based on recent exhibitions by The Fabricators, a highly regarded group of regional fabric artists.

Upcoming Arts Jams: February (together with the AGM mid-month) , then back to first Mondays in March, April, and May.

Okanagan Regional Library Board Envision Library of the Future and Approve 2016 Budget

October 22, 2015

At the Okanagan Regional Library Board meeting on Wednesday, directors continued a strategic planning process to transform the public library system over the next few years. Recognizing the leaps in technology and access to information in the past decade, the Board considered how to prioritize the library’s traditional roles with emerging opportunities in such areas as teaching digital literacy, educational and cultural partnerships, and revitalization of library spaces.

The next step in strategic planning involves public consultations to be held in Revelstoke, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Keremeos, and Salmon Arm.  Board directors will be seeking feedback from both library members and non-members on how they envision the library to look in the future and what kind of services are important.

“We are hearing from people with all kinds of needs – for example, many want help with learning about technology and some want us to support their creativity through things such as workshops on e-publishing, access to 3-D printers, laser cutters, video or sound recording equipment”, explains ORL CEO Stephanie Hall. “Some would like us to expand our work in supporting learning and literacy with more author readings, and partnering with schools and post-secondary institutions.”

At the meeting, directors approved a total budget for 2016 of $18,247,446. This represents a 1.98% increase, or $351,818, over the 2015 budget. Half of the increase will fund negotiated wage increases for staff, while other increases are related to higher rents and utilities, and higher book and eResource costs based on inflation and the effect of the lower Canadian dollar.

The budget increase also covers the cost of moving furnishing purchases into the regular ORL levy, rather than the current practice of making requests to local governments in a separate process.

Hall added, “We are fortunate to have a very engaged Board looking to the future of library services and now we will be inviting the public to add their voices to the dialogue.”

Media Inquiries:

Marla O’Brien

Public Relations/Fundraising Manager

Okanagan Regional Library

Office: 250-860-4033, Ext. 2456

Mobile: 250-878-5814

Email: mobrien @ orl.bc.ca

by Leann Parrent

Oliver Tourism Board is going to be starting an annual event primarily as their main fundraiser.  The event has been named Roots and Fruits Faire.

The first event will be in August 2016.  They want to promote our heritage, culture, agriculture, and viticulture .  They have asked me to be the representative for Oliver’s art community. They are inviting all local artists to participate at the Faire.  Our participation  can be live demonstration of craft, displays, or sales of products. The window is wide open for opportunity for your group to reach many locals and visitors.

As an example, the Oliver Sagebrushers art club plans to be a demonstrating their artwork at the event. We will have a display table draped with bounty of the season in the centre. We will surround it with working  covered tables, with four artists N/S/E/W painting in different media their view of the still life display. Between the artists there will be work tables laden with supplies for faire goers to try their hand. We hope to have local art for sales also as this will be great opportunity for sales.

Please feel  free to discuss this with your respective groups and if you would like to participate please contact Leann Parrent c/o olivercac @ gmail.com

Front Street Gallery is holding a Miniature Art Show on October 30 – November 26 at Front Street Gallery. Entries are due by October 23rd and there are still a few spots available. This is a great opportunity to have your work hang in a gallery for a month for just $10. People often come to the gallery looking for miniature work. Come and join the fun at Front Street! A poster with more information is attached.

Front Street Gallery

52-60 Front Street

Penticton, BC V2A 1H1

(778) 476 0016

PLUS Upcoming:

Tuc el Nuit Elementary School presents 

Missoula Theatre’s  

Sleeping Beauty         

Friday November 20th  – 7:00 pm

Students at Oliver’s Tuc el Nuit Elementary will spend the week with artists from Missoula Children’s Theatre.  They’ll begin with auditions on Monday and for the rest of the week the students rehearse their parts to be ready to present this original adaptation of the classic fairy tale on Friday afternoon for  students and in the evening for parents and the community.Tickets available through the school and at the door.

Desert Valley Hospice Society Fundraiser 

Celebration of Caring Hands

Saturday November 21st – 7:00pm

Enjoy parings of local wines and cheeses throughout this fundraising evening which will showcase a wide variety of silent auction items as well as the ever-popular home baked table.  A live auction of selected items will be the highlight of the evening.

by David Badger

The lads are coming! I’m getting my hair cut into a Beatle do — no, really!  The Fab Four for a one night only, incredible experience from one of the most talented tribute bands around: The DayTrippers. This is going to be a truly great night. These guys pull out all the stops and hold nothing back..They have all the gear, all the looks, all the clothes, and most important of all..they’ve got the MUSIC baby! Get in here and get tickets. They are moving fast.

The Day Trippers are a Vancouver based Beatles tribute band that transport you back to the touring days of the early 1960s. The band embodies the exuberance of the early 1960’s spirit that the Beatles brought to the stage. Inspired by the mod culture and a love of blues and pop music, The Day Trippers deliver the incredible music of The Beatles at their energetic peak.
This is going to be an incredible, top-gear night. These blokes really are FAB!!! Friday, November 13 at 7:30..Tickets at $35 and available this week. We already have two hands full of ticket reservation requests so get yours quick! 522 Fairview Road in Oliver…250-498-2228…I think I can get Paul to pose for a photo with YOU…

Supremely talented Juno winner, Tom Landa, will be on stage with his band, Lacarno, at Venables Theatre Friday, October 23^rd at 7:30 pm.  Landa has collaborated with Joby Baker to create a compelling blend of Mexican, Cuban and North American pop music delivered with exuberant energy by five musicians.

South Okanagan Concert Society likes to include a concert that falls into the ‘World Music’ category when they plan each season.  When word came that Lacarno was touring, choosing the band for the first concert was an opportunity to enjoy great song writing, a respect for tradition, a searching musical curiosity and virtuoso performance skills.  Landa, born and raised in Mexico City to a Mexican father and Canadian mother, has created new sounds heavily influenced by Mexican music but using the elements and musicians around him in his present hometown of Vancouver.   With the help of the Canada Council, he studied ‘son jarocho’ , a regional music style, in Veracruz Mexico and explored fusion between Mexican and Cuban music.

Flex tickets for the show are on sale at Beyond Bliss in Oliver, Imperial Office Pro in Osoyoos and at the door.   A four admission flex pass at $75 is entirely flexible and the admissions can be used together or in any combination.  Single admissions are $20 and those 17 and under are welcomed to all concerts free.   The beautiful new venue of Venables Theatre is wheelchair accessible and those requiring transportation from Osoyoos can arrange it by calling Maureen at 250 495 7978.

Lacarno is an inspired Latin project and Landa has created a new flavour in the Latin music genre.  Miguelito Valdes lends his trumpet and percussion talents to the project.   Miguelito was born and raised in Havana, Cuba and has played with Afro Cuban All Stars, Omara Portoundo and the Buena Vista Social Club.  Sam Esecson from Seattle studied Latin percussion in Brazil and plays drums and percussion. Kalissa Hernandez is a vocalist who has played violin since the age of three.  Born in Canada to a Chilean father and Canadian mother, she grew up listening to traditional South American music and Cape Breton fiddle music.  She has traveled the world balancing teaching and performing as she honours and preserves the fiddle tradition which includes ‘son jarocho’.  Nick La Riviere of Victoria dazzles everyone on trombone.  He composes, arranges and can even play a conch shell when the spirit moves him.

Don’t miss this opportunity for a night featuring the true Jarocho rhythms of Veracruz and crowd pleasing, danceable, fun, truly original Latin music.   Whatever the election results earlier in the week, this night will lift your spirits and have you tapping your toes.