Tag Archives: concert
All male chorus sings as Vintage Voices
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Rebel Luv and Dawn rocked the park
Mikie Spillett has the audience in the palm of her hand
Dawn McRae belts out a solo
Yes, it really is Rebel Luv for Ken Repkow and Mikie Spillett
Dawn encourages the audience to dance
and they do. Here, Mikie accepts Wayne’s invitation to dance.
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Jazz Out West thrills audience
Iris Larratt, vocals with David Esler, trumpet
Bob Park, drums
Jim Wyse on piano (and vocals for one special song!)
David Esler on trumpet, Iris Larratt enjoying the solo
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Save The Date!
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Beamer: youth not wasted on this teen
Beamer Wigley delivered a strong performance of current country hits at Music in the Park on Thursday night. Anyone familiar with his work as an actor and singer in Penticton’s Soundstage productions will know he packs a lot of charisma and stage presence into his slender 14-year old frame. He’s mastered the country “slides and growls”, and his musical theatre background has taught him to convey the emotion of a song. His youthful voice has an impressive range, handling the falsetto with ease, and reaching down into light baritone.
Appealing to all ages, Beamer mixed contemporary hits by Ed Sheeran and Enrique Iglesias with some oldies by Percy Sledge and Jim Croce, putting his own style on the classics by serving them up with a side of country.
Mr Wigley was ably backed by Dustin McGifford on acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies. McGifford, a music teacher at Wentworth Music Kelowna, entertained with deft flamenco style on one Latin number, and provided some amusing “transition music”. Content to stand in the backline, this guy was a solid pro.
Most impressive of all, Beamer premiered two of his own compositions, showing some real talent with catchy melodies and an enviable way with lyrics. His romantic ballad “Greener” was a good example. Watch for his debut album, “Meteorite” on sale this August. For this busy and gifted young man, youth is definitely not wasted.
Check out a video from the concert, and updates on Beamer’s music at www.beamerwigley.com
Next in the Music in the Park lineup: classic rock duo Timbre Wolves on Thursday July 14, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Photo by Penelope Johnson
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Phoenix from the Ashes: The Steinway is safe
submitted by Marion Boyd
South Okanagan Concert Society
Music, “an outburst of the soul”, cannot be quelled in Oliver. Our lovely auditorium smoulders in ruins but the “Old Lady” is safe and sound. Our somewhat elderly Steinway has been a center piece for dazzling world class pianists over the decades. Angela Hewitt, Jon Kamura Parker, Anton Kuerti and, most recently, Sara Beuchner are just a few who have thrilled us with their mastery of the keyboard. Condolences from many musicians who have played here are rolling in as they get word of the fire. They take heart in the story of the Steinway.
The story goes this way. Knowing the renovations at the Venables Auditorium could not be completed in time for this season’s concert series, the South Okanagan Concert Society made temporary plans to relocate to another venue, the Oliver Alliance Church. But what to do about the Steinway was the question.
A small ‘new piano fund’ had been growing slowly over the years. When it became apparent the Steinway would have to be moved, at the very least, to another part of the school, stored in a secure site with consistent humidity and temperature, tuned a number of times and insured against damage or loss for an extended period while the auditorium was being made ready, the executive decided to seize the moment. This was the time for a new piano.
So a partnership was formed with the Adopt-a-Seat Committee and School District 53. By joining forces and using the expertise of Bob Park an arrangement was made to trade in the old Steinway and buy a gently used Yamaha C3 grand piano.
A beautiful concert instrument , the Yamaha could be delivered upon completion of the auditorium and the storage cost savings were directed against the replacement cost. S.O.A.P. and the Town of Oliver were all in agreement and the plan took place.
So where are we now? The old Steinway is safe in her new home and escaped the ravages of the fire. The new concert piano is on hold and ready to be delivered when a new auditorium is rebuilt. AND we have a series of concerts designed specifically to take advantage of the smaller, more intimate Alliance Church venue to delight us over the winter.
Music is alive in Oliver. You can get flex or single tickets at Beyond Bliss. Imperial Office Pro or at the door and be comfortably seated on Friday, October 28th at the new time of 7:30 pm. Alexander Sevastian, originally from Minsk, Belarus and now a Canadian citizen, will magically turn his accordian into a whole orchestra as he showcases amazing dexterity and musicality. Get your tickets quickly. Citizens of Russian descent in Grand Forks went wild for his Kossak Variations and are expected to gobble up tickets here too. Let’s make this the winter Oliver turns grief into joy through music.
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Arts Council welcomes two new groups under Umbrella
The Oliver Handbell Ringers and the Oliver Community Garden Society are two new groups under the umbrella of the Oliver Community Arts Council.
The Oliver Handbell Ringers, under the direction of Sue Gay have been performing for the last few years. Their concerts have been gaining in excitement as the ensemble has been gaining in skill. The ensemble attains a clear warm sound, with music that can both stimulate and relax. Proceeds from their concerts and donations from the community have gone towards purchasing tuned sets of bells and sheet music.
The ensemble is always looking to train new members. It’s an exciting and non-threatening way to learn music, and gives you a gentle workout in the process. What more could you ask for?
The Oliver Community Garden Society has also recently joined. See the article below (“Arts Council growing relationship”) for more information about this community-spirited organization or check out their website (click on the link at right under “Member Organizations”).
The “umbrella” of the arts council is a unique opportunity for groups and businesses to:
* have a forum for co-operating and networking within the local arts community, * take advantage of advertising and promotional opportunities (like this one!), * apply for financial aid, and * to have a greater voice municipally and provincially to increase awareness of and access funding for arts groups.And what about you? There’s lots of room under the umbrella! Contact olivercac@gmail for more information about becoming a member or fill out the membership form by clicking the link under the banner above.
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Sage Valley Voices Community Choir
The Sage Valley Voices are a fun-loving and welcoming community choir that knows how to entertain! They specialize in contemporary arrangements of seasonal music and 20th century standards and classics.
The choir performs two concerts a year under the directorship of Alice Deroche: a Christmas concert in December, and a spring concert.
Above is a formal picture of the choir in its early days, looking unusually sedate. My how times change! Now the choir rarely stands still long enough for a formal portrait, and is more often found in costume than in uniform!
Members may be all decked out in top hats and satin gowns for a Dickensian Christmas, flouncing in poodle skirts and saddle shoes and lounging in leather jackets for a tribute to hits from the fifties, or wearing cowboy hats, bandanas, and Wranglers for a country hoedown.
Check out these choir members dressed for their “High Flying Forties” concert: high society women, Hollywood glamour queens, Rosie the Riveter, soldiers, WACS, dapper Dans, and all.
Below is the oddest collection of cowboys you will ever see round a campfire. Maybe it’s cowboys and …. mobster guys taking a weekend off at a dude ranch? You never can tell who or what will show up at a Sage Valley Voices concert.
The choral music is often interspersed with readings, jokes, short skits, and special guest appearances.
Audiences are guaranteed to leave with a smile and the warmth of community spirit!
Concert proceeds are put towards a number of community programs, including the local Sunshine Soup Kitchen.
Rehearsals are on Monday evenings through the fall, winter, and spring. No audition is required.
Join us at our next concert!
“A Sentimental Journey” Music of the 40s and 50s plus special selections from our Senior Choral Fest Gala Concert Saturday May 2 7:00 p.m. Sunday May 3 2:30 p.m. Oliver United Church $5.00 at the door Guest appearance by the Naramata Choir