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Friday Night Live’s “Wine Festival Madness” lands on the eve of the Fall Art Show and Sale and Hester Creek’s Garlic Festival and two days before Festival of the Grape. Lots of great visiting talent here to stomp the grape and kick the music into high gear.

Last time around we had another amazing performance from Stef and Dan Laramie. Richard, Marcel, Neil and Bianca, James, Joe 50 and even me (sorry).

Come kick the doors down with your own vibe this Friday coming. The beer is cold and the music IS of course always sooooo HOT! Marcel Morneau and our crazy talented artists will fill the night. We crank up the music shortly after 7:00. The music is huge…Tons of talent…all we need is you!

We are licensed. We have beer, wine, coffees with a kick and our usual great gelato and snacks, sweet treats and of course…our great host Marcel. Medici’s this Friday Sept 30th at 7:00 PM. 522 Fairview Road. 250-498-2228.

Hot flamenco to cool jazz at summer’s Music in the Park

Nankama-Aug-09-018

The musical lineup reads like a whirlwind trip around the world. Spanish flamenco, Caribbean reggae, funk, South American Latin, country, African djembe …. Save yourself the cost of an airline ticket and join the summer crowd at Music in the Park instead!

Music in the Park is held on Thursdays throughout July and August,  6:30 to 8:00 pm, on the Riverside Patio behind the Oliver Information Centre (the historic CPR Station) at 6431 Station Street with two exceptions listed below. All concerts are admission by donation, with a suggested $5 minimum. :

July 4: Penticton Concert Band: Spanish classics and big band favourites. Oliver Bandshell, Oliver Community Centre, 6359 Park Drive 
July 11: William Leggott, Spanish and Flamenco Guitar. Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street

July 18: The Cha Cha Laca Love Machine, funk, reggae, Latin, plus insanity! Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street Feed the Valley Concert, sponsored by Valley First Credit Union, Food donations accepted in cash or in kind.

July 25: Okanagan Divas; Cindy Doucette and Mikie Spillett. Country, pop, jazz, rock and original. Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

Saturday August 3: Michael Burgess in Concert. “Canada’s own Jean Valjean”. Special ticketed performance.  $25 advance, $35 door.  7 pm Oliver Bandshell, Oliver Community Centre, 6359 Park Drive 

August 8: Nankama Drum & Dance. African djembe drumming and dancing.  Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

August 15: Guys with Guitars: Jeremy Cook & Brian Highley. Classical guitar, original instrumentals, pop and folk vocals. Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

August 22   Jazz Out West. Light jazz and popular standards.  Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Picnics welcome, or light refreshments available for purchase.

Pictured: Nankama Drum and Dance

Hot flamenco to cool jazz at summer's Music in the Park

Nankama-Aug-09-018

The musical lineup reads like a whirlwind trip around the world. Spanish flamenco, Caribbean reggae, funk, South American Latin, country, African djembe …. Save yourself the cost of an airline ticket and join the summer crowd at Music in the Park instead!

Music in the Park is held on Thursdays throughout July and August,  6:30 to 8:00 pm, on the Riverside Patio behind the Oliver Information Centre (the historic CPR Station) at 6431 Station Street with two exceptions listed below. All concerts are admission by donation, with a suggested $5 minimum. :

July 4: Penticton Concert Band: Spanish classics and big band favourites. Oliver Bandshell, Oliver Community Centre, 6359 Park Drive 
July 11: William Leggott, Spanish and Flamenco Guitar. Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street

July 18: The Cha Cha Laca Love Machine, funk, reggae, Latin, plus insanity! Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street Feed the Valley Concert, sponsored by Valley First Credit Union, Food donations accepted in cash or in kind.

July 25: Okanagan Divas; Cindy Doucette and Mikie Spillett. Country, pop, jazz, rock and original. Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

Saturday August 3: Michael Burgess in Concert. “Canada’s own Jean Valjean”. Special ticketed performance.  $25 advance, $35 door.  7 pm Oliver Bandshell, Oliver Community Centre, 6359 Park Drive 

August 8: Nankama Drum & Dance. African djembe drumming and dancing.  Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

August 15: Guys with Guitars: Jeremy Cook & Brian Highley. Classical guitar, original instrumentals, pop and folk vocals. Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

August 22   Jazz Out West. Light jazz and popular standards.  Riverside Patio, Oliver Tourism Information Centre, 6431 Station Street 

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Picnics welcome, or light refreshments available for purchase.

Pictured: Nankama Drum and Dance

Concert season opens with lyric soprano

Submitted by Marion Boyd, SOCS

Last year at this time the South Okanagan Concert Society was reassuring citizens they could look forward to world class concerts despite the massive fire that consumed the local high school and auditorium. Switching to the temporary venue of the Oliver Alliance Church, a concert series was specifically designed to take advantage of the acoustics in a smaller, more intimate setting. It was a huge success.

This year, while construction of the new auditorium is underway, the concert society has again shaped a series to bring delight to a community rising above its grievous loss. Flex pass tickets are on sale now at Beyond Bliss (Oliver) and at Imperial Office Pro (Osoyoos). The four admission pass costs only $60. The four admissions are entirely flexible and can be used together or in any combination. Single admission is $20. Young people 17 and under are welcome to attend the concerts free. All the concerts will begin at the new start time of 7:30 pm.

Here’s what we have in store for you! On Friday, November 2 the stunning soprano, Tracy Fehr (pictured above), will offer a programme to showcase her classically trained lyric voice. Expect operatic arias, German lieder, arrangements of African-American spirituals and musical theatre hits. Dennis Nordlund will provide the piano accompaniment.

Friday, November 30th a complete change of pace will occur when the 2011 Canadian Grand Master Fiddle champion, Daniel Gervais, performs. He has been playing violin since age 5 and moves comfortably from fiddle styles to classical violin. No wonder one of his CDs has the title “Endless Possibilities”.

 

 

Some familiar faces appear for the Friday, February 8th concert, Duo Rendezvous. Jasper Wood, violinist, has enthralled the audience before and when he joins with the charismatic Daniel Bolshoy on classical guitar the outcome will undoubtedly be musical magic. Last year Daniel’s virtuosity and his charming ability to communicate with the audience created a coterie of new local fans.

 

 

 

The series will conclude on Thursday, March 7th , when the Concert Society takes a firm step out onto a limb. This concert is like no other. Woody Holler and his Orchestra are purveyors of western swing. They love to explore the crossover between jazz and western and produce “gypsy jazz from the saddle”. Raised on cowboy songs and later trained in classical voice and opera, Woody’s voice plus violin, guitar and bass create arrangements rich with virtuosity and style.

This is a series guaranteed to chase away any winter blues with music, music, music!

Go – go – go Gospel at Music in the Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music in the Park goes Gospel this Thursday night! Come on out for some upbeat joyful music with these talented local musicians.

Music in the Park
Thursday August 11
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Oliver Visitors Centre “Riverside Patio”
$3 donation minimum suggested
Rain Venue: Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 34274 – 95th St.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Bring a picnic! Dessert vendor on site.

What’s up next time at Music in the Park? It’s the magical Celtic and Classical Harp with Ingrid Schellenberg on Thursday August 18 and we close the summer with the cool stylings of  Jazz Out West on Thursday August 25.

We gratefully ackowledge our sponsor Valley First Credit Union and their “Feed the Valley” program. Donations to the Oliver Food Bank are welcome at the concert or at the credit union office.

Naden Band of the Maritime Forces Pacific Thursday August 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At-ten—TION! Everyone on deck for what’s sure to be an amazing concert at Music in the Park on Thursday August 4. The popular Naden Band of the Maritime Forces Pacific performs at the Oliver Visitors Centre riverside patio from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

They will be playing a variety of music ranging from show tunes, to big band to dixieland jazz. Great music and terrific showmanship sure to please the whole family.  

We suggest a minimum $3 donation to support this arts council program. Items for the Oliver Food Bank are also encouraged. The arts council is grateful for the sponsorship of Valley First Credit Union. You can show  your appreciation for thier community spirit by bringing a non-perishable item for their Feed the Valley program. Your donation works locally. Or drop your food donation off at the the credit union office in Oliver Place Mall, and thank them for supporting a great concert series!

What’s on this Thursday, you ask? None other than Shindigger Rick Wood with an evening of classic rock-n-roll! Same time and place. Scroll down for the full Music in the Park schedule for August.

Rain venue: Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 34274 – 95th Street.

Summer’s Coming and so is… Music in the Park

Summertime is outdoor concert time in Oliver! The arts council has been hosting Music in the Park concerts at the old CPR station for 11 years now, and they keep getting better and better. We make sure to bring back your favourites, but there’s always lots of new music in the mix.

This year, things get off to a heart thumping start with something new: West African drumming and dancing courtesy of Nankama, with leader Bobby Bovenzi. Local audiences will know Lou Lou and the Scrappers,  newcomers to Music in the Park,  and will love their  1940s flair.  The Naden Band of the Maritime Pacific will present sure-fire entertainment.  

Some old faves return after an absence: Long John Baldy ( a tongue in cheek name for a local rock /alternative group), and Shindigger Rick Wood with his classic rock n roll on guitar. 

Gospel Night always brings out a crowd. Ingrid Schellenberg returns with lyrical sounds from her harp. And the season would never be complete without Jazz  Out West closing out the summer. They are pictured at left from their 2010 concert.

The Oliver Community Arts Council presents
Music in the Park
Thursdays 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
July 7 – August 25
Oliver Visitor Centre: Riverside Patio
(Rain Venue: Quail’s Nest Arts Centre)
Suggested minimum donation: $3
Dessert Vendor on site! Buy a tasty treat!
 
July 7: Nankama Drum and Dance: toe-tapping West African rhythms
July 14: Lou Lou and the Scrappers: hits from the 30s and 40s
July 21: Long John Baldy: rock and alternative music
July 28: Shindigger Rick Wood: classic rock ‘n’ roll
August 4: The Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific: big band, swing, dixie, and show tunes
August 11: Gospel Night: joyful inspirational music
August 18: Ingrid Schellenberg on Harp: Celtic, classical and popular music
August 25: Jazz Out West: light jazz and favourite standards

Please support this program generously. It is costly to produce, so those donations are sure welcome!

Photo credit: Heather Fink

Summer's Coming and so is… Music in the Park

Summertime is outdoor concert time in Oliver! The arts council has been hosting Music in the Park concerts at the old CPR station for 11 years now, and they keep getting better and better. We make sure to bring back your favourites, but there’s always lots of new music in the mix.

This year, things get off to a heart thumping start with something new: West African drumming and dancing courtesy of Nankama, with leader Bobby Bovenzi. Local audiences will know Lou Lou and the Scrappers,  newcomers to Music in the Park,  and will love their  1940s flair.  The Naden Band of the Maritime Pacific will present sure-fire entertainment.  

Some old faves return after an absence: Long John Baldy ( a tongue in cheek name for a local rock /alternative group), and Shindigger Rick Wood with his classic rock n roll on guitar. 

Gospel Night always brings out a crowd. Ingrid Schellenberg returns with lyrical sounds from her harp. And the season would never be complete without Jazz  Out West closing out the summer. They are pictured at left from their 2010 concert.

The Oliver Community Arts Council presents
Music in the Park
Thursdays 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
July 7 – August 25
Oliver Visitor Centre: Riverside Patio
(Rain Venue: Quail’s Nest Arts Centre)
Suggested minimum donation: $3
Dessert Vendor on site! Buy a tasty treat!
 
July 7: Nankama Drum and Dance: toe-tapping West African rhythms
July 14: Lou Lou and the Scrappers: hits from the 30s and 40s
July 21: Long John Baldy: rock and alternative music
July 28: Shindigger Rick Wood: classic rock ‘n’ roll
August 4: The Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific: big band, swing, dixie, and show tunes
August 11: Gospel Night: joyful inspirational music
August 18: Ingrid Schellenberg on Harp: Celtic, classical and popular music
August 25: Jazz Out West: light jazz and favourite standards

Please support this program generously. It is costly to produce, so those donations are sure welcome!

Photo credit: Heather Fink

Foothills Brass definitely "fan fare"

Editor: The South Okanagan Concert Society is trumpeting the news that the Foothills Brass is coming to town in March! There are guaranteed to be favourites for fans and first-timers alike. Read more from Marion Boyd:

Friday, March 11th, is the date to mark on your calendar. Foothills Brass Quintet will be back in town! When the Venables Auditorium curtain goes up at 8 pm, prepare for some serious fun!! The South Okanagan Concert Society is proud to present a crowd pleasing musical event as the finale for this years concert series.

For three decades Foothills Brass has provided quality musicianship, entertainment, variety and high energy. A rarity in today’s music scene, they are a full time chamber ensemble consisting of five versatile and exceptional musicians. The Calgary founder, Chris Morrison, plays trumpet as does Jay Michalak. Joanna Schulz performs on French horn. Catie Hickey (trombone) and Bob Nicholson (tuba) complete the quintet. Together they are an engaging, friendly bunch who use ‘off key’ humour to draw the audience into the musical experience.

The BrassScapes program for this concert shows off the versatility in musical styles available in the brass repertoire as well as the challenging interplay between solo and ensemble skills. Who can resist enticing musical selections with titles like Baroque Splendor, Latin Fire, the Opera Reinvented, Duelling Trumpets and New Orleans Memories and Hopes?!

Flex tickets (four admissions for $60) are still available at Beyond Bliss in Oliver, Imperial Office Pro in Osoyoos and at the door. Get together a group of four and make a party of it! Single tickets are $20. Young people 17 and under are welcome to attend the concert free. The venue is wheelchair accessible and those requiring transportation in the Oliver/Osoyoos area can call Maureen at 250 495 7978 to make arrangments to be picked up by van.

This is also the concert where you can get flex tickets for the 2011-2012 series at remarkable Early Bird prices. Don’t forget to bring your cheque book. Plan ahead for some exciting concerts to brighten winter nights in the coming year.

The South Okanagan Concert Society is grateful to loyal sponsors who make possible the high quality, live music that so enriches the life of our communities. The B.C. Arts Council, Music Fest Vancouver, Windsor Plywood Spectacular Music B.C. and the Oliver Community Arts Council provide the backbone of our support. In addition, Burrowing Owl Winery, Interior Savings OK Falls, Oliver Kiwanis Club, Fortis BC, and denturist Maria Gonzales-Richer provide faithful support. Dwight and Amy Brown at the Adobe Rose B&B offer Okanagan hospitality to the musicians.

It takes all these dedicated groups to make a concert series and we cannot thank them enough.

by Marion Boyd, South Okanagan Concert Society

Foothills Brass definitely “fan fare”

Editor: The South Okanagan Concert Society is trumpeting the news that the Foothills Brass is coming to town in March! There are guaranteed to be favourites for fans and first-timers alike. Read more from Marion Boyd:

Friday, March 11th, is the date to mark on your calendar. Foothills Brass Quintet will be back in town! When the Venables Auditorium curtain goes up at 8 pm, prepare for some serious fun!! The South Okanagan Concert Society is proud to present a crowd pleasing musical event as the finale for this years concert series.

For three decades Foothills Brass has provided quality musicianship, entertainment, variety and high energy. A rarity in today’s music scene, they are a full time chamber ensemble consisting of five versatile and exceptional musicians. The Calgary founder, Chris Morrison, plays trumpet as does Jay Michalak. Joanna Schulz performs on French horn. Catie Hickey (trombone) and Bob Nicholson (tuba) complete the quintet. Together they are an engaging, friendly bunch who use ‘off key’ humour to draw the audience into the musical experience.

The BrassScapes program for this concert shows off the versatility in musical styles available in the brass repertoire as well as the challenging interplay between solo and ensemble skills. Who can resist enticing musical selections with titles like Baroque Splendor, Latin Fire, the Opera Reinvented, Duelling Trumpets and New Orleans Memories and Hopes?!

Flex tickets (four admissions for $60) are still available at Beyond Bliss in Oliver, Imperial Office Pro in Osoyoos and at the door. Get together a group of four and make a party of it! Single tickets are $20. Young people 17 and under are welcome to attend the concert free. The venue is wheelchair accessible and those requiring transportation in the Oliver/Osoyoos area can call Maureen at 250 495 7978 to make arrangments to be picked up by van.

This is also the concert where you can get flex tickets for the 2011-2012 series at remarkable Early Bird prices. Don’t forget to bring your cheque book. Plan ahead for some exciting concerts to brighten winter nights in the coming year.

The South Okanagan Concert Society is grateful to loyal sponsors who make possible the high quality, live music that so enriches the life of our communities. The B.C. Arts Council, Music Fest Vancouver, Windsor Plywood Spectacular Music B.C. and the Oliver Community Arts Council provide the backbone of our support. In addition, Burrowing Owl Winery, Interior Savings OK Falls, Oliver Kiwanis Club, Fortis BC, and denturist Maria Gonzales-Richer provide faithful support. Dwight and Amy Brown at the Adobe Rose B&B offer Okanagan hospitality to the musicians.

It takes all these dedicated groups to make a concert series and we cannot thank them enough.

by Marion Boyd, South Okanagan Concert Society

Pianist Sara Buechner set to "dazzle"

by Marion Boyd

When concert pianist, Sara Davis Buechner, performs Friday, January 14th at Venables Auditorium in Oliver, the South Okanagan Concert Society audience can expect ironclad technique lauded by reviewers because it “allows her to interpret music with a masterful blend of rigor and authenticity and the seductive lightness of charm”.

Sara is truly a dazzling pianist. She is also a witty speaker with a gregarious personality who connects with her audience on an intimate level. A scholar, writer and compelling lecturer, Sara has a vast piano repertoire ranging from J.S. Bach to her contemporaries. The January 14th programme promises a lovely Haydn sonata, a Cocktail Suite by Dana Suesse, a solo arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue created by composer, George Gershwin, and more.

Tickets are on sale at Beyond Bliss in Oliver and Imperial Office Pro in Osoyoos as well as at the door. A four admission pass costs only $60. The four admissions are entirely flexible and can be used together or in combination. Single tickets are $20. Young people 17 and under are welcome to attend the concert free. All concerts start at 8 pm. The venue is wheelchair accessible and those requiring transportation in the Oliver/Osoyoos area can call Maureen at 250 495 7978 to make arrangements for a ride.

Born in 1959 in Baltimore, Maryland, Sara was off to the Julliard School of Music at age 16 and got her undergraduate degree there. She wanted nothing more than to be the best pianist she could possibly be. Her concert career garnered acclaim on four continents. She performed with many different orchestras and played in all the major cities of the world. Her active repertoire included almost 100 concertos. She remains fascinated with Japanese music and with film scores as well as classical music.

The concert career wasn’t all. Somehow Sarah managed to combine it with an academic career. Her studies eventually led to a doctorate in music. She was a member of the faculties of Manhattan School of Music and New York University. In 2003 she joined the music faculty at UBC as an Assistant Professor of piano and chamber music. She presents lectures and master classes worldwide as well as performing. She is known for her profound knowledge and for her sense of humour too.

The South Okanagan Concert Society is grateful to our sponsors who are continuing their support despite difficult economic times. Music Fest Vancouver, Windsor Plywood Spectacular Music B.C. make this exceptional concert possible. The B.C. Arts Council and Oliver Community Arts Council provide ongoing support as does Burrowing Owl Winery, Interior Savings OK Falls, FortisBC, the Kiwanis Club of Oliver and Maria Gonzales-Richer, denturist. These sponsors make it possible for world class music to come to our community. We cannot thank them enough.

Pianist Sara Buechner set to “dazzle”

by Marion Boyd

When concert pianist, Sara Davis Buechner, performs Friday, January 14th at Venables Auditorium in Oliver, the South Okanagan Concert Society audience can expect ironclad technique lauded by reviewers because it “allows her to interpret music with a masterful blend of rigor and authenticity and the seductive lightness of charm”.

Sara is truly a dazzling pianist. She is also a witty speaker with a gregarious personality who connects with her audience on an intimate level. A scholar, writer and compelling lecturer, Sara has a vast piano repertoire ranging from J.S. Bach to her contemporaries. The January 14th programme promises a lovely Haydn sonata, a Cocktail Suite by Dana Suesse, a solo arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue created by composer, George Gershwin, and more.

Tickets are on sale at Beyond Bliss in Oliver and Imperial Office Pro in Osoyoos as well as at the door. A four admission pass costs only $60. The four admissions are entirely flexible and can be used together or in combination. Single tickets are $20. Young people 17 and under are welcome to attend the concert free. All concerts start at 8 pm. The venue is wheelchair accessible and those requiring transportation in the Oliver/Osoyoos area can call Maureen at 250 495 7978 to make arrangements for a ride.

Born in 1959 in Baltimore, Maryland, Sara was off to the Julliard School of Music at age 16 and got her undergraduate degree there. She wanted nothing more than to be the best pianist she could possibly be. Her concert career garnered acclaim on four continents. She performed with many different orchestras and played in all the major cities of the world. Her active repertoire included almost 100 concertos. She remains fascinated with Japanese music and with film scores as well as classical music.

The concert career wasn’t all. Somehow Sarah managed to combine it with an academic career. Her studies eventually led to a doctorate in music. She was a member of the faculties of Manhattan School of Music and New York University. In 2003 she joined the music faculty at UBC as an Assistant Professor of piano and chamber music. She presents lectures and master classes worldwide as well as performing. She is known for her profound knowledge and for her sense of humour too.

The South Okanagan Concert Society is grateful to our sponsors who are continuing their support despite difficult economic times. Music Fest Vancouver, Windsor Plywood Spectacular Music B.C. make this exceptional concert possible. The B.C. Arts Council and Oliver Community Arts Council provide ongoing support as does Burrowing Owl Winery, Interior Savings OK Falls, FortisBC, the Kiwanis Club of Oliver and Maria Gonzales-Richer, denturist. These sponsors make it possible for world class music to come to our community. We cannot thank them enough.

Sleighbells and Song … and Snow

An enthusiastic but small audience enjoyed the musical variety show, Sleighbells and Song presented by the Oliver Community Arts Council on December 7th at the Frank Venables Auditorium.  A heavy wet snowfall kept many prospective concert goers indoors on Tuesday night, but those in attendance were appreciative. 

Choirs from the Oliver Elementary and Seventh Day Adventist Schools, the  Desert Airs Men’s Chorus and the Advent/Valley Quartet charmed the crowd in the first set. The children’s bright faces and bright voices were an instant hit and a great opener to the show. Some clever choreography, cheerful lyrics, and good rhythms combined to make for a highly entertaining start to the evening.  The Desert Airs impressed with their tuneful a cappella harmonies and crisp musical delivery – and their crisp white shirts. Handsome outfits, gentlemen!  This is a very polished men’s choir who need to have their very own concert — soon, we hope!   The mixed quartet from the Adventist and Valley Congregational churches served as a good counterpoint with some reflective music. Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming and Rise Up Shepherd were especially moving.

The second set featured seasonal music from the Penticton Concert Band. The band began with an audience sing-along  led by soprano Madison Johnson. This young lady has a powerful confident voice that did not need any added amplification.  It was a treat to hear a young person sing in full voice from abdomen, lungs, and head.  No swooping notes, breathy whispering, or pop diva imitations for her.  Brava, Miss Johnson!

The Penticton Concert Band gave an accomplished, rousing performance with good balanced sound from all sections, cohesive playing, and excellent attention to direction.   Their repertoire spanned several centuries of Christmas music and showed off styles varying from Gregorian and Baroque to jazz and pop. Although any band’s volume  could easily overwhelm listeners in an indoor venue — risking amplifying a wrong note, missed cue, or jangly ending — the Penticton Concert Band proved to be very well-rehearsed and easy to listen to, under the competent direction of conductor Gerald Nadeau.

The Oliver Community Arts Council welcomes suggestions for future community Christmas concerts.  Contact olivercac@gmail.com

Have a review of an arts council event or member group performance? Submit it to olivercac@gmail.com

When Joie de Vivre is a Tour de Force

Concert Review, by Bob Park

The weather might have been cold and blustery outside last Friday night, but the atmosphere inside the Frank Venables Auditorium was exactly the opposite. It was warm and friendly for the large audience who had turned out to enjoy the second concert in the South Okanagan Concert Society’s series. Fiddler Daniel Gervais, together with guitarist Clinton Pelletier and step-dancer Aline Dupuis-Gervais performed for us a highly eclectic and entertaining mix of jazz, classical, bluegrass, newgrass, country, old time, ragtime, and Celtic, which left us– two hours later– on our feet, clamoring for more. Fun for all ages and musical tastes!

To their foundational skills of technical facility and full command of the music, without which excellence does not occur, the three performers brought that more elusive “je ne sais quoi” of spontaneity, high energy and honesty. Above all, there was a tangible feeling that they themselves were really enjoying every second of what was happening. Contagious, to say the least.

We were drawn into their magic by the lively opening medley of fiddle tunes (toe-tapping and all!), including the well-known “Devil’s Dream”, which at one point morphed into a slow Gypsy Jazz minor swing. (Don Messer never had the courage to try that!). The evening continued with similar surprises and consistent spontaneity. Daniel on the fiddle and Clinton on the guitar never just went through the motions. They kept watching and listening to each other, expecting the unexpected. At one point I could hear Daniel call: “F”, which was followed by a quick key modulation and a whole musical gear shift on the violin that Clinton picked up on immediately.

Such outstanding guitar work, by a performer who is not content with just playing chords in the background, but has the skills to put the guitar on an even footing with the violin explains this duo’s success on Friday night. It was fun to listen to their constant interplay: trading fours and harmonizations of the melody between the two instruments. There are many guitar players out there, but guitarists such as Clinton Pelletier, who can trade licks on par with a hot fiddler, are very rare.

The evening passed very quickly, with the lively patter of Daniel engaging the audience with fascinating bits of history of the genres and styles prior to each piece. Clinton also gave us insight into the delightful music being created. After the performance, Aline told some of us about the regional variations in step-dancing, and demonstrated the different techniques of the Irish, the “Outaouais” (Ottawa valley), and the Quebec styles of dancing. Most interesting! I’m sure the whole audience would have loved to hear her explanations, too.

As it was, we all felt privileged to watch the beautiful step-dancing, and were mesmerized. The spotlight swung on Aline several times during the evening, as she danced to fiddle tunes that seemed to be made to measure for her movements and the beat of her feet. The prolonged applause given to her was most fitting!

The rich French Canadian heritage was highlighted again when Daniel sang and fiddled a humorous old “call and response” song, “tout en francais”, about a certain Lisette, who had some serious challenges in churning and sieving the butter through her “queue de chemise”. A rousing tune , sung at break-neck speed while simultaneously playing furiously on the fiddle—not many could pull off such a stunt.

Let me mention just a few more gems from an evening of highlights. Think: Hot Club of Paris in the “30’s. This music has never been as popular as it is today. Belgian guitar virtuoso, Django Rheinhardt and French violinist Stephane Grappelli are heros for our performers Daniel and Clinton, so no surprise that their take on the Gypsy Jazz anthem, “Minor Swing”, captured the style perfectly.

Another feat was the piece with which the first half ended: Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer’s “Wooly Mammoth”. The theme of stampeding mammoths being pursued by sabre tooth tigers makes for a technical monster of a piece. It features exceptionally fast and tight unison melody playing. With its interesting modality and advanced harmonization this piece takes bluegrass and moves it into the realm of classical and fusion jazz. To pull that off with a smile on your face is a real achievement!

Playing Bach, (Gigue from the Partita 2, in D minor), as an opener for the second half was a brilliant choice, which took some courage, since the unaccompanied Bach violin suites are considered the “Mount Everest” of the violin world. By “unplugging” , Daniel treated us to the natural, glorious sound of a well-played violin in a good hall. ( That alone makes buying a season’s ticket worth it, doesn’t it?)

We heard the hauntingly beautiful ‘Ashokan Farewell’, the ever popular ‘Yesterday’, and some pieces by Natalie McMaster. We were introduced to a rarely heard Swedish folk instrument (the nickel-harp, an unusual cross between a fiddle and a hurdy-gurdy). We enjoyed the fact that our vivacious fiddler was also turning his hand to composition, (Belize, Reverie, Gambier). We also had fun picking out tunes we recognized in the fun-filled medley that started out as Sugar Foot Rag but was transformed by our talented duo with bits and pieces of Cotton Patch Rag, Alabama Jubilee, and more.

The night concluded with a well-deserved standing O, and an encore medley that left me feeling I’d never done so much toe-tapping in my life. Hats off to Daniel, Aline and Clinton. Please come back soon!

Opera with Spice and Everything Nice

by Marion Boyd,
South Okanagan Concert Society

The South Okanagan Concert Society presents its first  concert of the 2010-2011 series:  “Opera, Spice and Everything Nice!” featuring Andi and Peter Alexander, on  Thursday, October 14th at the Frank Venables Auditorium, Oliver. The concert will be filled with wit, wisdom and fun as Andi and Peter show off a vast repertoire of operatic arias and duets. Expect selections from Mozart’s Magic Flute, Puccini’s La Boheme, Rossini’s Barber of Seville, Bizet’s Carmen, and Verdi’s La Traviata. Favourites from Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera will also be featured. They will be accompanied by Karen Lee-Morlang on piano.

Andi is a Mezzo Soprano with a vocal career that has expanded to take her into stage directing and producing. She founded MAGI in 2004 as an a cappella vocal trio and has “grown” it into a company now presenting a wide range of fully staged productions. She is in demand as a soloist in oratorio and recently performed Mozart’s Requiem and Beethoven’s Mass in C.

Peter, a baritone, was recently lauded in Opera Canada magazine: “He dominated the evening by exhibiting excellent vocal command eminently suited to the Baroque period” when he performed the title role in Pimpinone. Peter not only has a passion for opera stage performance, he is also a professional choral singer. He is currently a member of the twelve voice chamber ensemble Musica Intima, hailed by the Globe and Mail as “one of the best small choirs in all the land!”

Flex tickets are now on sale at Beyond Bliss in Oliver and at Imperial Office Pro in Osoyoos. A four admission pass costs only $60. The four admissions are entirely flexible and can be used together or in combination. This is particularly attractive to snowbirds who may be away for some performances. Single tickets are available for $20. Young people 17 and under are welcome to attend the concerts for free. All concerts start at 8 pm. The venue is wheelchair accessible and those requiring transportation in the Oliver/Osoyoos area can call Maureen at 250 495 7978 to make arrangments to be picked up.

The South Okanagan Concert Society is grateful to our sponsors who are continuing their support despite difficult economic times. The B.C. Arts Council, Music Fest Vancouver, Windsor Plywood Spectacular Music B.C. and the Oliver Community Arts Council provide the backbone of our support. Dwight and Amy Brown at the Adobe Rose B&B offer Okanagan hospitality to the musicians. Fortis BC, the Burrowing Owl Winery, Interior Savings OK Falls, the Kiwanis Club of Oliver and Maria Gonzales-Richer, denturist, provide ongoing support that makes it possible for world class music to come to our community. We cannot thank them enough.