Wow! It’s a busy weekend coming up in the arts scene.
First up: The Oliver Sagebrushers present Cowboy Christmas at Rustico. Three days of exhibits at the Quail’s Roost Gallery at Rustico Farm & Cellars Winery, Friday to Sunday. On the Saturday, there’s a special celebration planned: the grand opening of the new wing at the Quail’s Roost, plus entertainment by Mikie Spillet, and hot chili to boot! Check out the poster for details.
If you’re touring the Rustico exhibit and sale on Friday, you’ll be back in lots of time to check out the Sage Valley Voices performing at LightUp in Oliver’s downtown on Friday night (on the site of the Mesa Hotel). It’s just a taste of what this group will be offering on December 10 – 11 at their full concert. (More on that later….)
Down Rustico way on the Saturday? Drop into Hester Creek Winery on your way to or from to catch the Oliver Handbell Ringers performing as part of the Winter Wonderland at Oliver’s wineries. They have two sets between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday December 4 at Hester Creek.
Next, it’s SOAP’s production of The Wild Guys by Andrew Wreggitt and Rebecca Shaw. The Canadian comedy runs Friday and Saturday night at the Oliver Seniors Centre 0n 95th Street at 8 p.m. This Canadian comedy pokes gentle fun at the men’s sensitivity movement: four guys in search of themselves get lost in the Alberta bush with a backpack of beer and not much else. Did we mention that they’re scared of bears? It’s a show full of laughs and a few serious moments. Great show for the guys — and the gals who love ’em! Hey, and if you got your hot chocolate at LightUp on the Friday OR your chili at Rustico on the Saturday, well, you’ve got a complimentary concession with decaf or tea waiting for you at The Wild Guys intermission. It’s a perfect “night cap” on either artsy day!
The Community Christmas Concert is set for Sunday December 4 at 2:30 p.m. at the Oliver Alliance Church. A presentation of the Oliver Community Arts Council, it showcases a whole Santa-sackful of local entertainment. And it’s FREE! Listen to the Sage Valley Voices, the Desert Airs Men’s Chorus, the Oliver Handbell Ringers, including Swingin’ Bronze and Desert Bronze ensembles, plus the SOSS band, OES school choir, and the Seventh Day Adventist School. Also featured are some adult solo performers: a recitation, a flute instrumental, and classic guitar. There is a singalong for the whole audience, plus quizzes, prizes, and …. goody bags for the kids!
Now, wasn’t that a weekend?! Think of all the people you met, the chili and hot chocolate and dessert and goodies you ate, the laughs you had, the stories and songs you heard, the music that made your heart lift, and that silly grin you still can’t wipe off your face. Does Oliver know how to arty party or what!
