Swing-dancing on Sicamous
Grab your pearls and feathers because there is a swinging new joint in town. The SS Sicamous Stern Wheeler in Penticton will be hosting a one night extravaganza of swing-dancing with prohibition themed antics on Saturday March 11.
The Great Gatsby Party will get into full swing at 8 p.m., going until late. Tickets are $45 per person, which includes your first drink and snacks. Proceeds go directly to the SS Sicamous Society.
For those who have never swing danced before, there is the opportunity to attend a beginner’s dance session at the ship, before the party starts. The lesson starts at 7:30 p.m. but space must be reserved in advance. The quick lesson will be taught by Louise Quant, of the Even Dance Studio.
Revelers will have the opportunity to dance the night away, to the sounds of vocals from singer Yanti, and electro-swing music from DJ Tenacious T (Tim Tweed) who has a carefully selected playlist.
Prizes will be awarded for best costume, and for the best swing dancer, as chosen by revelers. Cocktails will be served in vintage tea cups by Maple Leaf Spirits, and Old Order Distillery.
Wines and bubbly will also be on offer, poured by Back Door Winery, as well as freshly brewed beers from the Cannery Brewing. Tickets are available for purchase at the ship, The Cannery Brewing Co. on Ellis Street in Penticton and online through Eventbrite.ca.
“We are so excited” said event organizer Leah Cook. “We hope the fundraiser will nurture support and awareness for the SS Sicamous Society. For those that don’t know us, the Sicamous Society is a charity that works to preserve the marine heritage of the Okanagan.”
The SS Sicamous is the largest surviving sternwheeler in B.C., and is open as a museum, heritage site and wedding venue.
“This is going to be a fantastic and memorable event” said Sicamous operations manager Don Wright. “The museum is uniquely suited to the theme, as the 1920’s were the glory days of the SS Sicamous. Guests will be able to enjoy the elegance and luxury of the ship, and see first-hand all of the work that our volunteers have undertaken in recent years”.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald was published in 1925 and set on prosperous Long Island in the summer of 1922. It had a resurgence in popularity in 2013 with a film adaptation starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby.