Rock the Lake festival is back
For the first time in three years, hubby and I are taking our wedding anniversary/annual holiday on the island and what a blessing it is to be living in British Columbia. We’re taking these opportunities to enjoy the magnitude of natural beauty, see humpback whales frolicking in the ocean on the ferry crossing, watch the tide roll in and then be inspired to hum the melody of that old Otis Redding classic. So even though I’m away and won’t be experiencing the events and happenings in our Okanagan, I hope that some of you write me and let me know if the ones I’m telling you about were as wonderful as I feel they might be.
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Public parks and local bandstands around the valley are ripe and ready this weekend so let’s start at the Fintry Provincial Park with a free concert on Saturday, Aug. 6, performed by the principal players of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. They will be performing orchestral works, mash-ups of fiddle favourites, and popular tunes by Lady Gaga, Simon and Garfunkel, among others. The string-and-wind quartet calls themselves the Kitchen Sink Pocket Orchestra. The concert runs from 4 to 6 p.m. at the manor house near the main campground, located at 7655 Fintry Delta Rd. Bring a picnic, take along a few chairs or a blanket and soak up some great music.
Before the concert begins, set up your space and then book a manor house tour that will be available from 1 to 3:30 p.m. by calling 250-542-4031 or email info@fintry.ca. Camping is available through 1800-689-9025 or visit discovercamping.ca.
Festivals Kelowna has a wonderful array of musical genres happing every day this week at various locations around Kelowna. The Island stage tonight, Aug. 3, hosts folk and country music, with Blu & Kelly Hopkins beginning at 6 p.m., followed by Trippin’ Lankies at 7 p.m. and headlined by Rhindress at 8 p.m. Other venues with live music are Kerry Park and the 400 Block on Bernard Avenue. Visit festivalskelowna.com for event schedules and times.
Tomorrow at Guisachan Gardens, 1060 Cameron Avenue, Festival Kelowna invites classical music enthusiasts to enjoy live music from 6 to 9 p.m. The line-up includes Alan Rinehart on guitar, Clive Titmuss on medieval lute and the Opera Kelowna singers performing pieces from their upcoming major event as a teaser.
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This weekend in Kelowna is the muchanticipated Rock The Lake. A three-day annual classic rock festival held outdoors in the Prospera Place parking lot. The line-up features big names like A Flock of Seagulls, The Tea Party, and Nazareth. Canadian favourites include Trooper Chilliwack, Bif Naked, Carole Pope & Rough Trade, The Spoons, and Grapes of Wrath, to name just a handful from the roster.
Weekend passes start at $195 and go up to $500 for a VIP experience that includes exclusive access to the VIP Tent, private beverage service, complimentary food offerings and a lawn chair with free storage for the entire festival that you can take home with you as a gift at the end. Tickets can be purchased through prosperaplace.com/rockthelake.
Saturday night in Penticton, Grammynominated Canadian Rock Band, Glass
Tiger, will perform at Okanagan Lake Park, 86 Lakeshore Dr. E., as part of the Peach Festival happening Aug. 3-7.
The band had U.S. Top 10 hits in the late ’80s with “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)” and “Someday” and continues to tour to this day. This specific concert runs from 9:30 to 11 p.m., but every day there is a vast selection of activities and events on the main stage and surroundings. The best part is that it’s all free to the public.
Take a gander inside the website for all the activities: peachfest.com. The festival has sandcastle competitions, film festivals, kiddie parades, an amusement park and live music events.
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Tonight is opening night for the megamusical theatrical production of The Sound of Music held at Kelowna Community Theatre as part of the finale series for Kelowna Actors Studio. This classic piece of theatre is the base of a real-life family with a magnificent story that hit Hollywood royalty when Rodgers and Hammerstein turned their story into a musical, which originally starred Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel, opening on Broadway in 1959. And when the film version, starring Julie Andrews as Maria and Christopher Plummer as Captain Von Trapp, premiered, it was an even more spectacular success than the play.
Before leaving on my trip, I was able to sneak in to see a rehearsal. The cast was not mic’d or costumed, but I felt the heart of the show. I will give you a full review next week, but rest assured, this touching story comes to life with the exceptional vocal talent on stage and tech genius generating the magic with all the bells and whistles the crew has up their sleeve.
Tickets can be purchased through kelownaactorsstudio.com. The show run is until Aug.13. Visit the website for times to include matinees.