Anna Jacyszyn has the scoop on what just might be Kelowna’s party of the year
This weekend, I will mostly be seeing green as we gear up to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
This patron saint of Ireland converted the tribal Irish to Christianity, using the shamrock to explain the Trinity.
Undoubtedly, the day has become the most popular of all saints days. And I surmise, that’s because of the reputation of the Irish to be cheerful, straightforward and cheeky, with a whole lot of drinking and music.
With an attractive attitude like that, it’s no wonder St. Patrick’s Day is recognized in the Guinness Book of Records as “the friendliest day of the year.”
St. Patrick’s Day is officially on Friday. Flannigan’s Pub downtown in the Royal Anne Hotel is doing the day right in style with a plethora of decorations, green beer and all that is Irish.
The doors will open from noon with live music beginning at 5 p.m. Bands booked to play are Rumble 100 and Bonsais. The Kelowna Pipe band will be hopping on stage to join in the fun. There is a door charge of $10, which promises great deals and a great big hangover, I’m sure.
On Saturday night, the festivities continue with Cod Gone Wild performing at the red barn, the Okanagan Mission hall at 4409 Lakeshore Rd. This will be a shindig of “raise the roof” proportion, so let your hair down and enjoy the Celtic-inspired traditional music with a modern edge.
The band always injects energy and fun to the room, and has been bolstered by the arrival of some fresh cods in the fish tank to include David Mihal (drums, percussion), Sean Bray (guitar/mandolin/vocals) and Martyn Jones (bass/vocals), to go along with the original Wild Cods, Andrew Mercer (vocals, acoustic guitar and bodhran) and Sue Aylard (fiddle and vocals).
This might just be the party of the year. Tickets are $30 tickets at okmissionhall@showlink.ca. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the band start playing at 8 p.m.
For more information about the band. visit codgonewild.com
————— From wild fish to raw food, Victoria-based chef Heather Pace (author of Sweetly Raw Desserts) will be in Kelowna on Sunday, teaching a raw foods class at Glow Juicer (1880 Dayton St.). Her specialty is making raw food alternatives to practically every type of recipe and helping people make healthier eating decisions in their everyday life.
This will be a demo style class and guests will be able to sample everything. Tickets are $65. To register and ensure a spot, call 250-861-4568 or go through eventbrite.ca.
Pace’s book will be available for purchase at $25.
————— Speaking of food, one of my favourite guilty pleasures is the macaron.
This French gift to our sweet palate is being celebrated with its own day of recognition.
Monday is Macaron Day, started by a Parisian pastry chef Pierre Herme in 1995. Over the years, it has gained international recognition as a way to fundraise for local charities.
Kelowna General Hospital Foundation and Sandrine French Pastry and Chocolate Shoppe are collaborating to raise money with 25 per cent of all macaron sales going to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation.
For those who aren’t familiar with these French delicacies, they are mildly moist and melt in your mouth with their sweet meringue-based dollops sandwiched between a ganache, buttercream or jam filling.
You can purchase your macarons on Monday in the hospital lobby, at Sandrine French Pastry and Chocolate, 1865 Dilworth Dr. or at Urban Fare, 3155 Lakeshore Rd.
With flavours like chocolate ganache, pistachio, raspberry, cassis, rose, passionfruit or olive oil, you will surely find your favourite. Mine are lemon, tiramisu and, as it’s St. Paddy’s Day, I will mostly be ordering pistachio.
————— Are you the type who tends to shy away from raucous Irish festivities?
Perhaps a more centred, zenlike experience is your cup of chamomile?
The Equinox TogetherFest will happen on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. until midnight.
The day events will host yoga and reiki workshops, kids’ workshops on indigenous dance and feature songs and local kids’ performers, including Oot n’ Oots, The Ukaloopy Lady, and Kiki the Eco Elf.
The evening portion will be a celebration of local talent to include poets Rawle James and Erin Scott, singer-songwriter Nicole Holkestad, Speak Easy, Elk the Moose, Leila Neverland’s band, as well as a drag show featuring Sasha & Co.
Baked goods donated by Marmalade Cat Cafe, Cherry Hill Coffee, and local Motherlove kombucha will be served for lunch, with local food trucks also on site.
This festival takes place at The Forum, 1317 Ethel St. at Cawston Ave. A day pass is $10. Kids under 10 get in free.
A night pass is $15. It’s an adults-only event. Passes for the entire day are $20.
Buy your tickets at Milkcrate Records (1551 Ellis St.) or Leo’s Videos (2680 Pandosy St.). Any unsold tickets will be available at the door.
Anna Jacyszyn is an awardwinning jazz singer. Email her at artafactevent@gmail.com.