Performer fears auditioning process
I don’t know what it is about the auditioning process that creates such anxiety in me.
It may stem from a childhood memory of standing in front of students and teachers reading my book report and getting laughedat, then feeling ashamed or judged.
It’s funny, because I chose performing, public speaking, hosting TV or radio, as a career, but it’s that panel of judges that I stand in front of, alone, reciting a monologue then singing something which puts white-knuckle fear of failure inside my wrenching gut.
After the last month being part of The Great Gatsby, I truly felt that this angst was behind me so I signed up to audition once again for Kelowna Actors Studio.
I really thought this persistent panic of being interviewed would have subsided and replaced with an unusual confidence.
I was wrong, it’s really scary, maybe that is why I keep doing it — to face this head on and conquer it by persistently putting myself on this literal audition-chopping-block.
————— Having a voice and using it to create a positive environment is something I also feel passionate about, and I know by reading the comments section of this paper that most of you do as well.
So, I would like to remind you that this afternoon from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Reid Hall (Benvoulin Heritage Park, 2279 Benvoulin Rd.), residents and farmers are invited to review a draft agriculture plan to provide direction for the 55 per cent of the land base zoned for agriculture in Kelowna.
Those unable to attend the public information session are encouraged to provide feedback online from June 12 -30 at getinvolved.kelowna.ca. Have your say. It’s part of our right.
————— Tribute bands seem to be a big-ticket item at present. There are so many touring bands in every genre, dead or alive.
And now with the passing of David Bowie, Victoria based musician Syl Thompson and his band have the sound and vision to honour his music.
This is not a new direction for Thompson as he has been performing Bowie’s music for more than three decades. Thompson says he embodies the artists exquisite style and persona and has been acclaimed at providing the most credible and realistic Bowie experience in North America.
You can enjoy this evening of nostalgia tomorrow night, Thursday, June 22, at the Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave. Tickets are Tickets: $39.50 through the box office at 250-717-5304.
————— While on the subject of nostalgia, the Glenn Miller Big Band will be coming to our town and setting up their music stands at Kelowna Community Theatre on Tuesday June 27.
This is an 18 strong orchestra, based in Florida, but they travel all over the world.
They are currently on a 45-week tour that will also take them to Japan for a month.
The band continues to play many of the original Miller arrangements. Additionally, they will also play more modern selections arranged and performed in the Miller style and sound.
I’m excited to get in the mood for hits like “Moonlight Serenade Star Dust and Rhapsody in Blue, to name just a few.
Tickets cost around $50 each. You can find a direct link through Facebook by using: The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, in the search engine or you can purchase your tickets through Select Your Tickets and the Prospera Place box office.
————— From classic jazz to classic rock, but still at the community theatre, it’s the Wentworth Music student rock show happening Saturday June 24 at 7 p.m. as well as a Sunday afternoon matinee at 2 p.m.
The theme is Canadian music. This show promises a mix of popular Canadian artists from the last 30 years. Artists such as Tom Cochrane, Glass Tiger, Bryan Adams, Hedley, Lights and Metric will all be covered in this two-hour concert. Tickets are $16 and can be purchased through eventbrite.ca or at the door.
————— Saturday is also the Earth Wind Fire Gala for Nature Trust at the Delta Grand Hotel.
I told you how amazing this event was last week, but I’d like to reiterate the point that the proceeds will help acquire an 86-acre parcel near Skaha Lake that will add to an existing complex of conservation lands and provide critical habitat for Bighorn sheep.
Tickets for Earth Wind Fire are $175 per person. You can order online at naturetrust.bc.ca or call Robin Rivers at 1-866-288-7878 (604-9249771 local 226). I will see you there.
————— Saturday is full and and Rutland will be alight with Willow Fest at Willow Park Church parking lot on Highway 33.
This exciting day begins at 10 a.m. and runs till 3 p.m.
Fill up with fun as you enjoy a bouncy castle, dunk tank, face painting, silent auctions and food booths.
The deputy mayor will be on hand to get dunked and all proceeds are to benefit the work of the Mennonite Central Committee for development and peace, locally and abroad.
Having just moved into the Kelowna bench (Rutland) I am excited about attending for the first time.
————— To finish off this week I want to give kudos to the Fred Skeleton Theatre Company, who will be off to the Provincial Mainstage Festival at the end of the month, after winning a shed-load of awards at the Ozone Festival for their production of Age Of Arousal.
To keep their acting chops sharp, they have rented the Creekside Theatre (10241 Bottom Wood Lake Rd.) on Saturday and giving audiences the opportunity to see this award-winning production with the bonus of having a pay-what-you-can ticket price.
Curtains up at 7:30 p.m. Tell your friends and grab this gift of theatre and support it live. ————— Whatever you do this week, enjoy and be thankful for the blessings we receive each day living in the Okanagan. Anna Jacyszyn is an award-winning jazz singer. Email: artafactevent@gmail.com.