Southern Belles hit the road
Tomorrow, I leave with my country music show, The Songs of the Southern Belles, to do a mini tour and workshop series on Vancouver Island.
We end up in Port Hardy for Saturday evening concert when we perform the show as a quartet.
Kinga Heming and I are delighted to be reconnecting with these classic country songs, along with our band mates Sean Bray and Loni Moger.
The four of us are really good on tour. It takes certain characters to live in hotel rooms, be cramped in rental cars and still be joyful in heart. It’s because we truly like each other and are kind to each other’s quirks and habits.
I am slightly sad to be away from Kelowna on a week when there is quite a lot of great events happening, and I find myself quite envious of all of you who are in town this week.
————— Beginning today is Dine Around. This is a great opportunity to “sip, savour and save” your way through over 50 restaurants that are participating throughout the Thompson Okanagan.
Visit their website at dinearound.ca to view the list of places participating, as well as menus and other information to get you organizing your dinner party.
Feb. 3 is the last day to take advantage of this chance to enjoy dining at restaurants while saving a bit of dosh.
————— Why not incorporate a gallery exhibition with a restaurant reservation? On Feb 19, at the Kelowna Art Gallery, there is a special opening reception for Artist, Gary Pearson’s Short Fictions.
This exhibition will be on display until March 18, but at 6 p.m. on Friday, the artist is on hand to give a tour and talk, followed by a schmooze and saunter around the gallery with your fabulous self or dinner date.
I like gallery openings and the cool vibe of meeting and greeting like-minded locals, all gathered at this fabulous gallery on 1315 Water St.
This is a free event, but you should call the gallery to reserve your spot — 250-762-2226.
I know Pearson personally, as he was a member of my Jazz Cafe at the Black Box. A very interesting man with a great artist story — born in a small town in Saskatchewan, but grew up in Prince George. He taught at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, and afterwards at UBC Okanagan.
I especially love his smoking series, reminds me of the old days of London pubs and cafes, using the lighting of cigarettes as an opportunity to flirt — oh those days are gone.
————— A new year and the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra is celebrating the delights of Vienna with a spectacular evening of music featuring rising singing stars from Nancy Hermiston’s acclaimed UBC Opera Ensemble.
And what is a Viennese evening without a waltz?
Well, you will never have to know because Heather Stranks and Jens Goerner from City Dance Studio will bring to life the orchestrated ensembles from The Merry Widow and Die Fledermaus — two of the greatest operettas ever composed.
OSO conductor Rosemary Thomson invites audience members to wear their favourite ball gowns and be swept away by the beauty of this wonderful musical tradition.
This is truly when the orchestra’s catch phrase of See it, Hear it, Love it rings true.
Three chances to see this performance start on Friday at the Kelowna Community Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Tickets through Kelowna Tickets.
Shows continue Saturday in Penticton and Sunday in Vernon.
Go to okanagansymphony.com for ticket and venue information.
————— Tomorrow at the Kelowna Forum (1317 Ethel St.) there is a special evening encouraging the promotion and de-stigmatization of menís mental health.
Men’s Voices Gala and Book Release is put together to raise money to build resources for men’s mental health programs, which are becoming quite prevalent in our society as we become more transparent with issues that have been brushed under the carpet or avoided until recently.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young Canadians aged 15 to 24. Mental health is ranked as the second-highest hospital care expenditure in Canada and statistics show that four out of five suicides are male.
Okanagan Photography set out to create an inspired and humbling photo series, showcasing a visual compilation of hardship, achievement, dedication and determination of the men closest to us who are living with or have lived with mental health hardships.
This book will be on sale as well as a 2018 calendar.
The evening will consist of appetizers from Beet’ N Boos Catering, a drink ticket, a fashion show featuring Bia Boro Boutique and concert by local musician Windmills.
Tickets are $100 per person through eventbrite.ca at okanaganphotography.ca /mens-voices/ Doors open at 6 p.m.
————— On Sunday, may I recommend a scenario to you all? After lunch, make your way to my favourite little white steepled heritage church on 2279 Benvoulin Rd. and digest your dinner while Alan Rinehart performs a solo classical guitar recital at 2 p.m.
This talented musician has globally been written about by many reputable music journalists and they all seem to agree Rinehart is a true gentleman of the guitar with a musical approach that has a sensitive and seductive delicacy.
He has released five solo CDs and will perform a selection of his most dear material for you.
Tickets are $15, available at Okanagan Heritage Society, 250-861-7188 or cohs@telus.net (or at the door). The afternoon of music will be followed by tea and treats in the adjacent hall.
Bring a cushion for extra padded comfort on those old wooden pews.
This concert is part of a series of Sunday afternoon concerts to raise money for the society to upkeep and maintain these heritage landmarks of the Okanagan, so please attend or give generously to the cause.
Have a great week, I hope I have inspired you try something new. Enjoy.
Anna Jacyszyn is an award-winning jazz singer. Email artafactevent@gmail.com.