Summer fun includes KAS play
As weeks rush on and we are dipping our proverbial toe into the month of June, I am excited about the summer ahead and have most of my summer days packed to the brim with events, work schedules, deadlines and Mamma Mia rehearsals, but one thing that I have not put in my diary are beach days when I take the morning or a few hours in the afternoon and just “be” amongst the holiday revellers.
So this morning after I send off this column, I will spend a few minutes looking at my calendar to block off times as “Beach,” “Tennis,” “Read a Book,” “Bike Ride” or this summer will pass me by again without actually having any Okanagan fun.
Tonight, I am looking forward to seeing the play Souvenir at Kelowna Actors Studio. This play about an eccentric Manhattan socialite, Florence Foster Jenkins, who has a passion for music that takes her “talent” to the stage at Carnegie Hall with sold-out performances.
It was made into a film a few years back which starred Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant. I will elaborate about this play in next week’s column as the play runs until June 16 at KAS (1379 Ellis St.) and tickets are through their box office at kelownatickets.com.
————— This weekend is the Summerland Action Festival at Summerland Memorial Park, 9999 Wharton St.†A 45 minute drive out of Kelowna and into a spectacular area for activity, scenery, wineries and trains.
From June 1-3, Summerland will be buzzing with participation and/or observational activities. Friday night has the 7 p.m. opening ceremonies, the slo-pitch tournaments begin, as well as mainstage concerts.
Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. until dusk, the activities don’t stop. Map out your itinerary through the on-line festival guide at summerlandactionfestival.ca. From Man of Steel triathlons to kids fishing derby with a whole lot of stuff in-between, this might be just the ticket for that Okanagan fun I was speaking of earlier.
————— If ballet is more your style, then plan your weekend around a visit to The Magic Toy Shop, which is the Mission Dance Centre and Company’s spring show.
From first steps to full-on pirouettes, you will get a chance to see the levels of experience through these showcases. A great familyfriendly show in the sanctuary of Evangel Church, 3261 Gordon Dr.
There are two chances to see this spring showcase — a matinee at 2 p.m. and evening performance of 7 p.m. on Saturday. It’s a payat-the-door policy with plenty of parking.
————— Also on Saturday is a concert with The Celebration Singers: We’ve Only Just Begun. Enjoy samplings from a range of Best Musical winners including Dear Evan Hansen, The Lion King, Les Miserables, Anything Goes, Hairspray and more. The concert is held at Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave. and begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $24.50 at the RCA box office, 250-717-5304.
————— Tickets for John Mellencamp go on sale Friday at Select Your Tickets. This Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famer will be on stage at Prospera Place on Nov. 10 — the same night as I will be on stage at Kelowna Forum with my 007 Bond Dress Up and Dance Party.
Hmmm, beer and rock ‘n’ roll or a martini and big band? Choose wisely! Tickets for 007 Bond will be available at $40 each through Kelowna Tickets.
————— My parents have lived in Kelowna since 1972 so you can imagine the changes I have seen since then. I love that we are respectful to the natural beauty of our city, yet allow growth and innovation to create an urban lifestyle in an agricultural environment.
For those who are concerned or even just curious about how planners are shaping our community, residents are invited to an interactive exhibition that will demonstrate how these long-term plans impact their lives today.
As Kelowna grows, where new homes will be built and how we will all get around will largely be shaped by the decisions we make today.
On Friday at Stuart Park, 1430 Water Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m , the community is invited to witness updated plans alongside transportation master plans, so we can experience which scenario for Kelowna 2040 reflects the tradeoffs chosen.
————— I have been spending a lot of time with my gardening shears and trowel taming bushes and all sorts in the hope that sunshine, hard labour and a little bit of luck will create a pleasing environment to relax when I take that time to enjoy rest.
Watering is essential to keep those thirsty plants alive but make sure that you are following rules — odd numbered address can only water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and even numbered houses Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. I didn’t realize Monday is a no-watering day.
Lucky for me I can bend rules a bit as I hand water and the city gives allowances for that. For more information about that, visit kelowna.ca/watersmart or call 250-470-0678.
Anna Jacyszyn is an award-winning jazz singer. Email her at artafactevent@ gmail.com