Kelowna’s summer entertainment is in full swing with events for all ages
Summer is in full swing and this beautiful valley, along with the rest of our province and country, is gearing up to celebrate Canada’s birthday on Sunday.
But before that happens, there is a chockful of fun to be had.
Tonight, get your skates on and have some free-wheelin’ fun with Retro Roller Night at Stuart Park from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Then every Wednesday until the end of August join Dancing in the Park, which begins next week.
Tonight, there will be a special DJ event to kick off this groovy Wednesday must. Encourage yourself to walk or bike to the event, and bring your own reusable water bottle.
Please note, that there are no opportunities to rent equipment. You must bring your own skates or blades, or you’ll have to just watch and wish you had read these instructions properly.
————— This week the cast and crew of Mamma Mia have a few days off from our daily evening rehearsal schedule, which gives me time to digest all the choreography we have to learn for this high-energy Kelowna Actors Studio show. Let me tell you, this musical extravaganza featuring ABBA’s greatest hits will be worth every penny of your ticket price.
If you haven’t purchased one yet, call the box office 250-862-2867 or log on to kelownatickets.com and get in on the fun.
————— Tomorrow, I am planning an old fashioned date night with my husband with dinner and a movie. I love a kick-butt-heist-film, so we are going to see Ocean’s 8 to watch an allfemale crew of smart beauties attempt an impossible jewelry robbery at New York City’s yearly Met Gala.
The film stars Sandra Bullock as Debbie Ocean, which is a spinoff from the Oceans 11 franchise with George Clooney.
We are going to see this film at the Famous Players Cinema at Orchard Plaza, but you can also see it at the Galaxy Cinema in Vernon, or the Landmark in Penticton.
————— Friday early evening, why not enjoy a drive up to East Kelowna to sip and savour some tasty liquid treats while hanging out and listening to live music.
From 4 to 7 p.m. at The Vibrant Vine on Pooley Road, The 3 oH! Trio, will be on stage.
This is my trio with Sean Bray and Loni Moger on an acoustic and electric guitar and me on vocals. I love this band. We have a great vibe with the two different guitars and a female voice which gives each song a level of musicality that took me a while to realize how special it sounds.
I love that we perform songs in genres of country, popular, and jazz.
The 3 oh! Trio, will also be on the TD stage Canada Day at Tugboat Bay at 2 p.m.
The Vibrant Vine has a weekend full of live music.
On Saturday, it’s Black Cat Soul from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
On Sunday, it’s the amazing acoustic blues stylings of Rick Halishef (Poppa Dawg) from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., and Monday, Alyssa McQuaid performs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
————— Rann Berry’s Time Machine is throwing a Back to the ’80s dance party at Kelowna Forum, 1317 Ethel St., on Friday. All your favourite songs from the ’80s will be performed by a six-piece live band that faithfully recreates the hits of artists such as U2, The Police, Simple Minds, Tears For Fears, The Cars, Duran Duran, Wang Chung, AC/DC, The Cult, David Bowie, Prince and Michael Jackson, to name a few.
Tickets are $30 through eventbrite.ca. Dress to impress, tease your hair, find your white stilettos and let loose. Doors open at 8 p.m. The dance party is full on from 9 to 11 p.m.
————— Saturday night in Penticton, join me while paying tribute to Gord Downie on the Beach.
This concert, back by popular demand, features some of the Okanagan’s best performers singing songs by The Tragically Hip.
I am part of this musical crew of crazy rockers backed by the incredible Hip Replacements. Special guests include Niki Martinus, Gary Turlock, Vicky Nish, Kevin Foley — each of whom will perform two songs. Tell everyone to get their tickets online at https://goo.gl/oJU5oR or find the event on Facebook to get a fast link to online ticket purchase. Advance $33. Gate $40.
————— Sunday is Canada’s birthday and in Kelowna, you can celebrate it at Waterfront Park, Jim Stuart Park, Kerry Park and Prospera Place. The list of activities and performances is endless and sure to entertain festival-goers all day long.
I am planning my itinerary through the festivalskelowna.com and making sure that at 7:30 p.m. I am in Prospera Place to hear Kelowna City Concert Band perform. This 70-piece band of musicians always inspires and delights. Conductor Dennis Colpitts always has a great set list of songs to hum along to and enjoy.
Anna Jacyszyn is an award-winning jazz singer. Email her at artafactevent@gmail.com.