Palm Springs will be forgotten after a busy week in Kelowna
Yesterday morning, I left Palm Springs, Calif., to come back to the cold weather of Kelowna.
I wrote this column thousands of miles away from home. I guess there is only so much fresh citrus fruit one can pick, hikes through deserts between railroad tracks and mountain views one can take.
Those hikes worked up beads of perspiration, enough to jump into the pool that felt like it was the perfect temperature.
This wasn’t an everyday scenario. Nights were cold and there were a few rainy days.
I got to do some historical tours with lots of walking among streets of signature midcentury modern architecture, designed by the likes of Donald Wexler, John Lautner and William F Cody, who created these pool-wrapped L-shaped glass walled homes for desert living residents to include Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Tony Curtis, etc.
One can imagine the people who came and went and the shenanigans that pursued behind the brightly coloured front doors. I just wished everyone was still dressed in muted fresh colours, wearing stylized sunglasses and red lipstick, like I imagined they did in the days of technicolour. Lots of street markets and art galleries, plays and concerts kept my evenings busy but I’m looking forward to the week ahead back in the Okanagan.
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From today to Feb 3, it’s Dine Around the Okanagan. What this means is we can discover our new favourite restaurant by trying all sorts of places at a discount.
Approximately 50 restaurants throughout the Thompson Okanagan are featuring three-course offerings for $15, $25, $35 or $45 with suggested BC VQA wine pairings, BC Craft Beer pairings or spirits and cocktail pairings.
Guests can visit the participating restaurants and ask for their Dine Around Menu. Reservations are encouraged as more than 8,000 people are expected to take in this festival of fabulous feasts.
Visit dinearound.ca for a guide to participating places to dine. Places on the list that I’m interested in range from The Old Spaghetti Factory (haven’t been there since my 13th birthday party), Infusions at OK College, Bouchon Bistro and Salt and Brick to name a few.
There is also incentive to use your social media skills with the hashtag #dinearound2019 to be entered in a draw to win gift certificates as well as a $250 card simply by filling out a ballot entry form at the restaurant.
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If staying in and watching TV is more your thing, I suggest tuning in on CBC TV, Friday at 9 p.m. to watch an incredible film documentary, To The Worlds.
This film took almost three years to make about a team of figure skaters, whose ages range from 45 to 78, who qualify and compete at the World Figure Skating Championships in Germany.
One of the skaters in the fly-on-the wall documentary is a good friend of mine, 59year-old filmmaker Wendy Ord, who says: “Never make a movie about yourself, and never make one about yourself competing because it was pretty much impossible.”
This touching film gives me the inspiration to understand that age is an excuse to not try. These awesome ladies not only get on a pair of skates, but they move, dance, jump and sometimes fall.
To the Worlds makes you laugh and cry and cheer for the spirit of their souls. If you can’t watch it live, PVR it or find it online at cbc.ca/cbcdocspov/blog.
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Next to Normal is winning fans throughout social media with comments like “best show I’ve seen to date,” … “anyone suffering from mental illness or living with someone who does, this will resonate like a gong,” … “the entire cast is amazing,” … “watch out Broadway cast, Kelowna is side by side with you,” to pick out a few.
I applaud the Kelowna Actors Studio for taking a chance on a rock musical that centres on a mother who struggles with bipolar disorder and the effects of her family.
The show runs until Saturday at The Work Room: 2600 Enterprise Way. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are through Kelownatickets.com
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Calling all senior singers to join the Chorfest Choir for their first rehearsal Thursday at 1 p.m. This choir is forming under the conductorship of Leroy Wiens to take part in the Voices in the Valley Seniors Chorfest that will be held in Kelowna, April 10-12. Rehearsals are at First United Church, Richter and Bernard. Contact Helen Lennox 778-754-1682 for more information or visit bcchoralfed.com/seniorschorfest.
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The Old Time Fiddlers Band are gearing up for their dance party at the Rutland Activity Centre, 765 Dodd Rd. on Friday. Tickets are $7 and include a refreshment. Purchase tickets at the door and dance your cares away from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
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Also on Friday night is All you Can Eat Pizza and Live Music, with one of my favourite local artists and entertainers, Joshua Smith. Ex Nihilo is stoking up the fires of their pizza oven to serve it hot and fresh, all you can eat for $30 while enjoying this creative singer and musician perform. Call 250-766-5522 for a reservation. Ex Nihilo Vineyards is at 1525 Camp Rd. (Lake Country). Time: 6-9 p.m.
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The Living Things Festival is thriving once again this week and with it some interesting events at venues around the theatre and arts district here.
Visit livingthingsfestival.com and click on the headings Performances, Events & Installations, Workshops or Calendar to unearth the many amazing events one can experience.
A few that I find interesting are: tonight at the Black Box, comedian and storyteller Stephanie Morin-Roberts recounts her life as a feisty seven-year-old who wields her glass-eye as a superpower. Tickets are $15$25 through the website or at the door.
Or perhaps Macbeth Muet, which deconstructs Shakespeare using the body, objects as imagery and a ton of fake blood. Entire scenes are reduced to a single look, as Shakespeare is rendered mute. This is on Saturday and Sunday at the Mary Irwin Theatre beginning at 8 p.m.
Always lots to do, see, read and fill your cup.