Summerland’s not far to drive to see interesting documentary
Downtown Kelowna, to me, is an ever-changing pulse with iconic treasures of old and new.
The Sails at the tip of Bernard Avenue were created as a monument to represent a facet of our proud city — sculpted by Robert Dow Reid and erected in 1978. It continues to be one of our most prominent monuments.
One of the oldest, in the downtown core, is the Paramount theatre sign which was built in 1949. Once our hub to Hollywood movies and great escapism, it’s now repurposed to represent a Canadian institution — a Tim Hortons.
These old movie houses scattered in small towns have such individual charm and although most do not exist anymore in their original form, their stories live on — if we are interested.
Tomorrow, Thursday, at the Summerland Community Arts Centre, a documentary will tell the story of the old Interior movie houses.
Out of the Interior: Survival of the small-town cinema in British Columbia was made by husbandand-wife team Curtis and Silmara Emde.
Their full-length documentary, which played earlier this week in Kelowna and Vernon, explores classic movie theatres in B.C.’s southern interior, from Vernon’s Towne Cinema to Creston’s Tivioli; from Grand Forks’ GEM to Revelstoke’s Roxy.
The documentary delves into the history of public film exhibition in our province and celebrates the communal movie-going experience in the present, then offers a glimpse of the movie houses’ future in the digital age.
The film begins at 7 p.m. and the location is 9525 Wharton St.
It’s almost a one-hour drive from Kelowna but as the night gets crisp and the roads are still clear, it’s a lovely drive.
————— Also tomorrow night, New Vintage Theatre is hosting “First Thursday Happy Hour.” Host and creative director Bonnie Gratz will preview two of their upcoming fall plays: Hauntings and Liberation Days.
Meet the directors, cast members and have a little schmooze time with nibbles and liquid refreshments. This takes place at the New Vintage Theatre Studio inside the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Arrive at 6 p.m. be done by 7 p.m. stick around for the fabulous music in the Atrium. RSVP to info@newvintage.ca.
————— A quick reminder so you are kept in the loop about great little pockets of Okanagan talent is the Friday early evening Jazz at The Marmalade Cat Cafe, 2903 Pandosy St.
The Kelowna Arts Council produces this weekly event at this quaint little bistro, which is a sweet setting made even sweeter when the music plays from 5-7 p.m. Led by Marshall Rasmussen whose reputation attracts highcalibre talent each week to join the cast of jazz jammers. Bring a little or a lot of cash with you to tip the talent as they are worth it.
————— Today, the Kelowna Art Gallery Lunchbox Speaker will be Myron Campbell. This prairie boy who has lived in Kelowna since 2014 will talk about his journey, his creative process or perhaps whatever is on his mind at the time.
He is a board member for the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Arts, creator of the Draw By Night event that happens around eight times a year in various places around the city, and is a full-time professor at UBC Okanagan.
His work can be seen at the Kelowna Art Gallery satellite space at Kelowna International Airport, called The Ghosts of Robert Lake. This Lunchbox series event goes from noon to 1 p.m. at the art gallery, 1315 Water St.
————— Monday is Thanksgiving and I challenge anyone to find something to gives thanks for.
Yes, this is a weird year with floods and fires. We’ve had tragic losses as well as fantastic gains, and yet, we live on.
Although sometimes the line between blessing and burden is blurred, we should look into our journey as we continue to hone our life in a way that represents ourselves, our city and our country.
I am so proud to be from Kelowna and I am equally proud to say I am a Canadian. My family loves and supports me, whether I deserve it or not. Because they do so much for me, I want to be a good example for them.
How about if we all find something to heal within ourselves and to give thanks for.
Let’s be proud of our surroundings and the life we are free to live.
————— Also a reminder that next Tuesday is World Mental Health Day, and each community aims to raise awareness of issues that haunt our society, which we need to address and support fully.
My great friend Teresa May, who is on the pulse of this issue, has created a fun way to make our city aware by starting a onesie campaign with local businesses, universities, and schools, or even just us individuals who have a onesie and need an excuse to wear it out.
If you are interested and want to organize this with your co-workers and or classmates, then contact May at Hiilite Web Design and Marketing Agency or by email at mayhaveitall@ gmail.com.
She recommends all participants donate a minimum of $10 to wear your onesie to work and support a great cause.
Take loads of photos for social media and post them to spread the love with #Get YourO nesie On and let’s #GetLoud for mental health.
Direct donations can go to cmhakb.z2 systems.com Happy Thanksgiving. Anna Jacyszyn is an awardwinning jazz singer. Email her at artafactevent@gmail.com.