Join the convoy to Salmon Arm Roots and Blues fest this weekend
This weekend, there is quite a convoy heading to Salmon Arm for the annual Roots and Blues Festival.
Already in its 26th year, this festival has defined itself as one of the summer destination spots for fans and lovers of music ranging from blues to bluegrass, Celtic to Cuban and Americana to Afro-beat.
All ages gather to chill and free themselves from the world of everyday stress and enjoy a bohemian atmosphere.
Although the camping on site has now sold out, there are still weekend and day passes available. Evening-only tickets are only available at the gate after 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Children 12 and under are admitted free if accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Visit the website rootsandblues.ca/schedule-2018 for a full line up of events and musical acts that will be performing on eight stages over three days.
The website is very organized with accommodation suggestions, ride-share options and news and information pertaining to a successful and stress-free event. ————— In Kelowna, culture vultures should be primed and ready for the lavish production of Bizet’s Carmen when Opera Kelowna takes over the stage at the Kelowna Community Theatre, Thursday to Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Staged in an exaggerated modern setting with the flavour of the inner-city, this heartbreaking story full of passion and desperation follows the journey of a flirtatious gypsy temptress who captures the hearts of bullfighter, Escamillo and army officer, Don Jose.
Alternating in the title role is celebrated mezzo-soprano Barbara King and Suzanne Lommler, who makes her Opera Kelowna debut.
The cast also includes tenors Steeve Michaud and Ernesto Ramirez, soprano Lara Ciekiewicz and baritone Geoffrey Sirrett.
Opera Kelowna’s adult chorus will join the principal cast onstage, accompanied by the Opera Kelowna Orchestra, under the baton of Scottish conductor Bernard McDonald. Tickets from $78.62 are available at brownpapertickets.com or call 250575-1434. ————— On Friday, aspiring musical theatre actress and songbird Julia Chambers will take the stage at the Kelowna Forum to sing one last concert before she embarks on a fantastic journey to New York City to study at the prestigious NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
This concert is a fundraiser to help offset the huge amount of money it costs to attend for four years.
I elaborated on Julia in a profile piece I did for The Daily Courier called Okanagan Home Grown, which outlined her passion to perform and the relative ease in which she got into a school when only six per cent of auditions get accepted.
Tickets for the concert are $27 and can be purchased through KelownaTickets.com. ————— Also on Friday, at The Red Fox Club at Indigenous World Winery, 2218 Horizon Dr. in West Kelowna, it’s jazz night with Kinga Heming. Enjoy stunning views, amazing wine and inspired jazz with this melodic beauty who creates strong arrangements with a tone to her voice that eases the stress away from a long and tired week.
The door charge is $11 and the menu looks inviting and delicious. Call to make your reservation at 250-769-2824 —————— On Sunday, Milkcrate Records hosts Victoria Celtic band Knacker’s Yard. Tickets are $10 for this all-ages show. Milkcrate Records is at 527 Lawrence Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Music starts at 7 p.m. ————— This weekend, I am coming off the high of my Mamma Mia sugar rush and chilling out poolside at the Capri Lounge with guitarist Loni Moger.
From 7:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, I am back singing my favourite jazz inspired songs and reconnecting to a vibe I feel most comfortable and relaxed with.
No admission fee, but reservations could prove useful if you would like to dine near the music. Call 250-860-6060.
Anna Jacyszyn is an award winning jazz singer and recipient of the Civic Honour of the Arts award, the Okanagan Arts award in Music. Email her at artafactevent@gmail.com.