A rule I've always believed in: “Make your own work, stop waiting on the phone, it will find you.”
Local musician Sean Bray is doing just that by hosting Art & Jazz Nights at Sandhill Urban Winery in Kelowna. Bray has set aside the Chill Room (also known as the Old Gretzky Bar) for monthly concerts, featuring a variety of local jazz artists and continuing to perform while surrounded by local art. Tonight is the first of our monthly series, featuring the Sean Bray Trio, including saxophonist Chris Startup and double bassist Stefan Bienz. This month's exhibit of their paintings features artists Linda Norman and Debbie Markel. We hope you will join us and support this first event. Tickets are $20 at the door. The concert begins tonight at 7 p.m.
Tonight also marks the opening night of New Vintage Theatre's latest effort, The Girl on the Train. The stage adaptation of Paula Hawkins' best-selling novel, which has sold billions of copies and spawned a hit movie starring Emily Blunt, is now a stage play and will make its BC premiere at the Rotary Arts Center from April 25th to 27th. It will be performed again in May. 2 and 3. This is the story of a woman who finds solace in imagining the lives of the couples she sees every day from her commuter train window. When the woman she was monitoring disappears, she takes on the role of an amateur detective, only to find herself a suspect. The play stars local actors Sarah Foss, Hanna Krostevich, Matt Chez, Josh Richardson, Erika Nemeth, Matt Gunn, Karliana DeWolf and Alvin Tam. Tickets can be purchased at rotarycentreforthearts.com.
In Penticton, Many Huts Theater Company presents Jonas and Barry in the Home, a witty play written by Canada's preeminent comedy writer Norman Foster. Meet Barry, who is too young to live in a nursing home but does so to be near his daughter, who works there, and Jonas, a one-hit wonder pop star from 40 years ago. Both men argue and bond over women, sports, and family values. Directed by Jane Pikey, starring Liz Barry, Rob King, and Vance Potter. The show runs Friday through Sunday at the Cannery Trade Center Stage only through May 5th. Tickets are $28-$30 at app.ticketowl.io/@manyhatstheatre.
The Muzaic Vocal Ensemble, under the direction of Zach Goerlitz, will hold its spring concert in the Okanagan this weekend. The concert will be held under the banner 'Memories Through Melodies' and will introduce listeners to Vivaldi Gloria, Fauré Requiem, Ave Verum Corpus, Henry Balfour Gardiner, Evening Hymn, Ode for Athens and many more. We invite you on a musical journey. A moving rendition of a favorite Scottish song, “Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond.'' The voices are accompanied by piano, organ, and a small string ensemble. It will be held on Saturday, April 27th at Concordia Lutheran Church in Penticton and again on Sunday, April 28th at St. John's Lutheran Church in Summerland. Both concerts will take place at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students. Purchase with cash at the door on the day or visit the website www.musaicvocalensemble.ca for advance tickets and more information about the ensemble.
Kelowna will also host the Okanagan Festival Singers and their spring concert “Rose I Send to You” on Saturday night. Held at St. Michael's All Angels in Kelowna at 7 p.m., it will then be held at Lake Country's Creekside Theater on Sunday, April 28, at 2 p.m., under the direction of musical director Tami Harker. She will be accompanied by accompanist Ursula Pidgeon and the Vita Nova String Ensemble. This is a very eclectic musical program that includes folk songs, spirituals and Canadian songs from the British Isles, and highlights the beautiful works of JS Bach and Antonio Vivaldi. Tickets are $25 at ofsingers.ca.
Elvis is performing “Burnin' Love” this weekend from April 26th to 28th at the Kelowna Actors Studio building. A night of nostalgia as Darren Lee dresses up as Elvis Presley and relives the legendary Hawaiian concert performance of “The King.” Accompanying Lee is The Memphis Flash, who perfectly recreates the sound of the original recording. The night also promises on-point vocals and stunning costumes. Tickets start at $66.55 and can be purchased at kelownaactorsstudio.com.