Music is All Around Us This Summer

2006-06 The hills and the valleys are alive with the sound of music this summer, and what a smorgasbord it is! Kelowna, Kamloops and Enderby, to name a few, are hosting musical evenings and weekends all summer long. Pack up the family and a picnic hamper and settle down for a wonderful summer evening of laughter, melody, sing a longs, and impromptu dancing! Fun for all ages. The variety on offer is certainly impressive and first class, so whatever your musical taste there will be something special to enjoy. Kimberly is hosting the 32nd Annual Accordion Competition while Chilliwack has their Gospel Blues Festival. In July alone the Kelowna Theatre is offering programs ranging from Mystical Music to the American Boys Chorus, and on to Polynesian music. You can't be more international or varied than that! We then have 'Almost Elvis' for the fans of rock and roll. The evenings with Elvis will be each Saturday for 10 weeks, with four different themes rotating through. For example, the Gospel theme will be highlighted on July 1, and Aug 12 and 26 .As a great treat for the family The Actors Studio is presenting the classic musical comedy, "Little Shop of Horrors' which is perfect if you have grandchildren visiting. No child can resist a man-eating flower that drinks blood and sings! If you prefer classical themes then Vernon is offering 'The Marriage of Figaro' in mid July, following their Vocal Arts Festival. A rare and special treat and a favorite of many, Gilbert and Sullivan's 'The Mikado' is coming to the Powerhouse Theatre in Vernon, so get your tickets early. I am a great admirer of the sheer nerve of Gilbert's lyrics. Who else could get a line like 'elliptical billiard balls' into a song and have it make sense? And haven't we all dreamt of having the chance to 'make the punishment fit the crime?" Another great rhyme that no one else would dare to try is 'a doctor of Divinity who's residing in this vicinity' but alas, they are not doing 'The Pirates' this summer. If you have visitors coming in from out of town, you might consider taking in the Sicamous Follies in Penticton. This great musical revue is staged on the S.S. Sicamous, which is a treat in itself. I've been reliably informed that at onetime there were 37 steamboat landings along the lakeshore for the various paddle wheelers. If you or your guests prefer horses to water then take in the Wild West Show at O'Keefe Ranch, in Vernon. Kids will also enjoy their farm animals, petting zoo, wonderful model train display, and home made biscuits. For those folks with RVs and campers there is the famous, or infamous, Merritt Mountain Music Festival. You'll have a great time but take earplugs and plenty of aspirin! A camera is a good idea, too, because no one is going to believe your stories if you don't have the pictures to prove them! If your travel plans take you north then you won't want to miss the action at Barkerville, where the gold rush history is brought to life by costumed actors who recreate the flavour of the times. Kids and adults alike can pan for gold, visit the old dentist office and shudder and the foot driven drill, and then go on to enjoy the twice daily live theatre performances in the saloon. Canada Day celebrations, of course, are everywhere and are being kicked off in a big way by the 30th Annual Highland Games in Penticton that feature piping, dancing, sports, various entertainments, and food! If you prefer a quieter, smaller town affair, then we recommend the parade in Nakusp as one you'll enjoy. The drive over is lovely, and the ferry ride very relaxing. If you do decide to head in that direction you can easily make a day of it by continuing on towards Revelstoke (after the parade) and enjoying another longer ferry ride, then returning home through Enderby and Armstrong. Stop off in Enderby for ice cream if you have time. Be warned that it will take you half an hour to eat your way through their famous two-scoop cone, but what is summer without ice cream? On your way from one musical event to another you'll be free to take in horse shows, art shows, car shows, logging shows, and antique fairs. If you have any energy left there is still the Dragon Boat races and the BC Summer Games. Whatever your summer plans may be, start them off with a wonderful Canada Day. No matter your age, paint your face red and white, put a paper flag behind your ear, wear a silly hat, and celebrate. There is no better place in the world to be on July 1st than right here!

 

< Prev		Next >