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 Arts Council of the Central Okanagan 140-1735 Dolphin Ave, Kelowna, BC V1Y 8A6 Kelowna BC Canada V1Y 8T8 Email: Click Here. Elke Lange, Executive Director Telephone: 250.861-4123 Produced in association with the Okanagan Institute
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LATEST ARTS NEWS
Below are the latest news items included on this website in all categories. If you are interested in a particular category, click on the menu items at the top.Celebration Singers Audition New Members
Do you love to sing? Are you committed to excellence in vocal performance and want to share that commitment with a talented group of like-minded women? If so, Kelownaís Celebration Singers wants to hear from you.
The all-women's choir will hold auditions for a limited number of positions on Thursday, September 3 at Christ Lutheran Church at 2091 Gordon Drive in Kelowna. The ability to read music is preferred, but not mandatory.
Artistic director Sue Skinner will lead the auditions, which get underway at 6:30 pm. For more information or to book a slot, contact 250-868-3984.
The ladies of Celebration Singers have been entertaining Okanagan audiences for 12 years and traditionally put on two major performances a year.
The all-women's choir will hold auditions for a limited number of positions on Thursday, September 3 at Christ Lutheran Church at 2091 Gordon Drive in Kelowna. The ability to read music is preferred, but not mandatory.
Artistic director Sue Skinner will lead the auditions, which get underway at 6:30 pm. For more information or to book a slot, contact 250-868-3984.
The ladies of Celebration Singers have been entertaining Okanagan audiences for 12 years and traditionally put on two major performances a year.
26 Aug 2009
PERCY SCHMEISER ON Genetically Engineered Food
PERCY SCHMEISER RETURNS TO B.C. - SEPTEMBER 15-20
Internationally-Renowned Saskatchewan Farmer Continues His Journey of Warning
Farmers and Eaters of the Risks of Genetically Engineered Food.
It's not often that farmers reach celebrity status and between September 15-20, communities throughout the interior of the province will be welcoming one of the most celebrated farmers in the world - Percy Schmeiser.
Between 1998-2008, Saskatchewan's Percy and Louise Schmeiser have waged a classic David versus Goliath struggle against one of the most influential multinational agricultural corporations - Monsanto.
Their ongoing battles have reached such international recognition, that in December 2007, the Schmeisers became the recipients of the Right Livelihood Award; often referred to as the "alternative Nobel". The award was presented in honour of the Schmeisers' "courage in defending biodiversity and farmers' rights, and challenging the environmental and moral perversity of current interpretations of patent laws".
Since the mid 1990s, the food supply of Canada has become increasingly dominated by genetically engineered (G.E.) foods. The process of transgenic engineering involves the placement of DNA from one species or kingdom into the cells of another. Such processes do not take place within nature or from conventional breeding and the technology expectedly continues to receive widespread global opposition. Canada remains among a small minority of countries who support such foods and has welcomed G.E. ingredients into our food supply. Canada even goes so far as to aggressively lobby other countries to do the same.
It is estimated that over three quarters of foods on grocery store shelves now contain G.E. ingredients. Most Canadians remain completely unaware of their presence. With the technology having not received any long-term human safety studies, Canadians have become the product of one of the largest human feeding experiments in history. The foods/ingredients that are most often genetically engineered are corn, soy, canola and cottonseed. These crops represent the foundation for most foods consumed today including soft drinks, breakfast cereals, oil-based foods, dairy, meat and eggs among others.
The genetic engineering of the food supply continues to expand. In 2008, G.E. sugar entered the food supply for the first time, and in early 2009, an industry-led campaign was launched to encourage the future introduction of G.E. wheat.
The Schmeiser's visit marks their second to B.C. in the past 14 months. In July 2008, Percy addressed audiences in Castlegar, Vancouver and Vancouver Island, where he urged communities there to protect the local food supply and support efforts to establish G.E. Free Zones (regions that could remain free of genetically engineered plants and trees). Since that visit the municipalities of Nelson, Rossland and Kaslo have all passed policies that oppose the cultivation of such experimental technologies. The groups hosting Percy on this tour will either be continuing their efforts to establish such zones and/or will be introducing the idea.
Farmers' Rights
Among the many environmental and health concerns of G.E. foods, farmers' rights are also of great concern. When a plant is genetically engineered, it can then be patented. Once private ownership of the lifeform is established, the company then owns the plant regardless of where it ends up. This is of significant concern because G.E. plants can freely cross with non-G.E. varieties over long distances. In the Schmeisers' case, Monsanto's RoundUp Ready canola ended up in their fields of non-G.E. canola even though the Schmeisers had never purchased the G.E. seed. The Schmeisers, who had been saving seed for decades, were left to harvest seeds that were now owned by a multinational corporation. It didn't take long before they found themselves in a courtroom with a powerful corporation demanding that they pay the company royalties for having used their patented technologies (seeds).
This shocking example of the corporate control of our food supply is the clear direction in which our food system is heading.
Following years of legal battles, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled 5-4 in favour of Monsanto in 2004. The decision sent shockwaves to farmers around the world.
The battle continued when another incident between Monsanto and the Schmeisers was sparked in 2005. This time, it was the Schmeisers challenging Monsanto, and this time, the Schmeisers were the victor. In March 2008, Monsanto paid the Schmeisers $660 in an out-of-court settlement. While the sum was small, the message was powerful, and the Schmeisers have since been touring the world sharing their story of this victory.
In July 2008, Percy Schmeiser helped launch the G.E. Free Kootenays campaign at a packed event in Castlegar. The campaign has been successfully working towards the establishment of a region that will remain free of genetically engineered plants and trees. As part of this latest return to B.C., Schmeiser will continue to lend his experience to farmers and eaters and further encourage the establishing of G.E. Free regions throughout the province.
Supporters: Society for a G.E. Free BC, Okanagan Greens Society, Okanagan College, FASNO, Shuswap Seed Savers, G.E. Free Kootenays, Kootenay Food Strategy Society, Deconstructing Dinner, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN), Grand Forks and Boundary Regional Agriculture Society, Creston Food Action Coalition
For more information on the tour, visit www.gefreebc.org
Dates / Venues:
Vernon
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Okanagan College - Lecture Theatre, 7000 College Way, Vernon, B.C.
7:00pm
Admission $5
Kelowna
Sunday, September 20, 2009
4th Annual Organic Okanagan Festival
@ Summerhill Pyramid Winery,
4870 Chute Lake Road, Kelowna, B.C.
1:00pm
Admission $5
Internationally-Renowned Saskatchewan Farmer Continues His Journey of Warning
Farmers and Eaters of the Risks of Genetically Engineered Food.
It's not often that farmers reach celebrity status and between September 15-20, communities throughout the interior of the province will be welcoming one of the most celebrated farmers in the world - Percy Schmeiser.
Between 1998-2008, Saskatchewan's Percy and Louise Schmeiser have waged a classic David versus Goliath struggle against one of the most influential multinational agricultural corporations - Monsanto.
Their ongoing battles have reached such international recognition, that in December 2007, the Schmeisers became the recipients of the Right Livelihood Award; often referred to as the "alternative Nobel". The award was presented in honour of the Schmeisers' "courage in defending biodiversity and farmers' rights, and challenging the environmental and moral perversity of current interpretations of patent laws".
Since the mid 1990s, the food supply of Canada has become increasingly dominated by genetically engineered (G.E.) foods. The process of transgenic engineering involves the placement of DNA from one species or kingdom into the cells of another. Such processes do not take place within nature or from conventional breeding and the technology expectedly continues to receive widespread global opposition. Canada remains among a small minority of countries who support such foods and has welcomed G.E. ingredients into our food supply. Canada even goes so far as to aggressively lobby other countries to do the same.
It is estimated that over three quarters of foods on grocery store shelves now contain G.E. ingredients. Most Canadians remain completely unaware of their presence. With the technology having not received any long-term human safety studies, Canadians have become the product of one of the largest human feeding experiments in history. The foods/ingredients that are most often genetically engineered are corn, soy, canola and cottonseed. These crops represent the foundation for most foods consumed today including soft drinks, breakfast cereals, oil-based foods, dairy, meat and eggs among others.
The genetic engineering of the food supply continues to expand. In 2008, G.E. sugar entered the food supply for the first time, and in early 2009, an industry-led campaign was launched to encourage the future introduction of G.E. wheat.
The Schmeiser's visit marks their second to B.C. in the past 14 months. In July 2008, Percy addressed audiences in Castlegar, Vancouver and Vancouver Island, where he urged communities there to protect the local food supply and support efforts to establish G.E. Free Zones (regions that could remain free of genetically engineered plants and trees). Since that visit the municipalities of Nelson, Rossland and Kaslo have all passed policies that oppose the cultivation of such experimental technologies. The groups hosting Percy on this tour will either be continuing their efforts to establish such zones and/or will be introducing the idea.
Farmers' Rights
Among the many environmental and health concerns of G.E. foods, farmers' rights are also of great concern. When a plant is genetically engineered, it can then be patented. Once private ownership of the lifeform is established, the company then owns the plant regardless of where it ends up. This is of significant concern because G.E. plants can freely cross with non-G.E. varieties over long distances. In the Schmeisers' case, Monsanto's RoundUp Ready canola ended up in their fields of non-G.E. canola even though the Schmeisers had never purchased the G.E. seed. The Schmeisers, who had been saving seed for decades, were left to harvest seeds that were now owned by a multinational corporation. It didn't take long before they found themselves in a courtroom with a powerful corporation demanding that they pay the company royalties for having used their patented technologies (seeds).
This shocking example of the corporate control of our food supply is the clear direction in which our food system is heading.
Following years of legal battles, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled 5-4 in favour of Monsanto in 2004. The decision sent shockwaves to farmers around the world.
The battle continued when another incident between Monsanto and the Schmeisers was sparked in 2005. This time, it was the Schmeisers challenging Monsanto, and this time, the Schmeisers were the victor. In March 2008, Monsanto paid the Schmeisers $660 in an out-of-court settlement. While the sum was small, the message was powerful, and the Schmeisers have since been touring the world sharing their story of this victory.
In July 2008, Percy Schmeiser helped launch the G.E. Free Kootenays campaign at a packed event in Castlegar. The campaign has been successfully working towards the establishment of a region that will remain free of genetically engineered plants and trees. As part of this latest return to B.C., Schmeiser will continue to lend his experience to farmers and eaters and further encourage the establishing of G.E. Free regions throughout the province.
Supporters: Society for a G.E. Free BC, Okanagan Greens Society, Okanagan College, FASNO, Shuswap Seed Savers, G.E. Free Kootenays, Kootenay Food Strategy Society, Deconstructing Dinner, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN), Grand Forks and Boundary Regional Agriculture Society, Creston Food Action Coalition
For more information on the tour, visit www.gefreebc.org
Dates / Venues:
Vernon
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Okanagan College - Lecture Theatre, 7000 College Way, Vernon, B.C.
7:00pm
Admission $5
Kelowna
Sunday, September 20, 2009
4th Annual Organic Okanagan Festival
@ Summerhill Pyramid Winery,
4870 Chute Lake Road, Kelowna, B.C.
1:00pm
Admission $5
25 Aug 2009
Kelowna Drum Workshops
AFRO-CUBAN DRUMMING I
Wed 7-8 pm, Sept.23rd-Dec.9th 2009
12 week course
Location: Kelowna Drum Studio
Conga drums provided, No experience required
Learn basic Afro-Cuban folkloric rhythms and popular Latin rhythms.
Cost: $140 or Drop-in $15/class
AFRO-CUBAN DRUMMING II
Wed 8-9 pm, Sept. 23rd-Dec.9th 2009
12 week course
Location: Kelowna Drum Studio
Conga drums provided
Competency with basic Afro-Cuban drum skills required (Son Clave, Rumba Clave, 6 Bell, Marcha etc.)
Course will include advanced Afro-Cuban folkloric rhythms and popular Latin rhythms.
Cost: $140 or Drop-in $15/class
MIDDLE EASTERN DRUM WORKSHOP I
Saturday, Oct 17, 2009
Time:TBA
Location: Okanagan Rhythm Festival, Rotary centre for the Arts
For drummers/dancers of all level who would like to gain some experience and knowledge of the Doumbek(drum) and Riq(tambourine).
Cost: $15
Private or Couple lessons also available in many styles and various drums.(Middle Eastern, Latin, African, Jazz, Rock)
All fees are non-refundable except for medical reasons.
For information on any course call Trevor at (250)763-3951 or see www.trevorsalloum.com
Wed 7-8 pm, Sept.23rd-Dec.9th 2009
12 week course
Location: Kelowna Drum Studio
Conga drums provided, No experience required
Learn basic Afro-Cuban folkloric rhythms and popular Latin rhythms.
Cost: $140 or Drop-in $15/class
AFRO-CUBAN DRUMMING II
Wed 8-9 pm, Sept. 23rd-Dec.9th 2009
12 week course
Location: Kelowna Drum Studio
Conga drums provided
Competency with basic Afro-Cuban drum skills required (Son Clave, Rumba Clave, 6 Bell, Marcha etc.)
Course will include advanced Afro-Cuban folkloric rhythms and popular Latin rhythms.
Cost: $140 or Drop-in $15/class
MIDDLE EASTERN DRUM WORKSHOP I
Saturday, Oct 17, 2009
Time:TBA
Location: Okanagan Rhythm Festival, Rotary centre for the Arts
For drummers/dancers of all level who would like to gain some experience and knowledge of the Doumbek(drum) and Riq(tambourine).
Cost: $15
Private or Couple lessons also available in many styles and various drums.(Middle Eastern, Latin, African, Jazz, Rock)
All fees are non-refundable except for medical reasons.
For information on any course call Trevor at (250)763-3951 or see www.trevorsalloum.com
22 Aug 2009
Call for Kelowna Artists - Learning Through the Arts: Artist Educator
Learning Through the Arts (LTTA) is an acclaimed education initiative that is transforming classrooms in over 2000 classrooms across Canada and around the world. In this unique program, local artists partner with teachers to deliver the core curriculum through the arts. LTTA lessons keep all students active, interested and involved in the learning process. Created in 1994 as a way to enhance the goals, methods and the culture of education, LTTA is now one of the world's most innovative education programs. For more information, please visit our website at www.ltta.ca
Artist Criteria (Artist Educator, Salary-Contract Basis):
Practicing community artist (including but not limited to: drama, music, visual arts, dance, puppetry, media arts/digital technology, creative writing, storytelling, aboriginal) in the community
Open to viewing their art as it relates to multiple areas of curriculum
A willingness to work collaboratively with teachers on both short and long term goals
Ability and willingness to participate in four days of training per year ñ mandatory training dates for Fall 2009 are September 22-25, 2009 (Must be available during the day)
Dedicated to youth and possessing a commitment to integrated education
Francophone/Bilingual applicants are especially encouraged to apply
Please email your resume and cover letter,
No later than September 8, 2009 to:
Lori Sherritt-Fleming
Regional Manager, BC
Learning Through the Arts
lori.sherritt@rcmusic.ca
1-800-414-4077
Cell: 778-319-6524
Due to the high volume of applications received we will only be contacting successful applicants for an interview.
Interviews: September 21st, 2009
Hollywood Road Educational Services Room 5
1040 Hollywood Road
Kelowna, BC
V1X 4N2
All selected artists will be required to attend the
Fall Artist Training sessions: September 22nd-September 25th, 2009
Artist Criteria (Artist Educator, Salary-Contract Basis):
Practicing community artist (including but not limited to: drama, music, visual arts, dance, puppetry, media arts/digital technology, creative writing, storytelling, aboriginal) in the community
Open to viewing their art as it relates to multiple areas of curriculum
A willingness to work collaboratively with teachers on both short and long term goals
Ability and willingness to participate in four days of training per year ñ mandatory training dates for Fall 2009 are September 22-25, 2009 (Must be available during the day)
Dedicated to youth and possessing a commitment to integrated education
Francophone/Bilingual applicants are especially encouraged to apply
Please email your resume and cover letter,
No later than September 8, 2009 to:
Lori Sherritt-Fleming
Regional Manager, BC
Learning Through the Arts
lori.sherritt@rcmusic.ca
1-800-414-4077
Cell: 778-319-6524
Due to the high volume of applications received we will only be contacting successful applicants for an interview.
Interviews: September 21st, 2009
Hollywood Road Educational Services Room 5
1040 Hollywood Road
Kelowna, BC
V1X 4N2
All selected artists will be required to attend the
Fall Artist Training sessions: September 22nd-September 25th, 2009
20 Aug 2009
Art … GO Party!
The Gallery is organizing our 2nd GO Party! fundraiser around our opening reception for Vessna Perunovich: Emblems of the Enigma exhibition on Friday August 21, 2009 from 7-10 pm.
The first GO Party! was such a success, the Gallery has decided to do it again! This will be another great summer evening outside on the Gallery patio and side lawn. The Hugh Parsons Trio will perform n the side lawn (weather permitting of course). They will provide a wide selection of jazz standards, bossa novas, ballads and easy listening music. To introduce their new Fall 2009 Wine Series, UBC Okanagan Continuing Studies will be sharing tips and offering samplings of local cheeses that are best paired with the local wines that will be served. There will also be door prizes, refreshments, a cash bar, and an art-making activity.
Artist Vessna Perunovich will be in attendance and will be available to chat about her imaginative and powerful installations of work in the gallery. Attendance at the party is open to members and the public, to give everyone an opportunity to participate in this fundraising initiative for the Gallery.
Tickets are $10 for members, $20 for non-members, and can be purchased at the gallery or by calling 250-762-2226. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser support innovative exhibitions and public programming at the Kelowna Art Gallery.
Mark your calendars for August 21 and join us for a hot summer evening party on the coolest, new outdoor patio in Kelowna!
The Kelowna Art Gallery, located at 1315 Water Street is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday until 9 pm, Sundays from 1 pm to 4 pm, Mondays from 12-4 (summer hours).
The first GO Party! was such a success, the Gallery has decided to do it again! This will be another great summer evening outside on the Gallery patio and side lawn. The Hugh Parsons Trio will perform n the side lawn (weather permitting of course). They will provide a wide selection of jazz standards, bossa novas, ballads and easy listening music. To introduce their new Fall 2009 Wine Series, UBC Okanagan Continuing Studies will be sharing tips and offering samplings of local cheeses that are best paired with the local wines that will be served. There will also be door prizes, refreshments, a cash bar, and an art-making activity.
Artist Vessna Perunovich will be in attendance and will be available to chat about her imaginative and powerful installations of work in the gallery. Attendance at the party is open to members and the public, to give everyone an opportunity to participate in this fundraising initiative for the Gallery.
Tickets are $10 for members, $20 for non-members, and can be purchased at the gallery or by calling 250-762-2226. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser support innovative exhibitions and public programming at the Kelowna Art Gallery.
Mark your calendars for August 21 and join us for a hot summer evening party on the coolest, new outdoor patio in Kelowna!
The Kelowna Art Gallery, located at 1315 Water Street is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday until 9 pm, Sundays from 1 pm to 4 pm, Mondays from 12-4 (summer hours).
15 Aug 2009
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