  Culture and Community
| |
 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
|
Home | News | Submit News | Contact
Performing | Literary | Visual | Culinary | Healing | Learning | Signposts | Arts Council
|
 |
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.Arts Council of the Central Okanagan Announces Winners of the 2009 Okanagan Arts Awards
The Arts Council of the Central Okanagan announced the winners of the 2009 Okanagan Awards with an awards presentation and showcase on February 14th.
A mosaic of artistic talent filled Creekside Theatre as the evening unfolded in an artistic display of choreographed dance, music, poetry, theatre, and media presentations.
An original work created by Kelowna artist Ede Axelson was presented to winners who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and who have made significant contributions to the community, and excellence in the arts. The winners of the 2009 Okanagan Arts Awards are:
· Music - Susan Aylard, Sorrento
· Dance - Ballet Kelowna, Kelowna
· Visual Arts - Jock Hildebrandt, Westbank
· Theatre - Theatre Kelowna, Kelowna
· Literary Arts - Sharon Thesen, Lake Country
· Media Arts - Rick Sagaydan, Kelowna
· Arts Educator Tina Siddiqui, Kelowna
· Supporter of the Arts Mary Jo Schnepf, Kelowna
· Lifetime Achievement Francine Gravel, Kelowna
“The calibre of nominees that were submitted for the Okanagan Arts Awards was quite remarkable. Each of the individuals demonstrated success in their related fields. and has made significant contribution to the arts in the Okanagan. We are pleased to recognize both the winners and nominees for their success and outstanding support of the arts in the Okanagan,” says Sharon McCoubrey, President of the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan.
The Okanagan Arts Awards is presented by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, and is dedicated to enriching the cultural life by supporting the development of individual artists, art groups, and organizations through sponsorship of cultural events, education and promoting all art disciplines in the Okanagan.
Photo taken by Glenna Turnbull
Top row: Susan Aylard (music), Jock Hildebrandt (visual arts), David
LaHay of Ballet Kelowna (dance)
Middle row: Sharon Thesen (literary), Rick Sagayadan (media arts),
Andrew Powell and Debby Helf, Theatre Kelowna (theatre),
Bottom row: Tina Siddiqui (arts educator), Mary Jo Schnepf (arts
supporter), and Francine Gravel (lifetime achievement)
A mosaic of artistic talent filled Creekside Theatre as the evening unfolded in an artistic display of choreographed dance, music, poetry, theatre, and media presentations.
An original work created by Kelowna artist Ede Axelson was presented to winners who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and who have made significant contributions to the community, and excellence in the arts. The winners of the 2009 Okanagan Arts Awards are:
· Music - Susan Aylard, Sorrento
· Dance - Ballet Kelowna, Kelowna
· Visual Arts - Jock Hildebrandt, Westbank
· Theatre - Theatre Kelowna, Kelowna
· Literary Arts - Sharon Thesen, Lake Country
· Media Arts - Rick Sagaydan, Kelowna
· Arts Educator Tina Siddiqui, Kelowna
· Supporter of the Arts Mary Jo Schnepf, Kelowna
· Lifetime Achievement Francine Gravel, Kelowna
“The calibre of nominees that were submitted for the Okanagan Arts Awards was quite remarkable. Each of the individuals demonstrated success in their related fields. and has made significant contribution to the arts in the Okanagan. We are pleased to recognize both the winners and nominees for their success and outstanding support of the arts in the Okanagan,” says Sharon McCoubrey, President of the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan.
The Okanagan Arts Awards is presented by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, and is dedicated to enriching the cultural life by supporting the development of individual artists, art groups, and organizations through sponsorship of cultural events, education and promoting all art disciplines in the Okanagan.
Photo taken by Glenna Turnbull
Top row: Susan Aylard (music), Jock Hildebrandt (visual arts), David
LaHay of Ballet Kelowna (dance)
Middle row: Sharon Thesen (literary), Rick Sagayadan (media arts),
Andrew Powell and Debby Helf, Theatre Kelowna (theatre),
Bottom row: Tina Siddiqui (arts educator), Mary Jo Schnepf (arts
supporter), and Francine Gravel (lifetime achievement)
19 Feb 2009
BC SHORT FILMS DOMINATE CLERMONT-FERRAND
Kelowna Animator Wins the Prix du Public (Audience Award)
Short films produced and directed in British Columbia were the only non-Quebec Canadian films to be selected for this year's prestigious Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival. The CFSFF, held in Clermont-Ferrand, France for the past 31 years, is the worldνs largest short film market and festival - boasting attendances over 137,000, hosting thousands of industry delegates, and representing international films from over 50 countries. Amongst the 4,783 submitted international films, only 74 were selected for the International Competition and 36 were chosen for the Lab Competition. Out of 367 Canadian films submitted, only 6 films from Canada were chosen to screen in the festival's esteemed competition. The only 3 Canadian films not from Quebec were all from BC.
Vancouver films, Awkward by Kellie Bentz and Engine 371 by Kevin Langdale were included in the International Competition while Kelowna filmmaker, Jeff Chiba Stearns screened his animated short, Yellow Sticky Notes as part of the Lab Competition. The Lab Competition celebrates films using innovative techniques that push the boundaries of filmmaking. Yellow Sticky Notes was the only Canadian winner at the festival, taking home the Prix du Public (Audience Award) in the Lab Competition. The film was also the only North American film to win an award at the internationally renowned 2009 Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival.
"This is the biggest win of my life!" said Jeff Chiba Stearns after receiving the audience juried award. "Iνve traveled to festivals around the world and the caliber of films at Clermont-Ferrand are the best I have ever seen. These are the greatest short films in the world and it was humbling to even screen next to them let alone win a major award category. It was a huge honor just to be accepted to Clermont-Ferrand!"
Yellow Sticky Notes was animated using over 2300 yellow sticky notes with nothing but a black pen. The film, that has been described as the world's most labor intensive blog entry, is an animation meditation of Jeff Chiba Stearns' filmmaking journey as his internal reflection on his role as an artist manifests into a discussion about major political and environmental crises. The film qualified for a Genie in the Best Animated Short category but was not nominated.
Even with BC shorts dominating internationally at the film festivals, there was no representation from Western Canada in the short filmmaking categories when the Genies were announced last week - it makes one wonder whoνs choosing the nominations at the national level.
For more information contact Jeff Chiba Stearns directly at 250-215-4733 or email stearnsjeff@hotmail.com
Short films produced and directed in British Columbia were the only non-Quebec Canadian films to be selected for this year's prestigious Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival. The CFSFF, held in Clermont-Ferrand, France for the past 31 years, is the worldνs largest short film market and festival - boasting attendances over 137,000, hosting thousands of industry delegates, and representing international films from over 50 countries. Amongst the 4,783 submitted international films, only 74 were selected for the International Competition and 36 were chosen for the Lab Competition. Out of 367 Canadian films submitted, only 6 films from Canada were chosen to screen in the festival's esteemed competition. The only 3 Canadian films not from Quebec were all from BC.
Vancouver films, Awkward by Kellie Bentz and Engine 371 by Kevin Langdale were included in the International Competition while Kelowna filmmaker, Jeff Chiba Stearns screened his animated short, Yellow Sticky Notes as part of the Lab Competition. The Lab Competition celebrates films using innovative techniques that push the boundaries of filmmaking. Yellow Sticky Notes was the only Canadian winner at the festival, taking home the Prix du Public (Audience Award) in the Lab Competition. The film was also the only North American film to win an award at the internationally renowned 2009 Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival.
"This is the biggest win of my life!" said Jeff Chiba Stearns after receiving the audience juried award. "Iνve traveled to festivals around the world and the caliber of films at Clermont-Ferrand are the best I have ever seen. These are the greatest short films in the world and it was humbling to even screen next to them let alone win a major award category. It was a huge honor just to be accepted to Clermont-Ferrand!"
Yellow Sticky Notes was animated using over 2300 yellow sticky notes with nothing but a black pen. The film, that has been described as the world's most labor intensive blog entry, is an animation meditation of Jeff Chiba Stearns' filmmaking journey as his internal reflection on his role as an artist manifests into a discussion about major political and environmental crises. The film qualified for a Genie in the Best Animated Short category but was not nominated.
Even with BC shorts dominating internationally at the film festivals, there was no representation from Western Canada in the short filmmaking categories when the Genies were announced last week - it makes one wonder whoνs choosing the nominations at the national level.
For more information contact Jeff Chiba Stearns directly at 250-215-4733 or email stearnsjeff@hotmail.com
18 Feb 2009
UBC Okanagan’s Minds and Movies adds expert insight to film appreciation
We all know how to watch movies. But have you ever considered why movies can be so effective?
The new Friday-evening Minds and Movies Series at UBC Okanagan is intended to build a deeper appreciation for the art of movie-making and the pleasures of movie viewing as participants journey through a selection of motion pictures from around the world.
Presented by the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, the adult, non-credit Minds and Movies Series from Mar. 6 to Apr. 3 offers movie buffs an opportunity to explore a diverse selection of foreign films English subtitles included alongside an expert in the cultural field.
Kicking off the series on Mar. 6 is Robert Belton, Dean of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies and associate professor of art history, who in three easy lessons will share his expertise on how to truly appreciate a film.
“When people say they understand a movie, they usually mean that they were able to grasp the plotline and stitch together the various scenes and edits into a coherent narrative an illusion of a more or less continuous story unfolding in real space and time,” says Belton.
“Most of us are content with that coherence, but others make a game out of spotting continuity flaws for example, soft drink labels that change from one brand (Coke) to another (Pepsi) in the shot and counter-shot of a conversation,” Belton says. “These flaws and other observations reveal that movies are not real but constructed.
“Understanding a movie in a larger sense, then, means coming to terms with its ‘constructedness’, which is a matter of both technical necessities, like editing, and the ways that social relations give context to the meanings of films.”
In the weeks following Belton’s appreciation class, film lovers will gather to watch the movie magic unfold before their eyes, enjoying films from Japan, France, Spain and Germany. Every class presented by UBC Okanagan faculty will include a brief introduction to the film accompanied by popcorn and an open question-and-answer period follows the evening’s flick.
“Learning more about technical necessities enhances enjoyment because we can now appreciate that this isn’t real it’s a wonderful piece of art,” says Belton.
Anyone interested in taking part in the Minds and Movies Series can download a registration form from www.ubc.ca/okanagan/continuingstudies. The course fee for the Mar. 6 Film Appreciation course is $35. The fee for each of the four films is $10 + GST. To reserve a seat, email ccs.ubco@ubc.ca or phone Tia-Maria at 250-807-8177.
The new Friday-evening Minds and Movies Series at UBC Okanagan is intended to build a deeper appreciation for the art of movie-making and the pleasures of movie viewing as participants journey through a selection of motion pictures from around the world.
Presented by the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, the adult, non-credit Minds and Movies Series from Mar. 6 to Apr. 3 offers movie buffs an opportunity to explore a diverse selection of foreign films English subtitles included alongside an expert in the cultural field.
Kicking off the series on Mar. 6 is Robert Belton, Dean of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies and associate professor of art history, who in three easy lessons will share his expertise on how to truly appreciate a film.
“When people say they understand a movie, they usually mean that they were able to grasp the plotline and stitch together the various scenes and edits into a coherent narrative an illusion of a more or less continuous story unfolding in real space and time,” says Belton.
“Most of us are content with that coherence, but others make a game out of spotting continuity flaws for example, soft drink labels that change from one brand (Coke) to another (Pepsi) in the shot and counter-shot of a conversation,” Belton says. “These flaws and other observations reveal that movies are not real but constructed.
“Understanding a movie in a larger sense, then, means coming to terms with its ‘constructedness’, which is a matter of both technical necessities, like editing, and the ways that social relations give context to the meanings of films.”
In the weeks following Belton’s appreciation class, film lovers will gather to watch the movie magic unfold before their eyes, enjoying films from Japan, France, Spain and Germany. Every class presented by UBC Okanagan faculty will include a brief introduction to the film accompanied by popcorn and an open question-and-answer period follows the evening’s flick.
“Learning more about technical necessities enhances enjoyment because we can now appreciate that this isn’t real it’s a wonderful piece of art,” says Belton.
Anyone interested in taking part in the Minds and Movies Series can download a registration form from www.ubc.ca/okanagan/continuingstudies. The course fee for the Mar. 6 Film Appreciation course is $35. The fee for each of the four films is $10 + GST. To reserve a seat, email ccs.ubco@ubc.ca or phone Tia-Maria at 250-807-8177.
14 Feb 2009
Petr Cancura's PeopleMusic
Petr Cancura's PeopleMusic
Tuesday Feb 24th, 8pm
St. Michael's Cathedral
608 Sutherland Avenue,
Kelowna, BC
$15 adults, $10 students (The tickets will be available at the door)
Acclaimed New York group PeopleMusic features Kelowna home grown
bassist Garth Stevenson
PeopleMusic came about to capture the fun, sadness and hope of
life through music. A celebration of Brazil, Africa, the Balkans,
played with the fearless adventure of new music. The program will
include original compositions - songs that draw on rhythms of
Brazil and Africa, melodies of the Balkans and Bluegrass and the
exploration of jazz.
Czech-born, Ottawa-raised, New York-based saxophonist Petr
Cancura, a New Brunswick native now living in New York, Greg
Ritchie on drums, Kelowna native also living in New York Garth
Stevenson plays bass, and guitarist/violinist Chris Bartos from
Montreal rounds out the group with his haunting melodies and
evocative feel. With the intent to express the emotions of life
through music, the group's positive energy shines with every note.
www.petrcancura.com
Tuesday Feb 24th, 8pm
St. Michael's Cathedral
608 Sutherland Avenue,
Kelowna, BC
$15 adults, $10 students (The tickets will be available at the door)
Acclaimed New York group PeopleMusic features Kelowna home grown
bassist Garth Stevenson
PeopleMusic came about to capture the fun, sadness and hope of
life through music. A celebration of Brazil, Africa, the Balkans,
played with the fearless adventure of new music. The program will
include original compositions - songs that draw on rhythms of
Brazil and Africa, melodies of the Balkans and Bluegrass and the
exploration of jazz.
Czech-born, Ottawa-raised, New York-based saxophonist Petr
Cancura, a New Brunswick native now living in New York, Greg
Ritchie on drums, Kelowna native also living in New York Garth
Stevenson plays bass, and guitarist/violinist Chris Bartos from
Montreal rounds out the group with his haunting melodies and
evocative feel. With the intent to express the emotions of life
through music, the group's positive energy shines with every note.
www.petrcancura.com
12 Feb 2009
EL MARIACHI Mariachi Band Tours Okanagan- March 17-21/09
Ken Smedley & The George Ryga Centre are pleased to present "An Evening In Ol' Mexico" with a "fiesta" of music from EL MARIACHI! Direct from their recent successful appearance at the prestigious International Festival of Mariachis, in Guadalajara, Mexico, EL MARIACHI is a festive musical ensemble that will literally transport audiences into the warmth and joy of Mexican culture.
EL MARIACHI is anchored by former Okanagan resident Terence "Diego" Smedley-Kohl(son of Ken Smedley and Dorian Kohl). Diego was born just south of Guadalajara, in the 500 year old fishing village of Ajijic(ah-hee-heek) , on the shores of Lake Chapala Mexico's largest inland lake. As a child, growing up in Mexico(for the first ten years of his life) Diego was greatly influenced by "Mariachi music". As an adult it is a true thrill for him to perform in a "mariachi band" EL MARIACHI, and to be a part of the first "Mariachi band to Tour" the Okanagan!
TICKETS are available immediately to EL MARIACHI on the following dates:
Tuesday, March 17 8 p.m. Zion United Church Hall, Armstrong
Tickets at The Final Touch Framing & Art Gallery Ph.250-546-1949
Wednesday, March 18 Lorenzo's Cafι, Ashton Creek
Dinner: 6 p.m. Show: 8 p.m. Reservations Ph. 250-838-6700
Thurs. March 19 Minstrel Cafι, Kelowna
Dinner: 6 p.m. Show: 8 p.m. Reservations Ph. 250-764-2301
Friday, March 20 8 p.m. Kal Lake Campus Theatre, Vernon
Tickets at The BookNook Ph. 250-558-0668
Saturday, March 21 8 p.m. Centre Stage Theatre, Summerland
Tickets at The Summerland Bookstore 250-494-9110 and The Dragon's Den, Penticton Ph. 250-492-3011
EL MARIACHI is anchored by former Okanagan resident Terence "Diego" Smedley-Kohl(son of Ken Smedley and Dorian Kohl). Diego was born just south of Guadalajara, in the 500 year old fishing village of Ajijic(ah-hee-heek) , on the shores of Lake Chapala Mexico's largest inland lake. As a child, growing up in Mexico(for the first ten years of his life) Diego was greatly influenced by "Mariachi music". As an adult it is a true thrill for him to perform in a "mariachi band" EL MARIACHI, and to be a part of the first "Mariachi band to Tour" the Okanagan!
TICKETS are available immediately to EL MARIACHI on the following dates:
Tuesday, March 17 8 p.m. Zion United Church Hall, Armstrong
Tickets at The Final Touch Framing & Art Gallery Ph.250-546-1949
Wednesday, March 18 Lorenzo's Cafι, Ashton Creek
Dinner: 6 p.m. Show: 8 p.m. Reservations Ph. 250-838-6700
Thurs. March 19 Minstrel Cafι, Kelowna
Dinner: 6 p.m. Show: 8 p.m. Reservations Ph. 250-764-2301
Friday, March 20 8 p.m. Kal Lake Campus Theatre, Vernon
Tickets at The BookNook Ph. 250-558-0668
Saturday, March 21 8 p.m. Centre Stage Theatre, Summerland
Tickets at The Summerland Bookstore 250-494-9110 and The Dragon's Den, Penticton Ph. 250-492-3011
11 Feb 2009
<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 Next >>
Submission Guidelines
¶ Click here to submit News Releases.
¶ Please include a website or webpage link if applicable
¶ All information is to be a maximum of 200 words
¶ If the information is not sent in the form of 200 words or less (i.e. sent as your press release, The Arts Council will not be responsible for editing to fit within the word limitation, and not all your information may not be be included)
¶ Please make sure that you clearly state: dates, times, price and venues
¶ Please specify under what categories you would like to have your information listed.
Although we cannot guarantee including your submissions on the website, we will do our utmost to try to accommodate all submissions that are received.
