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The Story So Far

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION THE VALUE OF IDEAS
» Thursday 3 July 2008 | 4:30 pm
» The Bohemian Café, 524 Bernard Avenue
An informal afternoon hour showcasing the people and ideas featured in Okanagan Arts and Okanagan Home. Join us as we celebrate our first year of critical and creative insight and discussion on topics and issues of import to the community. Hosts: Robert MacDonald & Karin Wilson.
» This is a free event. Refreshments will be available at a modest cost.
» Seating is limited, please reserve yours HERE

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The Institute Celebrates a Year of Expression

We invite enquiring minds in the Okanagan to come together this week to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Okanagan Institute's Express program.

One year ago, the Okanagan Institute launched its popular Thursday afternoon Express series which feature members of the region's diverse cultural community talking about subjects as far ranging as growth and development, to artistic and creative expression, spirituality and the impact of the green movement on the building industry.

The Story So Far takes place 4:30 pm Thursday, July 3, at the Bohemian Café, 524 Bernard St. in Kelowna.

"We're hoping people will come out for an old-fashioned prairie-style social where they can mingle and remind each other of what we've heard, seen, learned and accomplished in the last year," said Institute founder and director Robert MacDonald. When the Express series started, there was no precedent for a café-style event with a regional flavour. MacDonald decided to pursue his vision regardless, wary it may not survive. But survive it has, now having hosted 47 events over the course of the last year.

More than 70 presenters from throughout the Okanagan region and beyond have taken time to share their expertise. We've played host to visual artists, jewellery designers, musicians, animators, architects and designers. We've heard from university professors and professional story tellers. We've examined architecture, home building, interior décor and green design. Some of the most distinguished writers in our province - Harold Rhenisch, Sterling Haynes, Don Gayton, Ralph Milton, Jack Whyte - have read from and discussed their works. We've generated and invigorated discussion on food security, the future of our water, and the future of development.

"What we've learned in the last year is that people in the Okanagan really want to talk about what is happening here without any political agenda. They want to hear new ideas, and they want to meet the people behind those ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. That's what we've done. And that's what we plan to keep doing in bigger and better ways." The Institute invites everyone who has ever attended or participated in the events to join the celebration, and the general public is welcome as well.

As part of the event, the Institute will be releasing a preview edition of our progress report - The Value of Ideas - outlining our progress to date, the programs and projects we're currently involved with or developing, and our plans for the coming year.

"We want people to know that we're here to stay and what we're thinking about for the future. Our weekly Express series will continue, and we plan to expand on that with more robust quarterly events designed to continue our goal of stimulating inquiring minds. We also intend to continue publishing literary chapbooks, have an exciting new community arts monograph at the printer right now, and are developing a number of other projects that further our mission," he said. "Our main objective is to reveal and enhance the expression of creativity and critical engagement in this valley. We're pleased with what we've accomplished so far, and wanted to celebrate that with a social occasion."

The Story So Far is a free event, and takes place at the Bohemian Café. This marks the 47th event the Okanagan Institute has held since the Express series got underway in July 2007. Since that time, the series has played host to many Okanagan luminaries, including former deputy secretary general of Amnesty International Derek Evans, artists Lee Claremont and Gary Pearson, BC Book Award nominee Don Gayton, CBC Literary prize winner poet Harold Rhenisch, animator and filmmaker Jim Cliffe, architect Jim Meiklejohn, and others from a variety of creative fields.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER ONLINE CLICK HERE


Okanagan Institute at the Bohemian Café A hearty feast of lectures, presentations, workshops and showcases celebrating our culture and community. Produced by the Okanagan Institute in association with Wheat King Publishing magazines: Okanagan Arts and Okanagan Home. Express is sponsored in part by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, Wood Lake Publishing, UBCO-FCCS, and in support of Project Literacy Kelowna.

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The Okanagan Institute is a group of creative professionals that have gathered around the goal of providing events, publications and services of interest to enquiring minds in the Okanagan. We partner with individuals, organizations, institutions and businesses to achieve optimal creative and social impact.
Our mission is to ignite cultural transformation, catalyze collaborative action, build networks and foster sustainable creative enterprises. We invite the participation by all members of the creative community.

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28 Jun 2008

Enowkin Programs for 2008/2009:

• College Readiness program affiliated and accredited with Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
• N'syilxcen Okanagan Language program  affiliated and accredited with Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
• Aboriginal Language Revitalization affiliated and accredited with University of Victoria
• Foundations in Indigenous Fine Arts program - affiliated  and accredited with University of Victoria
• National Aboriginal Professional Artist Training program Certificate Program accredited by En'owkin Centre

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27 Jun 2008

Ignite Imagination and Artistic Passion With Summer Camps at Kelowna Actors Studio

LIMITED SPACE STILL AVAILABLE IN ALL CAMPS including: ACTING … TV & FILM with a tour of a CHBC Studios … MUSICAL THEATRE … IMPROV … … and SO MUCH MORE!

July 2 to 11, 2008 – FULL DAY CHARLOTTE’S WEB – Acting for TV and Film Ages: 7-11 Charlotte’s Web is a classic story of loyalty, trust and sacrifice. With this delightful popular story students will learn the difference between stage and screen. Students will assume characters such as Fern, a young farm girl, her pig Wilbur, all of the barnyard animals, and the most unlikely of creatures -- a spider named Charlotte! Techniques for stage and screen acting will be explored, and a special visit to CHBC* will give students a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how the pros do it! *A SPECIAL FIELD TRIP TO CHBC STUDIOS IS INCLUDED July 14 – 18 -- HALF DAY ACT IT OUT : DRAMA AND PLAY   Ages  6-8 This unique class provides a wonderful chance for young ones to explore their imaginations with creative drama, movement, and games. By focusing on their natural sense of play, students will leap into storytelling. Imagination is at the heart of this class, which allows students to unleash their unique, theatrical creativity, while encouraging FUN! FUN!! FUN!!! July 14 – 25, 2008 – FULL DAY MUSICAL REVIEW: MOVIE MAGIC ON BROADWAY Ages 10-17 With songs and scenes from Rent, The Producers, Hairspray, Les Miserables,  Phantom, Chicago and many more! Some of the best movie musicals started on Broadway! … Or they were movies and were inventively adapted into a musical extravaganza for the stage! Join us for this magical look into movie musicals, and learn how the original movies were brought to life on the big stage. Using movies as a vehicle for exploration, we will focus on a mix of FUNdamentals and skills of the “triple threat”, including dance, vocal techniques, choral singing, ensemble work, character creation and stage presence.   July 28 to August 1 -- FULL DAY MOVIE MADNESS & BREAKING NEWS Ages 11-17 Last month: School ... This week: Hollywood! … Working as a "crew," students use their imagination to create a movie. They learn how to storyboard their ideas, create costumes and props and act for the camera, putting it all together as a finished movie! PLUS! … It's the 6:00 News live from Kelowna Actors Studio! Complete with news stories and on-camera interviews, students act as investigative reporters and news anchors to produce a TV News broadcast. With a little help from the professionals at CHBC*, students write their own copy, learn the language of ‘on camera’, and perform script analysis of actual television and commercial copy. * A SPECIAL FIELD TRIP TO CHBC STUDIOS IS INCLUDED August 5 to 15 - FULL DAY MUSICAL THEATRE: PETER PAN Ages 7-13  J. M. Barrie's story about a boy who never grew up inspires this musical theatre performance class. The three children of the Darling family receive a visit from Peter Pan, who takes them to Never Land. Characters include the Darling children, Wendy, John and Michael, Peter, his tiny fairy friend, Tinkerbell, the Lost Boys, Tiger Lily and her Native American nation, and the scheming Captain Hook, with his merry band of pirates. Students will discover how their voices and actions can bring these beloved and classic characters to life. August 18 – 22 - FULL DAY THEATRE VARIETY PACK Ages: 7 – 11 Come try it all with a full theatrical experience! Drama, Theatre, Film and TV are all explored as students participate in theatre games, improv, dramatic scripts, musical theatre and on-camera work. This is a great opportunity to sample all that the theatre menu has to offer and promises FUN for one and all! August 25 to 29 - FULL DAY IMPROV!  IMPROV!  IMPROV!  GO! Ages 10 – 17 Our students just love IMPROV. Using theatre games like those in the TV hit show, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, participants will flex their funny bones by developing characters, timing, and instincts useful to all forms of theatre. ‘You’re a clown on a tricycle who can’t speak English lost in the zoo!  GO!’… and you’re off to the races. Students will focus on improvisational technique and theatre games geared toward comedic character and situations. This class is an opportunity to learn how we make people laugh using improvisation, writing and timing. It offers a safe & supportive opportunity to take comedic risks while honing the elements of comedy such as the set up, the punch line, and body language.

For more information or to register, visit KelownaActorsStudio.com or call 250 862 2867.

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25 Jun 2008

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN MAKES A SPLASH IN KELOWNA

This summer there will be cheers and applause when it rains for four consecutive weeks in the Okanagan. The excitement will be coming from audiences enjoying Kelowna Actors Studio's splashy new production of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, which runs from July 10 to August 3. Kelowna Actors Studio’s production team will work their magic to create all the romance, glitz and glamour of Hollywood's golden age, including a nightly rainstorm live on stage.

"What is so fantastic about Singin' in the Rain is that it captures the lavishness of classic movie musicals and successfully combines it with the excitement that only live theatre can deliver," says Randy Leslie, the show's director and producer. "When you add to that the creativity of choreographer, Tracy Ross, and the incredible talent of our high energy cast, you can’t help but have a happy 'Hollywood' ending."

1920s Hollywood is the setting for SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, a zany, light-hearted romantic comedy about the early days of sound film, when many a movie studio found itself scrambling to salvage the career of its chipmunk-voiced silent picture star. The MGM classic has been faithfully and lovingly adapted by Broadway legends Betty Comden and Adolph Green from their original award-winning screenplay. The score is packed with brilliant dance numbers and superb tunes including Make 'em Laugh, Moses Supposes, Good Mornin', Broadway Rhythm and, of course, the title song.

Kelowna Actors Studio's presentation of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is directed and produced by Randy Leslie, and choreographed by Tracy Ross. The production is stage managed by Krysia Leskard, with musical direction by Neville Bowman and Gwen Plitt. The set is designed by Nate Flavel and Joy Green is the costume designer.

The cast will be led by Nate Flavel as Don Lockwood, Carmen Harris as Kathy Selden and Chad Abrahamson as Cosmo Brown in the roles made famous in the film by Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor, respectively. Also featured in the cast are Janice Sorestad as Lina Lamont, Jeff Samin as R. F. Simpson, James Long as Roscoe Dexter and an ensemble cast of singers and dancers, featuring some KAS favourites and newcomers alike, including the incredible dance talents of Jennifer Schaad and Jenelle Robert.

Kelowna Actors Studio is the only licensed dinner theatre in the Okanagan Valley. Their mandate is to provide quality entertainment, education and enrichment through the performing arts.

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN runs for four weeks from July 10 to August 3, 2008, Thursday to Sunday evenings with a Saturday matinee.

Dinner and dessert options are available, and tickets can be purchased in person at the on-site box office at 1379 Ellis Street (across from the Kelowna Public Library), by phone at 250 862 2867, or online at www.KelownaActorsStudio.com.
 

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24 Jun 2008

The Penticton Art Gallery in partnership with the Naramata Bench Winery Association is proud to present the Students Collect: University of British Columbia Alma Mater Society Student Art Collection featuring 32 works by artists from across Canada between 1948 and 1968.
Exhibition opening on Friday July 11th from 7 pm - 10 pm.

The original intent was to create a collection which exposed the students to the visual arts and in doing so provided a more aesthetic and pleasing educational environment.
What makes this collection unique is the fact that the works were chosen by the students for the students, and document the interests and concerns of the student body during a pivotal period of radical social and societal
change. Collectively these works trace the evolution of the UBC student body creating an invaluable social record. The original intent of making the art collection accessible to all has been overshadowed by the increasing value
of the individual works and the security concerns this presents. The result of this has required that the works are now kept in a secured storage area and are only exhibited briefly each year.

Over the years the student's interest in further developing the collection has ebbed and flowed and is best reflected in the number of works purchased and the eras they cover. The greatest period of activity occurred over the first 20 years of the collection with the least amount of activity happening during the 1970's and 80's. Presently the collection consists of sixty-seven pieces with the most recent purchases featuring the photo conceptual artwork of Roy Arden and Adam Harrison.

If you have ever been a student at UBC you have contributed directly to the purchase of these works though your student fees. During my selection of the works I was surprised at the breadth of the collection and the artists whose works are represented. While regional in its focus the collection does represent artists from across the county and traces the regional differences and nuances which make this country unique. The collection is a fair illustration of the development of Canada's art history over these two
important decades.
Some of the artists whose work is included in this exhibit are: Lawren Harris, E. J. Hughes, Molly Lamb Bobak, Jean-Paul Lemieux, Joe Plaskett, Jack Shadbolt, Gordon Smith, Takao Tanabe, Harold Town, A.Y. Jackson, Art McKay, Greg Curnoe, Roy Kiyooka, William Ronald, Iain Baxter, Yves Gaucher and Claude Breeze.

This is the first time this collection has been seen as a collection outside of the UBC Vancouver Campus and presents a rare and unique opportunity to see these works displayed collectively. Not only does this collection trace the development of abstraction in British Columbia and the formation of our own aesthetic fingerprint it draws works from across the country showing the parallel development of regional schools in Regina, Southern Ontario and Quebec. It's not surprising that regionalism exists but it is fascinating to see the contrasts and comparisons between regions and the exchange of ideas which occurred as artists moved across the country. These two decades were the beginnings of a major social revolution which transformed our nation forever and one of which we have yet to see the likes of since.

 Paul Crawford, Director/Curator
The Penticton Art Gallery
(Formerly the Art Gallery of the South Okanagan)
199 Marina Way, Penticton, B.C. V2A 1H3
Phone: (250) 493-2928
Fax: (250) 493-3992
Web: www.galleries.bc.ca/agso

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24 Jun 2008