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Aboriginality

A CELEBRATION OF NATIVE HEALING ARTS
» Thursday 23 October 2008 | 5 pm
» The Bohemian Café, 524 Bernard Avenue
An informal afternoon hour showcasing people and ideas featured in Okanagan ARTS. Join us as Rebecca Cameron, Carol Derrickson, Patricia Morven, Roxanne Lindley and Gayle Liman share personal experiences of aboriginal healing traditions throughout the Americas.

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» This is a free event. Refreshments will be available at a modest cost.
» Seating is limited, please reserve yours HERE

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Native Healing Arts the Focus of Special Event

Health care may not have been top on the political agenda this federal campaign, but for thousands of people in the Okanagan it is the most important issue they face on a daily basis. Whether we are coping with a diagnosis of cancer or heart disease, or dealing with mental illness or elder care, our physical wellbeing has a direct impact on our day-to-day experience.

While traditional Western medicine has focused on fixing our health, aboriginal tradition has focused on healing, which often takes a more holistic view of the person by examining not only the physical body, but the mental and spiritual body as well.

The Okanagan Institute Express series has invited a powerful group of experts in the field of aboriginal healing to share their personal experiences of healing - and how it has affected their lives and others. The event touches on not only Okanagan practices, but aboriginal healing traditions throughout the Americas. Aboriginality: A Celebration of Native Healing Arts takes place October 23, at 5 pm at the Bohemian Café.

Rebecca Cameron is a teacher and new mother. She'll discuss her personal experience with aboriginal healer Tis Mal Crow, an internationally known herbalist and Native American Root Doctor of Cherokee and Hitchiti decent, and author of the book Native Plants, Native Healing.

Carol Derrickson is a member of the Westbank First Nation, who has worked as an administrator in social development for the last 15 years, with a particular focus on Pine Acres, the band-owned 63-bed elder's residence which offers intermediate care. A mother and grandmother, Derrickson speaks to the importance of caring for the whole person as we age.

Patricia Morven, of Nisga'a and Thompson decent, teaches life skills for the ROADS Program through Westbank First Nation. An expert in designing programs that use art as a form of healing, Morven will talk about how the arts has helped people overcome addiction.

Roxanne Lindley is a carrier of cultural and traditional medicines. A member of the Westbank First Nations, she will talk about the aboriginal world view with regard to plants and medicine.

Gayle Liman is the research curator for the Westbank First Nation. She will discuss a holistic approach to healing involving mind, body and spirit and her personal healing journey that took her from Mexico to Guatemala and beyond, where she learned about plants and medicines from numerous Aboriginal healers.

Aboriginality is an ongoing series underway as part of the Okanagan Institute's Express Series, which aims to bring diverse groups of people together in the interest of improving our understanding of culture and the arts, and celebrate the breadth of talent expressed in the Okanagan.

Aboriginality: A Celebration of Native Healing Arts is a free event, and takes place at the Bohemian Café. This marks the 63rd 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, distinguished editor and author Jim Taylor, poet and professor John Lent, animator and filmmaker Jim Cliffe, architect Jim Meiklejohn, broadcaster Mari0n Barschel and others from a wide range of creative fields.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER ONLINE CLICK HERE

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Where Enquiring Minds Gather. 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.

The Okanagan Institute is a group of creative professionals that has 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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17 Oct 2008

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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.

0 Comments

28 Jun 2008

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Voices Uplifted

A CELEBRATION OF SPIRITUAL MUSIC
» Thursday 8 May 2008 | 4:30 pm
» Hanna's Lounge, 1392 Water Street
An informal afternoon hour showcasing the people and ideas featured in Okanagan Arts. Join us as singer/songwriter Jane Eamon and singer Barbara Samuel discuss the spiritual sources of their highly-regarded musical stylings.
» This is a free event. Refreshments will be available at a modest cost.
» Seating is limited, please reserve yours HERE
Sponsored by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, Wood Lake Books, UBCO-FCCS, and in support of Project Literacy Kelowna

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Singers Talk About Music That Transforms

There's a hidden truth that just about any teen can tell you - music changes you. Typically it doesn't take more than a single note or two to jolt a teen out of complacency or into despair. While that experience may dull as we age, most people realize music moves us from the outside in. "Any songwriting is a gift. It's the muse - it's something else that directs your sound," says singer-songwriter Jane Eamon, who will be speaking along with Barbara Samuel Thursday May 8th at 4:30 p.m. at Hanna's Lounge on Water Street in the Okanagan Institute's presentation Voices Uplifted: A Celebration of Spiritual Music.

Jane Eamon, recipient of the 2008 Okanagan Music Award for folk artist, has established herself as a musician with a soul that sometimes sears through the heart aches that crop up in our materialistic world. She takes on social issues and challenges us to look at them more deeply. Along the way she's been known to infuse her music with a spiritual sentiment (her first album was entitled The Blue Madonna), and that's both smoothed and ruffled some fans' feathers.

"When you craft spiritual songs, they are not strictly faith-based songs," says Eamon, who was also nominated in the gospel category. "It could be a song about mourning the death of a father. Think of We Shall Overcome � that's a spiritual song. You don't have to say Lord or God for the music to have a spiritual component."

Music arrived on Barbara Samuel's doorstep like a bolt from the blue. She was struggling with a health problem that culminated when one day her voice all but vanished. At that time she made a pledge to God to devote her voice to Spirit, and she's been singing ever since � performing with her band Sista B and the Boys, and working as music director for the Kelowna Centre for Positive Living.

"I can't imagine life without song. I hear music in everything. I hear it when I walk, when a door closes, I hear it when I'm talking. I think the connection people feel with music is at a level that is beyond our reality - it's primal. The spiritual experience is innate in us."

In every culture, it is music perhaps more than any other art form that assists us in transcending our human experience.

Ravi Shankar, who introduced the Indian sitar to the Western world in the 1960s, recently said in an interview with Life Positive that people come to a spiritual recognition of themselves through music when it resonates with peace, regardless of what form of music takes them there.

"If you listen with absolute concentration to a church organ or Bach or a truly good musician performing any raga, you shall have a fantastic sense of peace. I consider that the final therapy."

Voices Uplifted: A Celebration of Spiritual Music is a free event, and takes place at Hanna's Lounge. This marks the 45th event the Okanagan Institute has held since the series got underway last July. Since that time, the series has played host to various local luminaries, including BC Book Award nominee Don Gayton, former deputy secretary general of Amnesty International Derek Evans, CBC Literary prize winner poet Harold Rhenisch, animator Jim Cliffe, and others from a variety of creative fields including artists, architects, storytellers, and interior designers.
Express is sponsored by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, Wood Lake Books, UBCO Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, and supports the work of Project Literacy Kelowna.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER ONLINE CLICK HERE

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Okanagan Insitute at Hanna's Lounge 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.
Expresss is a cultural tonic that refreshes the mind. Join us at Hanna's Lounge after work on Thursdays for a free hour of stimulation that will get your synapses tingling with new ideas and fresh images. Designed for inquiring minds looking for, among other things, the wild blue yonder.

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03 May 2008

The Healing Power of Creativity » Thursday 10 April 2008 | 4:30 pm » Hanna's Lounge, 1392 Water Street An informal afternoon hour showcasing the people and ideas featured in Okanagan Arts. Join us as artist and writer Karen Close explores the breakthrough ideas and influence of Dr. Gene D. Cohen and Eckhart Tolle. » This is a free event. Refreshments will be available at a modest cost. » Seating is limited, please reserve yours HERE Sponsored by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, Wood Lake Books, UBCO-FCCS, and in support of Project Literacy Kelowna Artist and Writer Explores the Nature of Creativity Creativity is the language of the heart. It is the gift within each of us for the processing and releasing of emotion, and the sharing of our uniqueness with each other. This Thursday April 10, at 4:30 p.m. at Hanna's Lounge, the Okanagan Institute continues its Express cultural series with The Healing Power of Creativity - featuring Karen Close, a retired teacher who has developed an innovative program designed to help people of all ages engage in art and from there find their artistic voice. Karen Close is an artist and writer, a former schoolteacher and the author of Unfinished Women: Seeds from My Friendship with Reva Brooks. Since moving to Kelowna, she has been involved in many arts pursuits. She offers a program that explores the nature of creativity at the Rotary Centre."The program is designed to encourage participants to see with fresh eyes and to feel the joy of expressing with 'heArt'," says Close. "Teaching people to have faith in the creative urgings of their hearts is the most important lesson I try to impart." Her approach is from the perspective that�creativity has been proven to improve health. Her worshops are developed from�Dr Gene D. Cohen's work on creativity and the process of aging, and demonstrate that this type of work has been clincally proven to improve all bodily systems. Close states, "Creative invention protects and empowers. When we create we build an imaginary world in which we solve the problems that seem unsolvable in our reality. Nurture your creativity." She encourages participants to make themselves "heArt fit", and also draws inspiration from the writings of Eckhart Tolle. Dr. Gene D. Cohen is an internationally recognized scholar in the field of aging, widely known for his books on aging which include The Creative Age: Awakening Human Potential in the Second Half of Life and The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain. Much of his work has focused on the powerful positive effects of community based art programs, and how becoming involved in dance and painting classes, art exhibits and performance-based events are a lot more than just having fun. They also help maintain a healthy and independent lifestyle. Cohen states, "Cutting edge neuroscience and groundbreaking psychology advise that Creative Fitness directly affects the health of all bodily systems." Eckhart Tolle is the author of the bestseller The Power of Now and A New Earth, which are widely regarded as two of the most influential books of our time. Eckhart's profound yet simple teachings have helped countless people discover greater fulfillment in their lives, through the transformation of consciousness, a spiritual awakening that he sees as the next step in human evolution. Since 1995 he has lived in Vancouver. Tolle states, "The surrendered state of consciousness opens up the vertical dimension in your life, the dimension of depth. �Something will then come forth from that dimension into this world, something of infinite value that otherwise would have remained unmanifested." By exploring the ideas and influence of these two important thinkers, Karen Close reveals much about the nature of creativity and how it impacts our lives. The Healing Power of Creativity is a free event, and takes place at Hanna's Lounge. It's presented by the Okanagan Institute in association with Wheat King Publishing. Express is sponsored by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, Wood Lake Books, UBCO Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, and supports the work of Project Literacy Kelowna. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER ONLINE CLICK HERE Okanagan Insitute at Hanna's Lounge 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. Expresss is a cultural tonic that refreshes the mind. Join us at Hanna's Lounge after work on Thursdays for a free hour of stimulation that will get your synapses tingling with new ideas and fresh images. Designed for inquiring minds looking for, among other things, the wild blue yonder.

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07 Apr 2008

Remember! The application deadline is March 1, 2008
Only 13 days left

Donít be the one that is left out!

Open Studios is a valuable marketing tool and an important part of the Okanagan Arts magazine and website. Participation in the Opens Studios will reach over 60,000 people per annum in the Okanagan.

Please note: Even if you have been involved in other Open Studios, you will still need to apply on line so that we can up-date your information.

For details on the new Opens Studios and the application details, go to the Open Studios section of the Okanagan Arts website:http://www.okanaganarts.com/openstudios.php

Remember! The deadline is March 1, 2008

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19 Feb 2008

Okanagan Arts Awards

Hosted by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan

February 15th, 2008

UBCO Sunroom and Theatre in Kelowna, BC

6:00 pm Meet the Nominees

7:00 pm Awards Ceremony

9:15 pm Reception

 

Tickets available at Ticketmaster

Website: http://www.ticketmaster.ca

$25, $15 for students with student card

For more information, http://www.okanaganartsawards.com/ href="http://www.okanaganartsawards.com/" target=_blank>www.okanaganartsawards.com

or call 861-4123 or mailto:info@artsco.ca href="mailto:info@artsco.ca" target=_blank>info@artsco.ca

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21 Jan 2008

MIDDLE EASTERN DRUMMING
Thursday 7-8pm, January 10th-March 13th, 2008
10 weeks course
Location: Kelowna Drum Studio
No experience required, Some drums available
Course will include rhythms and technique on the doumbek (drum) and riq (tambourine)
Cost:$125 or Drop-in $15/class

For information on any course call Trevor at (250)763-3951 or see
www.trevorsalloum.com

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07 Jan 2008

Thursday 3 January 2008 | 4:30 pm
Mosaic Books, 411 Bernard Avenue

An informal afternoon hour showcasing the people and ideas featured in Okanagan Q. Join us as smart local luminaries prognosticate a new year: architect Jim Meiklejohn, cultural manager Lorna Gunn, spiritual advisor Marilyn Perry.

» This is a free event. Refreshments will be available at a modest cost.
» Seating is limited, please reserve yours at http://www.okanaganinstitute.com

Sponsored by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, Wood Lake Books, UBCO-FCCS, and in support of Project Literacy Kelowna.



THE FUTURE IS WHAT WE MAKE OF IT, EXPERTS SAY

The New Year is all about setting intentions, and if we follow through on our intentions we can pretty much predict how the next year will unfold - whether that means in our personal lives or in our community as a whole. The trick, of course lies in actually following through.

One way to look at our intentions is to examine what we've done in the past. How did we get to where we are, what do we think about the results, and finally, where do we want to go from here? What trends are we seeing in our lives, and what is unfolding before us?

The Okanagan's exponential growth has a lot of people thinking about where we are going and what we plan to do with it all - whether that means coping with our rising population, our changing cultural landscape or even our inner spiritual journey.

On Thursday 3 January at 4:30 pm at Mosaic Book, the Okanagan Institute launches 2008 with Great Expectations: Anticipating a New Year bringing together three people who spend their time monitoring trends in our cultural, spiritual and urban planning environments.

Jim Meiklejohn is a renowned Okanagan architect who played an integral role in designing one of Kelowna's first urban homescapes - The Cannery Lofts. He's also put his own particular stamp on numerous public buildings around this region - from the new Kelowna Secondary School to faculty offices at UBC-O and the spectacular Holiday Inn at Apex Mountain.

Meiklejohn reveals his hopes, fears and predictions for the future of Kelowna touching on such topics as affordable housing, the future of our waterfront and the need for balance.

"The Okanagan is facing great challenges in balancing growth and the environment. I feel it is a time of great responsibility as well as opportunity for Kelowna to be at the forefront of positive change and begin re-shaping our community, and our country, in a significant way," Meiklejohn said. "For instance, are we planning for cars, planning for people, or can we do both well?"

Lorna Gunn is the cultural services manager for the City of Kelowna, responsible for creating initiatives that will stimulate arts and cultural development throughout the community.

Gunn believes creating connection will become the major theme for 2008 as the city moves beyond the concept of art being building centred, into art becoming an expression of the community itself.

"There is a desire to create more identification and neighbourhood pride," she said. "People are feeling isolated and they crave events that are close to their homes. There is a need for creative fitness, and we can do things that can help stimulate that."

Gunn points to the recent Mosaic Bench Project in the Martin Street area that attracted participation from neighbours ranging in age from preschoolers to grandparents. "Through this event, people had an opportunity to meet neighbours, spent time with each other and create something that leaves a lasting legacy."

Of course, not all growth is external. Much of it is internal, as Marilyn Perry has witnessed throughout her career writing and teaching about the spiritual through her association with the United Church and Wood Lake Books.

Now retired, Perry still keeps her eye on trends and suspects that the new branch on the spiritual tree will be the environment.

Already there are environmental groups in Britain, the U.S., New Zealand and Australia devoted to including a spiritual message in their efforts to save the environment. There are even courses now in Canadian universities focused on spirituality and the environment.

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29 Dec 2007

» Thursday 6 December 2007 | 4:30 pm
» Mosaic Books, 411 Bernard Avenue

An informal afternoon hour showcasing the people and ideas featured in Okanagan Q. Join us as therapist and relationship counsellor Jim Bell explores the fun and fundamental questions of romance in our time.

» This is a free event. Refreshments will be available at a modest cost.
» Seating is limited, please reserve yours HERE

Sponsored by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, Wood Lake Books, UBCO-FCCS, and in support of Project Literacy Kelowna

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ROMANCE IN THE WINTER OF OUR LIVES

With one of the largest senior populations in the country, Kelowna is well-placed to be at the forefront of the elder-romance movement.

Lavalife now boasts an on-line dating site targeted specifically for the 55-and up crowd. After all, just because people are "over the hill", doesn't mean they don't long for love.

On Thursday, December 6 at 4:30 p.m., at Mosaic Books Okanagan Institute continues its Expressions series with Love & Wisdom: Let's Celebrate Romance! - a look at how love changes as we age with mid-life specialist and counsellor Jim Bell.

Jim Bell has spent most of his adult life working with individuals and couples who are dealing with fundament questions of what it means to be alive and how to live life with a high level of personal authenticity. And it's those vary issues that often haunt us as we reach middle-age and begin a true quest for romance.

"There is a real spiritual passionate aspect of mid-life. It's like stage one, but on a much deeper level. This time you find new ways of connecting, new levels of intimacy and emotion."

Love & Wisdom: Let's Celebrate Romance! is a free event, and takes place at Mosaic Books, Kelowna's independent bookstore. It's presented by the Okanagan Institute in association with the magazines of Wheat King Publishing - Okanagan Arts, Okanagan Home, and Okanagan Q.
Expressions is sponsored by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, Wood Lake Books, UBCO Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, and supports the work of Project Literacy Kelowna.

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Okanagan Insitute at Mosaic Books
A hearty feast of lectures, presentations, workshops and showcases celebrating our culture, community and the wild blue yonder. Produced by the Okanagan institute in association with the magazines of Wheat King Publishing: Okanagan Arts, Okanagan Home, and Okanagan Q.

Expresssions is a cultural tonic that refreshes the mind. Join us at Mosaic Books after work on Thursdays for a free hour of stimulation that will get your synapses tingling with new ideas and fresh images. Designed for inquiring minds looking for, among other things, the wild blue yonder.

0 Comments

01 Dec 2007

0 Comments

07 Nov 2007