There might not be any snow on the ground as
I sit here writing on this cloudy Monday afternoon, but there is plenty of snow to be found around town. In fact, if it's snow you're looking for, I can guarantee it will snow at both Kelowna Actors Studio and the Kelowna Community Theatre over the next few days.
KAS opened its run of Miracle on 34th Street last week, and while it did rain on the stage as well, the snow came falling down at the end, creating a wonderful Christmas-like mood.
As predicted, the vocal talents of Randy Leslie and Arlene Irwin are sheer joy to hear and sweet little Kate Hammer, who plays Irwin's daughter, sings and dances along beautifully.
But like all KAS shows, as good as the leads are, it's the secondary characters who add the perfect icing on the cake to make the show complete. People like Delphine Litke and Mac Mackay are bursting with talent and the kind of vivacity that brings the show into full colour.
There are a lot of kids in this production, intent of proving that Ray Mordan is, in fact, the real Santa. One look at Mordan and the twinkle in his eye and you'll probably believe he is Santa, too.
From beautiful music box dancer Andrea Sorestad to the prosecuting lawyer's son played by Vuk Prodanovic, the kids shine at their best in this production as well.
Miracle on 34th Street continues its run at Kelowna Community Theatre with shows Wednesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. and matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. Tickets start at $49 and are available at the Kelowna Actors Studio box office or their website at kelownaactorsstudio.com. You can choose the dinner theatre option or just theatre. It runs until Dec. 16.
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Your other chance to watch snowflakes fall comes at Nutcracker, which features Ballet Kelowna's eight professional dancers as well as 100 or so from Canadian School of Ballet. It too is nearly sold out. Performances at Kelowna Community Theatre are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are through the Kelowna Actors Studio's box office or online via Ballet Kelowna's website at balletkelowna.ca. Ticket prices range from $25 for children to $35 for adults.
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Tis the season of choral concerts, with several to choose from.
The Kelowna Community Chorus, under the direction of Leroy Wiens presents Noel, Noel, Noel, along with the Early Music Band and Stephanie Nakagowa on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church. Tickets are $12 adults or $6 children at Paramount Music or at the door.
The Early Music Band will perform carols dating back to the Renaissance and Baroque period on early instruments such as dulcians (ancestors of the bassoon), viols, shawm (ancestor of the oboe), Baroque bassoons, Baroque violin and perhaps some surprises. For more information, call 764-8919 or 768-7824.
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Studio9, formerly the Vedanta Academy, will perform the Winter Wonderland Seasonal Performance on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Tickets are $9 and are available at SelectYourTickets.com.
Two years ago, the school made the decision to become a full blown, totally focused school of the arts, targeting kids who found arts more important than sports.
From pre-school through to Grade 12, it's a small school with about 90 students. This concert will help benefit the school.
You can learn more online at studio9.ca.
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The downtown art galleries are banding together again this year for their annual Christmas Show and Sale, which takes place today from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Galleries participating this year include Hambleton Galleries, Turtle Island Gallery, The Warehouse Gallery, Justin Paul Fashion Gallery, Tangerine Tree Photography Gallery and Free Stone Spirit Gallery. All of the galleries except for The Warehouse share the same roof and can be accessed via the back hallway in case of inclement weather. It should be a lot of fun.
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Jacyln Guillou will be coming to Kelowna as part of her fundraising attempt to support Okanagan food banks. She's already done shows in West Kelowna, Summerland and Vernon. The Kelowna one takes place at the Kelowna Yacht Club tonight at
7 p.m. Tickets are $25 at the door and you can bring along a non-perishable item for the food bank as well. Guillou is known primarily as a jazz singer but will be doing a wide mix of songs in this holiday themed show.
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Fred Skeleton Theatre Company is back in action and will be producing Howard Brenton's controversial play about a serial killer. The play, called Christie in Love, features local actors Doug Brown, Brad Hull and Joe Welton. it is not for the feint of heart and contains mature themes and language. Tickets are $10 at the door and the show runs at 8 p.m. on Friday night at the Royal Anne Hotel and on Sunday night at the Alternator Gallery for Contemporary Art. See
fredskeleton.com for more details.
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- Glenna Turnbull is a freelance writer who has covered the Okanagan arts and entertainment scene for many years. Her column appears each Thursday in eVent. Email her, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .