OK, I'm officially starting to get excited for Christmas. With less than four weeks to go, it's time to pull out the snowflakes I hang in my front window every year, the tacky Frosty the Snowman that stands outside to greet our guests and start thinking about a tree. How do I know it's time? By what in line for entertainment this week!
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Last Friday, the first of the traditional holiday shows kicked off, Theatre Kelowna's annual children's production.
I have to say, I can't remember the last time I enjoyed one of these so much - not since The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Their musical, The Rockin' Tale of Snow White, is community theatre at its finest. There are adorable little children, talented slightly bigger children, some good voices, and a few very good voices to make the singing a pleasure to listen to. The script is great, the acting and directing sound and the set is proficient and cleverly designed.
Tia Zieske and Rolen Marks do a fabulous job in the role of the two little children who argue over whether such a thing as love at first sight exists and their mother, Allison Macfarlane, sets out to read them the tale of Snow White. While both Alexa Cable as Snow White and Candice Dyck as the Evil Queen do a splendid job, the highlight for me was the fabulous performance of Graham Daley as Da Mirra - probably because it jumped out at me in such an unexpected way.
This would be a great show to take the family to. Kids will love the audience participation portion, providing they're old enough not to be too scared by that Evil Queen as she is deliciously nasty.
The Rockin' Tale of Snow White finishes its run this weekend with shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and
2 p.m. matinee on Saturday and Sunday at Kelowna Community Theatre. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children at Select Your Tickets.
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Kelowna Actors Studio opened its annual Christmas time family show last night . I hope to have a review for you next week. What I can tell you, however, is that I won't be at all surprised to see this sell out. Looking at the cast lineup, with Ray Morden as Santa and Kate Hammer as the little girl who refuses to believe in him, then adding the sonorous Randy Leslie and beautiful voice of Arlene Irwin, this has all the makings of a great night of
theatre.
Based on the 1940s movie, the musical runs Wednesday to Sunday at 8 p.m. with both a Saturday and Sunday matinee. Tickets are available with or without a three-course plated dinner by executive chef Neil Schroeter. For more information or tickets, call 250-862-2867 or go online at kelownaactorsstudio.com
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The annual Rock4Kids is happening this Sunday at Whiski-Jack's Pub in West Kelowna, with bands playing from noon right through to 1 a.m. This year's line up includes The Flu, Jimmy LeGuilloux Band, Calum Hughes, The Ozzy Ozmunds, Zamboni Brothers, Andrew Smith, Leah West and more. Vancouver's Odds will be the headline act. There will be auctions throughout the day and all the money raised goes to Kids Care. Always a good time, admission has traditionally been $5.
If you're looking for some Christmas present ideas for the music fan in your life, tickets go on sale tomorrow for Natalie MacMaster, who will come to the Kelowna Community Theatre this coming April. This amazing fiddler, based out of Cape Breton, has earned enough awards hardware over the years to fill an entire room and is no stranger to such world renowned venues as Carnegie Hall. She's played with the best, from Alison Krauss and the Doobie Brother's Mike McDonald to the likes of Thomas Dolby and Yo Yo Mah. Tickets are $46 including all taxed and service charges at Select Your Tickets.
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Also coming to town with tickets on sale in time for Christmas is Randy Bachman's Vinyl Tap Tour. The former Guess Who member hosts a weekly program on CBC Radio and fans will no doubt want to catch this one. Joining him on stage will be Brent Howard, Marc LaFrance and Mick Dalla-Vee, who have been performing together for more than 20 years. Tickets are $43 plus fees and taxes at Select Your Tickets.
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The Spectrum Singers, under the direction of Kim Kleineberg, has its annual Christmas concert his weekend at St. Michael's Cathedral. The show, called Joy to the World, will include a kaleidoscope of Christmas music, including African, Latin, Ukraine, French, English and even an original composition. Shows are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students available at Wentworth Music and Mosaic Books or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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The Lake Country Art Gallery hosts its second annual Deck the Walls art exchange and auction on Saturday. It's a chance to bring in a piece of art you'd like to consign where you can use money earned to purchase a new-to-you piece of art. Admission is $10 per couple to attend or get two free tickets when you pay $20 per piece consignment fee for the art you bring to sell. There will be a silent auction as well. The event takes place at the Aspen Grove Golf Club, which will also be open for dinner and doors open at 6 p.m. More info is online at lakecountryartgallery.ca or call 250-766-1299
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The Kelowna Art Gallery opened its annual members' exhibition last week. This year's theme is mapping and includes works by more than 70 local artists. The show will run through to Jan. 5.
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Mission Dance Centre has its annual Christmas time show on Sunday at the Mary Irwin Theatre starting at 3 p.m. The first half features the Mission Dance Centre dancers with some live music by the Denton Protsack String Duo. The second half will feature some excerpts from the Nutcracker. Mike Roberts from CHBC will be emcee. A reception with Santa will follow with admission by donation and tickets for the Christmas show are on sale at the RCA box office for $25 adults and $10 students. Part of the proceeds will to towards the MDC Scholarship Fund.

- 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 at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .