Being a lover of all things wintery and cold, I’ve uncharacteristically succumbed to spring fever this year. I’ve been entranced, and subsequently fooled by delightfully warm and sunny afternoons. Just try rolling down those car windows or embarking on a walk through the forest – based on my experience, these are surefire ways to snap back to the reality that winter is still very much all around.
No matter your degree of spring fever, it’s a great time to take advantage of Vernon’s beautiful Performing Arts Centre. Climate controlled with comfortable seating, you’ll find something to see you through these next few dusty weeks.
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra is back tonight at the Performing Arts Centre with Spring Breezes. Featuring Roger Cole on oboe, the program explores melodies that are fine tuned for wind instruments including Mozart’s Serenade in C Minor and Strauss’ Concert for Oboe and Orchestra.
Sit in on the pre-concert talk starting at 6 p.m. in the Marie Fleming Hall then move to the main auditorium for the 7 p.m. performance. Tickets can still be purchased online at www.ticketseller.ca or at the door after 6 p.m.
The Governor General award-winning play Where the Blood Mixes comes to the Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday. I had the chance to see the show last year in Kamloops and am so glad I did. Beautifully written, Where the Blood Mixes tackles delicate and sometimes difficult subject matter as it sheds light on the scars left by B.C.’s residential schools.
The brilliant cast includes Lorne Cardinal and Craig Lauzon, each very well accomplished in comedy and acting, firing off quips and humour throughout.
The Vernon performance starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are still available through the Ticket Seller at 549-SHOW (7469).
This Friday night the Performing Arts Centre is hosting an exciting celebration of International Women’s Day. It’s the ninth annual I Am Woman, Hear Me Laff!
One of North America’s hottest stand-up comics Elvira Kurt headlines this year’s Laff. Kurt is a frequent guest on CBC Radio’s The Debaters, and Q, where she does a regular Cultural Hall of Shame segment.
Joining Kurt will be Laff Riot Girls Lee-Ann Keple, Julia Stretch and Linda Feuerhelm. Together these four sassy ladies will unite for the ultimate evening of absolutely hilarious antics.
The show starts at 8 p.m. and you can call the Ticket Seller at 549-SHOW (7469) for your tickets.
On March 10, Montréal’s Bouge de là is on stage for their production of The Studio. It’s theatre that enchants and inspires the whole family as four dancers use moment to create visual art.
Playful and colourful, this incredible performance is set in an artist’s studio and uses cameras and special software to capture what’s happening on stage and translates it on the fly to an animated painting. Tickets are only $12 and there are two performances to choose from starting at 2 and 4 p.m. Call the Ticket Seller at 549-SHOW (7469) for tickets.
Popular country singer/songwriter Terri Clark is back at the Performing Arts Centre on March 13.
With over four million albums sold and a Juno award for her 2011 album, Roots and Wings, Clark’s appearance is in support of her new album, Classic, which is once again packed with hit singles for the country music scene. Tickets are selling fast so call the Ticket Seller at 549-SHOW (7469) to book your seats.
And Cod Gone Wild is set to host the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration this side of Ireland at the Performing Arts Centre on March 16.
Featuring authentic bagpipes, Celtic drumming and dance, rich vocal and choral arrangements and a performance by Vernon’s own Cod Gone Wild, it’s a show that has something for everyone. Tickets are on sale now through the Ticket Seller by calling 549-SHOW (7469).
Enjoy the shows!
— Brian van Wensem is the audience development coordinator at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre.
