Working in a highly creative job in the arts for over five years now, I enjoy endless diversity in the work I do.
By contrast when I worked in a technical support role some years ago, the endless stream of phone calls had a mind-numbing monotony to them – save for the incredibly unique people on the other end of the line.
No matter the work week, I believe it’s the people, the stories, the jokes – live and in the moment – that can make anything awesome and keep our creative side thriving.
If you’re feeling like you need an extra helping of awesome (really, who doesn’t?), these events all have people and stories in spades:
Tonight at the Performing Arts Centre is a triple play of tribute acts to the “King” of rock n’ roll.
Elvis Elvis Elvis starts in the 1950s with swivelling hips and blue suede shoes, followed by a snapshot of Elvis’ leather era and finishes with the signature jumpsuit-clad spectacle all backed by the Memphis Beats band. Showtime is at 7 p.m. and tickets are still available online at www.ticketseller.ca or at the door after 6 p.m.
The Hub Arts Collective once again showcases young talent in town with their production of an award-winning musical comedy from Calgary’s Lunchbox Theatre: The Astonishing Adventures of Awesome Girl and Radical Boy.
The story follows Nick, a young comic book author who, by day, is eager to make it big in the world of animation and by night, he’s Radical Boy, fighting the good fight. Everything changes when he meets his nemesis Julia Jones, a rival upstart animator who moonlights as alter-ego, Awesome Girl. This hilariously campy musical has two performances to choose from starting at 7:30 p.m. April 3 and 4. Tickets are on sale through the Ticket Seller at 549-SHOW (7469).
This Saturday, April 5 at the Vernon Jazz Club is Okanagan-based funk band Groove Engine. They’ll play through Stevie Wonder, The Commodores, Tower of Power and more in this night of ‘70s’ hits. As always, the jazz club’s dance floor is open and the music starts at 8 p.m. You can pick up your tickets at the Bean Scene, Bean to Cup or at the door.
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra returns to the Performing Arts Centre’s stage next Sunday, April 6, along with Guy Few and Nadina Mackie Jackson for Dynamic Duo.
The programme explores the baroque era and more contemporary repertoire, highlighting the unusual duo of trumpet and bassoon. A pre-show concert talk starts at 6 p.m. in the Marie Fleming Hall and the concert starts at 7 p.m. in the main auditorium. Tickets are still available through the Ticket Seller by calling 549-SHOW (7469).
The PAC society’s 2013-14 dance series draws to a close on April 12 when six male dancers take the stage for Karoshi. This theatrical dance experience is about the suffocating pressure of Japanese business in the early ‘90s. The all-male ensemble high-kicks, karate chops and backflips their way through this sensationally physical and darkly funny performance, giving us a glimpse into a unique part of Japanese culture and working out our inner frustrations along the way. Showtime is 8 p.m.. Call the Ticket Seller at 549-SHOW (7469) for your tickets.
Also on April 12, the AURA Chamber Choir is at the Trinity United Church performing Mozart’s Grand Mass in C Minor to mark their 35th anniversary. Now 40 singers strong, AURA is joined by four professional soloists, a 26-piece orchestra, and special guests from Kamloops’ Vivace Chorale to bring this celebratory choral masterpiece to the North Okanagan. The music starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are on sale now through the Ticket Seller Box Office at 549-SHOW (7469).
Enjoy the shows!
– Brian van Wensem is the audience development coordinator at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.
