May 7
New voices for Cariboo Idol
This region’s premier vocal talent contest saw a fresh crop of new contestants, with some gifted individual performers returning as well.
The 2015 Cariboo Idols include Justine Hama, Diane Laukkanen, Gary Seminoff, Britta Westerager, Tyrell Norton, Chelsea Herperger, Shania Parks and Jazmine Storvold.
Storvold is a past winner, while Westerager and Norton were members of the 2014 group.
The Idols perform at events throughout the summer, supporting and promoting local causes.
May 14
Local artist captures lush Florida scenery
Katalin Kovacks had on display a number of bright and colourful Florida landscapes, watercolours she painted this year wintering in the Fort Lauderdale area, at the Showcase Gallery in 100 Mile House for the month of May.
“I love landscapes,” she said, adding “it’s always a nice feeling” having her work on display.
Kovacks, who was born in Hungary, moved to the Cariboo with her husband in 2004.
May 21
Wildlife featured in upcoming art show
Bobbie Crane, an art teacher and artist from Lac la Hache, had an exciting show at Parkside Art Gallery run from May to June called “A Portrait of Fur and Feathers”.
Crane likes to see living things in her paintings.
“I’ve always been very excited and very drawn to painting animals and birds,” the artist explained. “I paint other things as well, but I go back to the animals and birds. I love painting detail. I always seem to fall back on that.”
May 28
Great turnout for concert
Local health care got a nice funding boost, while local audiences delighted in the musical stylings of the Eclectica Community Choir at a concert in 100 Mile House on May 9.
The Blue Skies show raised a total of $1,676 for 100 Mile & District General Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and the Mill Site Lodge/Fischer Place Auxiliary, which took in close to $840 each.
June 4
Actors awarded at zone competition
Local actors Renee Larochelle and Chris Adams put on quite a show and came home with some impressive honours from Theatre BC’s Central Interior Zone competition in Williams Lake, May 29-31.
The 100 Mile Performing Arts Society’s production of the A.R. Gurney play, Love Letters, won best ensemble cast; Larochelle was named best actress in the novice category; and Adams won the adjudicator’s choice award.
June 11
Cariboo-inspired artwork on display
Carol O’Grady-Miclash, a Green Lake resident, was the featured artist for the month of June at Showcase Gallery in 100 Mile House.
O’Grady-Miclash, whose love of the visual arts goes back to her childhood, started painting in 1995 after many years of “wishful thinking.”
She says the famed Group of Seven, renowned Canadian landscape painters from the 1920-1930s, are a major source of inspiration.
June 18
Excitement for upcoming theatre season
The approaching community theatre season had something for everyone with three very different productions slated at Martin Exeter Hall in 100 Mile House.
The 100 Mile House Performing Arts Society sponsored a Missoula Children’s Theatre production, Sleeping Beauty, in the fall, followed by a fun, family-friendly pantomime version of Cinderella in December, and had the A.R. Gurney play, The Dining Room, set for March 2016.
The plays were chosen following a new “pitch a play” initiative by the local community theatre group, asking aspiring directors to bring their production ideas forward.
June 25
Impressive photo art on display
Close to 90 captivating images captured by local photographers were on display at Parkside Art Gallery in 100 Mile House from June 26 to July 25.
The show, Through The Feminine Lens, is a first for the Women In Focus photography group, which was founded three years ago by Gina Myhill-Jones and Monika Paterson.
July 2
Hootstock set to rock July 24-26
Dozens of crowd-pleasing acts, including some of the best indie music in British Columbia, were set to take the stage at Hootstock 2015, July 24-26.
Close to 40 music, dance and spoken word artists are taking the stage throughout the three-day, fourth annual music festival at the Old Bradley Creek School House near Forest Grove.
“It’s just got better and better,” said organizer Steve Roy.
July 9
A sneak peek at party entertainers
The Welcome Home 50th Anniversary Party being hosted by the District of 100 Mile House Anniversary Committee had an excellent lineup of live entertainment July 18-26 – and it was all free.
New Age Entertainment/CaribooRadio.com’s Rob Fry organized the live entertainment, and he said the week-long celebration featured a whole host of “very talented, incredible” entertainers.
July 16
New route for rod run
The Hot July Nights Car & Bike Show was gearing up for another big event, July 17-19.
A new rod run route was planned by the 100 Mile Cruzers Car Club on Friday through Lone Butte, while a street party was set to rock Birch Avenue in 100 Mile House on Saturday before the big Show ‘n Shine event in Centennial Park on Sunday.
July 23
Local artists paint ‘Passage of Time’
A body of diverse and engaging work reflecting the passage of time by close two dozen local artists was on display for about six weeks in 100 Mile House.
The Cariboo Artists’ Guild’s 35th Annual Show and Sale ran at Parkside Art Gallery from July 30 to Sept. 12.
Between 25 and 30 artists are expected to hang as many as six paintings each, with one submission reflecting this year’s theme – “Passage of Time.”
July 30
Great showing at Hot July Nights
Hot July Nights had another successful run in 100 Mile House as the premier car and bike show in this area saw approximately 200 dazzling rides from all over British Columbia for threes days of classic automotive action.
Visitors mention this is one of their favourite car shows to attend in the province, said Stephen Almond, one of the organizers.
Aug. 6
Hootstock a real hoot for everyone
Despite adverse weather, the Fourth Annual Hootstock Music Festival at the Old Bradley Creek Schoolhouse on July 24-26 was a roaring success.
An impressive lineup of singers, bands, dancers and wordsmiths over a period of three days ensured there was something for everyone to enjoy.
And those attending did just that by singing, cheering and dancing, encouraged by the performers – be there sun, wind or rain.
Aug. 13
Art tour helps health foundation draw funds
The South Cariboo Health Foundation (SCHF) was in the midst of organizing Studio 2 Studio 3, a third annual self-guided art tour fundraiser, on Sept. 12.
The tour slated in the coming month saw a dozen artists open up their studios and display their work at seven locations around 108 Mile Ranch.
Aug. 20
Great food, entertainment at Garlic Fest
A stinkin’ good time was in the air with the 16th Annual South Cariboo Garlic Festival returning to Lac la Hache, Aug. 29-30.
The celebration of the “Stinkin’ Rose” had shopping, vendors, food, contests, games and entertainment.
The entertainment lineup had new acts and returning favourites.
Aug. 27
Seniors potluck picnic at Senior Park enjoyed
The Creekside Seniors Activity Centre organizing committee did a great job of entertaining several 100 Mile House area seniors when it hosted a Seniors Potluck Picnic at Senior Park on Aug. 16.
The Cariboo Ramblers kept folks entertained with a wide variety of songs that kept toes tapping and comments, such as: “Do you remember that one?”
Sept. 3
Cue start to new theatre season
Looking ahead to the next 100 Mile House Performing Arts Society production, director Donalda Speers said “think the Three Stooges, Monty Python with family content, and a lot of audience participation.”
With a cast of close to 20, a family friendly pantomime version of Cinderella promised to be a “raucous, fun time” in time for the Christmas season.
Sept. 10
Cariboo Idol supports volunteerism
This year’s group of Cariboo Idols represented the best of local, non-professional talent and boasted a spring and summer of stellar performances.
These include appearing at the Cariboo Women’s Fair and the District of 100 Mile House 50th Anniversary celebration, at the Performances in the (Boitanio) Park in Williams Lake, and most recently, at the South Cariboo Garlic Festival in Lac la Hache (Aug. 29).
Sept. 17
‘Avant-garde’ artwork on display soon at Parkside Art Gallery
Shirley Gibson-Bull was excited for the “Art Next” show, the artist’s first solo show ever, at Parkside Art Gallery.
On display was a body of her experimental, “avant-garde” paintings from Sept. 25 to Nov. 7.
Sept. 24
Theatre group puts on show in a hurry
The Missoula Children’s Theatre (MTC) arrived in 100 Mile House on Sept. 13, and by the next evening, they had not only auditioned and cast 41 students in a musical version of Sleeping Beauty; they already had the first rehearsal.
The 100 Mile House Performing Arts Society sponsored the MTC visit. All proceeds from the two performances on Sept. 19 went to local causes.
Oct. 1
Concert for Women’s Centre a huge success
The theme was “country chic” – in honour of the Cariboo and its ranches – as Dirty Grace, a folk/R&B trio from southern British Columbia, performed at 100 Mile Community Hall on Sept. 16 in a concert that raised close to $750 for the 100 Mile & District Women’s Centre Society.
Oct. 8
Debut of first album exciting for local singer
100 Mile House singer Ingrid Mapson was excited about the debut of her first album, Rhythms of Your Heart.
“People have been asking me for an album forever, so I’m glad I was able to record one.”
The album is a mix of show tunes, light jazz, and light pop, and Mapson picked songs that she felt passionate about.
Oct. 15
Cinderella cast cracking up
A large cast of 100 Mile House Performing Arts Society members were assembled in the St. Timothy Anglican Church basement on Oct. 2, running through the community theatre group’s rowdy and funny pantomime version of Cinderella.
The cast was made up of local performers of all ages with past and new Performing Arts Society members.
“It’s exciting to have new people come out,” director Donalda Speers said. “We’ve had newcomers for the last three shows.”
Oct. 22
Local guitar maker keeps old tradition alive
Local musician and cabinetmaker Peter Thorne is known for building cigar box guitars, which date back to the middle of the 19th century when people who couldn’t afford to buy a guitar began using empty wooden cigar boxes as resonators.
Thorne said he became interested in them three years ago, when local singer and guitarist Candace Copley visited him at his home recording studio.
Oct. 29
Key It Up! fundraiser closing in on concert grand piano
100 Mile Festival of the Arts members reached a milestone at the end of September when they raised $20,000 toward the purchase of a concert grand piano for use in musical performances and the annual Festival of the Arts in Martin Exeter Hall.
After renting a piano from Kamloops for the annual Festival of the Arts, which is held for two weeks every April, the Festival of the Arts committee launched its project, called Key It Up!, early in 2015.
Nov. 5
Santa Claus Parade looking for entries
Local residents Kristy Anderson and Cheralyn Herrmann saved this year’s Santa Claus Parade.
When Herrmann heard the Santa Claus Parade might not be happening with the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce stepping down as the primary organizer, she knew she wouldn’t have trouble getting Anderson on board to help organize it.
“We’re both mothers who are always looking for fun community events.”
Nov. 12
Winter Arts and Crafts Fair returns for 38th year
The Winter Arts and Crafts Fair, organized by the 100 Mile House and District Arts Council, returned for two days, Nov. 20-21, to the 100 Mile Community Hall and co-organizer Barbara Hooper was excited to begin on the same night as the Santa Claus Parade, Moonlight Madness and Starry Nights.
“It all brings people into town and they can go from one event to another.”
Nov. 19
Local author nominated for literary award
108 Mile Ranch writer Kathleen Cook Waldron’s newest book, Between Shadows, was nominated for the Silver Birch Award, awarded annually by Tinlids, in association with the Ontario Library Association.
Ten books, all aimed at students in grades 3-6, were nominated, with Waldron’s Between Shadows one of them.
Nov. 26
Audience welcome to dress up too
Children of all ages – and the young at heart – were welcome to attend the 100 Mile House Performing Arts Society’s upcoming production of Cinderella in their favourite fairytale attire.
The local community theatre group’s rowdy and funny pantomime version of the classic fairytale opened at Martin Exeter Hall in 100 Mile House from Dec. 4 to 12.
The cast included local performers of all ages, many of them dressed in hilarious costumes.
Dec. 3
Folks were invited to get ready to “Swing Into Christmas” as the Eclectica Community Choir presented its annual benefit concert in support of the 100 Mile Food Bank and Loaves & Fishes Outreach on Dec. 13 at Martin Exeter Hall.
The concert featured a mix of jazzy, sacred, spiritual, and contemporary pieces.
Choir spokesperson Barbara Hooper says that’s how the choir got its name.
“We have such an eclectic song list!”
Dec. 10
Anna Betuzzi a rising star from 108 Mile Ranch
Anna Betuzzi, who has been playing piano since she was four years old, is a shining star for the 100 Mile Festival of the Arts.
She is practicing for her Associate Diploma level test in June 2016.
Dec. 17
Cinderella a ‘whirlwind ride of laughter’
The local community theatre group’s rowdy, comedic pantomime version of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella, was a true delight for both audiences and actors.
Director Donalda Speers of the 100 Mile House Performing Arts Society said the community truly embraced the pantomime style of theatre.
Dec. 24
Audience down, donations up at Swing Into Christmas concert
A major snowfall on the morning of the Swing Into Christmas concert by the Eclectica Community Choir on Dec. 13 meant a slightly lower attendance this year, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of audience members who donated more than last year.
More than $2,400 and four bags of groceries were donated to the 100 Mile House Food Bank and Loaves & Fishes Outreach at the event.
