If you’re tired of sitting at home but do not feel like the nightclub scene for music this weekend, the fine folks at Wentworth Music have another superb suggestion.
On Saturday (Feb. 18), Interior Saving and Wentworth have joined forces in hosting a fundraising musical event set for the Kelowna Community Theatre.
Proceeds from the event will go towards two good purposes—the Children’s Ward at Kelowna General Hospital, and assisting with the medical costs for young Riley Russell, a student of the Wentworth Music program. Riley is recovering from significant injuries suffered in a recent car accident.
He is one of the lead vocalists in the Wentworth Band Factory, the elite band of students who will be performing at the event.
Riley was scheduled to appear in a number of songs during the performance including sharing the stage with rock and roll icon Darby Mils, former lead singer of The Headpins.
The evening of music, performed by the students and Mills, is the sixth year that Wentworth students have taken their talents to the community Theatre in a fundraising performance to help the children’s ward. Each year the show gets better and better.
This year’s event has been dubbed the ‘Back to the 80’s Show.’ It will feature tunes such as ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ by Guns N’ Roses, ‘Here I go Again’ by Whitesnake, and plenty of others.
“We are all doing what we can to keep a smile on Riley’s face as she goes through recovery from her injuries and surgery,” says Noel Wentworth, of Wentworth Music, who also happens to be the mastermind behind the six years of concerts.
Tickets for the show are on sale exclusively at Wentworth Music in Kelowna. You can check out www.wmec.ca for more information.
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Kelowna, and particularly families and young people in our city, are losing a very good friend at the end of the month as my buddy Dennis Dandeneau heads off to Vancouver.
Dandeneau is leaving his position as executive director for the Bridge Youth and Family Services to take over the reins running The Children’s Foundation in the big city.
It is a perfect job for Dandeneau, a man with a wonderful heart and superb people skills.
His leadership will be missed in our community, and I will miss a good friend.
It was Dennis who inspired my first Night of the Arts fundraiser concert seven years ago, and we sure have enjoyed a friendship that grew out of that event.
The Bridge says farewell to Dennis Dandeneau on Feb. 29, from 2 to 4 p.m, at their office, 1829 Chandler St.
Feel free to pop in and help send him off.
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Speaking of children and superb groups involved with assisting youth, Community Action Toward Children’s Health (CATCH) is hosting a couple of events in early March.
On March 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., the group hosts a network gathering, lunch, and workshop for those involved or interested in working with children.
On March 7, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., CATCH will host a similar breakfast event and workshop for business people and government members.
Dynamic motivational speaker Paul Born will be talking at both sessions.
“As parents, grandparents, and community leaders who value children and families, your energy and wisdom are essential to make the Central Okanagan the best possible place to raise children,” CATCH organizers say.
Born is president of the Tamarack Institute and author of the best-selling book, Community Conversations. Anticipate being inspired by fresh ideas and learn ways to become more involved in the healthy development of young children. Registered participants will receive a copy of Community Conversations.
For more on the two free networking events at the Coast Capri Hotel, contact Eve Layman, CATCH community support coordinator, at eve@catchcoalition.ca or visit the website www.catchcoalition.ca.
