Scott Trudeau

Rock band Ladyhawk is one of many performers at the Ponderosa Art & Music Festival which goes from Aug. 22 to 24 in Rock Creek. From left are members Duffy Dreidiger, Darcy Hancock, Ryan Peters and Sean Hawryluk.

Ladyhawk looks forward to festival’s atmosphere

Music lovers who happen to be in the Rock Creek area Aug. 22 to 24 might want to plan a stop at the Ponderosa Arts & Music Festival

Rock band Ladyhawk is one of many performers at the Ponderosa Art & Music Festival which goes from Aug. 22 to 24 in Rock Creek. From left are members Duffy Dreidiger, Darcy Hancock, Ryan Peters and Sean Hawryluk.
NIKITA AFONSO of Penticton, centre, was one of 12 recipients of this year’s Fred Sherratt award for her efforts while attending Selkirk College in Nelson. The $2,500 award recognizes the outstanding achievements of music program graduates across Canada. She was joined by broadcast pioneer Sherratt, left, and MusiCounts president and CEO Alan Reid.

Local singer earns music award

Nikita Afonso undecided where to go for the next stage of her budding career as a performer

NIKITA AFONSO of Penticton, centre, was one of 12 recipients of this year’s Fred Sherratt award for her efforts while attending Selkirk College in Nelson. The $2,500 award recognizes the outstanding achievements of music program graduates across Canada. She was joined by broadcast pioneer Sherratt, left, and MusiCounts president and CEO Alan Reid.

Small record label has big aspirations

Mighty Speck Records have performing showcase at Leir House

Kayla Williams, left, and Melody Stang are bringing The Dirrty Show to Voodoos Aug. 23 at 9 p.m.  The pair started out performing in front of friends at house parties but have since moved on to comedy clubs and music festivals.

Musical comedy show is edgy and fun

Two musicians have combined their musical talents with a humorous edge resulting in a comedy act that is raunchy, sexual and funny.

Kayla Williams, left, and Melody Stang are bringing The Dirrty Show to Voodoos Aug. 23 at 9 p.m.  The pair started out performing in front of friends at house parties but have since moved on to comedy clubs and music festivals.
Candice Sand, a singer-songwriter from Toronto, will be performing at Voodoos Monday, Aug. 18 to promote her new album, Against Concrete Walls.

Sand sculpting a music career

Singer Candice Sand says she’s bound to come across a few bumps on the road to success but is taking life’s surprises in stride.

Candice Sand, a singer-songwriter from Toronto, will be performing at Voodoos Monday, Aug. 18 to promote her new album, Against Concrete Walls.
The Pernell Reichert Band is playing at the Downtown Community Market Aug. 16 and again that same day at the Gyro Park Bandshell at 7 p.m.

Folk sounds coming downtown

Before becoming a musician, Pernell Reichert was a world traveller and making a living as a tree planter and working in the oil field.

The Pernell Reichert Band is playing at the Downtown Community Market Aug. 16 and again that same day at the Gyro Park Bandshell at 7 p.m.
Jazz and blues-infused trio Heather Blush (middle) and the Uppercuts, bass player Dale Ulan, left, and drummer Steve Hazlett.

Blush bringing musical punch to the stage

The folk-inspired combination of Heather Blush and the Uppercuts will be sparring with audience members at The Dream Cafe Aug. 20 and 22.

Jazz and blues-infused trio Heather Blush (middle) and the Uppercuts, bass player Dale Ulan, left, and drummer Steve Hazlett.
President Kathy Malone (left) and vice president Jacquie Carlson of the Naramata Bench Winery Association toast the second-place finish by the Okanagan Valley wine areas in the USA Today Reader’s Choice for Best Wine Region. The winning area was Alentejo, Portugal.

Okanagan Valley places for top wine region

Second-place finish by the Okanagan Valley among the world’s top wine areas.

President Kathy Malone (left) and vice president Jacquie Carlson of the Naramata Bench Winery Association toast the second-place finish by the Okanagan Valley wine areas in the USA Today Reader’s Choice for Best Wine Region. The winning area was Alentejo, Portugal.
Miss Penticton Shauna Morrow, centre, was joined by princesses Allison Smith, left, and Sinclaire Lovett.

PeachFest one of the best yet

The 67th Penticton Peach Festival will go down as one of the largest and best in recent history.

Miss Penticton Shauna Morrow, centre, was joined by princesses Allison Smith, left, and Sinclaire Lovett.
Latin guitarist Oscar Lopez plays The Dream Cafe Aug. 15 and 16. Audiences will hear selections from his new album, Apasionado.

Latin sounds of Lopez visiting Dream Cafe

As Oscar Lopez readies himself for two shows at The Dream Cafe Aug. 15 and 16, he jokes that he hopes audiences haven’t grown tired of him.

Latin guitarist Oscar Lopez plays The Dream Cafe Aug. 15 and 16. Audiences will hear selections from his new album, Apasionado.
Miss Penticton Shauna Morrow, centre, was joined by princesses Allison Smith, left, and Sinclaire Lovett.

Peach Festival Parade delights particpants and crowd

Newly crowned Miss Penticton Shauna Morrow admitted she was pretty excited and a little bit overwhelmed.

Miss Penticton Shauna Morrow, centre, was joined by princesses Allison Smith, left, and Sinclaire Lovett.
Will Du Vall, lead singer for the alt-rock band, Alice in Chains raises a fist during the opening song, Them Bones. The band played the South Okanagan Events Centre Aug. 8

Alice in Chains Rocks SOEC

When I was leaving the Alice in Chains concert I passed two guys talking and one of them said, "I've been waiting 24 years for this."

Will Du Vall, lead singer for the alt-rock band, Alice in Chains raises a fist during the opening song, Them Bones. The band played the South Okanagan Events Centre Aug. 8
Trooper entertained to a jam-packed Okanagan Lake Park during Peach Festival on Aug. 7.

Photo gallery: Trooper, sandcastles and more at Penticton Peach Festival

After exciting fans during the 2011 Peach Festival, Canadian band Trooper returned to an equally appreciative audience.

Trooper entertained to a jam-packed Okanagan Lake Park during Peach Festival on Aug. 7.

Appies & Entrees: A beverage for every season

Penticton Western News reporter Scott Trudeau reminisces about the dog days of summer over a cold beverage.

Checkpoint Charlie, a Los Angeles-based indie rock band hits the main stage Aug. 9 at PeachFest starting at 7:45 p.m.

LA band touches down at PeachFest

When lead vocalist Brian Aspinwall was considering band names, he drew on an important piece of history dating back to the Cold War.

Checkpoint Charlie, a Los Angeles-based indie rock band hits the main stage Aug. 9 at PeachFest starting at 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Foley brings Forever Young, a tribute performance to Neil Young to PeachFest on Aug. 8 from 6:15 - 7 pm. at the Peters Bros. main stage.

Forever Young honours music legend

Summerland’s Kevin Foley didn’t set out to become a Neil Young tribute artist but sometimes you’ve got to follow your feelings.

Kevin Foley brings Forever Young, a tribute performance to Neil Young to PeachFest on Aug. 8 from 6:15 - 7 pm. at the Peters Bros. main stage.
The Maier sisters, Sydney (left) and Rowyn, were all dolled up for their wagon ride in last year's Kiddies Day Parade which is always a popular part of the annual Penticton Peach Festival which kicks off Wednesday and continues through Sunday. The largest parade in the B.C. Interior, the Peters Bros. Grand Parade takes place Saturday at 10 a.m. and the Downtown Penticton Association Kiddies Day parade begins at 11:30 a.m. the following day.

Everything set for Penticton Peach Festival kickoff

Top-notch entertainment and hot weather likely to draw people to this year’s Penticton Peach Festival

The Maier sisters, Sydney (left) and Rowyn, were all dolled up for their wagon ride in last year's Kiddies Day Parade which is always a popular part of the annual Penticton Peach Festival which kicks off Wednesday and continues through Sunday. The largest parade in the B.C. Interior, the Peters Bros. Grand Parade takes place Saturday at 10 a.m. and the Downtown Penticton Association Kiddies Day parade begins at 11:30 a.m. the following day.