I’m sorry Vernon and area, I admit it: I’m the one who asked for that spectacular snowstorm that we’ll all be remembering for years to come.
Readers may remember an occasion, or four, where I’ve declared my love for all things wintery and I’ve been after Mother Nature for years now to deliver a respectable amount of snow.
Don’t be mad! Let’s just chalk this one up to another little case of “careful what you wish for.” I promise this wasn’t my diabolical plan to get people spending more time indoors. Of course, I’m here to heroically declare that top quality entertainment in comfortable climate-controlled auditoriums is just a ticket purchase away.
Tonight, for example, the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra is back at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre to celebrate the intensity and passion of 19th century Russian music.
Winter Splendour features local violin talent Melissa Wilmot for a programme that includes Borodin’s Prince Igor Overture, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 6, opus 74 in B minor along with Imant Raminsh’s Violin Concerto.
There is a pre-concert talk at 6 p.m. in the Marie Fleming Hall for those interested and the music starts at 7:30 p.m. in the main auditorium. Tickets can still be purchased online at www.ticketseller.ca or at the door within one hour of the performance.
The Snowed In Comedy Tour returns to Vernon on Friday, with top comedians Arj Barker, Dan Quinn, Paul Myrehaug and Craig Campbell.
On the slopes by day, and hosting a hilarious evening of comedy by night, these comedians offer up a powerhouse of comedic talent. You can expect adult content and language in this uncensored occasion that gets going at 8 p.m. at the Performing Arts Centre. Call the Ticket Seller at 549-SHOW (7469) for your tickets.
Next Saturday is your chance to take in some bagpipes and haggis at the annual Robbie Burns Dinner hosted by the Kalamalka Highlanders Pipe Band and the Arran Campbell Memorial Youth Pipe Band.
It’s a toe-tapping, high-stepping dinner party with something for everyone where you’ll enjoy neeps, tatties and roast beef set to the sights and sounds of bagpipes and highland dancing. The dinner starts at 6:15 p.m. and you can call the Ticket Seller at 549-SHOW (7469) to book your seats.
And on Jan. 25, CBC Radio’s Tom Allen is on stage with fellow musicians Patricia O’Callaghan, Bryce Kulak, Kevin Fox and Lori Gemmell for their performance of The Judgement of Paris.
Through story-telling, history, cabaret and classical music, Allen offers a glimpse into the lives of great French composers Debussy and Ravel as the world is on the brink of the Great War. The plotline is woven carefully through selections from Debussy, Ravel, Fauré, Stravinsky, and the musicians’ own compositions. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are on sale through the Ticket Seller by calling 549-SHOW (7469).
Happy shoveling, and enjoy the shows!
– Brian van Wensem is the audience development coordinator at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.
