A group of local artists are holding a fundraiser for Vernon’s popular children’s entertainer Kiki the Eco Elf.
Also a singer-songwriter, Kiki, aka Tanya Lipscomb, is a mother of three who has had to remain virtually silent since late last year, when she was diagnosed with vocal nodules.
Lack of rest, night time acid reflux and vocal abuse caused callouses to grow on her vocal cords, resulting in painful and limited vocal use.
“I thought I was superhuman,” said Lipscomb. “Singing is my deepest passion, and I thought I could sing until the cows come home. Four hours sleep, and no vocal rest between shows? No problem! Then it was a problem and it became a rather large problem very quickly.”
Lipscomb has since had the nodules removed, and is expected to recover, but her inability to sing in the meantime has taken a large toll on her family, as she supports her children with her entertainment company and performance groups.
When the members of local touring band Barefoot Caravan heard about Lipscomb’s condition, they offered to host a children’s dance party in the gymnasium at Maven Lane Childcare Centre.
Sunday’s dance party will feature Barefoot Caravan’s founder/innovator Angela Roy, along with longtime member Steve Gosselin, offering a world drum workshop to children and families.
Lipscomb will also be there dressed as Kiki the Eco Elf to offer face painting and will have her albums for sale.
Trixie the Clown will also entertain, and the event will feature a silent auction, games, prizes and collective children’s art projects.
A relentless, diligent artist with a mountain of enthusiasm, Lipscomb has written and produced 13 albums of original material (including three children’s albums). She has also toured relentlessly, performing back-to-back shows across Canada and locally for more than eight years.
She has touched the lives of many Okanagan families and has helped and supported numerous Canadian musicians over the six years she has made Vernon her home.
The event for Kiki the Eco Elf takes place Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Maven Lane is located in the former West Vernon elementary school at 2711 38th St.
