I love going to hardware stores for the sole purpose of staring aimlessly at the shelves and the many wonderful items they hold.
I know I’m not alone. In any given hardware store, you’ll find legions of wanderers with the same zombie look on their face. The formula is simple and a time honoured tradition: wander, contemplate, calculate, get distracted by shiny object, repeat.
This is the magic of selection. Selection is great! I think the same is true of the arts.
We are spoiled in Vernon with incredible selection, especially throughout the busy spring performance season. Here’s a few events to get you wandering, contemplating and calculating:
Local modern Celtic band Cod Gone Wild are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the Powerhouse Theatre Tuesday.
Favourite Irish songs and traditional pieces are featured along with material from Cod Gone Wild’s latest album, Battered and Fried. Also performing a mix of Newfoundland and Irish tunes will be the Okanagan Celtic Choir. Showtime is 7 p.m. and tickets are still available from the Ticket Seller at 549-SHOW (7469).
On Friday, the B.C. Cadet Honour Band visits the Performing Arts featuring young musicians ranging from 14 to 18 years of age. This 45-piece band comes from the ranks of the Royal Canadian sea, army and air cadets selected from across the province.
The full concert band is complimented by pipes and drums and together they perform popular concert music highlighted by military pomp and ceremony. There is no charge to attend this performance, which starts at 7:30 p.m, so plan to arrive a little early to avoid disappointment.
The North Okanagan Community Concert Association presents Joe Trio at the Performing Arts Centre on Saturday.
Humourous, unpredictable, versatile and diverse, these classically trained musicians take you through classical, jazz and rock tunes with their own arrangements throughout. The music starts at 7:30 p.m. and you can get your tickets through the box office by calling 549-SHOW (7469).
Dance students of all levels and ages 12 to 18 have an incredible opportunity to participate in Kaha:Wi Dance Theatre’s March Break Dance Camp at the Performing Arts Centre from March 24 to 27.
Running daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., registration is free and participants will learn about contemporary, traditional, hip hop and dramatic dance under the direction of Kaha:Wi’s artistic director Santee Smith.
There are still camp spaces available so visit www.ticketseller.ca or call 250-549-SHOW (7469) for more information.
Smith joins a panel of six speakers including Mariel Belanger, Margo Tamez, Stephen Foster, Jordan Bennett and Amy Malbeuf March 25 in the lobby of the Performing Arts Centre for a free panel discussion on First Nations in Contemporary Culture. Admission is free and the event starts at 7 p.m. Visit www.ticketseller.ca to find out more about the panelists.
And on March 28, Kaha:Wi Dance Theatre is on the Performing Arts Centre stage for their performance of TransMigration. Brilliant colour, design and movement fuse together for this in depth exploration of the life and work of renowned Shaman artist Norval Morriseau. Tickets are on sale through the Ticket Seller by calling 549-SHOW or online at www.ticketseller.ca
– Brian van Wensem is the audience development co-ordinator with the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.
