Front Row

ALK THROUGH the swinging door of Cirque Éloize’s Saloon and enter a mythical place where theatre and circus collide for 80 minutes of non-stop, live folk music combined with strength, agility and original choreography.

A place to gather and share tales, Saloon becomes a theatre for stories of all kinds, including that of the beautiful Belle and her dashing lover. In a chase worthy of the great Westerns, the lovebirds on the run wreak havoc everywhere, from deserted plains to the depths of frontier mines.

“The inspiration for this show comes from the world of the Wild Wild West, sharing the frontier spirit of cutting new trails and pushing boldly onward,” said Jeannot Painchaud, president and creative chief of Cirque Éloize. “Saloon is a wonderful playground for a work of artistic exploration. It’s the physical energy of acrobatics combined with the poetry of the theatrical

approach, a touch of comedy and the musical roots of our childhood come to life.”

Painchaud continued, “Saloon is a thrilling, fun and funny musical. An invitation to a party.”

Vernon is one of only two stops that Cirque Éloize is making in BC during its cross-Canada tour, so get your tickets soon.

GRAPE CELEBRATIONS

HOUSE OF ROSE GRAPE STOMPING KELOWNA, SEPTEMBER 29 AND OCTOBER 6 22ND ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE GRAPE OLIVER, OCTOBER 6

When the grape harvest starts in the Okanagan, so does the celebration!

House of Rose Winery in Kelowna has become well-known for its annual Grape Stomping parties. It’s a free family affair where everyone can take a turn stomping grapes with their bare feet in the specially made oak barrel. All they ask for is a donation of non-perishable food or a cash donation for the

Kelowna Food Bank. No reservation is necessary and there are complimentary appetizers. Stomping takes place hourly from 1 to 4 pm on September 29 and October 6.

This year marks the 25th anniversary for the House of Rose family winery. Be sure to try some of the unique wines found only at this vineyard.

Festival of the Grape on September 30 is one of the great outdoor wine events in the region. This family-friendly festival at the Oliver Community Park includes tastings with over 50 BC wineries, 24 teams in the highly energetic Grape Stomp, live music, over a dozen food trucks, a merchant market, art show and sale and an interactive Kids Zone. Each admission ticket includes a souvenir wine glass and three tasting tokens.

OSO FALL LINE-UP

CONCERTS IN VERNON, KELOWNA AND PENTICTON SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER

The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra enters its 59th season with an exciting selection of programs.

The concert season starts with The Three Bs! and guest artist Jane Coop on piano. Enjoy music written by Bach, Beethoven and Brahms on September 21 in Kelowna, September 22 in Penticton and September 23 in Vernon.

Giuseppe Verdi’s Messa da Requiem features the vocal talents of Tracy Cantin (soprano), Lauren Segal (mezzo soprano), Justin Stolz (tenor) and Justin Welsh (baritone), supported by the Okanagan Symphony Chorus. They will be in Kelowna on November 9, Penticton on November 10 and Vernon on November 11.

Contemporary vocalist Tanya Tagaq will come to Kelowna (October 13) and Vernon (October 14). Tagaq is an accomplished throat singer who incorporates vocal improvisation and techniques from traditional, metal, rock and contemporary styles to create one of the most unique performances in the world.

Get your costumes ready for the family presentation of The Music of Harry Potter. The magic of John Williams’ iconic score will be brought to life in readings and music with two wonderful young actors: Anthony Knight as Harry Potter and Nina Ogasawara as Hermione Granger. Performances take place October 26 in Vernon, October 27 in Penticton and October 28 in Kelowna.

DIWALI FESTIVAL

VERNON, OCTOBER 9-13 FINALE AT VERNON & DISTRICT PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE OCTOBER 13

A new multicultural event coming to the North Okanagan promises to be a feast of riches for those who enjoy music, dance and cultural diversity.

The inaugural Diwali in Vernon festival will take place October 9 to 13 in venues throughout the city. It is part of the province-wide, five-week Diwali in BC event that was launched last year by the Diwali Celebration Society.

“With multiculturalism and inclusiveness as two of our organization’s core values, our slogan ‘Light Your Spirit’ is reflective of our mandate to bring together people of all backgrounds in a celebration of ‘the universal light that exists in everyone,’” organizers say.

Vernon is the only place in the Okanagan to date taking part in Diwali in BC events. Activities throughout the week will include workshops, dance and musical performances, cultural activities and crafts.

The week ends with a multicultural showcase at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre on Saturday night, featuring a wealth of national and local artists from different backgrounds. The headline performance will be the popular, Vancouver-based Shiamak Dancers, who bring their vibrant Bollywood choreography to the stage.

Get your tickets soon for the showcase finale: “The samosas and chai are on us!”

AUTUMN WITH BALLET KELOWNA

BALLET KELOWNA VERNON, NOVEMBER 15; KELOWNA, NOVEMBER 16 AND 17

Ballet Kelowna kicks off its 2018-2019 season with Autumn, the newest collection of dance inspired by the splendors of fall. Presenting works in their inimitable “inno-classical” style, Ballet Kelowna’s presentation of Autumn is the first of its three signature mixed programs: Autumn, Winter and Spring. They draw inspiration from the vibrancy, mood and power of nature, and feature five world premieres, two company premieres and two audience favourites. Signature works by Canada’s finest emerging and established choreographers will transport audiences on a visual journey exploring the dynamic spirit of the seasons.

Autumn is composed of three pieces. Following the success of A Streetcar Named Desire, the company presents another work by John Alleyne’s Schubert. It is a light and playful piece set to Schubert’s Trio in E flat, Opus 100.

Next up is the unveiling of the company’s premiere of In Between, a work originally created for the National Ballet of Canada by Alysa Pires and hailed by The Globe and Mail as “a polished, cohesive and energetic ballet.”

Fresh off its Toronto debut at the Fall for Dance North festival, the program closes with the wildly popular MAMBO, also by Alysa Pires.

Entering its 16th season, Ballet Kelowna continues to bring artistic excellence and inspiring dance to its audiences.

A CULTIVATING JOURNEY

KELOWNA ART GALLERY, THROUGH TO OCTOBER 28

The must-see art exhibition of the season is now at the Kelowna Art Gallery until October 28.

A Cultivating Journey: The Herman H. Levy Legacy presents more than 60 paintings, drawings and etchings that span over five centuries of visual art. The earliest are from the late 15th century — etchings by German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer — while the most recent is from 1993.

Of particular note are works by well-known artists including Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Peter Paul Rubens and Vincent van Gogh. This is the first time that works by many of these old masters have ever been shown in Kelowna.

“We are thrilled to share this collection from the McMaster Museum of Art with local audiences,” said Nataley Nagy, KAG executive director. “From the stunning paintings by the great impressionists to the works on paper, this exhibition of significant European historical and modern art will have something for everyone.”

Dr. Herman Herzog Levy (1902-1990) was a businessman and philanthropist who donated his personal art collection to the McMaster University Museum of Art in 1984. It is one of the most significant donations to a university gallery in Canadian history, and favours Impressionist/Post- Impressionist landscapes, portraits and still lifes.

BY BRENDA GIESBRECHT