Dream team performs fairy tale with good grace
Hats off to the over 60 folks who put together the very successful play A Midsummer Night’s Midterm held a week ago in Ashcroft. That was quite the Production! The WRAP Society Committee members want to thank the many Volunteers, courageous Actors and Crew but most of all to our Community for such great support and turn out.
“Our community is so fortunate to have such talent and commitment in our arts community. And to see that we are inspiring and growing our young to appreciate and participate is truly a gift to all!” says Jackie Tegart.
Or, in the words of ever disgruntled Egeus - played by the dapper looking Jan Schmitz, “ ...’Twas a tale that asked for some tears and much laughter, some fretting and frolicking, pacing and lacing and the chasing of fairies; being upstaged and falling down stages and gallantly dying (many times over) in the true performing of it! Truly - our loves labor was not lost. Thank you all for a marvelous and unforgettable experience!”
WRAP AGM celebrates successes and community!
Winding Rivers Arts & Performance Society invites its members and interested Community folk to its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 28 starting at 5:30pm (at St Albans Hall - 501 Brink St) for finger food pot luck followed by meeting.
They welcome you to become a new Member or to get involved with the organizing of the many events throughout the year.
Live Music and art displays will be part of this fine evening as well. For more info call (250) 453 9100. Come celebrate the arts in Ashcroft !
Spring Concert tickets make a great gift
The last two remaining Dessert Concerts are in the new year, making them a perfect gift for family or friends. Coming in March on Friday the 22nd is a man and wife duo with some old-time sweet harmony. Pharis and Jason Romero reside in Horsefly, BC, where Jason makes his own guitars and banjos. You can expect some beautiful, striking duet singing with acoustic and National guitar and banjo on originals and well-loved songs from others.
For the final show of the Season on April 27, you can look forward to Vancouver-based sextet, Company B Jazz Band. They are a vintage vocal harmony swing band in the style of the Andrews and Boswell Sisters plus other renditions of classics from the 1920s through 1950s. Loaded with personality, the harmonies of the female vocal trio are well-complemented by an instrumental trio of clarinet/sax, guitar, and upright bass.
These concerts are held in the comfortable and relaxed venue of the St. Albans Hall at 510 Brink Street. You can purchase them ahead of time at the following Ashcroft businesses: The Ashcroft Bakery, Natures Gifts or The Ashcroft Liquor Store or give Nadine or Andrea a call at (250) 453-9100
Holiday Train brings Juno Award winning Country act Doc Walker!
North America’s longest-running food bank fundraiser rolls into Ashcroft at 8:30 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 16. Lytton can expect a visit the following day at 3:15 pm. Bring your non-perishable food donations to the site on Railway Ave. Your donation will benefit our local community.
Since 1999, the CP Holiday Train program, powered by an army of employee volunteers, has raised $5.6 million and generated close to 2.5 million pounds of food donations for local food shelves. The Holiday Train has 14 rail cars decorated with hundreds of thousands of LED Christmas lights and a box car that has been turned into a travelling stage for performers and, of course Santa.
Headlining the musical spirit of the season from a specially designed stage is Doc Walker and Miss Emily. Doc Walker is a Juno Award winning country trio from Portage La Prairie, Man. From Kingston, Ont., Miss Emily is a truly gifted singer and her voice is rich and soulful. She has been compared to Adele and has performed with The Tragically Hip, Sam Roberts and The Trews.
Cache Creek Christmas Sing Along and handbell concert
The Cache Creek Beautification Society invites all members of the Cache Creek community and surrounding areas for a good old fashioned Community Sing Along and Concert on Thursday, Dec. 13 at Community Hall (1270 Stage Rd.).
This not to be missed seasonal event for all ages will feature live local Christmas music including the Desert Bells Handbell Choir and a Community sing along, plus the Beautification Society will also be handing out Winter Lights Appreciation certificates for residential Christmas light displays. Nominate your neighbour or your own house! Look for posters around town. Doors open at 7 pm with live music starting at 7:30 pm.
There will be hot beverages and snacks. Admission is free, but the Handbell Choir will have a donation jar there as they are trying to raise money to purchase their own handbells. For more info call (250) 457 9119.
Sage Sound Singers and Desert Bells perform in Ashcroft
The Sage Sound Singers and the Desert Bells Handbell Choir invite the surrounding Ashcroft/Cache Creek Community for another special evening presented by Winding Rivers Arts & Performance Society. Don’t miss the Seasonal Choral Performance of the Season by our two local Choirs on Dec. 15 and 16 at St Albans Hall, 501 Brink Street in Ashcroft. Admission is by donation. Doors open at 7 pm with the Concert beginning at 7:30 pm. Doors open at 1:30 pm for the 2 pm. Matinee performance on Sunday. Come early for hot chocolate and desserts.
The evening will feature The Sage Sound Singers and The Desert Bells Handbell Choir, an 11 piece Bell Choir - plus, lots of surprises. Beautiful harmonies and sounds will fill the room as the night also encourages you to join in on a Community Sing-Along to close out the evening.
The Sage Sound Singers are a 23 piece choral group, conducted by Carmen Ranta with accompaniment by pianist Dimiter Terziev. Their Musical Director, Michelle Reid has selected a mixture of popular and seasonal pieces that will surely get you into the holiday spirit. From contemporary folk, traditional and Christmas standards to a medley from the Ma Ma’s and Pa Pa’s, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Christmas Kum Ba Ya, and many more.
The Desert Bells Handbell Choir which is also under the direction of Carmen Ranta, will be performing a variety of lovely Christmas Carols. A special feature to celebrate the Season, will be a performance of ‘Hear The Bells of Christmas Ringing’ for SATB Choir, Handbell Choir and piano. This piece will only be performed at the concert Dec. 15 and 16 with Sage Sound Singers.
The Desert Bells Handbell Choir will also be performing at Cache Creek Elementary School Dec. 6 at 2 pm. They are also pleased to be invited to perform at the Christmas Concert at Kamloops United Church December 1st at 2 pm.
The Bell Choir has eleven ringers who ring three and a half octaves of bells. They are an inter generational handbell choir, with members from age 9 to senior, and practice weekly through the fall and spring at Cache Creek Elementary School.
Please also note that at the concert at St. Albans Carmen Ranta will be playing Alto Saxophone with Dimiter and possibly also special guests as yet to be confirmed! Bring the whole Family for a festive traditional Community gathering - sure to get you into the holiday season! Free Desserts, Coffee & Tea during Intermission. Happy Holidays! For more info call (250) 453 9100.
Nadine Davenport