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Creative Current - Plenty of Christmas cheer to sing about

Nadine Davenport's bi-monthly column of theatre, arts and music in the area.
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Jim Cuddy performs on last year’s CP Holiday Train

Drum Circle Night at UniTea

The Community is invited to a new event at UniTea (100-210 Railway Ave. - beside Peoples) - Drum Circle Night on Thursday, Nov. 26 at 7pm.

Bring your favourite drum or percussion. No experience necessary - some extra drums will be on hand to join in on the fun. Drummers of all ages and experience welcomed. Lots of great organic tea and coffee on the brew - to help inspire our collective rhythms.

My Fair Lady exceeds expectations!

The first three performances of the local production of My Fair Lady are a slam dunk! Congrats to the WRAP Society, the 26 amazingly talented Actors, all the Volunteers and the great Production leadership for putting on top notch musical theatre.

Go see this, folks! This is big city quality with down to earth beautiful friends, family and a total of 60 participating people involved from our Regional Communities. I am so proud! These are the moments that I realize Ashcroft is such a beautiful creative place to be. See you next weekend for more!

There are still three performances of My Fair Lady left: Friday, Nov. 27 - Evening Performance 7-10 pm, Saturday, Nov. 28 - Matinee 1-3 pm and Evening Performance 7-10 pm.

All performances will be staged in the gymnasium of the Ashcroft HUB Center (formerly the Ashcroft Elementary School). Admission is by donation!

Performers needed for Cache Creek Winter Lights Singalong

The Cache Beautification Society is looking for local musical performers of all kinds who can play some Christmas songs at the fourth annual Winter Lights Celebration and Sing Along on Friday, Dec. 11 at the Community Hall. You’ll need to bring your own instrument.

This annual event celebrates the festive lights and outdoor decorations around town by recognizing the residents who put them up for everyone to enjoy.

Join in the celebration at this free family event. This recognition is combined with a musical concert that includes a performance of Christmas music by the Desert Bells Hand Bell Choir, carols performed on Baroque recorders and other musical guests, a singalong of Christmas carols and a visit by Santa Claus.

Hot beverages, home made snacks and other Christmas treats will be available.

The fun begins at 7 pm in the Cache Creek Community Hall.

Admission is by donation. Please contact Carmen (250-457-1215) for more information about performing.

Craft Vendors needed for HUB Christmas Fair

The Ashcroft HUB Society is holding a Christmas Craft Fair on Dec. 6 at 10am - 2pm. If you would like to rent a space it will be $10 with your own table or $20 with table provided. The HUB Society is also looking for donations for a fundraising raffle. Contact Vicky Trill or email ashcrofthub@gmail.com .

Holiday Train rolls into to Ashcroft Dec. 17

The CP Holiday Train will be stopping in Ashcroft (Railway Ave.) on Thursday, Dec. 17. The train provides a wonderful show of lights and fabulous live entertainment. as well as much neededsupport for our local Food Bank. The train is scheduled to arrive at 8:50pm with performers Jim Cuddy from Blue Rodeo, Devon Cuddy and Kelly Prescot. Mark your calendars now to attend this annual event.

The CP Rail Holiday Train began its unique trek across Canada and the U.S. Midwest and Northeast the last weekend of November in its cross-border mission to feed communities. For the 16th year, two specially decorated freight trains will launch their unique journeys across six Canadian provinces and eight U.S. states.

The CP Holiday Train’s goal is to throw the focus on the important job of local food banks, and to support local leaders in fighting hunger in their neighbourhoods.

Each Holiday Train is about 1,000 feet in length, with 14 rail cars decorated with hundreds of thousands of LED Christmas lights. There is also a box car that has been turned into a travelling stage for performers and, of course Santa.

Candy Cane Family Dance Dec. 19

It’s a Christmas Family Dance not to miss on Dec. 19 at the new HUB Gym from 6:30pm - free admission with great music, cash concession, photo opportunity and all sorts of fun! Come dressed in your Christmas best!!!!

Brought to you by the Rotary Club of Ashcroft/Cache Creek in partnership with Interior Savings Credit Union Ashcroft! This is a famil event! Come dance your heart out!

Winding Rivers Concert Series opens with The Nautical Miles

The Nautical Miles, a rollicking seven piece folk/rock band from Vancouver will kick off WRAPS’ Concert Series in January.

Whether collaborating with jazz artists for mash-up performances, with visual artists for a year-long song-blog, with bluegrass bands or brass quintets, The Nautical Miles continue to push the boundaries of contemporary Canadian folk music. They will be performing at the Crossroads Pentecostal Church, 1551 Stage Rd. in Cache Creek on Saturday Jan. 16.

The Nautical Miles have toured across Canada and in Europe, showcased at major industry conferences including the Canadian Folk Alliance and the Western Canadian Music Awards, and performed at internationally recognized performing arts festivals such as The Vancouver International Jazz Festival and The Isle of Wight Festival.

In their nine years together they have built a repertoire of richly textured and emotionally complex folk music. Their songs tell stories steeped in the natural and emotional histories of the Pacific-Northwest. Migratory mammals, people who swim across oceans, and long-forgotten revolutionary figures all become subjects in the narratives The Nautical Miles spin.

Celebrate the Easter weekend with the beautiful and transcendent music of extraordinary Celtic Harpist and Vocalist Caroline McKay.

This Kelowna musician creates a space where the mystery of harp and the magic of voice become one. Tender Celtic ballads, soul-stirring Spirituals, lively Latin rhythms, original works and classical arrangements are all part of her diverse repertoire.

For 20 years, Caroline has played a multitude of venues from great Concert Halls, Cathedrals and Festivals to intimate House Concerts, Galleries and Chapels. Her tours have taken her through Canada, the US, England, Switzerland and New Zealand. Currently, directing the 10-member Okanagan Harp Orchestra and playing in a Harp & Cello duo are her inspiration for arranging new music.

In April, How Can I Keep from Singing pays tribute to the music of Eva Cassidy – A North American treasure. It’s a hot new show featuring two of Vancouver’s finest vocalists Cayla Brooke and Tom Pickett and a four-piece band.

It tells the story of Eva Cassidy, from her humble beginnings in Washington, DC to her untimely death at 33. Showcasing 25 incredible songs, from jazz, gospel, blues, country to folk this audience favourite is not to be missed.

“People have either heard of Eva – and are devoted fans,” commented Cayla Brooke. “Or they have yet to be! For both groups, this show will be a magical experience.”

Sarah Hagen, Classical Pianist, will be here in May to give a virtuoso presentation of classical piano music. Sarah has been heard in concert halls and on the airwaves throughout North America and Europe. Her interpretations have been described as “outstandingly inventive,” performed with “infinite skill.” A visionary and an idealist, Sarah’s performances are conceptually innovative, involving photography, dance and spoken word.

She is the Artistic Director for Pro’ject Sound, a performance project involving live piano with large-scale projected images. She curates, hosts, and performs on numerous concert series in BC and Alberta, sharing the stage with artists from around the world. An avid collaborator, Sarah has performed with cellist Phillip Hansen, violinist Robert Uchida, tenor Benjamin Butterfield, Trio Accord, Ballet Victoria, the Emily Carr String Quartet, among many others.

For more info www.windingriversarts.ca or find them on Facebook.

Nadine Davenport