Okanagan Institute from 5 to 7 pm every Thursday is open for all at the Bohemian Cafe on Bernard as follows:

May 7: Culinaria ~ A Celebration of the Culinary Arts

May 14: Interior Design ~ Creating and Crafting Sophisticated Spaces

May 21: All That Jazz ~ The Past as Prologue Discovers Music. I am headed out to a show in Vienna from May 8th to May 24th at the Stiegenhaus Gallery, Vienna, Austria. Another Gallery owner in Graz, Austria has also expressed interest in a solo exhibition for me in his ultra-sleek gallery and he will be coming to view my works. It is very exciting to have the opportunity to show my work in the company of Jean-Francois Provost from Quebec; Rian Kerrane an Irish-American professor of art at the University of Colorado, Denver; Matthias Schmidt an Austrian Ph.D. student and amazing artist.

Talk about artists with a heart. My husband and I ran into Rhonda Draper a wonderful singer-songwriter and music teacher. In a matter of weeks she established a fund for an African school of over 10 thousand dollars. The way she structured to fund raiser was for her students in Glenmore to give up something that was a “want”. They gave up buying a special $3 dog bone gift for their pet or the parents gave up a latte and instead put the money into a jar which was donated to the fund. Thinking about how they can better use the money they target for luxuries in order to help others attain a way out of a life time of crushing poverty is an invaluable lesson in compassion. Congratulations to Rhonda for teaching the most important aspect of life, having a loving heart. She is currently looking for donations of art for her next funding project. Her number is in the phone book, give her a call if you wish to contribute.

The Kelowna Women’s Shelter is setting up an art therapy room for women and children who are working through a past of trauma. If you have any art supplies to contribute to this very efficient method of lifting people out of a triggered and anxious state to go on and live a calmer life, contact or drop by  the KWS Thrift Store at 527 Lawrence Avenue. Our clients receive needed items free of charge, and funds raised go to support our programs. Come check us out! Thrift Store is open Mon - Sat, 10 am - 4:30 pm. Call 250-762-8561 for more information.

Kelowna Visual and Performing Arts Society is having an open house May 1st, 2nd and 3rd at  Friday 7-9 pm and Saturday and Sunday 1-5 pm. This is a great way to get design ideas, view art and enjoy the Spring weather with your family. Best of all, its free. Just the right price.

Anyone who has arts news of any type, let me know and I will spread the word. Contact me anytime at creative@cheriehanson.com

Yasmin John-Thorpe was co-founder of the Penticton Writers and Publishers group. Erika Lambert, a writer herself who helped launch the O’s Own Writers Group based in Osoyoos. Her poetry has been included an Anthology of Canadian Verse by the Poetry Institute of Canada, and in the book Songs on the Wind. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in the history and future of writing in the valley.

I want to encourage everyone in the Kelowna area to get out and see Kiss of the Spider Woman by Actor’s Studio which began Thursday, March 26th at 8 pm. Not to be missed, any performance by Tracy Ross where she gets a chance to dance, sing and bring her sexy sizzle to a stage. She is one of the great secrets of Kelowna. Her husband Scott Gamble as a drummer is also a giant talent in our area. If these two moved to New York or Toronto, they would still be outstanding. We should support the fantastic talent we are lucky enough to have in our own Kelowna area.

Jane Eamon will be playing at Ministrel’s Cafe Tuesday, March 31st with oh…someone I know backing her on bass and anyone who doesn’t get it, Jane is on her way up and out. She is working hard as a musician, a writer of songs and keeps driving herself to connect in the greater world with trips to Nashville as well as working closely with other local musicians.

Don’t forget to attend the First Thursday Art Crawl at the Rotary Centre for the Arts which runs from 4 to 7 pm.All of the artist’s galleries are open and there is food and drink as well as music. It is free and a nice evening for the family.

The Mount Boucherie Jazz band will be playing for the third time for the Artists@Work and are fantastic. Their teacher Craig Tomson does a fantastic job of organizing the B.C. Interior Jazz Festival and training his young musicians. Look forward to attending the Jazz Master’s Concert April 17 at the Kelowna Community Theatre. I taught Acting and Drama for over 25 years and I know exactly how much passion it takes to structure opportunities for young people to stretch themselves artistically. It is done out of love. And you will love the results. Get tickets early: They always sell out.

My apologies for anyone that I am overlooking when I write the column. The best way for me to make sure I am giving you or your art the notice you deserve, is to contact me. My goal is to be inclusive and helpful to any artist or group in the Kelowna area. My email is creative@cheriehanson.com. So let me know. I will shout it to the world.

Okanagan College is presenting a World Community Film Festival beginning at 9 am, March 13th and continuing on to the 15th at the college. For those who seek out an intensive film festival experience and the bugged-eyed delight of watching film after film, check out the 30 Canadian and international documentaries by contacting the college for information. www.ocworldfilmfest.net. The films are free but a donation will be gladly accepted for the Kelowna Women’s Resource Centre.
The Alternator Gallery’s big fund raising event is becoming more and more popular every year. This year the event was announced by an enticing parade down Ellis Street. The Wearable Art Gala begins when the doors open at 7:00pm. The show is at 8 with an after-party at 10 pm on March 14th. The event takes place in the Rotary Centre, 421 Cawston Avenue with tickets for sale through www.ticketmaster.ca.
While the Wearable Art Gala is not for children or the faint of heart, the Kelowna Art Gallery is continuing to provide wonderful experiences for a family to explore creativity together on Family Sundays. Drop in every Sunday at 1:00 pm to get involved.http://www.kelownaartgallery.com/art_classes.htm
Also over Spring Break budding actors can go on a fun journey into the world of acting with the Kelowna Actors Studio Theatre Camps starting 9 am March 16th until March 20th. http://www.kelownaactorsstudio.com/
Another possibility for children is the Spring Break Clay and Craft Camp being offered for those between the ages of 6 and 12 beginning at 10 am on March 16th to March 20th at the Rotary Centre for the Arts.
The Okanagan Jazz and Blues Society has been working for years to foster local talent and to bring in accomplished musician to play in the Okanagan. The group has reformed, reconfigured and adapted to changing times. On March 16th at 7 pm at the Habitat, the group will announce its rebirth. They are looking to recruit new members to keep the sound of blues and jazz alive and vigorous. Show up to support this great possibility of create more cultural tourism for our area.
Minstrel’s Cafe and Bar is one of the few places left in Kelowna that hosts live jazz music. Robert Fine will be crooning for your enjoyment March 17th at 7 pm. Phone the Cafe for a reservation. Jane Eamon plays March 31st, presenting original well-crafted songs.
When I first arrived in Kelowna, there were many venues that presented a place for local players to make a living making music. Over the years the number has dwindled. The Coast Capri features live music which is, at times jazz and it is a great place to sit and listen. Jim Copeman’s group Small Change can be heard there March 27th. Several wineries will host special events that feature the jazz group of drummer Danny Sameshima. Stay tuned for those dates.
And for blues… well the Blue Gator is a natural place to dance and rock out.
If you want to feel the music for yourself, what better way than to join the Feel the Rhythm Community Drum Circle which begins at 7 pm on March 18th at the Rotary Centre. Absolutely no experience necessary and the drums are provided by instructor Jim Copeman.
The Rotary Centre also hosts the Sunshine Theatre production Mesa running March 18th to March 21st. I saw this play several years ago when it was first co-produced by Sunshine and the Arts Club Theatre and thoroughly enjoyed this laugh out loud play.
And now for something completely different, go to the Library building, room 312 at UBC O March 19th at 2:30 pm to find out the answer to the question: What’s the Good of Bilbo Baggins? A word study inquiring into the ethics of the hobbit will be sponsored by the UBC Okanagan Office of the Provost as a way for specialists to present their research to the public. This is a perfect occasion for those who wish to mind their Ps and Qs.

The University also presents International Feature Film Fridays at the Fipke Centre, 251 starting at 7:30 pm March 20th. Award winning international films shown for free will be followed by a guided discussion.

For those planning to travel in the future, Kelowna’s own Kristine Polley has taken her globe trotting experiences to write her new book “Lipstick & Luggage: Easy Your Pain When Travelling! How to Get Organized & Stay Safe.” Soft launch of the book was February 4th.

The Kelowna Art Gallery is pleased to host the 23rd annual Art in Action exhibition, In the Making, featuring artwork created by local youth. Art in Action runs March 6th to 31st.

So whether you wish to take your family out to be creative together, to find a chair and enjoy the skill of accomplished artists or join others to explore the creative life of the mind, Kelowna offers the possibilities of the journey into the world of art. Turn your face outward. Spring forward into your community.

Angela Bonten’s show continues for the remainder of February at 1561 Pandosy St. The Woodside Gallery, EH’ for Art, is a wonderfully designed space which features local artists. Check out the gallery at  http://www.awoodsidedesign.com/

Vancouver’s Pacific Baroque Orchestra, founded in 1990, performs the music of 17th and 18th century on period instruments on February 20 with a start time of 7:30 pm. To reserve tickets for a journey back in time info@rotarycentreforthearts.com. Tickets are $23.95 each.

And now for something entirely different, the Habitat hosts Beast on the same evening of February 20th from 7 pm-12 am. Call 250-763-9674 because space is limited. The in-your-face powerful voice of Beatrice Bonifassi was present on the sound track of the 2004 Oscar Winning film The Triplettes de Belleville.

February 26th the presentation by UBC O of Poetry and Science in the Age of Copernicus by author Dennis Danielson will take place in the Arts Building room 103 at 3:30. This event is free and open to the public but do reserve a ticket: contact Gail Hourigan at 250-807-9339. We are incredibly lucky to have a University that offers opportunities for a life of the mind through their lecture series.

Also, on the 26th of February, the Kelowna Art Gallery and Leo’s Videos presents film night with Alex Gibney’s film The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. $10 advance, $15 at the door with start time 7 pm. With some planning, a culture vulture could get to a great lecture and an informative film in the same day.

Local film maker Jim Elderton, whose work I am familiar with as past President of the Okanagan Film Festival Society will screen his wildly successful film Sveva-Prisoner of Vernon. To view Saturday, February 28th at the Creekside Theatre contact theatre@lakecountry.bc.ca to reserve a $11 ticket.

The Kelowna Art Gallery will host the 23rd annual Art in Action exhibition by local youth in School District #23. View this wonderful and accomplished work between March 14th and March 15th. To see this work is to know that the education system does indeed foster talent.

Definitely for adults only is the Wearable Art Gala at the Alternator Gallery with over 50 artists on stage in a feast of movable art. Gala ticket holders can attend the after-party called UNLEASED for free. The following link will take you to the site where you can transition to ticketmaster for tickets. Visit http://www.alternatorgallery.com/

Remember that the Rotary Centre for the Arts resident artists host the First Thursday Art Crawl from 4-7 pm. Patterned after similar events in cities all over North America, the Artists@Work group offer food, drink, music and a chance to view new art. For more information call the desk at the Rotary Centre 250-717-5304.

For any one in the arts, send me information about your events. Do you teach dance, creative expression, music, art or any discipline in the arts? if so, please let me know.