Kelowna festivals

[Cateyes]

How about a "if you don't like it leave" festival. They can have 'celebrations' for all the traffic problems, air quality problems, unaffordability problems, crime. It would be a hoot!

[Evan]

How annoying.. a festival that highlights artists... not sports.. not elvis.. just Artists. A festival that is different...

Brian Given already said he wants to basically copy the Elvis festival and put one in Kelowna, during the weekend of the Arts Festival.. Seriously, find another weekend bub!

This is a great event, and every year I have gone it has been packed (I've been to every single year) The reason it wasn't packed this year?? Weather issues.

[quietlywatching84]

6) Duotone Festival...Aug. long weekend

same as arts and life festival and about say 10x better...

[Black Daisies]

I have attended the Arts festival every year and have always enjoyed it. I thought the festival was out there to showcase the local artists and entertainers to the people of Kelowna not as a tourist magnet. I find it sad that Councilor Blaneil (or what ever his name is) is questioning this festival. Can't we just have a celebration for the people who live here to learn from and enjoy? It's free to attend, there's something for everyone of all ages to enjoy, it's fun and it showcases the local talent. Maybe the value of this festival can't be measured just in one lump sum of money but in it's residual effects. I know I've gained more of an appreciation of the local arts and entertainers from this festival.

[Timi]

I have attended the Arts festival every year and have always enjoyed it. I thought the festival was out there to showcase the local artists and entertainers to the people of Kelowna not as a tourist magnet. I find it sad that Councilor Blaneil (or what ever his name is) is questioning this festival. Can't we just have a celebration for the people who live here to learn from and enjoy? It's free to attend, there's something for everyone of all ages to enjoy, it's fun and it showcases the local talent. Maybe the value of this festival can't be measured just in one lump sum of money but in it's residual effects. I know I've gained more of an appreciation of the local arts and entertainers from this festival.

I didn't attend the last festival due to the cold and rain, but have gone the previous 3 years, and I didn't find a lack of people. There was a lot of different venues for the entertainment so the people were spread out. It's perfect because you don't get overcrowded. It really isn't advertised very well though. Unless you happen to be in Kelowna, you won't know it's going on - even in Kelowna you don't always know unless you read a paper. They could also drum up some more interest in the latern festival portion of it by making it competitive. I love the fire dancer finale though...so magical in the dark in front of the water.

It sounds like the councilor needs to promote the city, and the festivals it puts on...and to suggest an Elivis Festival? Penticton already does it. Can we be any more creative? I think Penticton does a really great job of promoting the Elvis Festival. We need some creative promotions perhaps.

[JGirl]

In case anyone is interested....

July 5 - Ciro Radio, Cakewalk & Friends hosting "7 Blocks of Busking"

7 Blocks of Busking

The Campus-Community Radio Okanagan Society (CIRO) will be hosting '7 Blocks of Busking' Saturday July 5th, 2008 in the Kelowna Cultural District. This 'open mike' styled event is seeking musical and performance artists, volunteers and common folk to come out and have some fun.

7 Blocks of Busking has been organized by CIRO to promote the amazing talent in the Okanagan. CIRO was formed by a group of UBC-O students and community members to start a community radio station in Kelowna.

The event will be totally free for the public. Artists will be encouraged to busk for funds which they can keep for themselves or donate to CIRO. CIRO is raising funds for the necessary equipment and reports needed to start a not-for-profit community radio station.

CIRO is looking for artists to pre-register before the event. The nature of the event is busking so there will be ample room for acoustic artists, drumming circles and performance art. At least one stage will have power so electronic artists and bands are encouraged to sign up as well.

The event is modeled on similar free festivals held in Vancouver, Toronto and Seattle. The event will be fun and family friendly. No alcohol will be served.

To sign up as an artist, ask questions or volunteer e-mail [email protected]. Info will also be posted on the CIRO Facebook and Myspace pages. To find out more information on CIRO and community radio visit http://www.ciro.ca.

This festival was made possible through support of the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan and the City of Kelowna Cultural Services Office. Insurance for the event will be donated by Capri Insurance.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=15321174142
http://www.myspace.com/ciro_kelowna

__________________________________________________________________________________

Sept 25 - Oct 1
Rockanagan 2008

======== ROCKANAGAN 2008 ========

Thurs 09/25 -- Wed 10/01 -- 7 Nights -- 7 Venues -- 50+ Bands & 10+ DJs -- OMAs!


Organizers for Rockanagan and the Okanagan Music Awards have announced that they are pairing the two events for 2008 offering Valley music lovers one full week of music festivities.

Rockanagan Music Week kicks off Thursday, Sept. 25, and will culminate with the Okanagan Music Awards seven days later on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008.

"Considering both events celebrate the fabulous music that's available here in the Okanagan, it only made sense to combine Rockanagan with the Okanagan Music Awards," said Jodi Stewart, whose company "JC Stewart Entertainment" has taken over the running of the awards From Scorpion Entertainment.

Ryan Abougoush, one of the organizers who spearheaded Rockanagan's successful inaugural year in 2007, concurs with Stewart. "Both events are successful on their own but combining the two will give the Okanagan a festival week that can legitimately grow to become one of the biggest music festivals in BC," he said.

The week will kick off with a VIP cruise on the Fintry Queen on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Friday and Saturday will feature 20 bands and five DJs a night performing in six venues in Kelowna's downtown core, all within easy walking distance from one another. The six venues include the original five — Sturgeon Hall, O'Flannigan's Pub, The Grateful Fed, Doc Willoughby's and the Fintry Queen — with Christopher's Restaurant on Lawrence Avenue added this year.

On Sunday, the best two bands from each venue will participate in the Rockangan Music War, a new event taking place at O'Flannigan's. The judging panel will consist of representatives from major record labels and the winning act will gain a berth in Vancouver's New Music West, the biggest Indie music festival in Western Canada.

Tuesday and Wednesday, organized by JC Stewart Entertainment, is dedicated to musicians. "We'll be offering both songwriting and music workshops," said Stewart.

The Okanagan Music Awards, held at the Kelowna Community Theatre, will close the week.

More than 50 bands have already applied from out-of-town to perform at this year's festival. Names of the bands performing at Rockanagan will be announced soon. "We've got applications from as far away as New York and Nova Scotia this year," said Abougoush. "Although there will be more out-of-town bands accepted this year over last, we're still going to have a strong Okanagan contingent.

"First and foremost, this is a week that celebates homegrown Okanagan music."




Rockanagan Week
... at a glance ...


::Thursday::
A VIP cruise on the Fintry Queen
for participating musicians, sponsors, & special guests.
A thank-you to everyone participating in Rockanagan Music Week.

::Friday::
Rockanagan kicks off with 20 bands & 4 DJs performing at the six participating downtown venues Sturgeon Hall, O'Flannigan's Pub, The Grateful Fed, Doc Willoughby's, the Fintry Queen, & Christopher's Restaurant.

::Saturday::
Rockanagan continues with another 20 bands & 4 DJs performing.

::Sunday::
Rockanagan Music War at Flannigan's Pub.

::Monday::
Workshops on music, lighting, technical and songwriting available to all local musicians and out-of-town acts participating in Rockanagan and the Okanagan Music Awards.

::Tuesday::
Pre-Awards Gala, an opportunity for the public to meet Okanagan Music Award nominees, taking place at the Kelowna Community Theatre. Music workshops continue.

::Wednesday::
Okanagan Music Awards, taking place at the Kelowna Community Theatre.


Tickets for both Rockangan and the Okanagan Music Awards will be available soon via Hemp City in Kelowna 526A Bernard Ave.

For more information call Ryan Abougoush at 250-212-8283 or Jodi Stewart at 250-718-4598.

http://www.rockanagan.ca/
http://okmusicawards.com/

[dudlee]

I hear they are thinking of having a Geritol festival for the old farts in this town.No need for Porta Potties cause they only go once a week.

[Mr. Personality]

I heard the same thing. It's apparently tentatively called the "Get Off My Lawn You Kids!" Fest and is sponsored by Centrum Silver, Metamucil and Viagra.

Imagine the problems the cops are going to have around that viagra tent.

[dudlee]

I heard the same thing. It's apparently tentatively called the "Get Off My Lawn You Kids!" Fest and is sponsored by Centrum Silver, Metamucil and Viagra.

Imagine the problems the cops are going to have around that viagra tent.

News flash, a ninety year old male died today from an overdose of viagra.He apparently tripped and pole vaulted infront of a riding lawnmower.When carted away in the morue mobile they had to open the sunroof do to his aroused state, the good news was birds had somewhere to temporarily perch while the investigation was in progress

[frances]

Here is an idea.... busking. What about allowing busking and have some vitality that is not so controlled. Having seen festivals in Europe, the presence of street performers gives amazing vitality.
Also, we need to include all ages. Perhaps children could put on plays for the public...which would get families out. Perhaps there could be a charge to go into the artists tents. One participant said that she felt like she was in a Mall. Lots of people strolling up and down the covered tube.

Kelowna has very, very talented musicians, performers and artists. They need to make a living wage... more than the $10,000 a year that our current Canadian statistics inform us is the take home. We could start with the city paying more to performers and musicians. We could start with the artists being valued, hence, an entry fee.

Council, the city staff and the public can help to revitalize the cultural scene by just making sure that the artist gets support both financial and in terms of emotional support.

What good are the arts? What is left after a civilization has crumbled? The Condos... even of stone are ruins. But the poetry, the paintings, etc. are passed down. Kelowna should continue to hold festivals in an effort to keep the soul alive in our community.