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Whats On

Okanagan Summer Festivals

by Ryan Donn - Story: 92101
May 16, 2013 / 8:30 am

Festival season in the Okanagan is starting to get going. Line ups are being announced, tickets are on sale, and with all that commotion it felt like a great time to let you know about some of our highlight festivals and events that happen in the Okanagan. This list isn't comprehensive but if your looking for an event worth going to here's a starter list for you
 
Fat Cat Festival: June 7th and 8th, Waterfront park
- School Day: Friday 8:30-1:30pm: hands-on programming and workshops. Open to general public, homeschoolers and students
- Fat Cat Children's Festival Parade, Saturday 10-11:30am
- Community Day, Saturday, 11-5pm: stage performances, street performers, and lots of hands-on activities
 
 
Celebrate Canada Day Kelowna 2013: July 1st, Waterfront park, Jim Stuart Park, and Kerry Park
Join over 50,000 attendees celebrating Canada's Birthday. Over 50+ activities and performances that are multi-generational and family- friendly.
 
 
 

 
IPE: Aug 28th - Sept 1st, Armstrong
The Interior Provincial Exhibition and Stampede is a five-day fair that showcases our agricultural history, cultural and artist talents and is attended by over 150,000 each year. It plays host to the Wrangler Tour Finals Pro Rodeo, Youth Talent Competition, Dodge Truck Music Stage, Thistle Hill Petting Zoo and much more.
http://www.armstrongipe.com/
 
Parks Alive, Music in the Park, Lake Country Open Air Performances, etc: July and August, Parks throughout the Okanagan
For any of those new to our region you really need to know about our free live music concerts in our various communities. Almost every community in the Okanagan hosts free community concerts in one of our parks.
Every evening throughout the summer there is a free concert somewhere. So get out there and discover some great live local entertainment. Call your local Parks and Recreation office for more information on free concerts in your community.

Global Music Fest: Aug 24th, Memorial Park, West Kelowna
This is a new event that I am producing in West Kelowna this summer. Its a completely free community multicultural festival that is being organised as a collaboration between Creative Okanagan, ISCO, and the District of West Kelowna. I'll be doing a full story on this event once all the details are finalized but it will feature a sampling of some of BC's best emerging indie and multicultural talent.
Here is a sample of one of the acts peforming this summer at Global Music Fest
 
 
Funtastic: June 28th-30th, Vernon
Billed as "Canada's Greatest Slo-Pitch Tournament & Music Festival" this is Vernon's signature Festival. Headliners this year include: Honeymoon Suite, Sweet, and Aaron Pritchett
For more information go to: http://funtasticsports.ca/music-festival.html
 
Dancin Barefoot: July 20th, Peachland
Headline acts this year include: Nick Gilder Sweeney Todd Group and Shawn Hook
Tickets are now on sale: http://www.ticketbreak.com/event_details/6099
Full event info: http://www.dancinbarefoot.com/
 
Keloha: July 5-7th: Waterfront Park, Kelowna
www.keloha.com
I recently interviewed the producer of this event. The full story can be read here.
 
Salmon Arm Roots and Blues: Aug 16-18th, Salmon Arm
Bruce Cockburn, City and Colour, plus an overwhelming number of amazing bands. Full event listing's here: http://www.rootsandblues.ca/category/2013/
 
WIN FREE TICKETS: As part of this story we wanted to give away a pair of tickets. To enter simply click the "tweet this " link at the bottom of the story. After this weekend I'll randomly select a winner from one of the tweets to win two tickets to the Dancin Barefoot Festival: http://www.dancinbarefoot.com/

 
Here is this week's live music listings for the Kelowna area:
Friday, May 17th, 2013 venue
Acres of Lions Doc Willoughby’s Pub
Blue City Vintner’s Poolside Grill
Chuck Norris 97 Street Pub
Crosstown Bus The Blue Gator
Daryl O'Neil Minstrel Cafe
Donovan Sweet Riley's Pub
Family Streaming Café
live music Level
live music The Yellow House
live music Good Earth Coffeehouse
live music Fernandos Pub
MODE + KONA + PHONIK OPS + BASSFACE + JAKEDA Habitat
Papa Wheely O’Flannigans Pub
The Bone Kelowna Lake City Casino 
Thomas Kjorven Grateful Fed

Saturday, May 18th, 2013 venue
 The Original Shakeown Habitat
Blue City Vintner’s Poolside Grill
Chuck Norris 97 Street Pub
Crosstown Bus The Blue Gator
Julia McDougall & Luke Leighfield Streaming Café
live music Good Earth Coffeehouse
live music Grateful Fed
My Kind of Karma Minstrel Cafe
Nico Train Station Pub
Papa Wheely O’Flannigans Pub
Paul Brandt Evangel Church
The Bone Kelowna Lake City Casino 
 
Shaw


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Keloha 2013

by Ryan Donn - Story: 91798
May 10, 2013 / 8:29 am

Keloha has announced their line up for 2013. Today we feature an interactive audio interview with Scott Emslie, founder of Wet Ape productions and producer of Keloha and Center of Gravity.

Step one: Before we go any further take a moment to go to www.keloha.com and get your tickets for this amazing festival.  Keloha will be held in Waterfront Park, in Kelowna and is a three-day, all ages festival featuring two stages, art installations, an exhibitor’s village, beverage gardens, and an impressive lineup packed to the brim with some of the hottest names in alternative/indie music today.

The 2013 KELOHA lineup will feature MGMT, Matt & Kim, Mutemath, Capital Cities, Atlas Genius, The Trews, Arkells, Cults, Tanlines, Current Swell, Shad, Yukon Blonde, The Zolas, The Boom Booms, and many more. Full line-up and artist info is available at www.keloha.com.

Step two: So now that you have your tickets to an amazing sampling of talent you've both heard of and will be introduced to take 10 minutes to listen to what it takes to put something of this scope together. Some great info in here. I was utterly blown away by the desire to use this festival to feature the best that Kelowna has to offer.

 
 
 
 
 
 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

EARLY BIRD PRICING: $49.50/DAY & $119.50/3DAY

Tickets Available at:

Online: www.keloha.com

By Phone: 1.855.235.2867
In Store (Kelowna): Freeride Boardshop, Pita Pit, and One Boardshop
In Store (West Kelowna): Freeride Boardshop
(Save the service fees In Store, ONLY 3-day passes available in store

 

Friday, May 10th, 2013
venue
Animal Nation
DJ Shado
John Paul Byrnes
live music
live music
live music
Lydia Hol
Mat the Alien
Open Mike
Poppa Dawg
The Ozzy Ozmunds
Wheelhouse
Wild Son
Saturday, May 11th, 2013 venue
DJ Bmack Flashbacks
Fighting Orange  Minstrel Cafe
Jeff Piatelli Train Station Pub
live music Vintner’s Poolside Grill
live music Good Earth Coffeehouse
live music Grateful Fed
Poppa Dawg The Blue Gator
The Archers Streaming Café
The Ozzy Ozmunds 97 Street Pub
Wheelhouse Kelowna Lake City Casino 
Wild Son O’Flannigans Pub
 


Detailed look at Center of Gravity

by Ryan Donn - Story: 91682
May 8, 2013 / 9:30 am

Tiësto, Kaskade and Dada Life set to headline the 2013 Monster Energy Center of Gravity Festival

Friday, August 2 – Sunday, August 4, 2013
City Park, Kelowna, BC

 

Well folks its back. Canada's Hottest Beach Festival is now in its 6th year and the much anticipated Monster Energy Center of Gravity returns to Kelowna's City Park Aug 2 - 4th.
 
 
Electro powerhouses Tiësto, Kaskade, and Dada Life headline the 2013 Monster Energy Center of Gravity lineup, which also includes Hoodie Allen, Cazzette, Tommy Lee & DJ Aero w/ Sofi, Hopsin, Lights, Wolfgang Gartner, Le Castle Vania, DVBBS, Robbie Rivera, and more. Full lineup and artist info at www.centerofgravity.ca. Sport lineup will feature over 150 athletes competing in 7 different sports including beach volleyball, basketball, freestyle mountain biking, wakeboarding, FMX, skateboarding, and BMX.

 

Produced by Wet Ape Productions, the biggest, adrenaline-pumping festival to hit the Okanagan includes three days packed with action sports, sandy beaches, bikinis, and some of the biggest DJ names in the world.

Electro powerhouses Tiësto, Kaskade, and Dada Life headline the 2013 Monster Energy Center of Gravity lineup, which also includes Hoodie Allen, Cazzette, Tommy Lee & DJ Aero w/ Sofi, Hopsin, Lights, Wolfgang Gartner, Le Castle Vania, DVBBS, Robbie Rivera, and more. Full lineup and artist info at www.centerofgravity.ca. Sport lineup will feature over 150 athletes competing in 7 different sports including beach volleyball, basketball, freestyle mountain biking, wakeboarding, FMX, skateboarding, and BMX.

Early bird tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10am on Saturday, May 11 and are available at www.centerofgravity.ca.  

TICKETS ON SALE - MAY 11 @ 10am PST

(Insider presale on May 8)

EARLY BIRD PRICING: 3-Day Sport & Music $169 and Single Day Sport & Music $79
(+ tax and service fees)

 Tickets Available at:

Online: www.centerofgravity.ca

By Phone: 1.855.235.2867


www.centerofgravity.ca / www.facebook.com/centerofgravity / www.twitter.com/COG_Kelowna

For details and additional info check out this interactive poster:

About Wet Ape Productions:

Scott Emslie founded Wet Ape in 2007. With a background as a professional volleyball player, Scott decided to produce a large beach volleyball event called “VolleyFest” (2007). The event was a success and Scott and his team were hooked on the thrill of creating cool new events. Since 2007 the team hasn’t looked back and Wet Ape is the proud owner of Canada's hottest beach festival, Center of Gravity, which draws 25,000 - 30,000 guests a year, and the Keloha Music and Arts Festival. Wet Ape produces large-scale arena shows with some of the biggest names in electronic dance music including Deadmau5, Calvin Harris, and Tiësto.

Next week I have an exclusive interview lined up with Scott Emslie talking about this festival and Keloha. Here's a sneak peak of what's to come.

Shaw


Faber Drive: BC Band returns home

by Ryan Donn - Story: 91317
May 2, 2013 / 8:30 am

 

Faber Drive arrive in Kelowna on Monday May 6th.
Tickets are $26.25 and available here: http://www.selectyourtickets.com/event.php?event_id=979
 
I caught up with this breakout band over email for a quick interview. What a great BC music success story!!
 
RD:  Do you ever think what life would be like today if you hadn't entered the battle of the bands hosted by 99.3 The Fox radio station in Vancouver?
 
Faber: If we hadn’t entered the 99.3 the fox SEEDS competition and won then the band would probably have broken up and i would have re applied for a job at Dairy Queen. Not that i don’t love Blizzards and Peanut Buster Parfaits but i definitely love being in band more than working at Dairy Queen. lol
 
 
RD: What's the wildest thing that's happened to the band this year?
 
Faber: Well there are two crazy things that have happened too us this year. First we are really excited that we got to shoot our newest video "Life Is Waiting" in a desert two hours east of LA and that its coming out soon! Second is that we just found out we are going to Singapore for 3 days in May to play at a big Music Festival in front of Asian/European booking agents and promoters. This will be our first time outside of North America so we are JACKED!!
 
RD: For a breakout band, there can be a parallel between that feeling of being tongue tied and wanting to say the right thing that you sing about, and the feeling of being tongue tied and wanting to say the right thing in interviews. Did you ever get that "tongue tied" feeling trying to deal with the press? How did you overcome it?
 
Faber: Ha ha ha! I get Tongue Tied all the time!! When i get stumped with a question in interviews i usually just pass the microphone to Krikit or Seamus lol
 
RD:  Is there a muse for the music you are currently developing?
 
Faber: When we write music we usually write about life experiences. Weather its about a current relationship, hangin out with friends or rockin out with the band. We generally try to stay positive as well
 
RD:  If you could be based anywhere in the world where would it be?
 
Faber: I love Mexico, LA, Kelowna and Kamloops. Basically anywhere with a beach is rad in my books. However, when it comes to life, i love being close to family and friends and most my family is in Mission BC so at this point i am gonna stay right here in good ole MISSION!
 
 
RD:  About the song Candy Store, which one of you has the sweet tooth?
 
Faber : We all have a sweet tooth. I love black licorice, Krikit loves swedish berries, Seamus loves Reeses Peanut butter cups and JP loves it all!
 
 
RD:  Who is your biggest influence this year?
 
Faber: . i'm gonna go with 4, musically speaking; Classified, Walk Off The Earth, FGL and Chris Tomlin
 
 
RD: How important is a JUNO win to a Canadian musician's career?
 
Faber: ¨I think winning a juno is a big win for a Canadian artist. Its monumental in your career as well as its nice to be recognized for the blood, sweat and tears that goes into the music.
 
RD: What's the best part of living the rock star life?
 
Faber: . I would say theres a couple things that are great about being in a band. Getting free clothes and food is always nice! Ha ha! But its also great to know that people enjoy your music and hardwork. We love playing live because we love connecting with people on a personal level, and isnt that what lifes all about? 
 
RD: Is there a concert you would love to go back and play again? Why?
 
Faber : We have played shows in front of 2 people and shows in front of 20,000 people. Every show to us is important, no matter how big the crowd is. One show in particular stands out and that was the night of the 99.3 the Fox Seeds competition in Vancouver. Sold out show, all of our friends and family there, and they were all packed into the Commodore Ballroom. The 4 other bands we played against were amazing and we didnt think we had a chance but sure enough we won and thats when it all started.

 
Once again here is a weekly summary of live music in Kelowna this coming weekend (May 3rd and 4th).
Find us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ryandonnwhatson
 
Friday, May 3rd, 2013 venue
Cod Gone Wild Kelowna Curling Club
Danielle Kozlowski @ Winefest Rotary Centre for the Arts
Deb Stone Band  The Blue Gator
Emberfield & Joyful Door Fernandos Pub
Fangeles Grateful Fed
Floyd Vedan Band O’Flannigans Pub
Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils Doc Willoughby’s Pub
JC Wilson 97 Street Pub
Jerry Seinfeld Prospera Place
Johnny V The Yellow House
live music Vintner’s Poolside Grill
Andrew Judah Good Earth Coffeehouse
Moni Funk Kelowna Lake City Casino 
Poppa Dawg Blues Minstrel Cafe
Tin Can Jam Creekside Pub & Grill

Saturday, May 4th, 2013 venue
BISON B.C. w/ Dracula Black & The New Arcadia Habitat
Christina Martin Streaming Café
Danielle Kozlowski @ Winefest Rotary Centre for the Arts
Deb Stone Band  The Blue Gator
DJ Invisible Doc Willoughby’s Pub
Floyd Vedan Band O’Flannigans Pub
Hawk & Steel Milkcrate Records
JC Wilson 97 Street Pub
live music Vintner’s Poolside Grill
Rodrigo Rosales Good Earth Coffeehouse
live music Grateful Fed
Moni Funk Kelowna Lake City Casino 
Poppa Dawg Blues Minstrel Cafe
The Train Station Pub Train Station Pub
The Wild Fernandos Pub
Shaw


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About the Author

Ryan Donn, singer/songwriter who started his career around the same time that cassette tapes were losing out to CD sales. He produces events such as Global Music Fest, www.talentedkids.ca, and Music in the Park (West Kelowna). You can also find him in local schools teaching songwriting or sharing the stage with many of our emerging local artists. He is a passionate supporter of all things creative and his column focuses on the creative community and events throughout the Okanagan. 

Contact Ryan through email: info@ryandonn.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ryandonn

twitter @ryandonn

or online at www.ryandonn.com
 




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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet presents its columns "as is" and does not warrant the contents.


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