Coming Soon to Venables Theatre

Lennon & McCartney: In their own Words and Music, is a ‘Rockumentary’ celebrating the uniqueness of the most successful songwriting partnership in history featuring Michael Sicoly and Mick Dalla-Vee.

Lennon–McCartney is the best-known and most successful musical collaboration ever by records sold, with the Beatles selling an estimated current world-wide sales figure of over 2 billion units sold! Between 5 October 1962 and 8 May 1970, the partnership published approximately 180 jointly credited songs, of which the vast majority were recorded by the Beatles, forming the bulk of their catalogue.

Now, two of the most copied and revered songwriters of all time are paid homage to in a moving tribute with video, interviews, and information in a perfectly recreated live performance with complete multi-media enhancement.

Michael and Mick were part of the much heralded Beatles touring show, ‘Revolver’ a show that Rick Neilson and Robin Zander of ‘Cheap Trick’ fame claimed was ‘the greatest Beatles band we have ever seen… and we’ve seen a lot of them!’

The two lead vocalists and multi-instrumentalists (Mick & Michael) have now paired up to present this new and unique show, telling the stories behind the songs along with performances of total authenticity with complete multi-media enhancement.

Wednesday June 28 @ 7:30
COUNTRY ICONS
Presented by Savage West Productions

TICKETS - $55

The Country Icons Show pays tribute to three of the giants in traditional and outlaw country music. Jake Allan, Rob Rowan, and Jason Cooper are all veterans of the country music industry and have performed in numerous Honky Tonks, Casinos and many of the major festivals throughout Canada and the US.

Over the past number of years, these artists have come across countless country music fans expressing their inability to find great “live” traditional country music. Being huge fans of this genre of music, they decided to produce a show to pay homage to three of their favorites. This talented and stellar trio of singers combines great musicianship with a little humor to bring you a fantastic show in their tribute to “Alan Jackson”, “Waylon Jennings” and “Merle Haggard”.

Along with many standing ovations, they’ve been recipients of great reviews from their audiences. Remarks such as “Awesome show”, “Great band”, “Sounded so much like the real thing”, and “You guys knocked it out of the park” are frequently heard.
The Icons’ show is supported by an award-winning group of musicians who never cease to deliver. They always look forward and are grateful to share their passion for this great style of music with other like-minded fans. Their love for traditional country music shines through in every performance.

Come raise your voice and sing along to these trademark tunes while recalling memories that they will conjure up. Join us for a lively night of foot stomping country music.

Thursday September 21 @ 7:30
THE ROCKET MAN & THE PIANO MAN
Presented by Mooncoin Productions

Both Shows Star accomplished Vocalist, Pianist and Performer Ryan Langevin who gives a genuine & powerful Tribute to the music that inspired him as an artist. More info at: www.iLoveEltonJohn.com

TICKETS: $64

Moon Coin Productions (Producers of ABBA Tribute ABRA Cadabra) Presents The Rocket Man – A Tribute to Elton John with opening act The Piano Man – A Tribute to Billy Joel!

Don't miss these two visually and musically captivating stage productions featuring a live band, multi-media, colourful costumes and dancers! This high-energy cast of performers will take you on a journey through some of your favourite Elton John and Billy Joel hits including Crocodile Rock, Benny & The Jets, Tiny Dancer, Your Song, Saturday Night’s Alright, Philadelphia Freedom, Candle In The Wind It’s Still Rock n Roll To Me, The Piano Man, My Life, Just The Way You Are, You May Be Right, Only The Good Die Young, River Of Dreams & more!

Some performance highlights for The Rocket Man & The Piano Man include The PNE, The Harmony Arts Festival, The River Rock Show Theatre, The Kelowna Community Theatre, The Vernon Performing Arts Centre, The Venables Theatre, The Hard Rock Show Theatre, The Massey Theatre, Casino Regina, TD Concert on The Pier, The Bell Performing Arts Centre, The McPherson Playhouse in Victoria & more!

Thursday October 5 @ 7:30
DEREK EDWARDS
In Praise of the Ostrich
Presented by Shantero Productions

With 'In Praise of the Ostrich' Derek Edwards moseys back into town on horse-drawn comedy wagon; a searing meander down life's twisting trails, steered effortfully by this 30-year veteran. He returns with a payload of blissfully funny personal stories – a cacophony of shenanigans – set to tickle the ribs and warm the heart.

With an easy conversational style, Derek reluctantly pulls his head out of the sand and launches into commentary on the influx of pot stores, self-driving cars, gambling tips, the challenge of staying youthful... plus dressing warm.
From Vegas to St. John’s, this Just For Laughs veteran is universally considered to be among the comic elite. Certainly his peers think so, as evidenced by the fact that he’s a four-time nominee, and winner of Best Standup Comic - Canadian Comedy Awards, as well as a multiple Gemini nominee for Best Performance in a Comedy. As Rick Mercer says, “Everyone knows Derek is the funniest man in Canada.”

Clearly the critics agree: “5 STARS - the funniest man on earth” - Winnipeg Free Press; “4 STARS - the crowd howled” - Victoria Times Colonist; “still the funniest man in Canada” - Toronto Sun; “Edwards reigns as the King of Canadian comedy” - Charlottetown Guardian; “Derek Edwards is hysterical” - Calgary Sun; “Edwards takes stand-up to next stage” - Georgia Straight; “the epitome of timing & storytelling” - Halifax Chronicle Herald; “the comedian’s comedian” - London Free Press.

'In Praise of the Ostrich' - Derek Edwards' new 90-minute stand-up comedy show... a richly textured and enthralling 'cut above,' delivered with pace and authority by the consummate Canadian Comedian. Down to earth, lots of laughs, wagons ho.

TICKETS - $60
Presale for email newsletter subscribers begins Tuesday June 6 @ noon. General sale begins Friday June 9 at 10:00am.

Saturday October 7 @ 7:30
Lisa Brokop presents
THE PATSY CLINE PROJECT&
HANK LIVES
Featuring Paul Jefferson

TICKETS - $45

Around here, we love our country… we love our country music that is. We get our fair share of artists, but rarely do we get them with the musical pedigree of Lisa Brokop, also featuring Paul Jefferson. In 2016, Lisa Brokop put together a new musical venture, "Lisa Brokop: The Patsy Cline Project." Lisa pays homage to one of country music's greatest ladies with some of Cline's classic hits like "Sweet Dreams," "Walkin After Midnight," and “Crazy,” as well as some of her own material specifically written for the project. As an added bonus, you get Paul Jefferson, a major country artist and super talented songwriter, (Aaron Tippin, Keith Urban) with and incredibly accurate performance of his hero Hank Williams Senior, (you’ll think he’s back!)

Lisa Brokop began her career as a young girl in Surrey BC and with more than 30 years in the biz. She has 9 albums to her credit and over 30 songs that are top 20 radio charting. At the age of 19, Lisa landed the lead female role in the feature film "Harmony Cats" and shortly after, she was signed to Capitol Records. Lisa released two critically acclaimed albums, the Canadian-certified Gold record "Every Little Girls Dream" and the self-titled "Lisa Brokop," which garnered hits such as "Give Me a Ring Sometime," "Take That,” "Before He Kissed Me," and "She Can't Save Him.” In 1995, the prestigious Academy of Country Music recognized Lisa with an award nomination for Top New Female Vocalist. She has been awarded multiple times by the the Canadian Country Music Awards. Lisa has written for Reba McEntire, Terri Clark and Pam Tillis. This is a must see for Patsy Clines fans everywhere!

Paul Jefferson is a singer, songwriter, producer and recording artist who originally hails from the hills of Woodside, CA but has been based in Nashville Tennessee for the past 3 decades. Early in his career, Paul landed the leading role of Hank Williams in the San Jose production of "Lost Highway Paul's latest musical venture goes back to his country roots to honor his hero Hank Williams Sr. with the show "Hank Lives," which pays tribute to the many amazing classics of Hank Williams Sr. along with stories from the life and times of Hank.

Thursday October 12 @ 7:30
TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT
Presented by Mooncoin Productions

TICKETS: $64

Moon Coin Productions (Producers of ABRA Cadabra and The Rocket Man) Presents “Take It To The Limit” The Ultimate Eagle’s Tribute coming to the Frank Venables Theatre for the first time on October 12th, 2023! This show features some of Canada’s finest musicians and vocalists, performing all of your Favourite Eagle’s Hits such as Hotel California, Heartache Tonight, Peaceful Easy Feeling, Take It To The Limit, Desperado, Life In The Fast Lane, Take It Easy, Love Will Keep Us Alive, New Kid In Town, Tequila Sunrise, I Can’t Tell You Why, Lyin’ Eyes and many more! See more info at: www.EaglesTributeShow.com

Testimonials:

One of the best I’ve seen lately …if anyone has the chance to see these guys perform, it’s well worth going. Everything from sound, stage, lighting, vocals.. were perfect. A great show…

Angie Tatarniuk - Vancouver

Fantastic show tonight at the Bell Performing Arts Centre in Surrey. We had a fantastic time and we didn't want the show to end!! Go see them if you get a chance, we can't wait for them to come back!

Cathy Hauen – Surrey

Fantastic concert, perfect sound and worth every penny!

Gary Leiper – Surrey

Amazing Eagle’s Tribute! Saturday really was "one of those nights" at Surrey's Bell Performing Arts Centre when Take It To the Limit played the Eagles' many hits in the sold-out theatre (which is amazing for a brand-new production). The band did not disappoint with a note-for-note tribute to the American rock icons. My guests were blown away! Congrats for the amazing success out of the gates!

Tom Zillich, entertainment reporter - Surrey Now-Leader

Some performance highlights for Take It To The Limit Include The Bell Performing Arts Centre in Surrey, The Clarke Theatre in Mission, Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver, McPherson Playhouse in Victoria, The Port Theatre in Nanaimo, TCU Place in Saskatoon, The Vic Juba Theatre in Lloydminster, The Red Deer Memorial Centre, The Yates Theatre in Lethbridge and many more!

Friday October 13 @ 7:30
OKTOPUS
Presented by Venables Theatre
South Okanagan Concert Series

Part of the 2023/2024 South Okanagan Concert Series
Friday October 13, 2023 - Oktopus
Friday November 10th 2023 - Tunde Jegede & friends
Friday January 26th 2024 - Sarah Hagen
Friday March 22nd 2024 - The McDades

TICKETS
4 Events - $25 each
2-3 Events - $27.50 each
Single Event - $29 each
Students - $2.50 each

Awarded numerous awards (JUNO, CFMA…), Oktopus is a major presence on the Canadian world music scene, with over 250 performances to its credit at home and abroad. The group is primarily devoted to klezmer distinguished by a novel approach that incorporates various components of the classical and Quebecois repertoire, with some jazz and Balkan accents. The eight virtuoso musicians offer festive, high-energy performances, at once melancholic and profound, sprinkled with humour and spiced with narrative, in which original compositions and finely crafted arrangements combine with improvisation. Its members’ complicity, shared passion, and hard work are what makes each of their performances so memorable—whether on stage, in the street, on a ship, in a hot air balloon or in your living room, Oktopus is simply… spectentacular!

Sunday October 15 @ 3:00
Venables Theatre presents
HEY VIOLA!
The Soundtrack of a Life

Hey Viola!, is a musical exploration of Canadian Civil Rights hero, Viola Desmond and could not be more relevant in this time of Civil Rights, Black Lives Matter, and Women’s Rights movements.

In Hey Viola!, Vancouver songstress and actor Krystle Dos Santos, with the support of local musicians Chris Davis, Steven Charles and Jen Lewin brings the life of Viola Desmond to the stage using the dynamic and inspirational music that filled the home of this trailblazer of the civil rights movement. Using the musical format enriches the telling of her amazing and powerful story, ultimately an important Canadian story. But who is Viola Desmond...? other than the newest face on Canada’s ten-dollar bill. She is best known for her courage in refusing to leave the whites-only section of Nova Scotia’s Roseland cinema in 1946, a decision that made history, but she was also a feminist and beauty product icon. What was the fire within this successful black Canadian businesswoman that gave her the courage and confidence to stand up to systemic racial injustices in Canada?

Teaming up to create this work are two immense talents: Tracey Power, Co-creator and Director, who created Glory, Chelsea Hotel, The Songs of Leonard Cohen and the musical Miss Shakespeare and Krystle Dos Santos, an extraordinary actor, blues, jazz and soul singer and creator of “BLAK”, exploring Canada’s Black history. “I feel so honoured to be able to continue to share Viola’s story, now more than ever as we continue to make our way through a time when perspective and togetherness is so important,” stated Krystle Dos Santos. “Viola was such an incredibly driven, intelligent and strong woman. Her story is an important message to share and relevant in today’s world. As Canadians, we have to recognize that this is not a unique story in our history, but one that reflects an imperfect culture, past and present, I have seen how audiences really open up to her."

TICKETS: Adults $30, 18 & under $20

Friday November 10 @ 7:30
TUNDE JEGEDE & FRIENDS
Presented by Venables Theatre
South Okanagan Concert Series

TICKETS
4 Events - $25 each
2-3 Events - $27.50 each
Single Event - $29 each
Students - $2.50 each

World-renowned composer, producer, cellist and kora virtuoso Tunde Jegede brings a new vision to contemporary African and Western classical music. A renaissance man of the harp-lute with over twenty years experience, his work is a unique synthesis of classical, jazz and traditional music and embodies the legacy of the idiom; African Classical Music.

Tunde Jegede’s work has changed the face of classical and contemporary music in Europe and Africa. He is one of the only composers in the world to be steeped in both Western and African music who is rooted in two cultural musical legacies. Tunde Jegede studied both Western classical music and the Griot Tradition of West Africa from a very early age, attending the Purcell School of Music in London and learning from a Master of the Kora in the Gambia, Amadu Bansang Jobarteh.

Tunde is joined by Jessica McMann. Jessica is an Alberta -based Cree (Cowessess, SK), multi-disciplinary artist. She interweaves land, Indigenous identity, history, and language throughout her dance and music creation/performance practice. A classically trained flutist, she holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Calgary and an MFA in Contemporary Arts from Simon Fraser University. Her work fuses together traditional language and dance with her own contemporary experiences as an Indigenous woman and Two-Spirit person.

Also joining Tunde is Daniel Bhattacharya. As a musician, Daniel has performed in most of the major Concert halls of the world, such as Carnegie Hall (New York), Royal Albert Hall ( London), Musikverein(Vienna), Berlin Philharmonic Grand Hall( Berlin), and Queen Elizabeth Hall (London). Recent solo performances have taken him to Spain, Canada, the USA, France and India. He has made broadcasts for BBC radio, Canada and Russian radio and TV. He has directed various ensembles from the violin, performing a wide range of concertos.

Part of the 2023/2024 South Okanagan Concert Series
Friday October 13, 2023 - Oktopus
Friday November 10th 2023 - Tunde Jegede & friends
Friday January 26th 2024 - Sarah Hagen
Friday March 22nd 2024 - The McDades

Friday January 26 @ 7:30
SARAH HAGEN - Wonder Woman
Presented by Venables Theatre
South Okanagan Concert Series

In “Wonder Women!”, pianist Sarah Hagen delves into the remarkable stories and piano music of forgotten female composers from the classical repertoire. This recital will highlight piano works by 18th and 19th century composers, including Clara Schumann, Cécile Chaminade, Delphine von Schauroth, and others. Included will be stunningly gorgeous music by Marianna Martines, who lived in the same circles as Haydn and Mozart, and often joined Mozart in piano duets at the musical soirées she and her sister held in their Viennese home.

A note from the performer: I began performing this programme after purchasing a disappointingly thin volume of music by female composers about 20 years ago. After reading through the music, I remember shutting the book and thinking to myself, There must be more music than this, and certainly more music of a better quality!. I simply didn’t feel the collection fairly represented the music that had been created by women during the 18th and 19th centuries. So I set off on a musical treasure hunt, searching online, through old collections of music, and in libraries. I have found that good music is getting easier to find as scholars take more of an interest in researching these remarkable women. So, I am constantly refreshing the programme!
I am also continually fascinated by the stories of the strong women behind the music. These are the women who fought for equal pay as their male colleagues, who insisted that they could also have a life and a career outside of the kitchen, who chose to shockingly forgo marriage to be able to fully focus on their art. These are the trailblazers who are an invaluable part of our journey to gender equality.
I have especially found that high school students are particularly interested in hearing these stores. Somehow hearing the music makes the stories of female strength and resilience come to life for the students in an inspiring way.

Friday March 22 @ 7:30
THE MCDADES
Presented by Venables Theatre
South Okanagan Concert Series