Live Music and the West Kelowna concert series
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ City of West Kelowna
June 20, 2019 - 7:30 AM
WEST KELOWNA - Are you ready to dance? How about picnic with some friends, and take in some live music? It's a relatively new summertime tradition for residents of West Kelowna and more people are invited to come.
What used to be one of the area’s best kept secrets has become an increasingly well loved opportunity to meet up with friends and family and enjoy some sweet songs in the summer sun.
West Kelowna’s Music In the Park summer concert series is held Friday evenings and provides the perfect setting to enjoy music with friends and family — young and old —by artists hailing from across Canada and closer to home. All this, and it’s free of charge.
“When I started it was a hidden gem, and it’s not quite so hidden anymore. It’s become a place where the community gathers, regularly,” said Karma Lacoff, of Creative Okanagan, which has been producing this concert series for the City of West Kelowna since 2012.
“There are lots of people who come every week, no matter who is playing.”
Part of the appeal is the increasing quality of the artists being booked. Lacoff said a growing number of people are starting to trust the programming she is able to suss out and bring to the region. In recent days, her name has been closely associated with Break Out West and the revamped Fat Cat Festival.
The other part is simply the uniquely West Kelowna community vibe.
“Once people discover the event, the location and how relaxed it is, they continue to come back,” said Lacoff.
This year’s line-up features soul, blues, bluegrass and country and rock acts throughout the summer series. Some of the more recognizable names on the roster are Nuela Charles, an alternative soul singer and Crystal Shawanda, a blues/roots/country artist. All shows are in the lower bowl of the Johnson-Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre at 3737 Old Okanagan Highway.
Lineup
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June 28 The Insiders Pop and J.S. Garcia Band - pop/rock covers
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July 5 Nuela Charles alternative soul and Mason Burns Band - retro rock and roll
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July 19 daysormay alternative and Andrew Judah - art rock
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July 26 Crystal Shawanda blues/roots/country and Michael Daniels - new country
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July 27 Shawn Lightfoot Band rock/country/pop covers and Keala Morazain - pop/jazz/covers
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August 2 Westbank Country Opry - country
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August 9 Apollo Suns instrumental rock/jazz and Post Modern Connection - indie soul
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Aug 16 Kentucky Eileen folk/bluegrass and The Heels - country
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Aug 23 Under the Rocks bluegrass and Becca Mabbett singer/songwriter
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August 30 Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne boogie woogie/blues and Black Cat Soul - blues/roots/soul
Performances begin at 6:40 p.m., the general format starts with the emerging artist, followed by a 45 minute set by a local band at 7 p.m. and a 60 minute set by the headlining artist at 8 p.m.
Food vendors are on site from 6 to 9 p.m.
They are also seeking a few additional emerging artists generally between the age of 13 and 24, who have not played a full set for their events previously and are exploring being an artist and performer. They limit emerging artist sets to 10 minutes and a maximum of two performers. If you are interested please contact them at info@creativeokanagan.com with your name, what type of performance (ex. singer and guitarist), and brief description of your experience as a musician.
NUELA CHARLES
CRYSTAL SHAWANDA
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