Soak up arts and entertainment through Penticton’s vibrant scene

Soak up arts and entertainment through Penticton’s vibrant scene – Castanet.net
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Soak up arts and entertainment through Penticton’s vibrant scene

Plenty of culture to absorb

The South Okanagan is bursting with arts and culture, with plenty to see and enjoy this month.

Many Hats Theatre Co. is launching its newest production, titled Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan with Johnny Donahoe, which launched its first show on Sept. 11.

“It’s a one-of-a-kind solo performance but it’s like nothing you’ve seen before,” said the theatre’s front of house manager and publicist, Cheryl Gill.

“High energy and exuberant, it involves a great deal of audience participation making it feel like a large cast. Vance Potter tells the story of a very special list, a list of Every Brilliant Thing that makes life worth living. His energy is contagious and he has people shouting out items from the list and really becoming part of the action.”

“The basis of the story surrounds mental challenges that many of us, or people we know, have faced,” she continued. “It’s a delicate subject so Vance and director, Sharon Moriarty put in a huge amount of time rehearsing. Sharon reflected on how the story was delivered, revising it to ensure the story was being told in a careful, enjoyable and entertaining way.”

Many Hats Theatre, which has been a staple in Penticton since 2007, puts on five shows a year (with an exception during COVID-19). The theatre began thanks to 17 “brave and experienced theatre people,” as Gill explains, who “pooled their various specialties, learned new skills, and shifted from one “hat” to another as required.”

This show in particular involved a completely new style of set, reflective of a theatre in the Round, meaning the audience surrounds the stage and the action taking place on it.

“All productions involve a large commitment of time, but this one required a lot more than normal,” said Gill. “Having one person carry an entire show is incredibly challenging for an actor. On top of learning a huge number of lines, Vance also needed to understand the delivery of them in order to create beautiful interactions with audience members. He takes the audience on a very special journey, building scenes that are at times tender and poignant but mostly funny and uplifting.”

The show takes the stage every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and every Sunday at 2 p.m. until Oct. 4. Tickets are priced at $35 for adults and $33 for students and seniors, and can be purchased online at manyhatstheatre.com

Enjoy a stroll at your own pace through one of the many local art galleries, including Gallery One Twenty-Seven, featuring a number of paintings, prints and other pieces by local artist Peggie Collins.

Collins, who moved to Naramata in 1990 from Vancouver, paints a variety of different things in acrylic, from Okanagan landscapes to florals to creatures to cars and trucks.

Her work can also be found not only in painting form but in cards, posters, magnets, bookmarks, calendars and even pendants, making for beautiful keepsakes and gifts.

Her work is also sold at the Penticton Visitor Centre & Gift Shop, located at 120-888 Westminster Ave W.

Visit the gallery for your own experience at 127 Elm Ave, and feel inspired enough to try your hand at one of Collins’ art classes!

Visit peggiecollinsdesign.com for more information.

New on the Penticton art scene is Lakeland Gallery, which opened its doors at 516 Martin St in May of this year.

Featuring contemporary art, the space also welcomes artists to feature their own work on the artist wall space, enjoy commission based sales, or, for those looking to try their own hand at art, sign up for a workshop or enjoy a local event.

The gallery is also open to private bookings, or to the public to come and enjoy a browse of the displayed artwork at their own pace.

Designed to “feel alive,” the gallery showcases high-end statement pieces, in a space “artists are proud to showcase their work, and where people walking in actually feel something.”

Founder Izaak MacPhail “comes from a background in construction and safety, where (he’s) spent years building projects and understanding how spaces actually feel when people walk into them.”

Be sure to visit them in person or online at lakelinegallery.com

Get the full immersive experience of enjoying local art by visiting a local art studio – and spending the night (or maybe two!), too!

Cormier Studio Guest Suites in Penticton is a vibrant artisan guesthouse offering the option to stay in one of two guesthouse suites, overlooking Okanagan Lake.

Located at 495 Vancouver Ave, the studio and guesthouse is in the heart of the vibrant Penticton art scene and close to downtown restaurants, bars and more.

With an on-site art gallery, you can really take your time (or visit again later!), browsing local art work, or take some time to enjoy the outdoor sculpture garden.

The guesthouse is run by a husband and wife team, and your suite rate even includes breakfast in your room (which you can enjoy on your own balcony!)

Visit cormierstudio.com for more information.

Over in Naramata you’ll find Gam Gam’s Cottage, an artist-run gift shop described as a “charming … must stop,” when you’re in the village.

The shop is owned and operated by Blaine Gerlach, a local artist offering up a space that is “anything but ordinary.”

From handmade gifts to original artwork and even quirky novelties, each “visit is an opportunity to discover something unexpected.”

The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and can be found at 365 Robinson Ave.

And don’t forget to soak in all things arts at theArtiverse Block Party, open to all and featuring music, art, food trucks and more the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 19 at Penticton’s Leir House.

Tickets are pay-what-you can so that everyone can attend, and proceeds all go back to the Penticton and District Community Arts Council.

More information can be foundonline here.

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