The Stone Poets, whom we featured in Gonzo Okanagan (here) in 2020 when they joined the diverse and divine line of musicians who have performed at The Dream Café Penticton, return September 23.
Founded in 2011, Stone Poets brings together a brilliant combination of musicians combining their talents from multiple bands and solo projects including Cherelle Jardine (vocals, guitar, mandolin), Scott Jackson (vocals, guitar, percussion), and Marc Gladstone (vocals, keyboards). Rooted in the expressive Modern-Folk sound of their own design, the music crosses genres drawing from their combined experiences.
Gladstone, for instance, plays with Jackson in Abandon Paris, and is also playing with Prism. From 1998 to 2005, he was with Doug and the Slugs. Jackson has a background in English Literature, specifically Elizabethan poetry, so adds a depth to their lyrics. Recording since 1995, Jardine was honoured with two prestigious awards and was a Canadian Musicians’ Coalition director petitioning for a living wage for all professional Canadian musicians.
Stone Poets have just completed HUMAN, an album of 15 songs with some of Vancouver’s finest musicians. Award-winning Sheldon Zarharko co-produced the album, which will be dropped on all platforms on January 31, 2024. Leading up to its full release, a single with a video is being released each month beginning with this one.
Similkameen
Fall harvest in the Similkameen is revered as a big deal to celebrate. Whether you are touring local wineries, cideries, and distilleries or loading up on the best of organic produce to stock up for winter, it is a fun time to visit. For an amazing list of producers to explore, check out the Similkameen Independent Winegrowers.
You can get spicy at the Similkameen Sizzle, dedicated to the pepper harvest. From 10 am to 10 pm, September 23, Memorial Park, Keremeos, take in Canada’s only hot pepper festival. See Facebook @SIMSIZZLESFEST for more details.
The Grist Mill and Gardens, Keremeos, hosts its eighth annual Harvest Fair, September 23 and 24. You’ll find heritage games of skill, concessions, entertainment, and more family-oriented fun. If you are skilled at preserves, baking, crafts, or vegetable or flower growing, there is a category for you with some 50 exhibits featured.
Hester Creek Harvest Festival
Oliver’s Hester Creek Estate Winery, Great Northwest Winery of the Year 2023, hosts its annual harvest festival. Free admission to this event featuring local vendors and food trucks, vineyard tours, complimentary wine tastings, and live music, 1 to 4 pm. Be sure to taste Hester Creek’s fine wine and the fine cuisine at Terrafina.
Wine Capital Weekend Oliver
As part of the phenomenal three days of unforgettable delights by Wine Capital Weekend, Destination Osoyoos, and Visit Oliver, it’s time to sample the finest selection of local and regional wines, craft beer, cider and spirits, and local cuisine. Check out the slate, September 22 to 24.
Buy a three-day pass or opt into the Kick-Off Party, Cask & Keg, 24th Annual Festival of The Grape.
Miradoro: The “Stay Classy” Lunch & Ride
Miradoro Restaurant at Tinhorn Creek invites you to join fellow cyclists for a “one of a kind, never been done before, blow your socks off” lunch and optional road ride. Chef Jeff Van Geest is a cycling enthusiast local, so the Penticton and Area Cycling Association is particularly excited to invite you to experience his delicious cuisine.
Ryga Arts Festival
Moved into September this year, the Ryga Arts Festival has many artistic and exciting events planned, September 24. On September 23, alone you’ll find a full slate of opportunities: Creating Theatre Workshop, 10 am to 12 noon; Theatre Trail, introducing five short original plays, 1 to 3 pm; Swing Dance Lesson & Dance, 3 to 5 pm; and Ryga Brothers & Friends, a return of Ryga’s sons – Juno Award-winning Campbell Ryga (saxophone), Sergei Ryga (keyboard and vocals) joined by their world-class musician friends Cameron Ward (bass) and Dan Marcelino (drums), 7 to 9 pm.
Train Wreck Comedy Cares
An evening of laughter and goodwill with Train Wreck Comedy Cares featuring Big Daddy Tazz at the Penticton Cleland Theatre, 8 pm.
Pride Arts Festival, Osoyoos
Pride Arts is a free event open to all ages, starting at 11 am with a Pride March at Gyro Park. It showcases live performances on the bandshell stage from dancers, bands, singer/songwriters, poets, comedians and more.
There is also a Pride Drag & Burlesque Show by ticket as the Sage Pub. Tickets and information at freidawhales.com
Wine Country Writers’ Festival
At Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre, is the Wine Country Writers’ Festival for writers of all levels to enjoy workshops on fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, and more.
This represents just a few of the activities available on one day in September, Summerland and south. That’s not even including those community happenings we count on regularly such as the Penticton Farmer’s Market, Main Street.
You can find fun things in Peachland, West Kelowna, Kelowna, Lake Country, and Vernon, too! There are even exciting collaborations such as The Okanagan Table, Kelowna, hosting Penticton’s Painted Rock Estate Winery, 6 pm. Details and tickets for An Evening with Painted Rock Estate Winery here.
Check out your local listings and get out to support and enjoy an event. Time to remember a kind of September?
