Young, spirited and beautiful, pianists Amelie Fortin and Marie-Christine Poirier, have distinguished themselves with fiery four-hand interpretations, remarkable for their vitality and wit.  Referring to what is happening with their quite spectacular career success under the name Duo Fortin-Poirier, they like to joke that if  ten fingers are good then twenty fingers are better.

When they arrive on stage at Venables Theatre at 7:30 pm Friday, February 15^th, be prepared to see one grand piano on stage with two pianist and four hands showing off the close affinity between their playing styles and a keen shared sensitivity fueling their ensemble playing.

Of special note, is a new presentation device where a camera captures the pianists fingers on the keyboard and projects it onto a screen at the back of the stage.  No matter where you sit in the audience you can see every nuance on the keyboard and marvel at the speed and dexterity with which all 20 fingers create a blend of hard driving rhythm that has made waves in performance in Quebec and Canada and, more recently, internationally.

The program, entitled “Memoires”  includes piano duo selections from Grieg, Dvorak, Piazzolla, Rachmaninoff and others.

Tickets are on sale at www.venablestheatre.ca or at the box office Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10 to 3 pm.  Thanks to our very generous sponsors, tickets are affordable.  Two or more tickets in advance cost $21/ticket.  A single ticket in advance is $23.  Single tickets at the door are $25.  Children and youth are $2.50.

Amelie and Marie-Christine are also doing a Master Class at the Shatford Centre in Penticton and will have three local duos performing for instruction from 10 am to 12:30 on concert day.  The Master Class is open to the public for auditing.   Also, if you arrive at 6:15 at Venables these local duos will be entertaining on the grand piano in the theatre foyer prior to the concert.

Since their inception in 2005, Duo Fortin-Poirier have garnered many distinctions.  (1^st prize in the Canadian Music Competition;  2^nd prize at the 2013 Concorso Pianistico Internazional Roma;  finalist in 2011 Liszt 200 Chicago International Duo Piano Competition and many more).   Recently the Duo have toured the Maritimes, enjoyed a Prairie debut and toured the western USA.

Do come and enjoy the beautiful new Venables theatre complete with a fine grand piano and accoustics to warm the soul.

by Marion Boyd

Story By Marion Boyd

Photos by Hilary Drummond

Oliver’s Grandmothers for Africa gathered recently at the home of Christina Ruddiman to enjoy a meal together and to hear about Hilary Drummond’s recent trip to Africa.

Hilary was given a number of pillow case dresses, socks and some shorts for boys to distribute wherever they might be needed.  Although the Stephen Lewis Foundation we support is focused on grass roots community development and not ‘give away’ programs, we do occasionally ask friends going to Africa to distribute these cute dresses made with love locally by women in our community.

Hilary told of her experience.  “We drove down a long, red dust road in the middle of Benin, West Africa, looking for the small village where we were to observe a voodoo celebration.  Our bus parked outside the village as the roads were not meant for driving.  As we approached, curious children gathered and we could hear drumming.

Soon we saw different groups gathered.  Some were on the drums, some were talking and some were involved in ceremony.   As the voodoo ceremony started, our guide approached me and suggested this was a good place to give some dresses.”

“We went into a small building and there were about eight little girls between the ages of 5 and 8 waiting with excitement.  We were able to give each girl a dress and pair of socks,”  Hilary told us.   She added,  “I wasn’t sure what they would do with the socks since none of them had shoes to wear but they were happy to receive them.  They put the dresses on over their shorts and t-shirts and smiled for the camera.”

Hilary told us that she distributed similar clothing in several sites in both Benin and Togo.  Mothers and children clamoured to have them.  The new clothes gave the children something to wear besides simple school uniforms at play time.  School uniforms are treasured and handed down to others in each family.

Hilary and the local Grandmothers found they were soon engrossed in discussions of effective community development work in Africa.   What is the best way to support local institutions and initiates when we want to help? Hilary had some good tips for other travellers.  She recommended that in future donated items such as clothing and school supplies be given to local organizations like the school or an orphanage rather than to individuals.

The evening ended with camaraderie and stimulating conversation.  If you are interested in the Oliver Grandmothers for Africa and learning more about the 140 community-level organizations and projects in 15 sub-Saharan African countries we help support, give Eunice a call at 250 498-6840 and join us at our monthly meeting.

Watercolour Artist Larry Jackson is in town to give the second session of his watercolour workshop for the Oliver Sagebrusher’s Club.Larry gives Suzie a tip on how to perfect her watercolour, starting with 300 lbs paper. We found out the hard way it is about good paper and paints. Larry does great birches!Multitasking, Larry can help his students and choose the winning name for his demo painting . .  He called out Ann’s name, lucky girl.

For a little more info on Larry check out the site below. Or connect with Sally when he will be in town again.

http://www.prairieartistsguild.org/prairie_artists_guild/Larry_Jackson.html

By Marion BoydPhoto by Leslie

It is quite amazing the transformation that is taking place in Laos as they gradually recover from decades of war.  Art and craft work including a lot of silk weaving are huge boosts to family economics.  Two of our guides spoke of coming from families where their parents had to give them away as children since they couldn’t afford to feed them.  Thanks to Buddhist monasteries there was a decent place that would accept these children so they didn’t grow up on the streets.  The hill tribes are proud of their heritage (the child is wearing traditional costume) but they are also looking to a new and different future for their kids.

“Styling fun and Joy” 2018 Leza Macdonald, Mixed media

Available for your collecting pleasure at #101-6272 Station Street Oliver, BC V0H 1T0. (250) 498-6696.

Offended, 2003.

I painted this during the Iraq war.

There is actually a tank painted in and out of the left hand side and to the right Women are making sure there is food and water. I thought about this painting last night!

Good Morning Oliver!

I so hope you got out and howled!

The first day of the full moon Carolyn and I hopped around town.

First stop. Vision Boards at Maker Place!How cute are these sewing machines going to be to sit and sip out in the sun this summer!Leslie and Roberts visioning their future!And as Dianne says Just Do It . . what ever it is . . .

Where to next?

Murphy’s!

To celebrate Enid’s 83’d Birthday! Enid really styles that tiara as she hangs with her bestie daughter Max.

Murphy’s, Christine is Closing the doors.

Now we notice Oliver’s Rock Star Mikie is not wandering around the crowd like usual. Says she fell from a ladder, hurt her foot . . ya right . . we know she was really chasing someone around . . .  those two can sing! Yay Rebel Luv!!!

Sunday’s Blood Moon did not disappoint.

I watched it rather than documented it!

From the moment it stated to show its face over the hills it sparkled in the haze. The eclipse was spooky and the colour after was Blood Orange! And if we were ancients this could be scary!

Last day of the full moon woke up to beautiful light on the hills! and a burning question in my mind . .

If the moon travels at 3,683 k per hour, the sun at 67,000 miles per hour and earth at 70,000 miles per hour . .

Why doesn’t it affect our hair . . .

Good Morning!