Finish your Fall Wine Festival experience off with WAM! Featuring live music, fabulous artwork and a vibrant atmosphere, WAM! is the only late night event to attend following the Fall Wine Festival!

Enjoy a live performance by the Michael Garding Group featuring lead vocalist Candice Deacoff. As one of the Okanagan's most sought after Jazz musicians, Michael Garding is known for his exceptional tone quality, high range, and imaginative improvisation on the Sax.

While enjoying the upbeat ambience guests are welcome to visit participating artist studios, meet local artists in person and catch the fantastic art opening featuring works by Crystal Przybille. An opening reception to celebrate Crystal's show titled my own myth: Fairytales from the Lowlands and Portal Paintings will be held during WAM!

Tasty treats, specialty drinks, local wine and delicious artisan gelato will be available for purchase at Staccatos bistro. WAM is the only FREE late night event to attend during the Fall Wine Festival with doors open from 9-11pm. Join us for this exclusive Saturday evening soiree and end your Wine Festival experience with a WAM!

Event: Ricochet presented by Ruckus Dance Company
Date: Friday, October 17th, 2008 at 8pm
Price: $30 per adult / $10 per student

Free Munch 'n' Music Preshow:
Gorgeous Priceless at 7pm

How do you battle a closet full of skeletons? If you're dancer-choreographer Brock Jellison, you confront them head-on with a bone-rattling combination of tap, hip hop, contemporary dance, acrobatics, and original rock music. Functioning as a semi-autobiographical work exploring the ups and downs of a tap dancer struggling to find his feet in the real world, Ricochet chronicles Jellison's tumultuous experiences as a young dancer.

Though Ricochet deals with some pretty tough issues, Jellison feels it sends an important message to people of all ages. "A lot of us will try things out and screw up a little bit or screw up a lot. But the message of the show is really to keep your head screwed on straight and don't mess around. Don't regret, just move forward."

The performance features ultra-talented hoofers, hip spins on baton-twirling, a live rock band, upside down tap dancing on scaffolding and positively infectious stage energy. Ricochet sold out the Shadbolt Theatre in conjunction with the International Dance Festival in 2007 and has captivated audiences everywhere with its original lyrics, powerful music, dance and terrific live vocals.

Ruckus Dance Company will also be presenting a one day workshop on Saturday, October 18th. The master classes will focus on Tap and Contemporary dance for both intermediate and advanced levels. This is a great opportunity for individuals or dance groups to come out and see what Ruckus is all about! For more information please call the Rotary Centre for the Arts at (250) 717-5304.

Tickets to Ricochet can be purchased through Ticketmaster, by visiting the Rotary Centre for the Arts Box Office, or by calling (250) 717.5304.

Event: John Reischman & The Jaybirds
Date: Friday, October 24th, 2008 at 8pm
Price: $30 per adult / $10 per student

Free Munch 'n' Music Preshow:
A Day Late and A Dollar Short at 7pm

As one of the top-ranked mandolin players and composers, veteran artist John Reischman is renowned for his exquisite taste, tone and impeccable musicianship. His mastery of the instrument is showcased today in the powerful bluegrass band John Reischman and the Jaybirds. Years of European and North American tours, four critically acclaimed albums, a Juno nomination and two Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, it's no wonder why the buzz around John Reischman and the Jaybirds continues to grow.

To see their show is to believe it. A genial blend of story-telling and side-show humour provides the backdrop to their studied performance of original songs, instrumentals and newly arranged traditional material. Like the mandolinist at its helm, the group fashions a stylish elegant take on bluegrass that is at once innovative and unadorned, sophisticated and stripped-down, happily old-fashioned, yet unselfconsciously new.

The free Munch 'n' Music pre-show held before the concert will feature A Day Late and A Dollar Short performing in the Atrium at 7pm. Tickets to John Reischman & The Jaybirds can be purchased through Ticketmaster, by visiting the Rotary Centre for the Arts Box Office, or by calling (250) 717.5304.

It is strange to think how an American gymnast, an Australian sheep shearer and a Canadian figure skater could have their paths meet and eventually become Co-Artistic Directors of a dance theatre company in Canada.

Yet, as it turns out, that diversity has become the essence of Motus O, where cultures and talents collide and then reform, creating a dynamic team that explores the dramatic and relishes the physical, and all with a touch of humour.

Since their formation in 1990, Motus O has created eight full-length productions portraying human experiences through humour and pathos for both family and adult audiences. As recent award winners of the Contact East Touring Award, Motus O performances are brought to life through the use of innovative costuming, props, sets and music. The troupe has toured throughout Australia, the US and Canada, bringing with them their innovative and highly visual works to both small and large communities alike.

Motus O will be performing at the Mary Irwin Theatre through October 28th - November 1st. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, by visiting the Rotary Centre for the Arts Box Office, or by calling (250) 717.5304.

To find out more information on Motus O and for further details on the dates and times of each performance please visit www.sunshinetheatre.org.

The Rotary Centre for the Arts is pleased to announce the grand re-opening of Staccatos Bistro. Recently purchased by new owners Michael and Soyoung Lee, Staccatos will be hosting an evening of celebration on Friday, October 17th from 5-7pm.

"We are very excited about our new ownership of Staccatos" said Michael Lee. "In addition to serving quality soup & sandwich specials, artisan gelato, and specialty coffees, we have extended our hours of operation to better accommodate our customers."

Also commenting on the new ownership, Executive Director Tracie Ward said, "We are all excited about Staccatos' new hours of operation during the week as well as for special events. We are thrilled about the fresh energy that Michael and Soyoung bring to the RCA and look forward to working with Staccatos."

Everyone is welcome to attend the grand re-opening celebration. Samples from the new Staccatos menu will be featured during the event and delicious treats and beverages will also be available for purchase. Staccatos has extended its hours of operation to 10am-8pm from Monday-Friday and 11am-5pm on Saturdays. Please join us for this special event.

This year's Homes for the Holidays event will feature some of Kelowna's finest show homes located at the Wilden and Village of Kettle Valley residential developments. The Rotary Centre for the Arts would like to thank Meadow Ridge Homes, Edgecombe Builders, Rykon Construction Management, Fawdry Homes, Authentech Homes and The Mission Group for generously coming onboard for this year's event.

All proceeds raised at Homes for the Holidays are used in support of Community Programming at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. The exciting involvement of all our key sponsors is fundamental in helping to ensure the long term success of Homes for the Holidays and the continued availability of Community Programming at the Rotary Centre for the Arts.

To contribute to this valuable initiative, join us on a self-guided tour and visit some of the city's most beautiful homes, exclusively decorated by professional designers for the holiday season! Tickets for Homes for the Holidays are $30 per person and can be purchased through Ticketmaster, by visiting the Rotary Centre for the Arts Box Office or by calling (250) 717.5304.

If you are interested in volunteering at Homes for the Holidays please contact the Rotary Centre for the Arts at (250) 717.5304. The next RCA volunteer meeting will be held on Saturday, October 4th at 11am - join us for this exciting opportunity to meet new people and to be a part of this creative event!

Now in its ninth year, Evergreen promises to redefine the art of elegance and giving with a luxurious evening of modern opulence. This year's lavish event will be held on Saturday, November 22nd at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Special features of the evening include an Extreme Art performance by French action painter and performer Jean Francois Detaille and an opportunity to win a precious diamond courtesy of International Gems.

Jean Francois will be joining us for the event from Las Vegas where he performs recurrently in productions at the MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, Bally's and New York New York. Jean's unique approach to art combines comedy, painting and music to produce a high-energy performance.

During the event, guests will also be given the chance to win a precious Hearts on Fire "Succession" Right Hand Ring with the purchase of a ticket for the Ring Raffle. We would like to thank Keith Davis of International Gems for his generous contribution and continued support of Youth Arts Education Programs at the RCA.

Again this year all proceeds raised at the event are committed to funding the annual costs of Youth Arts Education Programming at the RCA. In addition, a contribution will be made to the Endowment Fund held at the Central Okanagan Foundation. These funds are essential in helping youth in our community discover and experience the arts.

The Rotary Centre for the Arts would like to thank our title sponsors, the Thomas Allan Budd Charitable Foundation and Grant Thornton LLP in advance for their tremendous support and the many businesses and individuals who help to create this magical evening. For further information on Evergreen please visit www.RotaryCentrefortheArts.com

The Rotary Centre for the Arts is pleased to present Gallerie Diamanté, the newest addition to Evergreen 2008. Created to celebrate and draw focus to both established and emerging artists in the Okanagan, Gallerie Diamanté is a new concept, pioneered by the Rotary Centre for the Arts to expand upon Evergreen's traditional silent art auction.

The new gallery will feature many rich facets of expression including everything from graphite, to acrylic, to oil, as well as paper sculpture, clay, bronze and stone works. Gallerie Diamanté is a special treat for all, just in time for Christmas!

Thirty three artists (and over fifty works of art) from Vernon to Peachland have offered their works to Gallerie Diamanté. Proceeds raised from the sale of donated works are committed to funding the annual costs of Youth Arts Education Programming at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. The RCA would like to publicly thank each artist for their support.

An Artist Appreciation and Exhibition Opening will be held on Tuesday November 18th from 7-9pm in celebration of the official launch of Gallerie Diamanté. There is no charge, and everyone is welcome to view the gallery and meet the artists in person.

Gallerie Diamanté will be available for public viewing and bidding the week prior to and after Evergreen. All artwork has a 50% reserve bid and online bids are being accepted immediately. To pre-view these works and learn more about the artists involved please visit www.galleriediamante.com.

Tickets for your chance to win a Hailun 151 Grand Piano - kindly provided by Moir Pianos - are still available for only $5. With the purchase of each ticket, you can support Youth Arts Education Programming at the Rotary Centre for the Arts!

The draw date and winner announcement will take place on December 18th, 2008 at 9pm in the Atrium at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. The Grand Piano is now on display at Towne Centre Mall, located at 565 Bernard Avenue. Raffle tickets are $5 each and can be purchased by visiting the Alexander Gifts kiosk in Towne Centre Mall, at the Rotary Centre for the Arts Box Office or by calling (250) 717.5304.

Showing this month in the Atrium...
Crystal Przybille
my own myth: Fairytales from the Lowlands and Portal Paintings

Date: October 10th - November 6th
*Opening reception to take place on Saturday, October 11th from 9-11pm

Other Exhibitions this month at the RCA...

Michael Rathjen will exhibit a show titled On Trees in the Galleria from October 4th - November 1st. An opening reception to celebrate the exhibition will be held from 6-9pm on October 4th. The artist will be in attendance and everyone is welcome to attend!

Christine Stewart will be showing clay masks and other 3-dimensional works in the Display Cases through October 1 - 31st.

The Rotary Centre for the Arts would like to encourage KVPACS members to apply to display their work in the Galleria, Mezzanine, Atrium and Display cases for 2009. To find out more information please call (250) 717.5304. Applicants can also download an application form online by visiting www.RotaryCentrefortheArts.com