Oliver’s Music in the Park returns this week with eight summer concerts planned for the Oliver Community Park Stage.
Organizers highlight that after 12 years of presenting quality music to local residents and tourists each year sees an infusion of new bands that continue to keep the musical offering fresh each year.
Music in the Park runs every Thursday from July 2 to August 20 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Oliver Community Park and admission is by donation, with $5 suggested minimum. Food truck service is available at most concerts and audiences are urged to bring a lawn chair and shades to enjoy the evening sun.
Bobby Bovenzi leads Nankama in West African drumming and dance.
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The South Okanagan Big Band swings the summer into high gear playing 40s jazz standards, band classics, and pop tunes on Thursday, July 2. Dance hits from the 50s to the 80s promise to get people swaying barefoot on the grass.
Thursday, July 9 turns the heat to “cajun spicy” with the return of The Blueshounds. Gerry belts out the boogie on vocals and harmonica until Lefty’s solo guitar burns up the blues. Soul-stirring tunes from deep south greats like Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and TBone Walker are an easy introduction to the genre.
The Blueshounds return to Oliver’s Music in the Park with foot stomping boogie blues on August 9.
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Rollin’ Coal – performing on Thursday July 16 – is always an audience pleaser with their mix of Latin, pop, and rock. Sue’s alto dredges up emotion in the lyrics, with Art anchoring her on stand-up bass. And Colin playing both sax and guitar at the same time demonstrates the band’s versatility.
World rhythms take centre stage on Thursday, July 23 with Nankama Drum and Dance. Led by the charismatic Bobby Bovenzi, the costumed troupe begins with West African beats on the large djembe drums.
The drummers bring newcomers, Okanagan Wudang to demonstrate martial arts and the second half of the concert invites the audience to drum and dance with them. This accessible drum circle is always a hit, especially families and children.
Hardworking newcomers, the Blue Collar band pump out heavy hitters on August 6.
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The BluesTown Blues Band makes their return to the Oliver stage after Erynn’s funky, soulful vocals wowed the crowd for the first time last summer. They live “just up the road” in OK Falls, but their musicianship is on another plane. They play a tight mix of funk, soul and blues on Thursday, July 30.
Hardworking newcomer band Blue Collar gets the party started with rock, country and pop classics on Thursday, August 6. The band does all the heavy lifting with pounding tunes by Billy Joel, Rolling Stones, Eagles, Trooper, Skynyrd, and Jimmy Buffet.
No summer is complete without adding Rebel Luv to the lineup. This local duo is a consistent crowd pleaser with a blend of Ken’s rock guitar and Mikie’s country vocals. They may even drop in a couple of their heartfelt originals. They perform on Thursday, August 13, the series’ Food Bank drive night.
Fan favourite Rebel Luv returns to Oliver’s Music in the Park with country rock on August 13.
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Pulse pounding rock ’n’ roll from Johnny Carwash and the Desert Dawgz concludes the concert series on Thursday, August 20. These familiar local faces let loose with Bruce Springsteen, CCR, Petty, Seger, ZZ Top, and even throw in some Canadian tunes by The Hip and Bryan Adams.
Music in the Park is a program of the Oliver Community Arts Council. An arts council market will promote the activities and wares of its members at many of the concerts. Visit oliverartscouncil.org/events/music-in-the-park for more concert information and schedule.
