The holidays may be in full buzz, but there is still live music and comedy to enjoy. Anyone in need of distraction or an entertaining outing will have options.
A local favourite will be on the music stage on Dec. 29. Amy Blanding, a musician and actor with a scad of recent credits, will assemble some of her likewise talented friends for a tasty concert at the Oakroom Grill. Her special guests include Danny Bell, Chloe Nakahara, Naomi Kavka and Jeremy Pahl. The music gets underway at 8 p.m. There is no admission charge.
Friends and collaborations are the themes for the Dec. 30 event at Artspace. Local arts figures Erin and Jeremy Stewart are leaving the town for an indefinite sojourn, going first to England. This is their celebratory send off.
They were the cofounders of Dreamland School of the Arts, the Dreamland literary magazine, and the Casse-Tte: A Festival of Experimental Music among many other cultural ventures. They were active performers and creators in the fields of poetry, instrument instruction, songwriting, theatre, and especially live music.
Erin & Jeremy's Farewell Hootenanny gets going at 7 p.m. Special guest performers like Raghu Lokanathan and Dave Routley are just some of the musicians and other personalities who will join in the farewell fun. Admission is by donation (suggested: $10).
Artspace is also the home for the funniest fete on the final night of 2017. Improv Shmimprov New Year's Eve with Samson's Delilah is an 8 p.m. romp for those who want to ring in the new year with a guffaw.
There will be a photo booth, best dressed contest, dancing, appies, a cash bar, and two forms of performance. Improv Schmimprov is the city's premier improvisational comedy group, with a cast loaded in situational comedians ready to play off each other, suggestions from the audience, and only thin guidelines from the great book of laughter.
Joining them will be Samson's Delilah, one of the Robson Valley's most favourite music acts.
They will bring the folky rock 'n' roll to the occasion.
The entertainment starts at 8:15 p.m. with the comedy, the concert happens at 10 p.m., then the proceedings take a pause at 11:59 p.m. to count down the arrival of 2018. Admission is $20 in advance (tickets available at Books & Company) or $25 at the door while supplies last.
