Up for some live music this Friday and Saturday?
You’re in luck. There are 25 live shows on in this little city in the space of just two nights, and that’s not all that out of the ordinary these days, according to blogger Jason Lane whose been writing about the music scene since March of 2006.
“After Breakout West, I think a blueprint was laid out for how you can feasibly bring in a major event, 50 to 60 bands, and it was a success. All the venues had large crowds and I think the community did step up, did buy in,” he said.
Lane started his blog, www.laner.ca, to fuel his own passion for music and help his friends figure out what is happening around town. He believes Kelowna’s music scene can and will continue to grow with the right support.
Lane had filed 1,000 posts by last month, earning an interview on CBC’s newly expanded station. Last year he helped with promotions for the Western Canadian Music Awards and Breakout West.
Following POP Okanagan this summer, he’s filed another 30• plus posts, feeding an average of 1,500 regular visitors to the site a regular dose of information on whose coming to town.
“More local businesses are opening up the option of live music. That wasn’t the case five or six years ago,” he said.
With a Cultural Plan now on the city’s books, and a new CBC afternoon show dedicated to culture in the community, it would appear the building blocks are in place to keep the momentum going.
But he does see issues on the horizon.
“I think promotion is still tough. And there are more venues, but there could be more,” he said.
And where venues like the Kelowna Community Theatre have really stepped up their lineup, Prospera Place still isn’t booking many big acts.
“They can sell out at $80 or $90 a ticket. That’s not a problem. It’s somebody recognizing who the big talent is and what they can do to attract that,” he said.
In the meantime, Lane says he figures the best thing music fans can do if they want to see more music in town is get out and show their support for musicians.
If you’re looking for something this weekend, here’s what’s happening:
Fri Nov 18
Raquel Warchol, Jane Eamon, Jennifer Jade Kerr, Teena Gowdy – Streaming Cafe, Songwriters in the Round
Tim Williams – East Kelowna Community Hall
Damian Brennen – Vintner’s Poolside Grill
Blue City – Pheasant & Quail Pub
Treelines w/Portage & Main and Joyful Door – Habitat
Colt 45 – O’Flannigans Pub
Whiskey Jane – 97 Street Pub
The Stowaways – Fernando’s Taqueria on Bernard
Here in the Noise – Grateful Fed
Random Act with Uptown Hornz – The Blue Gator
Bucknife w/ Black Earth – Doc Willoughby’s Downtown Pub
One Wroe Back and Wicked Shift – Flashbacks
Little Birdie - The Minstrel Cafe
Sat Nov 19
Grateful Dads – Cabana Bar and Grille
The Malarkeys – The Old Bike Shop Cafe
Kim McMechan and Norm Strauss – Streaming Cafe
Gala For The Arts – Rotary Centre for the Arts
Patsy Cline tribute - The Minstrel Cafe
Damian Brennen – Vintner’s Poolside Grill
The Ernesto Cervini Quartet – Black Box, Kelowna Community Theatre
Blue City – Pheasant & Quail Pub
Matthew Good – Kelowna Community Theatre
Larry and his Flask w/The Porch Crawlers and The A. M.s – Habitat
Paperboy – Grateful Fed
Colt 45 – O’Flannigans Pub
Random Act with Uptown Hornz – The Blue Gator
