Local Entertainment

Chilliwack’s Matt Johnson was strapped into a straight jacket and hung by his ankles upside down, and had less than two minutes to free himself before two spinning saw blades fell. (America’s Got Talent video)

VIDEO: Chilliwack escape artist Matt Johnson dazzles judges on America’s Got Talent

Johnson brought a packed auditorium to its feet with a death-defying stunt

Vernon local Ryan Lazar – who specializes in 2D background design and 3D animation – is ready to start his career after a tough yet rewarding two years of studies. (Contributed)

Okanagan College students get animated at graduation

‘The pandemic has resulted in more video consumption and the animation industry is so hot right now because of it’

The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra presents New Beginnings May 1, the final performance of the season. (Judy Burns photo)

Okanagan Symphony stages season finale

New Beginnings closes unusual 2021 season with music to evoke spring’s promise of hope

Armstrong MetalFest co-founder Jesse Valstar performs with Odinfist during the annual event at the Hassen Arena and IPE Grounds in 2019. (Jennifer Blake - File)

Province backs Armstrong MetalFest

Metal festival organizers announce support from BC Arts Council will keep them ‘on their feet’

Armstrong MetalFest co-founder Jesse Valstar performs with Odinfist during the annual event at the Hassen Arena and IPE Grounds in 2019. (Jennifer Blake - File)
This is the second year (2021) the heavy metal music festival had to be cancelled. (Morning Star file photo)

Plug pulled on Armstrong MetalFest once more

COVID-19 silences heavy metal music festival that draws hundreds to region for a second year

This is the second year (2021) the heavy metal music festival had to be cancelled. (Morning Star file photo)
Chelsea Ishizuka was borned and raised in Penticton but has now moved to Japan. When she found out there was a popular restaurant there named after Penticton, she had to go check it out. Here she is with the owner (right). (Facebook)

Popular restaurant in Japan named after city of Penticton

A Pentictonite now living in Tokyo discovered the eatery and the history behind its name

Chelsea Ishizuka was borned and raised in Penticton but has now moved to Japan. When she found out there was a popular restaurant there named after Penticton, she had to go check it out. Here she is with the owner (right). (Facebook)
Shane Koyczan spent February going to the art spaces that sit empty, breathing some life into them through his spoken word poetry which has been shared on the Chan Centre's Dot Com series which premiers March 12. (Facebook)

Famed Okanagan poet Shane Koyczan reflects on the pandemic in new show

The show premiers March 12 and features Penticton art centres hit hard by COVID-19

Shane Koyczan spent February going to the art spaces that sit empty, breathing some life into them through his spoken word poetry which has been shared on the Chan Centre's Dot Com series which premiers March 12. (Facebook)
Art honouring Okanagan’s landscapes at Nautical Dog Cafe on Skaha Lake. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Nautical Dog Cafe serves up cakes, views and walls full of art

The Skaha Lake restaurant is featuring six local artists’ work

Art honouring Okanagan’s landscapes at Nautical Dog Cafe on Skaha Lake. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra is back on stage and has two live-streamed shows coming to the comfort of your homes this weekend. (OSO photo)

Enjoy Okanagan Symphony Orchestra from the comfort of home

Musicians return to the stage with two live-streamed performances

The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra is back on stage and has two live-streamed shows coming to the comfort of your homes this weekend. (OSO photo)
Former Uplands Elementary School student Piers Bijvoet is set to star in an upcoming film. (Contributed)

South Okanagan teen to hit silver screen with Viggo Mortensen

Piers Bijvoet went to Uplands Elementary School until he was eight

Former Uplands Elementary School student Piers Bijvoet is set to star in an upcoming film. (Contributed)
Jayce Barreiro (from left), Brock Morgan, Chad Rook, Kevin Durand, Emmanuel Addo and Ryan Robbins in Dangerous, which is in production in the Okanagan. (Minds Eye Entertainment)

Okanagan reels in record year of films despite COVID-19

Dangerous the last of 30 productions shot in the region in 2020

Jayce Barreiro (from left), Brock Morgan, Chad Rook, Kevin Durand, Emmanuel Addo and Ryan Robbins in Dangerous, which is in production in the Okanagan. (Minds Eye Entertainment)
The Okanagan's own Marv Machura has written and produced a single appropriate to Christmas in 2020. (Marv Machura photo)

Okanagan song in tune with COVID-19 Christmas

Theme is timely during a Christmas unlike any other where many people are not able to see friends and family

The Okanagan's own Marv Machura has written and produced a single appropriate to Christmas in 2020. (Marv Machura photo)
Jayce Barreiro (from left), Brock Morgan, Chad Rook, Kevin Durand, Emmanuel Addo and Ryan Robbins in Dangerous, which is in production in the Okanagan. (Minds Eye Entertainment)

Okanagan stars in film featuring Mel Gibson, Scott Eastwood

Production underway in Kelowna, Quilchena, Kamloops and Lavington for Dangerous

Jayce Barreiro (from left), Brock Morgan, Chad Rook, Kevin Durand, Emmanuel Addo and Ryan Robbins in Dangerous, which is in production in the Okanagan. (Minds Eye Entertainment)
John Beuhler performs at Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club in Vancouver in 2016. Beuhler will headline the Kelowna Curling Club for Train Wreck Comedy Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (YouTube photo)

‘COVID-safe’ comedy coming to Okanagan curling club

Eat and Laugh at the Kelowna Curling Club on Saturday, Nov. 21

John Beuhler performs at Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club in Vancouver in 2016. Beuhler will headline the Kelowna Curling Club for Train Wreck Comedy Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (YouTube photo)
Chantal Kreviazuk is breaking back into the concert scene, with two shows coming to Lake Country. (Contributed)

UPDATE: Chantal Kreviazuk Okanagan shows sell out in two minutes

Creekside Theatre hosts two shows of Canadian songstress

Chantal Kreviazuk is breaking back into the concert scene, with two shows coming to Lake Country. (Contributed)
Okanagan venues light up for visibility amid pandemic

Okanagan venues light up for visibility amid pandemic

Impact of COVID-19 on live event workers sparks Canadian movement

Okanagan venues light up for visibility amid pandemic
Okanagan talent airs for Top of the Country

Okanagan talent airs for Top of the Country

Raquel Cole semi-finalist in SiriusXM contest with Canadian Country Music Association

Okanagan talent airs for Top of the Country
The 2020 Penticton Dragon Boat Festival will not be held due to coronavirus. (Western News file photo)

South Okanagan Dragon Boat Festival marks what would have been 20th year

COVID-19 forced the festival to postpone until 2021

The 2020 Penticton Dragon Boat Festival will not be held due to coronavirus. (Western News file photo)
Film production continues to be a growing industry in the Okanagan region. (Phil McLachlan - Black Press)

Okanagan film industry booming despite COVID-19

Productions booked into summer of 2021, with filming currently taking place in Kelowna, Peachland and Vernon

Film production continues to be a growing industry in the Okanagan region. (Phil McLachlan - Black Press)
Lil Jimmy Reed keeps up the tune on guitar and harmonica after climbing down from the Roots & Blues main stage to walk amongst the crowd during the 2018 festival. Reed will be one of the performers featured in the online 2020 festival’s first night. (Jim Elliot/Salmon Arm Observer)

Opening night lineup for online Roots & Blues festival released

The first night of the festival on Aug. 14 will be stacked with favourites from previous years

Lil Jimmy Reed keeps up the tune on guitar and harmonica after climbing down from the Roots & Blues main stage to walk amongst the crowd during the 2018 festival. Reed will be one of the performers featured in the online 2020 festival’s first night. (Jim Elliot/Salmon Arm Observer)