To me, the guitar is one of the most versatile and beautiful instruments. From its earliest days as a carved wooden box strung with gut to today鈥檚 electrified marvels, the guitar has shaped music in nearly every genre. It can whisper, sing, wail, or roar鈥攕ometimes all in the same song.
This week, Kelowna welcomes the Okanagan Guitar Festival, a true celebration of the guitar鈥檚 expressive range and cultural impact. Running July 10-13, the festival brings together an inspiring lineup of talent at two of the region鈥檚 most inviting venues.
Grizzli Winery sets the stage for the opening concerts, featuring a remarkable double bill on Thursday with two of B.C.鈥檚 most exciting young guitarists: Luis Angel Medina and Tejay Liao. The following night, Friday, rising star and competition winner Gweneth Aggeler takes the spotlight, promising a beautiful evening of virtuosity and style.
The festival finale, Saturday at St. Michael鈥檚 Cathedral, features international guitar sensation Daniel Bolshoy, a 鈥渕ust-see鈥 performance for any music lover.
It’s a pleasure to support live music and to have these special concerts in our community. For tickets and information, visit .
3-Concert Pass: $70/$50 or Single Tickets: $30/$20, available at .
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Thursday night in Penticton, French-Algerian acoustic guitar virtuoso, vocalist, and composer Pierre Bensusan will perform at The Hub on Martin at 7 p.m. as part of his solo Canadian tour. He has been a professional performer for over 35 years with 10 solo albums.
One can easily imagine sitting in a small Paris coffee house as Bensusan performs, but with his skills and the emotion he conveys, he could just as well be on the stage of the finest concert halls in the world. Tickets are $35 at: .
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Kelowna鈥檚 summer is alive with music, thanks to Parks Alive and Live! in Lake Country. Tonight, Cameron Park (2345 Richter Street) hosts The Rhindress Duo and the country sounds of Postill Station. Tomorrow at Knox Mountain Park, the groove continues, and Kerry Park takes over downtown for the weekend.
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Fridays in Lake Country at Swalwell Park (July 11) at 7 p.m. feature The Heels performing a 50-minute set, followed by The Chris Buck Band at 8 p.m. The farmers market stays open until 8 p.m. during July and August, and there is a kids zone too! The best part? It鈥檚 all free.
Even if you don鈥檛 know the bands, there鈥檚 something unbeatable about live music outdoors. Bring a blanket or a chair with a cup of something cozy and relax鈥攜ou might just discover your new favourite local act this week. Music for Parks Alive runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
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Kelowna is about to crank the volume all the way up to 11 this weekend as Rock The Lake takes over town! If you鈥檙e a fan of big hooks, epic guitar solos, and that unmistakable festival buzz, this three-day celebration is your ticket to pure Canadian rock nirvana.
From July 11-13, the heart of downtown Kelowna will pulse with legendary acts and local heroes, all under the Okanagan sun. This year鈥檚 lineup is stacked: B.C.鈥檚 own Matthew Good and his band, the electrifying Dear Rouge, and the iconic Crash Test Dummies join festival favorites like Simple Plan, The Sheepdogs, Sam Roberts Band, and Down With Webster.
Local contest winners CrushXO and Lucky Monkey will also hit the stage, making this a true showcase of talent from across the province and beyond.
Whether you鈥檙e reliving your glory days or discovering new favorites, Rock The Lake will be wall-to-wall energy with a community vibe.
Festival passes are in high demand, with 3-day tickets at $169 (plus fees) available now at . Stay plugged in for lineup updates, ticket news (including VIP options), and more at .
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This Saturday, the beloved Lady of the Lake Competition returns to Creekside Theatre (10241 Bottom Wood Lake Rd, Lake Country), celebrating young women鈥檚 achievement, leadership, and community spirit.
For decades, this event has been a meaningful tradition in the Okanagan, empowering participants and uniting the community in support of emerging leaders. I am honoured to be invited to perform at this special evening, especially as the theme is inspired by ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.” I’ll be opening with “O Canada” and singing the signature song from the hit musical Mamma Mia! Tickets are available through .
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Every Wednesday morning, the Rotary Centre for the Arts at 421 Cawston Ave, Kelowna, invites you to 鈥淒raw Your Art Out,鈥 a free or by-donation drop-in art session from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
This welcoming 2.5-hour studio time is all about creative expression in a safe, supportive space. Materials are provided at no cost, but you鈥檙e welcome to bring your own supplies too.
While open to all ages, the program is designed with the 55+ community in mind, offering a chance to connect, create, and strengthen community through art. Donations help keep this inspiring program running for everyone.
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On July 15 and 16, Kaleden鈥檚 Frog City Caf茅 transforms into a realm of magic and mischief with Tempest Theatre鈥檚 production of DREAM.
Inspired by Shakespeare鈥檚 beloved A Midsummer Night鈥檚 Dream, this playful reimagining summons fairies, lovers, and mischievous sprites for a night of romance, rebellion, and delightful chaos.
Set against the cozy backdrop of Frog City Caf茅 (315 Linden Avenue), DREAM promises an immersive experience where the boundaries between audience and performance blur.
Lovers flee the constraints of their world, a ragtag troupe stumbles through their own play-within-a-play, and Puck, sprouting from a mushroom, stirs up trouble with a dash of magical mischief.
Tempest Theatre鈥檚 inventive approach breathes fresh life into Shakespeare鈥檚 classic, blending whimsy with heartfelt emotion and a touch of transformative wonder.
Whether you鈥檙e a Shakespeare devotee or simply seeking an evening of laughter and enchantment, DREAM is sure to captivate.
Tickets and more information are available at .
Anna Jacyszyn is an award-winning musician who resides in Kelowna..