 The PCAC newsletter is published and emailed to members on a Monday every two weeks starting September to the end of May with a break during the Christmas season. It is normally published here on the weekend following its being emailed. NOTE: A reminder that you must be in HTML mode to have the underlined links work in this email. In Outlook under Format Text  Monday, November 24, 2025 Dear members: Ski lovers, are you anxiously awaiting the first big snowfall of the season? Have you signed up for a snow alert at Big White, for example? Or perhaps you're longing to ski the trails of Telemark or Nickel Plate? Ah, alas, at my ripe old age, those days are behind me now! I’ve sold my skis on Facebook Marketplace. Hang in there! The white stuff is certain to come, and when it does…. voila!!!! You’ll be carving the powder soon enough! On Saturday, I visited Artists of the Okanagan, the exhibition currently on display at the Peachland Art Gallery until January 18. Artist Cathy Amber was there for the day, explaining to a visitor the details of a painting she was working on at the Gallery. The exhibition is an eclectic display of local artists' works from large paintings, photographs and pottery to small, delicate sculptures. This is one exhibition not to be missed. Three paintings have already sold. Our SPACE was jammed packed (really abuzz) last Saturday evening for the musical stylings of Anna Jacyszyn and her trio, which culminated in a very special evening of vocal and instrumental jazz. Highly popular in Kelowna, Jacyszyn has performed in multiple genres, including musical theatre. Saturday, her effervescent energy was on full display! The audience found themselves wrapped up in the rhythms of old jazz standards, tributes to country and blues, popular hits, as well as Jacyszyn’s own vocal compositions. The musicians on string bass and electric guitar provided colourful backing with outstanding solos and accompaniment for a sophisticated and soulful concert. Following the concert, there were many highly appreciative comments about the calibre of the performance. The Peachland Community Arts Council (PCAC) team organized the very special evening with wine and appetizers. The Gallery was open for viewing between sets. Special mention to Vince Boyko, who set up a very effective lighting ambience. Look to the future for more concerts of this calibre in Our SPACE - "Stay tuned"! Handcrafts are the main focus of this year’s Peachland Christmas Market sponsored by the PCAC. A map covers the entire route of Candy Cane Lane (see the map attached) that guides you through the town on foot. However, if you wish to avoid the guided route (for whatever reason), your ultimate visit should be the Peachland Community Centre, and perhaps that’s where you’ll stay for lunch to rest your feet. The kitchen will be serving hot dogs, chili, hot and cold drinks, and sweets. From there, your next step should be to the Peachland Art Gallery next door for the Artists of the Okanagan exhibition, and at Our SPACE, there will be crafts for kids, hot spiced cider, and workshops in the Folk School gift shop. Then on to the 50+ Centre, where you’ll find a huge art sale by Passion 4 Art. At the 1898 Little Schoolhouse, Santa and Mrs. Claus are willing to sit for photos, and there’ll be face painting, more craft sales, and freshly baked gingerbread cookies. Down the lane at the United Church, a wonderful bake sale with all kinds of homemade specialties awaits. In the Wellness Centre will be a display of individually decorated gingerbread houses. You’ll be asked to vote for your favourite! While strolling down Candy Cane Lane, listen out for Jingle Bells because you may come upon the Roving Cavaliers who’ll be inspiring the spirit of Christmas with their seasonal songs along the way. Next, pop into the Chamber of Commerce for more goodies and some holiday activities to enjoy. Then enter the Peachland Museum, the final stop of the tour, where an expert on miniature trains will talk about the one on display, added to which there’ll be treats for everyone. All this activity requires many volunteers and the PCAC is extremely grateful to those who offer their services including the Peachland Wellness centre. They have provided hours of assistance and many volunteers to help us out from the very first at running the fair - also the Friendship Club, Peachland Ambassadors, Volunteer Firemen, our local IGA (for food supplies) and numerous individuals. An event such as this reveals a community at its best - it shows solid support for local artists and artisans. Artists currently working with acrylics at an intermediate level may be interested in a workshop, Acrylic Painting with Wally, starting on Monday, January 5, from 10 am to 2 pm, and running every Monday through February 9. Over the six weeks, you’ll learn techniques that’ll bring precision and depth to your artwork, which is a necessary feature of realism and fine detail. Limited spaces are available. For fees and more information, click on the link The next Talent Showcase at Our SPACE is a Special Christmas Event on Thursday, December 11, at 6 pm. Tickets are available online at the underlined link. A wonderful lineup of performers, including vocalists, pianists, guitarists, comedians, and spoken-word artists, will be there. In addition, there will be an audience sing-along of favourite Christmas Carols by request, with songbooks provided. A few jingle bells, drums, and other percussion instruments will be available if you would like to play along. What is better than singing Christmas carols to warm your heart and soul and feel that special holiday spirit? If you think you have a talent to offer for future Talent Showcases (whatever talent that may be), you can email Paula McLaughlin [email protected]. The Peachland Variety Singers invite you to join them for their annual Christmas concert titled Around the Fire at the 50 Plus Centre on Sunday, December 7, at 2 pm. Admission is by donation, and refreshments will be served. The Variety Singers will be performing under the direction of Joanne Forsyth with accompaniment by pianist Kendall Walley. There’ll be plenty of audience interaction with carol singing. Join in, enjoy the camaraderie and harmony that will reflect the holiday season! Have you thought about making a wreath for Xmas? Now would be an ideal time. Well, here’s your opportunity! The Okanagan Folk School is offering a Winter Evergreen Wreath Workshop next Sunday, November 30 from 1 to 3 pm that will provide you that ability. Click on the underlined link to learn what details are offered. PCAC members Lin and Michael Breakey, Alex Fong, and Robert Simkins displayed their photographic art in Kelowna this past Saturday and Sunday at ‘…that time of year…’ A Christmas Art Show in The Tinker Room of The Cathedral Church of St. Michael and All Angels on Sutherland Avenue. They were very pleased with the turnout for both the Saturday wine reception from 6 to 8 pm and the Sunday showing from 12 to 5 pm, when unwrapped toys and donations for Kelowna Now’s Santa’s Helpers were gratefully accepted. It really is the holiday season, and so if you are looking for family entertainment, an opportunity to take the kids out for an afternoon or evening of fun, consider the New Vintage Theatre’s musical rendition of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, now being staged at the Rotary Centre for the Arts on Cawston Avenue in Kelowna. One lesson that kids need to learn is that sometimes being different can be a blessing. Why not consider this outing as a treat? Adults $38.33, Seniors $32.29, Students with ID $32.29, Child (under 12) $26.25 (all prices include service charge). The Kelowna Film Society will end the year with a couple of particularly entertaining films. Next week’s film on Wednesday, December 3, at 4 and 7 pm at the Orchard Plaza Cinema will be DJ Ahmet (Turkish and Macedonian with English subtitles), set in the beautiful surroundings of a remote North Macedonian village. The DJ in this case is a young 15-year-old. During the day, he spends his time sheepherding in the hills. In the evenings, much of his time is spent blasting out electronic dance music on the internet. His love interest has returned from studies in Germany, and according to custom, is betrothed in an arranged marriage, which they attempt to prevent. The following Wednesday, December 10, Sentimental Value, a Norwegian film with English subtitles, will end the 2025 Kelowna Film Society season. Perhaps one incentive to see this film is that at its preview at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the film received a fifteen-minute ovation, the longest in the Festival’s history. A film director, who has abandoned his family for a long time, attempts to reconnect with them by making a film about the family. Sentimental Value examines the complex relationships between father and daughters, between the two sisters, as well as the wife’s conflict with her return to being an actress. The weeks will become busy as the holiday season gets near (Montreal just had its Santa Claus Parade!), and so this will be the last newsletter until next January. I wish you, your family, loved ones and friends the very best Christmas and Hanukkah, and may the New Year bring you good health, happiness, and good fortune! Hallelujah! Chris Christopher Byrd PCAC Director / Peachland Art Gallery / Facebook Photographer: Fine Arts America NB: Should you wish to unsubscribe from the newsletter and bulletins please send an email to: [email protected]   Comments are closed.
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