Special Features - VURB January 2015

Monthly Volume 1 Issue 8

Winter

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CARNIVAL Jam during the Rossland Winter Carnival

The West Kootenay’s Entertainment Guide

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JANUARY EDITION 2015

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The Nelson Star, 514 Hall Street, Nelson BC

Phone:

250.352.1890

Email:

editor@nelsonstar.com Publisher: Karen Editorial: Kevin, Tamara, Will, Alicia, Liz Sales: Tara, Kiomi, Christine Circulation: Liz Office Administrator: Cheryl {vurb} is published monthly by Black Press. The points of views or opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher of {vurb}

more online www.nelsonstar.com Facebook.com/KootenayVurb Twitter.com/Kootenay Vurb

Features 2

Tango!

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Who Killed Gertrude?

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Rossland Carnival

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La Dolce Vita

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Event Listings

10 Recipe

Lori Mitchell and Patrick Marsolek of Tango Missoula return to Nelson mid-January to offer their skills to local tanguera/os in the engaging and enchanting Argentine tango.

Combining years of dance training and experience, the pair will also share their wonderful warm-hearted enthusiasm for this dance. The workshops will foster the development of dynamic connections: to oneself, to each other, to the music and other dancers on the floor.

Their instruction encourages an organic discovery of your natural way to move while it builds on the fundamental elements of the tango. Even advanced dancers will find content to satisfy them.

Mitchel and Marsolek will offer six workshops at different levels over the weekend, increasing in complexity, as well as a Friday practica and Saturday night Milonga. A special bonus this year is a follower’s footwork class.

WELCOME TO THE REGIONAL {VURB} {vurb} will showcase the many local West Kootenay events that are happening around you. Get ready for editorial on events, food, fashion and technology. {vurb} covers the latest and upcoming events in the arts and entertainment industry.

To submit editorial for the February edition, email editor@nelsonstar.com before January 21, 2015

A potluck dinner is planned for both Friday and Sunday evenings TBA. There are also a limited number of private lesson spots available.

All activities will be held from January 16 to 18 at Hart Hall, 501 Carbonate Street. The early bird discount date is January 7. Please contact franwallis@redmtn.ca for all registration details. Package pricing is available.

Events and Information www.rosslandwintercarnival.com

Thursday, January 29 Sunday, February 1, 2015

} CARNIVAL Rossland Winter

Canada’s longest running winter carnival Alicia Wallace-Rossland News

Rossland’s main street lights up during the Winter Carnival parade.

Photo: Tourism Rossland/Shelley Peachell

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t’s on again for the 117th time, one of the best homegrown winter festivals on the planet! The Rossland Winter Carnival takes place from January 29 through until February 1. You will have to look twice at the carnival’s advertised dates of January 29 to January 32 but don’t be misled — this is a four-day celebration. In the spirit of the carnival, organizers have published the final date as a continuation of the month for a bit of fun.

“It makes people stop and think about it and then have a bit of a giggle,” said carnival volunteer organizer Larry Doell.

And fun it is. The four-day program is exploding with activities for all ages. From the infamous Sonny Samuelson bobsled race, to snow sculpture carving, to a rail jam, luge riding, tobogganing, ice-skating, pancake breakfast, variety show and Olaus ice palace — there are too many highlights to list them all. New this year will be a pyrophoria. This fire show, on the Friday evening, is for all ages and will be held after the downtown costume and float parade.

Just think, a celebration of sliding down hills, doing it really fast and on almost anything you can imagine.

“I have had a great time; I have never had a bad experience. John Heintz used to say, ‘if you’re not having fun, don’t be here.’

The bobsled race down one of Rossland’s steepest boulevards, Spokane Street, sees the community dream up and then build a crazy concoction of homemade sleds. From pianos to a pink canoe — yep, a canoe painted pink and fastened to skis — to a pine log — that’s correct, a piece of timber strapped to skis — sleds are made from anything and everything.

“It captures the public’s imagination,” said Doell of the creative sled making.

Teams of four people ride their homemade sleds down the hill at speeds that have been clocked at 85 kilometres per hour. The racers

have a strategy based on the weather and its impact on the course. The competitive racers are known to be “very secretive in regards to how they attach their sleds to skis — or sometimes even pvc pipe, depending on the course conditions,” said Kelly Acheson, a long term volunteer.

The sled race takes the necessary precautions with safety being a major priority. Brakes and steering are mandatory, all sleds are inspected and Rossland Search and Rescue even provide safety checks of the course. The 2014 bobsled race had 29 sled entries, with numbers having grown every year as competitors vie for the grand prize trophy. Visitors to the beer garden at the 2015 event will be able to view the Sonny Samuelson bobsled hall of fame. Sled team winners from the previous five years along with their race times will be displayed.

If you are visiting from out of the region, the community spirit will set your heart on fire.

This is one event where a major part of the community gets involved. With a population of just over 3,500 people, Rossland has approximately 250 volunteers involved and that’s one thing that makes this carnival so much fun and uniquely special at the same time.

Long term volunteer Kelly Acheson, who started with the carnival back in 1996, says she has enjoyed every moment from the planning meetings to the actual events.

“I have had a great time; I have never had a bad experience. John Heintz used to say ‘if you’re not having fun, don’t be here.’ We’ve only ever had fun for as long as I can remember,” she said.

The town’s citizens have never quite come to agree on a single historic recount as to how the whole carnival kicked off. Numerous tales have been told and everyone has their own version.

One historic character, Norwegian miner Olaus Jeldness, is often traced back to the early days and in some cases, as one of the originators. But the organizing committee has agreed upon one thing: the Winter Carnival first began in 1898.

“That is something new for this year,” explained Doell of the agreement upon a date.

Previously it had been undecided if it was 1897 or 1898 but now the committee has for once and for all determined this important date in Rossland and Canada’s history. The Winter Carnival is Canada’s longest running event of its kind.

Since its beginning, locals and visitors alike have been coming to Rossland to take part in the festivities. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries ex-Rossland residents would come from Spokane, WA. If you are planning to come along this year, it is best to secure accommodation quickly as the town fills up fast.

“Olaus would be astounded to see (snow) boarders flying through the air carving graceful lines right beside the very same post office that he knew during Saturday’s fantastic rail jam,” reads the carnival’s website.

The rail jam will have more community support in 2015 than ever before. It takes a lot of snow to build the rail jam site in the main street but organizers this year have confirmed extra volunteer hours. It may seem strange for a Winter Carnival to say they do not want big dumps during the winter event but basically “that would be the worst case,” said Doell.

A big snowfall would mean the city would have to remove snow so that people and the free ride bus can still get around. The bobsleds would also not be able to travel as fast.

Organizers are hoping for below zero temperatures with clear skies throughout the event so participants and visitors can enjoy everything there is to love about Rossland’s Winter Carnival. For further information visit www. rosslandwintercarnival.com.

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Saturday, January 3 Pink Mammoth Spirit Bar, Nelson

Sunday, January 4 Sunday Cinema presents ROSEWATER Royal Theatre, Trail Jon Stewart makes his directorial debut with Rosewater, a drama based on a memoir by the Iranian journalist Maziar Bahari, who was imprisoned for five months in Iran following an appearance on The Daily Showwhen he was reporting on the unrest which was taking place during the 2009 Iranian presidential elections.

4:30 pm.

Friday, January 9 Meow Mix Spirit Bar, Nelson

Friday - Sunday January 9 - 11 West Kootenay Invitational Skating Competition Rossland Arena, Rossland

Saturday, January 10 Hoola with Leif Spirit Bar, Nelson

Saturday, January 10 Duo 51 Recital St.Saviours Pro-Cathedral, Nelson 7:30am Rebecca MacLeod and Sophie Baird-Daniel, Duo 51, will be back in the Kootenays to perform an exciting program of music from around the world. Including works by Venezuelan- American composer Ricardo Lorenz, Arvo Part, and Louis Spohr.

Saturday, January 10 The Capitol Season Series presents Christopher Hunt When that I Was The Capitol Theatre, Nelson 8:00pm An award-winning one-man play in two acts, co-written by Edward Atienza and John Mortimer, the show sees Hunt perform over 25 characters, moving seamlessly between Rice, Will Shakespeare and even Queen Elizabeth among many others. It’s for all ages.

It’s Canadian, and it’s universal too.

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Sunday, January 11 Sunday Cinema presents MOMMY

Friday - Sunday January 16 - 18 Argentine Tango Workshop

Royal Theatre, Trail A feisty widowed single mom finds herself burdened with the full-time custody of her unpredictable 15-year-old ADHD son. As they struggle to make ends meet, Kyla, the peculiar new neighbor across the street, offers her help. Together, they find a new sense of balance, and hope is regained. 4:30pm.

Hart Hall, 501 Carbonate Street, Nelson Lori Mitchell and Patrick Marsolek of Tango Missoula return to Nelson mid-January to offer their skills to local tanguera/os in the engaging and enchanting Argentine Tango.

Please contact franwallis@redmtn.ca for all registration details.

Sunday, January 11 Duo 51 — Harp and Violin 1:30pm Kootenay Gallery, Castlegar Rebecca MacLeod of Nelson and Sophie Baird-Daniel of Seattle, together Duo 51, have been heard concertizing as a harp and violin duo around the Greater Toronto Area for the past two years. For more information: kootenaygallery.com (250) 365-3337.

Thursday, January 15 Clinton Swanson Trio Muriel Griffiths Room at The Charles Bailey Theatre, Trail Jazz at The Griff Presents : A night showcasing the music of legendary jazz tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins featuring Clinton Swanson on tenor saxophone, Rob Fahie on acoustic bass, and Steven Parish on drums.

7:30pm.

Friday, January 16 Adham Shaikh & Intersect Spirit Bar, Nelson

Friday, January 16 Lisa Nicole Concert Charles Bailey Theatre, Trail Lisa Nicole might look like your perfect country sweetheart, with strawberry blonde curls and emerald green eyes, but this two time award winning rising star has a feistiness flowing through her veins. In Fall of 2013, Lisa did an ambitious cross Canada tour, playing 25 shows and over 20 radio stations, starting with a showcase at the CCMA’s in Edmonton, promoting her EP “IT GOT UGLY”. A smalltown gal in the big city, she has followed her heart wherever it takes her. She’s coming to Trail to kick off her trip to Nashville, and has invited local singer-musician Jason Thomas to join her on the stage. Come and you’ll be able to say, “I knew her when.....”

Saturday, January 17 The Good Ol’ Goats with guest Spirit Bar

Saturday, January 17 Lucas Meyers and The Amazing Cromoli Bros Muriel Griffiths Room at The Charles Bailey Theatre, Trail E2=Experiments in Entertainment Presents: THE BEST OF THE CROMOLI BROTHERS! Written and performed by Lucas Myers The Cromoli Brothers are a high-octane mashup of sketch comedy, stand-up, vaudeville, and musical theatre, with the Brothers (just Lucas really) performing 15 vignettes ranging from the poignant to the political to the absurd. Including songs Nude Beach, Dear Mary I’m in a Gang Now, Sex, Shot in the Dark, and The Rich, the show features original songs (and a very unique David Bowie cover) performed on ukulele, melodica and glockenspiel. WARNING: NUDE SOCK PUPPETS, META SINCERITY, JESUS. Please Note: The Cromoli Brothers contains adult material and is not suitable for children. 7:30 pm.

Sunday, January 18 The Capitol Kids Series presents Monster Theatre The Little Prince The Capitol Theatre, Nelson 2:00pm Meet talking roses and foxes! Venture out on interplanetary travel! Learn about true love and loyalty! Join The Little Prince on a spectacular adventure as he celebrates open-mindedness, open-heartedness and the beauty of imagination. With puppets, masks, original music and a little theatre magic, the storytelling experts of Monster Theatre capture kids and adult’s hearts and funny bones as they bring Antoine de SaintExupéry’s cherished novella to life.

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�rts and Entertainment Listings

JANUARY 2015 Sunday, January 18 The Capitol Season Series presents Monster Theatre Who Killed Gertude Crump?

Saturday, January 24 The Capitol Season Series presents Ichigo-Ichieh New Theatre - Detour

Every Wednesday Writers Club

The Capitol Theatre, Nelson 8:00pm A plot-twist-a minute puppet caper written and directed by Monster Theatre’s Ryan Gladstone and performed by Tara Travis who performed at the Capitol Theatre last season with Til Death: The Six Wives of Henry VIII. A spectacular tour-de-force murder mystery of silly fun puppetry! It’s New Year’s Eve 1899.

Famous murder mystery author Gertrude Crump has been murdered, mysteriously!

All of the guests at the isolated Monkswell Manor are suspects, and there’s no escape for anyone until they get to the bottom of her suspicious death. This one-woman, murder mystery puppet show comes to you from the performer that brought you last year’s critically acclaimed Til Death: The Six Wives of Henry VIII.

The Capitol Theatre, Nelson 8:00pm Hiromoto Ida’s performance is the story of a man and woman from the “Walkman” era. Drawing from the minimalist tradition of Japanese Noh theatre, it contains no spoken words, and relies instead on exaggerated physical movements and subtle variations in costume, set and sound design to tell its tale of a couple who used to go the record store to buy music on cassette tapes. But modern technology is taking over; flashy gadgets and the newest contraptions are around every corner. Smartphones subliminally whisper “Look at me! I’m so easy, fast and sexy, everything is at your fingertips!”

Every Tuesday Open Mic Night

Sunday, January 18 Sunday Cinema presents THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING Royal Theatre, Trail 4:30pm Based on the memoir, Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, by Jane Hawking , this is the extraordinary true story of one of the world’s greatest living minds, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, and the woman who became his wife, fellow Cambridge student, Jane Wilde. Together, they defy impossible odds, breaking new ground in medicine and science, and achieving more than they could ever have dreamed.

Friday, January 23 El Papa Chango with Guest Spirit Bar

Saturday, January 24 Sweater Beats Spirit Bar

Sunday, January 25 Sunday Cinema presents FOXCATCHER Royal Theatre, Trail 4:30pm FOXCATCHER tells the story of Olympic Gold Medal-winning wrestler Mark Schultz who sees a way out from the shadow of his more celebrated wrestling brother Daveand a life of poverty when he is summoned by eccentric multi-millionaire John du Pont to move onto his estate and train for the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Tuesday, January 27 TSPA presents THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS Charles Bailey Theatre, Trail 7:30pm As the thunderclouds of the Great War pile up and burst, the musical revolutionary Claude Debussy and his one-time follower Maurice Ravel compete for the love of their proud, fickle, darling, Paris. The Judgment of Paris is a mix of cabaret, history and story-telling with timeless music by Debussy and Ravel, as well as original songs by the performers. It is new and old, heroic and tragic, history and fiction – and may the best composer win.

Thursday, January 29 Yuk Yuks Comedy Spirit Bar

Friday, January 30 The Boom Booms with Guest Spirit Bar

Saturday, January 31 Funkanomics with Guest Spirit Bar

7:30 - 9:00pm Rossland Seniors Hall

9:00 to 11:00pm The Flying Steamshovel

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Capitol production resurrects Agatha Christie

Will Johnson - Nelson Star

For the upcoming production Who Killed Gertrude Crump at the Capitol Theatre, actor Tara Travis has resurrected murder mystery legend Agatha Christie.

“She’s particularly cheeky in the afterlife,” said Travis, who will be performing her one-woman puppet performance for one night on Sunday, January 18 at 8 p.m.

Travis previously performed in Nelson in the acclaimed ’Til Death: The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Her latest is set on New Year’s Eve in 1899.

While her Christie character appears in human form, the rest of the show is done with table top puppets. And though the trappings may look aimed at children, she insists her show is actually for adults.

“Puppetry is being used more and more for adult humour,” she said, noting that she recently

Tara Travis will be performing her one-woman puppet show Who Killed Gertrude Crump for one night on Sunday, January 18 at 8 p.m.

performed in Vancouver’s gay bar Celebrities.

“Puppets can get away with anything. If you really want to get audacious and get into sensitive territory and really go for edgy humour, it’s amazing how much permission you get when a puppet is saying the things, not a human being,” she said.

At times, the puppets even surprise her.

“Sometimes my puppets say things that horrify me.”

The show follows the mysterious murder of mystery author Gertrude Crump. All of the guests at the isolated Monkswell Manor are suspects.

The show is a traditional murder mystery that will engage the audience in the solving process.

The Agatha Christie character will routinely check in with the audience and ask about their predictions.

Travis said the script by Monster Theatre’s Ryan Gladstone is “smart and stupid all at the same time.”

“Ryan just has this unique brand

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of humour that catches you off guard. It will cover the most base things in such a cerebral way. Half the time we have to add in an extra laugh break because there’s a pause for people to calculate and register the joke,” she said.

The role is demanding both physically and mentally.

“I have to program my brain so that while one character is talking my other hand knows which one is next, and I always have to be physically one step ahead of the text,” she said.

“When you see it on stage it doesn’t always look impressive, but I’m actually doing intense brain acrobatics. I’ll have to be well-rested.”

Who Killed Gertrude Crump is one of 11 new shows being rolled out by the Capitol Theatre in the new year.

It will play for one night on January 18 at 8 p.m. For more information visit capitoltheatre. bc.ca or call (250) 352-6363.

For more information about Monster Theatre visit monstertheatre.com.

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THE LITTLE PRINCE On the same day as Gertrude Crump, Travis will also perform The Little Prince at 2 p.m.

Aimed at kids K-7, the show is an adaptation of Antoine de SaintExupéry’s cherished novella.

Travis said the story is one she cherished as a child.

“It reminds grownups to think like children and it reminds children that they are important and their imaginations are important,” she said.

Travis will appear onstage with Nancy Kenny, who will play the prince himself. Travis, meanwhile, will play the remainder of the characters.

“He encounters a number of characters as he travels from planet to planet. There are some puppets, some body masks and some big costume pieces,” she said.

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Try out for the 1st Annual Youth Arts Festival Talent Slam!

O

xygen Art Centre is thrilled to announce the 1st Annual Youth Arts Festival! The premiere event of the festival is the Talent Slam at the Capitol Theatre on February 14 at 8 p.m.

Anyone aged 15-29 and performing in any discipline is welcome to audition for a spot in this showcase of the Kootenay’s best young artists. Singing, dancing, music, acting, comedy, performance art, poetry and spoken word, even short film and animations can be submitted for selection.

B A R

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NEWYEARSEVE2015

WED . DEC 31

Auditions will take place on Sunday, January 18 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Civic Theatre. There is a limited amount of audition slots available so it is recommended to register in advance online at www.oxygenartcentre.org.

TICKETS $35 - 3 COURSE DINNER $15 - ADVANCE $20 - AT THE DOOR $50 - 3 COURSE DINNER & SHOW

Selected acts will receive one-on-one mentorship with Lucas Myers or Bessie Wapp to develop their acts for the big night.

The festival will also be a mentored work experience opportunity for the youth coordinators involved in producing the festival. In addition to the Talent Slam, there will also be a back stage lounge at Oxygen Art Centre on Sunday, February 14 from 3 to 9 p.m. with free programming and workshops for youth aged 15-29. More details to follow.

6 PM: CLINTON SWANSON 9:30 PM: ROXY PARTY FAVOURS CHAMPAGNE TOAST MIDNIGHT BUFFET

The 1st Annual Youth Arts Festival and Oxygen Art Centre gratefully acknowledge festival supporters and funders: Columbia Basin Trust, Osprey Community Foundation, the Civic and Capitol Theatres and Business for the Arts sponsors Can-Filters, Hall Printing, Juice FM, Nelson Star and ilovenelson.com 705 Vernon S treet | www. finleys .ca | 250.352.5121

DUO 51

For more information, contact: Miriam Needoba at (250) 352 5905 or email info@oxygenartcentre.org.

TABLES CAN BE RESERVED WITH DINNER RESERVATION ONLY.

Rebecca MacLeod of Nelson and Sophie Baird-Daniel of Seattle, together Duo 51, have been heard concertizing as a harp and violin duo around the Greater Toronto Area for the past two years.

Their dynamic partnership began two years ago when Ms. MacLeod and Ms. BairdDaniel were both Artist Diploma students at the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Glenn Gould School. An instant friendship and musical collaboration quickly led to many performances throughout Toronto.

Duo 51 has since been invited to perform at the Canadian Opera Company’s concert series at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre and at the Stratford Music Festival.

They have also performed at the Capitol Theatre in Nelson, BC and were recently featured by the American Harp Society at the Heliconian Hall in Toronto.

Duo 51 takes its name from the combination of the forty-seven strings of the harp and the four strings of the violin. Coincidentally, both Ms. MacLeod and Ms. BairdDaniel reach an astounding five foot one in height. Duo 51 will be performing an exciting program of music from around the world. From the traditional German work of Louis Spohr’s Variations on the Magic Flute to the flashy, contemporary, latin dance grooves of Venezuelan-American Ricardo Lorenz’s Jaromiluna, to the meditative and serene Estonian composer Arvo Part’s Fratres, there is sure to be something for everyone.

The Kootenay Gallery is happy to present Duo 51 in its third concert in the TD Canada Trust 2014-2015 series at the Kootenay Gallery on Sunday, January 11 at 1:30 p.m.

For more information: kootenaygallery.com (250) 365-3337.

Give the Gift

of concert tickets this

Holiday Season.

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JANUARY EDITION 2015

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Charles Bailey Theatre is pleased to announce something completely different coming to a theatre near you.

E2 or Experiments in Entertainment is a test lab for performance genres that is intimate, unique and slightly off-beat. We are creating a cultural scene in the Muriel Griffiths Room at The Charles Bailey that gets audiences closer to performers and allows a truly engaging experience while we test what our audiences might enjoy.

On January 17, E2 presents the amazing and impermeable Cromoli Brothers. Written and performed by Nelsonite Lucas Meyers, imagine a high-octane mash-up of sketch comedy, stand-up, vaudeville and musical theatre ranging from the poignant to the political to the absurd.

Including Nude Beach, Dear Mary I’m in a Gang Now, Shot in the Dark, and The Rich, the show also features original songs (and a very unique David Bowie cover) performed on ukulele, melodica and glockenspiel.

The Globe and Mail says “Meyers is Brilliant.” $15 in advance.

On February 8, do not miss the one woman show, Till Death- The Six wives of Henry the Vlll performed by Tara Travis of Vancouver’s Monster Theatre. Watch as one actress plays six queens, six love stories and six deaths. CBC gives this show five stars calling it, “wildly funny, wonderfully crafted and brilliantly acted.

Flawless!” $15 in advance

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In the long, dark hours of winter, let’s get together and share some stories. Hosted by Almeda Glenn Miller, storytellers from across the valley and surrounding mountains will make their snowy pilgrimage to the warmth and intimacy of the Muriel Griffiths room at the Charles Bailey Theatre. Be prepared to be frightened, enlightened, and delighted with authentic stories from our region. All seats $10 On February 22, we’ll be hosting a story-telling workshop and anyone wanting to participate can find more information and registration details at www.trail-arts.com E2 is part of the newest partnership and initiative between the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary and the Trail and District Arts Council with the shared goal of increasing theatre offerings. Programming and Marketing director Nadine Tremblay explains, “We are trying to present more of the type of programming which was identified as desirable in our market survey. It should be a wild and fun ride. If you want more events like this, please show your support; I dare you to come check it out and tell us what you think.“ Looking for that unique gift this Christmas? A memorable experience may just the right present for that person who has everything.

Tickets can be purchased in person or by phone at the Charles Bailey Theatre Box Mon-Fri 12-4. Phone 250.368-9669 / 1501 Cedar Avenue Trail. Thank you to Columbia Power Corporation for sponsoring the series and helping keep ticket prices affordable. Please visit www.trail-arts,com for more info

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And lastly, attend our first of many evenings of storytelling called Little Moths on Friday February 27.

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LA DOLCE VITA

Give these a chance

By Lorne Eckersley

When you stand in front of the shelves at a wine shop does your eye automatically search out your favourite varietals? Merlot? Cab Sauv? Chardonnay?

Or one of the Pinots—Noir or Gris? Or perhaps you prefer, as so many do, Bordeaux blends.

flavour of black cherries and spices was truly satisfying. Larch Hills makes wine from other cool climate grapes— Marechal Foch, Madeline Angevine and Ortega, too. During our visit we didn’t taste anything we didn’t enjoy.

It’s easy to fall into purchasing patterns, searching out the safe and certain to satisfy, but we also lose out on the chance for surprisingly pleasurable experiences when we don’t push our shopping boundaries.

It was a similar experience a few miles away at Recline Ridge, where the vineyard includes red varieties like Gamay Noir, Foch, Zwiegelt and Blaufrankisch, and whites that include Ortega, Kerner, Bacchus and Siegerrebe. In the hands of a capable winemaker, all of these grapes produce very satisfying wines.

The trap extends even to visits to my wine cellar when I go down to make a selection for dinner. I usually have a general idea of what I am looking for and tend to ignore the bottles I pull out that don’t fit what I have in mind. But every once in a while I remind myself that we bought all of our wines for a reason. Almost all of our wines are purchased directly from the winery and we have, of course, tasted them before making our selections. So I know there are none that we didn’t enjoy at the time.

This topic came to mind a few week back when I made way up the staircase carrying a bottle from a visit a year and a half ago to the Shuswap area. We had a lovely visit at Larch Hills Winery, not least because I was smitten by winery owners who were so committed to growing varietals that are ideal for their cool climate location. Jack and Hazel Manser didn’t fall for what is always a strong temptation to make wines that are big sellers throughout the province. No plantings of Merlot or Syrah in the hope that they will ripen, if only the conditions are ideal from spring through fall.

The bottle I chose was Lemberger, the unfortunately named grape that makes one think of a very tangy and aromatic blue cheese. Back in our U-Brew winemaking days Lemberger was a favourite, but we haven’t had much since. We were immediately struck by the brilliant red colour and fresh, fruity nose. The

Talk to a winery owner who produces these hybrids and lesser known varietals and you will inevitably learn that the names of the grapes are the single biggest hurdle in their marking efforts. Germanic names tend to have less appeal to the general public than French names. It’s a shame, because when we shop by name we limit ourselves and miss out on the joy of new and different taste sensations.

Cool climate wines are also popular in the Kelowna area, and we have had some quite wonderful tastings at wineries like Gray Monk, Quail’s Gate, Arrowleaf, Ancient Hill, Summerhill, Volcanic Hills and Mount Boucherie.

At Ancient Hill, on the hill overlooking the Kelowna airport, owner Richard Kamphuys makes an amazing blend he calls Lazarus. It includes Zweigelt, Lemberger, Pinot Noir and Baco Noir.

And his 2012 Rose is an unusual and very appealing blend of Baco Noir and Gewurztraminer.

On Kelowna’s west side, we fell in love with the Volcanic Hills Gamay Noir

years ago, and not only because it was, and still is, one of the best wine values in the province. It’s a very nice summer wine when lightly chilled and also goes beautifully with a lot of poultry dishes. Next door at Mount Boucherie, many very good cool climate wines are produced.

Further south, one of our most memorable discoveries was of a white wine from Ehrenfelser grapes.

We were visiting Lake Breeze Vineyards on the Naramata Bench, doing a tasting before heading out for lunch on the spectacular patio when we first tasted Ehrenfelser. It’s slightly offdry, which can be slightly off-putting for fans of dry wines like Angela and me.

But the balance of acidity and tropical fruit flavours made it an instant favourite.

Here in the Creston Valley, Skimmerhorn Winery has made great fans with its Marechal Foch, Ortega and Gewurztraminer vintages. Next door at Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery is proving that cool climate wines can grow beautifully on a property that is also producing superb Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.

With the holiday season nearing and plenty of socializing to be done, do yourself a favour and take a closer look at unfamiliar labels and grape varieties when you are shopping this year.

Chances are you will make some pleasant discoveries. And that, as Martha says, is a good thing.

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CORNER FRIED RICE, SCHEZWAN STYLE Cooked Rice 2 cups finally chopped vegetables 2 spring onions finely chopped, reserve greens for garnish

1. To prepare first finely chop all the vegetables and heat your oil in a wok. Then add garlic and saute for a 15 to 20 seconds.

2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2. Add the onions, celery and all the vegetables and increase the heat and stir fry the vegetables on high. Keep stirring and tossing the vegetables on a high heat continuously so that they are equally browned and cooked.

2 tbsp schezwan sauce

3. When the edges of the vegetables become light brown, add the schezwan sauce.

¼ tsp black pepper

4. Stir, adding the drained rice in parts mixing the rice with the veggies gently. Season with salt, pepper and vinegar. Stir and toss well so that the sauce coats all the rice grains evenly. Finish by garnishing the schezwan fried rice with the spring onions greens.

1 tsp finely chopped celery

½ tsp rice vinegar 2 tbsp sesame oil Salt

TRAIL & DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL presents

Sunday Cinema - Series 3

Royal Theatre, Trail, BC - $9.00 or $40 for a 6 movie pass (All shows at 4:30 unless otherwise noted.) www.trail-arts.com 250-364-3003

Burnt Onion Butter & Buttermilk Biscuits 2 tbsp sugar 2 tbsp baking powder 1 tbsp kosher salt 2 tsp baking soda 4 cups flour plus more for surface ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, frozen 30 minutes

January 4

Rosewater

2 large egg yolks 1 1/3 cups buttermilk 1. Heat oven to 375°. Whisk sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and 4 cups flour in a large bowl. Grate butter into dry ingredients, tossing to coat as you go.

January 11

Mommy

January 18

The Theory of Everything

2. Whisk egg yolks and buttermilk in a bowl. Using a fork, mix buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients. Gently knead a few times just until a shaggy dough forms.

3. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and pat out until 1” thick; quarter dough and stack pieces on top of one another. Press down to adhere. Roll out dough until 1” thick. Using a biscuit cutter, cut out dough, rerolling scraps as needed.

4. Place biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until golden brown on the tops and bottoms, 20–25 minutes (a few minutes longer if baking frozen). Serve warm with Burnt Onion Butter.

Onion Butter 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 small red onion, ½ finely chopped, ½ thinly sliced

January 25

Foxcatcher

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 1. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion. Sprinkle in salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally (add 1 Tbsp. water to skillet if onion on bottom is gets too dark) until deeply browned and very soft, 20–25 minutes. Let cool.

February 1

Mr. Turner

2. Mix butter and caramelized onion in a bowl; Sprinkle salt and then transfer to ramekin and smooth top.

3. Meanwhile heat a broiler. Broil the sliced onion in a single layer on a broiler-proof baking sheet, turning occasionally, until dry and completely blackened. Let cool, then grind to a powder in a spice mill or with a mortar and pestle.

February 15

Red Army

4.Dust butter with burnt onion powder. Enjoy.

JANUARY EDITION 2015

{vURb}

11

What’s Hot?

TECHNOLOGY

Get professional eye exams from your phone...what?

The Peek Retina is a clip-on attachment for smartphones that supplants both an opthalmoscope and a retina camera, providing a lens through which the camera can be used to take a high quality, close-up picture of the retina. And it fits in a pocket! Peek is currently raising funds and hopes to ship final adapters in October 2015.

It will be a portable system for testing eyes, whether in a clinic or in the comfort of a patient’s home. You can share results and images and store all your data.

Events and Information www.rosslandwintercarnival.com

Thursday, January 29 Sunday, February 1, 2015

What’s

Hot? Check out the lists:

UPCOMING MOVIES

TV ADDICT CONSTANTINE A man struggling with his faith is haunted by the sins of his past but is suddenly thrust into the role of defending humanity from the gathering forces of darkness SELFIE After being the subject of an embarrassing viral video, a self-involved 20-something enlists the help of a marketing expert to revamp her image in the real world.

FOREVER A 200-year-old man works in the New York City Morgue trying to find a key to unlock the curse of his immortality.

BOOK WORM THE GOLDFINCH: A NOVEL - DONNA TARTT

SELMA Selma is the story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s historic struggle to secure voting rights for all people – a dangerous and terrifying campaign that culminated with the epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, and led to President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

TAKEN 3 Liam Neeson returns as ex-government operative Bryan Mills, whose life is shattered when he’s falsely accused of a murder that hits close to home. As he’s pursued by a savvy police inspector, Mills employs his “particular set of skills” to track the real killer and exact his unique brand of justice.

The Goldfinch is a mesmerizing, stay-up-all-night and tell-all-your-friends triumph, an old-fashioned story of loss and obsession, survival and selfinvention, and the ruthless machinations of fate.

THE THUG KITCHEN COOKBOOK This book is an invitation to everyone who wants to do better to elevate their kitchen game. Thug Kitchen wants to show everyone how to take charge of their plates and cook up some real food - throwing down more than 100 recipes of best-loved meals, snacks, and sides for beginning cooks to home chefs.

Liz Bevan - Times Staff

T

will be packing up her equipment and making the move to Nashville, Tennessee to further her country music career and record a new album. She has been to Nashville before and this time, she is staying.

he Charles Bailey Theatre will soon be echoing with the twang of some fresh country music.

Lisa Nicole, a local country singer, born and raised in Castlegar, is gearing up for her biggest performance yet.

She has done big shows before, but this is the first time she will be topping the playbill.

“I do big music festivals and stuff, but this is definitely my biggest theatre show,” she said. “I am headlining and it is the biggest thing I have put on.”

Part of the excitement of headlining her own show is knowing her fans are there to see her and only her.

“I just love the energy I get from the fans,” she said, adding that seeing her fans singing along with her music is a special feeling.

“They are going be there to see me and hear my new stuff and hear my old stuff. I love seeing them singing along and some of them

even cry (to my songs), especially ‘Real Wednesday’.”

Seeing fans singing along isn’t the only highlight for Lisa Nicole – she loves the meet and greet part of a performance too.

“It is also about the excitement after the show,” she said. “With signing CDs and things, it is pretty fun. It is the face-to-face stuff. I love meeting my fans and getting to know them.”

Once the show is over and the curtains are drawn, Lisa Nicole

“This one day I was in a session with Paul De Villiers and we were talking about how I’m going down to Nashville to record, and I had a kind of epiphany, thinking why am I just going down there to visit? she told the Castlegar News. “I want to pursue this full-on and if I’m going to do that I should be down there.

Right then, I decided I was going to move there.”

album she can.

“You can whip out an album in a month if you wanted to, but I really want to focus on perfecting this one,” she said to the Castlegar News. “I don’t want to rush. I mean I do feel very anxious to get something out there because it has been a couple years since I released my ‘It Got Ugly’ CD. But I’m just going to take my time and do a really good job.”

Lisa Nicole’s show at Trail’s Charles Bailey Theatre starts at 7 p.m. on Jan. 16. For tickets, call 250-368-9669.

The

De Villiers is a record producer who famously worked with Mr. Mister on their 1985 hit album ‘Welcome to the Real World.’

Along with headlining a show and packing her things for a big move, the rising country music star has been working on new material and compiling it for the last year, hoping to put out the best second

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