With the recent flooding, it may still seem like spring in the Okanagan, but summer is just around the corner.
Entering its fourth year, the Caetani Cultural Centre’s annual summer music series showcases amazing talent from the Okanagan Valley, who will take the stage the last Sunday of every month at 2 p.m. from May to September at the Caetani gardens and natural amphitheater.
The May 28 launch will feature the raw talent that is Joshua Smith and Kelowna’s folk duo Tiger Moon. Smith, who will be opening the show, has carved a niche for himself in the Okanagan with his very own brand of East Coast soul-folk music. What one could suggest as being a Soul-inspired, captivating experience, Smith is a singer-songwriter who mingles catchy clever lines and infectious vocals in the company of playful story telling.
With a nod to Motown, Smith captures tradition and folk-friendly modernism with his songwriting prowess.
Headlining the afternoon performance will be Tiger Moon, a Western Canadian folk duo that boasts harmonious sounds, heartfelt melodies, and foot-stomping rhythms. This is a pair to be reckoned with. They perform with a guitar, mandolin, two sets of boots and two big voices. Drawing their sound from traditional folk, Canadiana, soul, and rock, they are a minimalist barn-burning band with syrup-soaked harmonies.
The series will continue through September and will feature Carolyn Anele and The Smith-Fraser Duo (Andrew Smith, Neil Fraser) June 25, a songwriter’s showcase and contest July 30, Allie Bootsma and Virgil Caine Aug. 27, and Betty Johnson and the Aaron Loewen Trio Sept. 24.
This year’s series will also feature a special Friday evening event June 16. Cod Gone Wild will be launching their much-anticipated new album. There will be a cash bar and tickets are on sale for $25 at www.caetani.org.
Each show begins at 2 p.m., rain or shine, and a selection of refreshments will be available for purchase. Admission is by donation, with a recommendation of $10 for adults and $5 for Caetani members and kids. Memberships will be available for purchase at the event. Proceeds go directly to the artists and toward capitol improvement projects at the Centre.