An evening of extraordinary music and images dedicated to the Shuswap…

Shuswap Watershed Project
Media Release
June 3, 2009

Shuswap songs and images at the Salmar on June 17th

There is still a buzz in our community regarding the very successful and magical Song for the Shuswap competition concert and the amazingly great music produced for the event. On April 22nd there was nearly a full audience for the Celebrate the Shuswap evening at the Salmar Classic to enjoy the Song for the Shuswap competition and many images of the Shuswap, although the scheduled slide show had to be cancelled due to technical problems.

Shuswapians will now have another opportunity to see the amazing Shuswap Photo Arts slideshow that celebrates our magnificent watershed region, as well as to hear and watch the winning song performers and many of the contest finalists. On Thursday evening, 7 pm, June 17th at the Salmar Classic, the ‘Best of the Shuswap’ will feature some of the Shuswap’s best songwriters along with the stunning images produced by some of the Shuswap’s best photographers.

Headlining the event will be the song contest winner Sue Kyle and her band Birchbark. Sue, who lives in Seymour Arm, has been a well loved feature on local stages including the Caravan Farm Theatre for decades. Her song, Shuswap Swing, captures the appreciative feelings of living in our local paradise.

It was no surprise that Jesse Clarke came in second with his heart-tugging song about returning to his new home and love, Shuswap Lake. Jesse’s band, Old Man’s Beard, has been thrilling audiences for just a year now and will be at this year’s Roots and Blues Festival. Their first CD, ‘The River,’ was nominated last year for a Southern Interior Music award.

Megan Abel, a ninth grade student at SAS Jackson campus, became an instant star after she sang her winning song to a very appreciative audience. Although, she is relative newcomer having arrived from Prince George just three years ago and just started playing guitar less than a year ago, her songwriting and singing talent has already become legendary.

Singing a cappella, Ariana Vrieling and Shae-lyn James, came in second in the youth category. At the upcoming concert, they will be accompanied by Monika Wilson on piano. Monika, who will also be performing her popular song ‘My Town,’ has taught music and piano for 15 years and plays locally with her band, ‘Good Company.’

Sylvain Vallee wowed the audience in April with his song, ‘Keep the Water Flowing,’ as he included his own piano soundtrack along with some live saxophone melodies. A very talented professional musician, who plays more than a dozen different instruments, Sylvain teaches music and composes for films and television and will be opening a new studio in Scotch Creek soon.

Also performing at the June 17th event will be Sicamous songwriter Len Benty and Salmon Arm actor and musician, Peter Blacklock.

Joining the Song for the Shuswap musicians will be two special guest artists, Dave Allan and Aimie Laws. Dave, who has produced his own CD, ‘Crazy Side,’ has delighted audiences for decades, both on stage for the Caravan and Western Canada Theatre Company and in various bands and at local coffee houses. Aimie Laws, who grew up in Salmon Arm, will be the MC for the event. She is close to releasing her band’s first CD, ‘Only Human’ and she will also be performing at this year’s Roots & Blues Festival.

The June 17th ‘Best of the Shuswap’ event is sponsored by the Shuswap Watershed Project, the Observer and Askews. Tickets are only $5 and will be available at Acorn Music and the Observer office.

NOTE: The Shuswap Photo Arts Club slide show ‘ ‘Celebration of the Shuswap’ can be viewed on their website: shuswapphotoarts.com

For more information, contact:

Jim Cooperman, Project Leader
Shuswap Watershed Project
679-3693, jcoop@ribaa.ca