Culture

Shuswap Coffee House Magic

April, 2006

The phenomenal growth of the Coffee House scene here never ceases to amaze me, perhaps because of the efforts that others and I put in to promote music some thirty years ago.  The folk music scene in the Shuswap began in earnest in 1972, when banjo aficionado Jake Jacobson opened the Sweet Earth Natural Food store and began having music jams in the evenings.  My involvement began after helping to build the log Youth Centre in 1975 (now the Roots and Blues offices), which became the first venue for the Shuswap Coffee House.  Continue reading →

Finding bliss in the Shuswap

August, 2011

What a concept! Day hikes on some of the Shuswap’s most spectacular trails followed by community dinners and fantastic concerts and dances. “Routes and Blues” was the brainchild of Roots and Blues executive director Hugo Rampen, who was inspired by the very successful Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breten.  Now in its 15^th year, this festival is held during October to celebrate the beauty of the fall colours in locations throughout the island and includes hikes and cycle tours on some of the region’s famous trails. Continue reading →

100 years of Mara Community

July, 2011

It was a momentous weekend in Mara in the middle of July, as the community celebrated the 100^th anniversary of its hall and the launch of its new history book, “Mara Reflections.” The two-day celebration was focused on the heritage theme, with activities that harkened back to the days when communities created their own entertainment with homegrown creativity.  Continue reading →