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the quality of creative engagement in the Okanagan through publications, events and collaborations.
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The Future Perfect
AND OTHER OPTIMISMS
» Thursday 30 July 2009 | 5 pm
» The Bohemian Café, 524 Bernard Avenue
An informal afternoon hour showcasing ideas
and people in the Okanagan creative economy. Join us as we celebrate our centenary event with a robust mix of readings and reminiscences. We've come a long way in 2 years - take this opportunity to share insights and stories of the journey.
» $2 at the door. Refreshments are available at a modest cost.
» Seating is limited, please reserve yours HERE
Celebrating 100 Days of Creative Display, Discussion and Dialogue
The Okanagan Institute invites enquiring minds in the Okanagan to come together to celebrate the centenary event of the Institute's groundbreaking Express program. Slightly more than two years ago, the Institute launched its increasingly-popular Thursday Express series of public presentations which feature members of the region's diverse creative community. These events have ranged across a broad swath of subjects including growth and development, the arts and creative expression, science and technology, spirituality, and the green movement - and their impact of on our communities and our daily lives.
On Thursday, July 30th at 5 pm the ongoing weekly Okanagan Institute Express series at the Bohemian Café presents The Future Perfect and Other Optimisms. Join us as we celebrate our centenary event with a robust mix of readings and reminiscences. We've come a long way in 2 years - take this opportunity to share insights and stories of the journey.
"We're welcoming people to come out for an old-fashioned prairie-style social where they can mingle and remind each other of what we've heard, seen, learned and accomplished in the last couple of years," says Institute founder and director Robert MacDonald.
When the Express series started, there was no precedent for a café-style event with a regional flavour. MacDonald decided to pursue his vision regardless, wary it may not survive. But survive it has, now having hosted 99 previous events over the course of the last 24 months.
More than 250 presenters from throughout the Okanagan region have taken time to share their enthusiasm, energy and expertise. Express has played host to visual artists, jewellery designers, musicians, animators, architects, fibre artists, builders, designers and professionals from a wide range of sectors, and from throughout the Okanagan region. Participants have heard from professors, economists, business owners, marketers, gallery owners, entrepreneurs, empresarios, social activists and storytellers. Events have examined the arts, architecture, gardening, home building, clean technology, interior décor and green design.
Some of the most distinguished writers in our province - Alan Bradley, Harold Rhenisch, John Lent, Sterling Haynes, Don Gayton, Ralph Milton, Jim Taylor, Jack Whyte, Melody Hessing - have read from and discussed their works at Express. We've generated and invigorated discussion on film, publishing and other creative industries, food security, our water and environment, and the future of development. Express has also presented several series of connected events - The Elements, Past Is Prologue, Aboriginality, Fibre Arts and Culinaria - which have explored issues and ideas in a more extended format.
"What we've learned in the last 2 years is that people in the Okanagan really want to learn and talk about what is happening here without any political agenda. They want to hear new ideas, and they want to meet the people behind those ideas in a relaxed atmosphere," says Express convener and driving force Karin Wilson.
The Express planning group - which includes publisher Robert MacDonald, radio producer Karin Wilson, artist and writer Karen Close, writer and editor Dona Sturmanis, retired cleric Doug Hutchinson, and retired professor Edward McLean - invites everyone who has ever attended or participated in the events to join the celebration. The general public is welcome as well.
"We want people to know that we're here to stay - and expect to continue our engagement with creative people and ideas. And we're also thinking about for the future, and looking for guidance from the community. Our weekly Express series will continue for as long as people continue to show up to learn, discuss and be engaged," says Robert MacDonald. "Our main objective is to reveal issues and ideas, and enhance dialogue, creativity and critical engagement in this valley. We're pleased with what we've accomplished so far, and want to celebrate that with a social occasion. Please join us on this special occasion."
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER ONLINE CLICK HERE
The Future Perfect and Other Optimisms takes place at the Bohemian Café. This marks the 100th event the Okanagan Institute has held since the Express series got underway in July 2007.
Express has played host to many Okanagan luminaries, including former deputy secretary general of Amnesty International Derek Evans, artists Lee Claremont and Gary Pearson, BC Book Award nominee Don Gayton, CBC Literary prize winner poet Harold Rhenisch, distinguished editor and author Jim Taylor, poet and professor John Lent, animator and filmmaker Jim Cliffe, community activist Don Elzer, dancer David LaHay, architect Jim Meiklejohn, culinary artist and writer Heidi Noble, broadcaster Marion Barschel and others from a wide range of creative fields.
 
NEW! Up Chute Creek is a portrait of Okanagan landscape and people like no other. It is alternately passionate, joyful, heartbreaking, lyrical, quirky, and always wise, and always human, in the best sense. This is a book for the people of the Okanagan, both new and old, to treasure and to share.
» 208 pages, paperback, $20. Illustrated with photographs throughout.
» For information and to order, click HERE.
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