Local Entertainment

A multi-disciplinary dark comedy about the Trans Mountain Pipeline, Bears stars award-winning Métis theatre artist Sheldon Elter. The play is coming to the Sunset Theatre in Wells for one night only, Thursday, Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. Pictured here are Christine Sokaymoh Frederick, Sheldon Elter and chorus members Kendra Shorter, Gianna Vacirca, Alida Kendell, Rebecca Sadowski, Skye Demas, Lara Ebata, Zoe Glassman and Aimee Rushton. Photo submitted

Award-winning multi-disciplianry dark comedy Bears has been making waves across the country

The critically-acclaimed play is coming to the Sunset Theatre in Wells for one night only Aug. 15

  • Aug 13, 2019
A multi-disciplinary dark comedy about the Trans Mountain Pipeline, Bears stars award-winning Métis theatre artist Sheldon Elter. The play is coming to the Sunset Theatre in Wells for one night only, Thursday, Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. Pictured here are Christine Sokaymoh Frederick, Sheldon Elter and chorus members Kendra Shorter, Gianna Vacirca, Alida Kendell, Rebecca Sadowski, Skye Demas, Lara Ebata, Zoe Glassman and Aimee Rushton. Photo submitted
Barb van Halderen from the SkyFest board of directors comes in for a landing during her tandem jump with the SkyHawks Sunday morning. Lindsay Chung photo

PHOTOS: Meet some of the Quesnel SkyFest performers

Quesnel’s International Airshow featured the Snowbirds, SkyHawks, CF-18 Demo Team and many more

Barb van Halderen from the SkyFest board of directors comes in for a landing during her tandem jump with the SkyHawks Sunday morning. Lindsay Chung photo
Written and performed by Vancouver-based artist, Cory Thibert and directed by Linnea Gwiazda, the award-winning play Awkward Hug has been called a “laugh-out-loud and heartbreaking solo show.” Photo submitted

Award-winning play Awkward Hug comes to Wells

The Sunset Theatre presents Cory Thibert’s play Aug. 9 and 10 at 8 p.m.

  • Aug 9, 2019
Written and performed by Vancouver-based artist, Cory Thibert and directed by Linnea Gwiazda, the award-winning play Awkward Hug has been called a “laugh-out-loud and heartbreaking solo show.” Photo submitted
Mary Matheson is a performer and photgrapher who attends dozens of festivals each year. She says ArtsWells is her absolute favourite. Ronan O’Doherty photo

WATCH NOW: ArtsWells 2019 thrives despite Friday night power outage

Musicians, artists and free spirits take over the town of Wells for long weekend

Mary Matheson is a performer and photgrapher who attends dozens of festivals each year. She says ArtsWells is her absolute favourite. Ronan O’Doherty photo
Quesnel photographer Nicole Johnston is presenting her Wildfires 2017 Project this month at the Quesnel Art Gallery. Lindsay Chung photo

Wildfires 2017 Project features photographs of the aftermath of devastating fires

Photographer Nicole Johnston presents her first show at the Quesnel Art Gallery

Quesnel photographer Nicole Johnston is presenting her Wildfires 2017 Project this month at the Quesnel Art Gallery. Lindsay Chung photo
L.G.A. (Linda) McIntyre has written a book called The Flying Giraffe about Linda, the SkyFest mascot, and her adventures around the world with the CF-18 Demo Team. Photo submitted

Book about Linda the Giraffe’s adventures with CF-18 Demo Team debuts at SkyFest

Quesnel author and illustrator release new children’s book about SkyFest mascot

L.G.A. (Linda) McIntyre has written a book called The Flying Giraffe about Linda, the SkyFest mascot, and her adventures around the world with the CF-18 Demo Team. Photo submitted
Wells and Barkerville are getting ready to welcome 200 musicians and thousands of music lovers Aug. 2-5 for the ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art. This year’s lineup features Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Dan Bern, Linda McRae, Hannah Epperson, Al Simmons, Rae Spoon, Interstellar Jays and many, many more, performing on 10 different stages. Weekend passes and day passes are available at artswells.com, and once the festival starts, passes will be available at the Island Mountain Arts Gallery at 2323 Pooley St. in Wells. A new addition this year is that all pass holders receive free admission to Barkerville Historic Town and Park. Observer file photos

There will be more than 300 live performances at ArtsWells this weekend

The festival in Wells kicks off with a Welcoming Ceremony and Rainbow Parade Friday at 7 p.m.

Wells and Barkerville are getting ready to welcome 200 musicians and thousands of music lovers Aug. 2-5 for the ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art. This year’s lineup features Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Dan Bern, Linda McRae, Hannah Epperson, Al Simmons, Rae Spoon, Interstellar Jays and many, many more, performing on 10 different stages. Weekend passes and day passes are available at artswells.com, and once the festival starts, passes will be available at the Island Mountain Arts Gallery at 2323 Pooley St. in Wells. A new addition this year is that all pass holders receive free admission to Barkerville Historic Town and Park. Observer file photos
Team Rocket Aerobatics is just one of the exciting acts you can see at the SkyFest Twilight Show, which kicks of Quesnel’s International Airshow this Friday night (Aug. 2). Gates open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8:30 p.m. SkyFest/Facebook photo

Unique Twilight Show kicks off SkyFest weekend in Quesnel

Featured performers include the CF-18 Demo Team, the SkyHawks and Team Rocket

Team Rocket Aerobatics is just one of the exciting acts you can see at the SkyFest Twilight Show, which kicks of Quesnel’s International Airshow this Friday night (Aug. 2). Gates open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8:30 p.m. SkyFest/Facebook photo
Doc Nowlin and Highland Whiskers were ready for cowboy action. Ronan O’Doherty photos

Dress-up with a bang

Thirteen contestants take part in weekend-long dress-up/ shoot-off at Quesnel Rod and Gun Club

Doc Nowlin and Highland Whiskers were ready for cowboy action. Ronan O’Doherty photos
In 2010, Jacquie B became the first female solo pilot to perform at the Al Ain Aerobatic Show in the United Arab Emirate. She’ll be performing at Quesnel SkyFest this weekend. Photo submitted

Jacquie B and her Extra 300 monoplane coming to Quesnel SkyFest

Jacquie B has more than 2,500 flight hours and over 100 airshow performances under her belt

  • Jul 29, 2019
In 2010, Jacquie B became the first female solo pilot to perform at the Al Ain Aerobatic Show in the United Arab Emirate. She’ll be performing at Quesnel SkyFest this weekend. Photo submitted
Ms. Fondle, seen here at the Prince George Pride Parade, will be the parade marshal for the inaugural Rainbow Parade to open ArtsWells Friday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. Photo courtesy of Philomena Hughes

Singing drag queen Ms. Fondle will lead the first-ever ArtsWells Rainbow Parade Aug. 2

Parade being organized in partnership with Quesnel, Williams Lake, Prince George Pride organizations

Ms. Fondle, seen here at the Prince George Pride Parade, will be the parade marshal for the inaugural Rainbow Parade to open ArtsWells Friday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. Photo courtesy of Philomena Hughes
Onalea Gilbertson is one half of The Rail Birds. Gilbertson and her partner in crime, Bruce Horak, have honed their sound around campfires and back kitchens across Canada, and they will be performing Saturday, July 27 at 8 p.m. at the Sunset Theatre in Wells. Photo submitted

The Rail Birds will sweep you off your feet Saturday night in Wells

The Sunset Theatre’s weekend offerings feature a comedy auction and concert

  • Jul 25, 2019
Onalea Gilbertson is one half of The Rail Birds. Gilbertson and her partner in crime, Bruce Horak, have honed their sound around campfires and back kitchens across Canada, and they will be performing Saturday, July 27 at 8 p.m. at the Sunset Theatre in Wells. Photo submitted
The SkyHawks are the only military parachute demonstration team in the country, and they will be putting on their incredible show at SkyFest this year. Observer file photo

Keep your eyes on the sky and watch for beloved SkyHawks at Quesnel SkyFest

The SkyHawks have been proudly representing Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces for over 40 years

  • Jul 19, 2019
The SkyHawks are the only military parachute demonstration team in the country, and they will be putting on their incredible show at SkyFest this year. Observer file photo
One of the wackier events for Billy Barker Days and ArtsWells is not to be missed. Submitted photo

The wonderfully weird, musically zany Al Simmons comes to the Cariboo

Simmons will play Quesnel’s Billy Barker Days on Friday and ArtsWells on the August long weekend

One of the wackier events for Billy Barker Days and ArtsWells is not to be missed. Submitted photo
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds, known for their world-class precision aerobatics and jaw-dropping solo crosses, are coming back to SkyFest this August. File photo

Canadian Forces Snowbirds returning to Quesnel SkyFest

The Snowbirds are known for their world-class precision aerobatics and jaw-dropping solo crosses

  • Jul 14, 2019
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds, known for their world-class precision aerobatics and jaw-dropping solo crosses, are coming back to SkyFest this August. File photo
Participants in this year’s Toni Onley Artists’ Project gathered for a group photo outside Wells-Barkerville Elementary School on July 9. Evie Lavers photo

This year’s Toni Onley Artists’ Project in Wells is biggest yet

Twenty-four artists are working with mentors Diana Thorneycroft and Peter von Tiesenhausen

Participants in this year’s Toni Onley Artists’ Project gathered for a group photo outside Wells-Barkerville Elementary School on July 9. Evie Lavers photo
Graeme Peters (far right) of Speed Control and the morning participants in the Speed Control Rawk Camp work on stage presence Thursday morning (July 11) at the Chuck Mobley Theatre. The five-day camp, which features a morning session with five students and an afternoon session with 11, concludes Friday, July 12 with a concert at the Occidental. For more about the camp and the concert, please see page 18. Lindsay Chung photo

Quesnel kids are ready to Rawk

Five-day Speed Control Rawk Camp culminates in fundraising concert July 12 at 7 p.m.

Graeme Peters (far right) of Speed Control and the morning participants in the Speed Control Rawk Camp work on stage presence Thursday morning (July 11) at the Chuck Mobley Theatre. The five-day camp, which features a morning session with five students and an afternoon session with 11, concludes Friday, July 12 with a concert at the Occidental. For more about the camp and the concert, please see page 18. Lindsay Chung photo
Beverley Elliott performs her award-winning play Sink or Swim July 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. at the Sunset Theatre. Photo submitted

Multi-award-winning play comes to Sunset Theatre in Wells July 12 and 13

“Sink or Swim is Little House on the Prairie meets Lord of the Flies,” says Beverley Elliott

  • Jul 6, 2019
Beverley Elliott performs her award-winning play Sink or Swim July 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. at the Sunset Theatre. Photo submitted
The CF-18 Demo Team will be flying high at Quesnel SkyFest 2019! File photo

CF-18 Demo Team will showcase supersonic speed at Quesnel SkyFest

The plane’s decorated to celebrate the Canadian Forces pathway “To The Stars,” 70th anniversary of NATO

  • Jul 5, 2019
The CF-18 Demo Team will be flying high at Quesnel SkyFest 2019! File photo
With more than 16,000 hours logged on a wide variety of aircraft, Jerzy Strzyz has represented Canada at the World Aerobatic Championship in both Advanced and Unlimited categories. Aerobatics Canada photo

National champion Jerzy Strzyz performing at Quesnel SkyFest

Strzyz has been a Canadian Unlimited National Champion for an unprecedented 14 years

  • Jun 27, 2019
With more than 16,000 hours logged on a wide variety of aircraft, Jerzy Strzyz has represented Canada at the World Aerobatic Championship in both Advanced and Unlimited categories. Aerobatics Canada photo