Osoyoos Music in the Park began as an idea amongst friends in 2015 and has grown exponentially over the course of five seasons. The ten concerts are free and family oriented. The production is totally volunteer driven and Janis St Louis has hung in since the beginning and is the driving force. Roland Berg, a talented musician in his own right, has volunteered for three seasons providing technical support. Debbie Dundass, came on board two seasons ago and does all the promotional work. Together these “Three Amigos” are bringing life to the downtown core during the summer months with the motto:
If it’s Friday night you know where you need to be.
The Amigos have received ongoing financial support from the Town of Osoyoos via the BC Resort Municipality Initiative. They are a Member Group of the Osoyoos & District Arts Council. Destination Osoyoos has provided on line promotion across western Canada and beyond. AG Foods have provided bottled water for the musicians plus, the Town of Osoyoos has provided the Sonora Recreation Centre as a back up indoor venue when the weather is frightful. The program outgrew the Royal Canadian Legion Hall which was the original back up venue.
Audience size continues to grow from an initial 60. In fact the audience size doubled in 2019 averaging 700 which the Amigos attribute directly to a 50% increase in funding from 2018. In 2019 full bands from farther afield were hired and one evening 926 folks attended which was outstanding. The audience loves to dance and the evenings have a party atmosphere.
In 2016 an artistically painted piano was added. During the months of July and August it is ready and waiting seven days per week for anyone passing by to play. It has brought joy and laughter to Gyro Beach Park. Volunteers remove it each morning from its protective storage box and pack it away each evening.
Awards & Recognition:
2017 – Town of Osoyoos – Outstanding Group.
2019 – Osoyoos & District Arts Council nomination for Arts & Culture Engagement Award
Osoyoos Music in the Park 