Entertainment takes on whole different aspects when an evening of music, whether learning to play the violin, listening to others play, or singing along with a DJ, is also combined with a fun, social conversation time – and even a free dinner.
While the Student Concert on May 19 revealed some budding talents of the first Fiddle and Guitar class to take lessons at Stemete7uw’i Friendship Centre during the 2016/17 winter season, through it’s partnership with St.Timothy’s Anglican Church, it also featured a free Spaghetti Social.
St. Timothy’s Outreach Team member Sylvia Kurath says this public, free dinner and social event is now being held every month at the Anglican church on Blackstock Road at Horse Lake Road, in combination with the Friendship Centre in its annex.
This was the first anniversary of the monthly event that runs all year long, the Stemete7uw’i Friendship Centre board member Mary Thomas organized this first public concert recital of its six fledgeling fiddle and guitar learners.
The five fiddle (violin) players were taught by her grandson, Roman Thomas, while the single guitar player was instructed by Friendship Centre co-ordinator Rob Diether.
Diether says the whole group is very grateful to Roman, a wonderful fiddle player still in his teens, for his expertise and successful instruction of the class.
“He’s a great up-and-coming fiddle player, so we are hoping we are going to see a lot of Roman in the future.”
Roman came down from Williams Lake, where he resides, to teach these classes, as did several of their learners, he adds.
“I think all the students were quite happy with their performance and the outcome, and it was just a great way for people to build up some confidence and some self-esteem.”
Diether says young Karl Lundsbye, age seven, played violin in a talent show with his classmates at 100 Mile Elementary School earlier the same day, and then again in this concert.
This included Karl leading – almost solo – a wonderful rendition of Oh Canada with his father, Jens Lundsbye, who had signed up along with both of his young sons to take these lessons at Stemete7uw’i.
“I hope this will carry some of our musicians along a little further, to have that kind of encouragement to … continue in their musical [endeavours].
The Friendship Centre is always looking for more musical instrument instructors, he adds.
Kurath explains the social importance of the free dinner night that is held every month can’t be understated.
“It’s more than feeding tummies because we like to add the social aspect. People like to talk, they like to be heard, they like to listen.
“We do board games, we do puzzles, we have music. Last time around we had keyboard music, a wonderful player from 150 Mile. [This time] we have fiddlers from the Friendship Centre, as their recital.”
Kurath says another new aspect added was the nametags on guests to help introduce them to any new faces in their community.
“People are meeting people, and they’re making new friends. It’s just wonderful.”
The Spaghetti Social is open to everyone across the community, every third Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., as is the church’s new Mini Free Store, with all donations gathered by St.Timothy’s volunteers, she explains.
They will accept anything for the Mini Free Store, which can then be sorted out by volunteers and given out free to anyone who asks for it, she says, adding it will be open every month on the same day as the social.
If you (or someone you know) needs something in particular that you can’t find anywhere, you can’t drive to get, or it’s too large to be offered by at the Mini Free Store – ask for it to be added to their wish list, where they’ll watch and ask for specific donations.
Kurath notes this might be anything from a piece of furniture to a specific-sized pair of children’s boots.
If you phone Sylvia Kurath at 250-395-1916 to note the item needed, she will add it to the wishlist and then contact you if, and when, a suitable donation comes in.
Information on Spaghetti Socials is also posted regularly on social agency bulletin boards across 100 Mile House, she explains.
Diether asks anyone interested in signing up for music lessons, or who might be willing to instruct them, to call him at the Stemete7uw’i Friendship Centre at 250-945-5259, or e-mail to stemete7uwifriendship@gmail.com.
“We look forward to presenting more fiddle and guitar lessons in the future – perhaps ukelele lessons, you never know.”