On Saturday, Nov. 11 the Vallican Whole Community Centre celebrates the fall harvest and the rebirth of its dance floor with a dance.
This is your chance to dance the night away with one of B.C.’s finest rural good-time bands. Hailing from Cawston in the Similkameen Valley, the Wild Organic Humans and special guest Cal Gracie are coming to the Vallican Whole in the Slocan Valley. With a name like that, you know they’ll be a total fit for the hall that had the first Locavores’ Feast in the Kootenays.
The Wild Organic Humans have been together perfecting their sound, style, and lively groove for over four years and have created a fascinating synthesis of voices and musical styles. They have a uniquely dramatic style with both male and female lead vocals and complex vocal arrangements as well as great instrumentation. Primarily a dance band, they feature classic rock by bands like Fleetwood Mac, The Doobie Brothers and Linda Ronstadt, as well as funky R&B performers such as the Stones and Aretha Franklin.
In Cawston, the Organic Capital of Canada, the musical culture is as rich as the soil. The leader of the band is Elam Wills of Elam’s Organics, whose cherries, nectarines and apples race the produce department at the Kootenay Co-op in Nelson.
A while back, a Wednesday night music tradition began at Elam’s farmhouse. Douglas Vincent showed up, a versatile lead guitarist who has had music running through his veins since birth. Cheryl Tarvis, part owner of “Similkameen Apiaries” sang backup vocals. Now she sings support vocals with the band, blending beautifully with Maggie’s lead vocals.
In the summer of 2013, Elam and Doug were busking at Hedley Farmer’s market and discovered Maggie Macdonald. She had been involved in theatre, film, and commercials as an actress but music and singing were her true love. She and Elam became partners in life and song.
In the winter of 2013, they dreamed up the name “The Wild Organic Humans” and met the last important piece of this puzzle, Brad Virtue, the “hunky” bass player. Brad has a smooth crooner’s voice and began his musical career playing the violin and singing and playing in church choirs. He then turned to the bass and everyone agrees his funk-based style gives the group a special edge.
For this show only the band is thrilled to announce the return of Cal Gracie, one of Elam’s original musical partners, to play with them and share some of his stunning originals.
With a blend of Maggie’s theatrical R&B style and Elam’s Rockabilly roots, The Wild Organic Humans will entertain you and rock your world with a show that will make you want to dance the night away. Like a great movie or book, you won’t want the evening to end.
Admission is $12 in advance at Gaia Tree and Evergreen Foods in the Slocan Valley, and Otter Books in Nelson, or $15 at the door. Kids get in for $6, and under six are free. This is a licensed event. Doors open at 7:30, music starts at 8 p.m. The Whole is at 3762 Little Slocan S Road in Vallican. Check out www.VallicanWhole.com or FB/TheWhole.