Concert in the Courtyard

The last eight months have been a busy and enjoyable time for V&F with requests to perform for local recitals and events in and around BC. One of our favourite venues to date was Ravencourt B&B, an artistic and creatively designed post and beam straw-bale mansion located in the gorgeous Slocan Valley within the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada.

We were delighted when our hosts Dorothea and Peter invited V&F to be part of their 2014 summer series of eclectic house concerts. Surrounded by wilderness with sounds from the nearby creek and chirping birds, Ravencourt B&B is a collection of charming little details. On a hot summer's day, the main living areas welcome a comfortable cool breeze, which is served by the beautiful inner courtyard. Our concert took place in a spacious atrium with overlooking balconies and a beautiful forest backdrop.

Oriana White and Ivan Tucakov - performance at Ravencourt, Slocan Valley, BCWe chose 'Vino' as part of the V&F name specifically because we liked the idea of our audiences enjoying a glass of wine while listening to music. Peter thus went to great efforts to organize an incredible wine tasting event as part of the concert! He invited the regional owner to tell his story and introduce the wines personally to the guests, which we felt created the perfect Vino & Forte ambience. We were also astounded by the sense of community as people flowed in the doors for a pre-concert drink.

Overall, we would like to thank our wonderful hosts for their hospitality as well as the engaging audience who brought a family atmosphere to this warm musical evening. We hope you enjoy this little snippet of our experience, illustrating the natural beauty and serenity of Ravencourt B&B with excerpts from Schubert's Serenade and Ivan's flamenco inspired composition Dulces Suenos. Capturing moments of the stunning skies surrounding the Slocan Valley, we sincerely hope to return for another Concert in the Courtyard in the near future!