Three more great shows in 2026!
The non-profit Celebrate Shuswap Society was established September 23, 2021 with this purpose: To foster and present live music and other performing arts events in the Shuswap region and develop audience support for culture throughout the community.
The Harpoonist
September 25, 2026
Song Sparrow Hall
A harpoon/harmonica/harp virtuoso with a couple of decades in the hardcore blues-based rock and roll trenches. D’you remember The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, Shawn’s duo with Matt Rogers for 17 blistering years at festivals and concert halls and clubs large and small, grungy and almost clean? Well, Hall’s turned a new leaf. Harpoonist — Hall’s non-de-plume and the name of the band — is something else again.
New songs. New record. New gritty, tough-assed swamp music with edge and off-the-wall lyrics. More importantly, new musical partner-in-crime Big Sugar’s Gordie Johnson. Harpoonist (the band) is something else: Hall on harpoon, and vocals of course, and some keys. And Johnson, Big Sugar’s Texas-based producer guitarist on nearly everything else. And, with Hall and pal Jonas Shandel on the drum kit, he also helped write the songs.
Harpoonist is ready. There’s a taste out now, a track called “Good People” The made-in-Texas record is titled “Did We Come Here to Dance.” Due in February on the Harpoonist’s own label, Tonic Records label and on all the streaming services.
Doors for the Friday, September 25th dance party open at 7:00 P.M. and the show will begin at 7:30 P.M.
Coco Jafro
Halloween Dance Party!
October 31, 2026,
Song Sparrow Hall
Coco Jafro is a globe-spanning groove collective based in Vancouver, known for igniting stages with a fearless fusion of Moroccan wedding rhythms, Latin soul, 60s funk, and acid jazz. With hypnotic guitar lines, Afro-Latin percussion, vintage keys, and deep-pocket grooves, their sound is both timeless and forward-thinking — rooted in tradition, yet made for today’s dancefloors.
Led by Moroccan-born guitarist Amine Said, Coco Jafro weaves a rich tapestry of global influences, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of its members. From Gnawa trance to soul-jazz, from Afrobeat to funk, the band channels a cross-cultural spirit that invites listeners into an ecstatic, rhythm-driven experience. Their 3rd EP release, ‘Forces of Nature’, captured the energy of their dynamic live shows and earned critical recognition including a Best Urban Artist nomination at Breakout West, Best Live Act at the Van Isle Music Awards, and a place as regional finalists in CBC’s Searchlight competition.
Known for turning festivals into full-blown celebrations, Coco Jafro has left its mark on stages such as the Vancouver and Victoria International Jazz Festivals, Kaslo Jazz Fest, Salmon Arm Roots & Blues, and the Dragon Boat Festival, winning fans of all ages with their contagious energy and genre-bending sound. Currently working on their fourth
studio album, the band continues to push their fusion into bold new territory, offering music made for dancers, dreamers, and seekers of soulful connection.
Doors for the Saturday, October 31st Halloween dance party open at 7:30 P.M. and the show will begin at 8:00 P.M.
Nouveau Funk
New Year’s Eve Dance Party
December 31, 2026
Song Sparrow Hall
Nouveau Funk is a 4-horn band consisting of Kimberly Stephans (trumpet and vocals), Bob Rogers (trombone and vocals), Joe Auty (trumpet), Craig Thomson (saxes), Darko Cuk (bass), Gabe Vizcaino (guitar), Daniel Stone (percussion), Will Friesen (drums).
In addition to New Orleans gospel classics and modern funky iconic hits (e.g. Trombone Shorty, Rebirth Brass Band, the Meters), they perform many all-time funk and R&B classics (e.g. Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Wild Cherry) as well as many genre-busting groovy tunes drawing from hip hop, the blues, gospel, and jazz in the style of Snarky Puppy. Each piece is completely custom arranged for this band to keep the grooves moving with amazing and epic transitions and surprises – a bit like a great DJ, but with a live band overflowing with energy and spunk!
COMING EVENTS
at Song Sparrow Hall
Friday, September 25th – The Harpoonist
Saturday, October 31st – Coco Jafro
New Year’s Eve – Nouveau Funk
MEMBERSHIP
Members:
Members get a $5 discount for all shows except the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail fundraisers, have the first opportunity to purchase tickets, have an opportunity to volunteer at events and get free admission and will receive email updates for all events. This is a lifetime membership. Price includes the $2 processing fee.
Patrons:
Patrons are members who also receive recognition on this website for sponsoring the society and helping it succeed. Patrons have access to the balcony seats at Song Sparrow Hall and will be invited to special events.
Price includes the $2 processing fee.
ABOUT US
Celebrate Shuswap Society is dedicated to bringing quality, live entertainment to the Shuswap. Initially, the focus will be to present dance parties featuring some of the best bands in the province.
The Society is managed by a volunteer board with nine directors, three who serve for 3 years, three who serve for 2 years and three that serve for 1 year, so that new directors can be added every year.
The current directors for the 2026 board are:
Howard DeLong, Jim Cooperman, Rod Schumacher, Lyndon Menard, Mona Broad, Brenda Melnychuk and Amy Huppler
To help get the Society up and running, Patrons have donated $100 each to help cover the costs of this website and to cover the costs associated with hosting the first dance party.
Patrons to date include: Kelly Moores, Sylvia Lindgren, Kristin Wickner, Jim Cooperman, Cole Robillard, Joanne Vivian, Rod Schumacher, Don Cavers, Rhys Waters, Yves and Manon Cusson, Kim and Heather Arnold, Catherine Rankin, Brenda Melnychuk, Mary Claire Lord, Warren Bell (x3), Cindy Derkaz, Lois Higgins, Sandy de Boer, Ruth Brighouse, Lyndon Menard, April Bell, Markus Jaeger, Lori Tolerico, Phil McIntyre-Paul, In The Groove Studio, Joyce Leach, Verna Brown, Diana Walker, Kirsten McDowell, Kari Wilkinson, Ian McTavish, Kevin Flynn, Wende Winn, Ken Nielsen, Debby Nielsen, Carol Kergan, Bernie Weare, Ted Crouch, Nick Aikens, John Drew and Rochelle Dale.
2025-26 Board of Directors
L to R – Howard DeLong, Lyndon Menard, Amy Huppler, Jim Cooperman, Jennifer Girard, Brenda Melnychuk, Mona Broad and Rod Schumacher