Celebrate Shuswap Boogies into 2026
By Jo Boxwell
Founded in 2021, the Celebrate Shuswap Society brings high calibre live music and performing arts events to the Shuswap, energizing the region’s arts and culture scene. Founding member and Lee Creek resident Jim Cooperman explained that since their first event in 2022, the society has hosted 17 dance party shows at Salmon Arm’s Song Sparrow Hall. These shows provide a platform for both local and touring musicians.
Celebrate Shuswap’s 2026 season begins on Valentine’s Day, and will see three talented acts perform at Song Sparrow Hall this spring. The Vancouver vintage soul, blues and roots quartet, Honeybear, will perform on Saturday, February 14 as part of their Canadian tour. Jim said the band will take the audience “on an old school road trip through the dusty back roads of American music.” Find them on Spotify under “Honeybear, the Band” where their songs have received millions of streams.
From L to R: Honeybear (photo credit Laura Harvey) Mike Henry of Mostly Marley (photo contributed), Jesse Roper (photo credit Ethos Imagery)
Mostly Marley will bring their reggae sounds from Vancouver to the Shuswap with a performance from lead singer Mike Henry and his band on Saturday, March 14. Jim anticipates this will be a “most groovy dance party” and a hit with reggae enthusiasts. He said the band “has been packing clubs and festival venues around the province for many years, remaining true to the spirit of reggae by taking their audiences on soul-pleasing, musical odysseys.”
The third show in the Celebrate Shuswap Spring season will be a performance from Victoria-based blues/Americana artist, Jesse Roper on Saturday, April 18. Jim explained that after a very successful set at the 2025 Roots and Blues Festival, “tickets are already selling like hotcakes” for Jesse’s show. Jesse is known for his “bombastic live performances buoyed by his virtuosic guitar playing,” Jim said, with personal storytelling masterfully woven into his music that is both upbeat and “wildly entertaining.”
The Celebrate Shuswap Society has seen a significant increase in membership in just a few years. Jim said there are currently 273 lifetime members, who benefit from ticket discounts. Support for the organization also comes from sponsors and volunteers. Jim commented, “We are very grateful for the generous financial support we have received from our many sponsors, including Shuswap Community Futures, the CSRD and local businesses, as well as the team effort by our dedicated group of volunteer directors.”
Jim is no stranger to creating live music experiences. He started booking bands for the Shuswap Coffee House back in 1976 and has volunteered his time to bring in bands and promote various events over the past 50 years. In the North Shuswap, that includes the popular Friday Night Live summer music series in Scotch Creek. He said that with life’s many challenges, “we need more celebrations, music and dancing to help keep us joyful and smiling.”
To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit celebrateshuswap.ca.
