Towne Theatre will be the site for three music events this summer. (Vernon Matters photo)

By Pete McIntyre

Multi-purpose venue

Towne Theatre books music acts for summer, ‘IF’ draws big crowds for opening weekend

May 22, 2024 | 5:00 AM

Some well-known bands have been booked to play at the newly renovated Towne Theatre in downtown Vernon this summer.

The non-profit Okanagan Screen Arts Society, which operates the venue, is offering its ‘Live at the Towne Series,’ starting with Canadian country music star Gord Bamford on Friday, July 19.

Image credit: Towne Theatre

That will be followed by two Canadian favourites from the 80’s and 90’s: The Northern Pikes on August 10, and The Grapes of Wrath on September 27.

“The new live events sound system sounds amazing with the new acoustic treatments on the walls,” Operations Manager Rebekah Beck told Vernon Matters.

Council grants

Vernon to distribute over $50k in Council Discretionary Grants, $20K to the food bank

13h ago

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

Dec 13, 2025

Tickets are on sale at www.TheTowne.ca.

“There are regular tickets plus VIP tickets which get you a meet and greet with the artists and reserved best seats in the house. Folks shouldn’t wait, as these acts normally play much bigger venues and festivals so an intimate night like this is definitely going to sell out,” Beck said.

Beck added the Gord Bamford show has seen strong sales in the first few days.

The theatre reopened on Thursday, May 16 after undergoing about $225,000 in upgrades to the sound system and interior.

The first-run movie ‘IF’ starring Ryan Reynolds was played throughout the Victoria Day long weekend, with up to five showings a day.

“The weekend went really well,” Beck remarked. “We did spectacular numbers at our theatre, more than doubling the average box office for this film.”

“The studio is really happy with the success we had, and our film booker even got an unsolicited call from another studio asking about our numbers and opening the possibility of allowing us a new release from them down the road.”

Beck said the community rallied around their opening weekend in many ways.

“Whether it was donating door prizes and stuffies for our “IF” wall, or coming out in droves and telling their friends about the fun time they had, we were really blown away by how everyone embraced this event.”