Category: Member News

  • Blooms hosts annual ‘Hundred Bucks Art Show’ in November and December

    Blooms hosts annual ‘Hundred Bucks Art Show’ in November and December

    Nov. 12, 2014

    Blooms Winery Taste for Wine & Art features the annual “Hundred Bucks Art Show” in November and December of each year. In this show multiple artists combine to create a show that is diverse in its appeal and all art is priced at $100 or under. This year’s show includes six wall artists and a wide variety of styles plus fiber arts and jewelry.

    Kathleen Otley, whose art career spans 42 years and began in northern California, has been a Whidbey resident since 2005. Creating contemporary primitive art, she is regionally known and has won many accolades for her work, which includes three-dimentional willow wall hangings, mixed media and encaustics. Kathleen Otley was invited to the White House in 1993 to be one of the artists to create an ornament for the Christmas Tree.

    George Jennings is a painter of renown who learned under the tutelage of his grandfather—accomplished DC artist John Robinson. In the 1990s George and his wife moved to the Northwest. In George’s finely detailed acrylic paintings he expresses a sense of the feeling of peace he feels while creating them.

    Anne Smidt is a mixed media artist working in encaustic—the method of hot wax painting using bees wax. Anne says she is able to channel her emotions into her appreciation of the positive forces in nature, trying to strive to express what she believes is sacred to life and land.

    Janet Pheifer creates shadow boxes filled with found objects. She uses collected and combined mixed media, handmade papers and tedious detail to create wonderful boxes full of treasure and meaning. Janet has worked for years as a finish carpenter and her skills in woodworking and attention to detail help her create these wonderful pieces.

    The photography of Karen Leeds returns to the show. With her eye for the unique in everyday life, Karen can capture feeling in a simple photograph. Her work is a combination of local scenes and images taken over the years through her travels.

    Anna Davis creates pastels and oil paintings. Raised by nature-loving artist parents, she learned a love of art early on. Anna views her painting as a way of slowing down to treasure the world filled with wonder. She studied art in Florence, Italy as well as Gage Fine Art in Seattle. She and her husband have a landscaping business, keeping her centered on her love of nature.

    The Hundred Bucks Art Show will run for the months of November and December at Blooms Winery Tasting Room & Art Gallery at the historic Bayview Corner Cash Store. The Tasting Room is open Thursday to Monday. More information can be found at the website www.bloomswinery.com or by calling 360-321-0515.

  • Last chance to see ‘Lather, Rinse, Repeat’ at OutCast!

    Last chance to see ‘Lather, Rinse, Repeat’ at OutCast!

    Nov. 19, 2014

    Audiences are loving Lather, Rinse, Repeat!, the new musical by Dana Linn.

    Ken Stephens and Gail Liston get into some low comedy in Dana Linn's musical, "Lather, Rinse, Repeat!" / Photos by j shu images
    Ken Stephens and Gail Liston get into some low comedy in Dana Linn’s musical, “Lather, Rinse, Repeat!” / Photos by j shu images

    Performances of the musical comedy played to sold out houses this past weekend and the closing night performance is already sold out, but we’ve just released a limited number of tickets for the 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 performance.

    Don’t miss this staged reading with live music, high hair and some fabulous music and lyrics by local artist, Dana Linn.

    The cast includes Linn, Allie Firth, Melanie Lowey, Gail Liston, Marta Mulholland, Hollie Swanson, and Ken Stephens.

    Tickets are $12 and are available by credit card through our Brown Paper Ticket site at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/clem/900513 or they can be reserved and paid for at the door by cash or check by emailing us at ocp@whidbey.com.

    As always, we at OutCast thank you for your continued support as we move into our 2015 season next year.

    (Pictured at top, Dana Linn, Allie Firth and Melanie Lowey in “Lather, Rinse, Repeat!” at OutCast.)

  • Meet your word count by writing in community this November

    Meet your word count by writing in community this November

    Nov. 14, 2014

    Whether you’re participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and writing a 50,000- word novel in 30 days, or just need some companionship and accountability to help you meet your writing goals, there are two places where you can write in community in November.

    Mornings, you can write with Chris Peterson and Amy Eames, owners of Through the Reading Glass, the new bookstore in the purple building in Langley Village on Second Street in Langley.

    Evenings you can write with Wayne Ude, chief academic officer of the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts’ MFA program in creative writing, at the Old Bayview School.

    These sessions are free and open to all writers.

    The schedule follows:

    Mornings: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7 to 9 a.m. at Through the Reading Glass.

    Evenings: Monday through Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Old Bayview School.

    There will be no sessions on Thanksgiving or Black Friday.

    Find out about NILA here.

    Find out more about NaNoWriMo in this WLM Feature: “So, You Think You Can Write a Novel? Whidbey Island Participates in NaNoWriMo.”

     

  • High hair, hijinks and musical theater come together in ‘Lather, Rinse, Repeat’ at OutCast

    High hair, hijinks and musical theater come together in ‘Lather, Rinse, Repeat’ at OutCast

    Oct. 29, 2014

    OutCast Productions is excited to offer a post-season treat with its first ever New Works Project—a five-performance staged reading of local playwright Dana Linn’s new musical  Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

    Lather, Rinse, Repeat is a hair-raising adventure revolving around a parody of a gal from the south who owns her own Beauty Salon and is stuck-stuck-stuck in the past. The bewigged cast of characters in this little soap opera include a manicurist, who is more cartoon than 3-D and a self-professed “Eco-Stylist” who hails from an island in the Pacific Northwest and is all organic and flowy and crunchy granola. Of course the salon has the usual hodge-podge of customers and the hottest group of backup singers you’ve seen and heard in a good, long while. So, come on in; pop a squat (that means “sit down” in your language), and prepare to laugh all night.

    Nancy Nolan, Melinda Mack and Bristol Branson work up a lather in a promo for "Lather, Rinse, Repeat" the new musical by Dana Linn.
    Nancy Nolan, Melinda Mack and Anastasia Brencick work up a lather in a promo for “Lather, Rinse, Repeat,” the new musical by Dana Linn.

    Lather, Rinse, Repeat will play at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, Saturday, Nov. 15, and Friday, Nov. 21 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16. A special “donor’s night” performance will be at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20 for those who gave $100 or more to the Kickstarter campaign (Thanks to all of you!)  A limited number of general tickets will be available starting the week before this special performance.

    Tickets are $12 and are available by credit card through Brown Paper Tickets  or can be reserved and paid for at the door by cash or check with an email to: ocp@whidbey.com.

    OutCast performs all of its shows at the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds’ Black Box Theater, 819 Camano Ave. in Langley.

    As always, we at OutCast thank you for your continued support as we move into our 2015 season which opens March 6 with “Nickel and Dimed” by Joan Holden, directed by K. Sandy O’Brien and based on Barbara Ehrenreich’s seminal book “Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America.”

    Visit OutCast’s website for more.

    Pictured at top, playwright Dana Linn in all her high-hair glory. Photos courtesy of Dana Linn.

  • Trio Cascadia brings KING-FM’s Dave Beck to Whidbey on Nov. 14 and 15

    Trio Cascadia brings KING-FM’s Dave Beck to Whidbey on Nov. 14 and 15

    Nov. 4, 2014

    Enjoy trios for piano, ‘cello and clarinet by Beethoven and Brahms, performed by TRIO CASCADIA (Nola Allen, piano; Dave Beck, ‘cello and Bob Winger, clarinet), as well as two solo pieces by Bach. Dave Beck, KING FM’s newest announcer and former award-winning producer of KUOW Presents, will perform a movement for ‘cello solo and Whidbey native Teo Benson will perform the first three movements of Partita no. 3 in E major for solo violin. Bob Winger will perform three miniatures for solo clarinet by Igor Stravinsky.

    The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island. Tickets are on sale for $15 (adults) and $5 (students) at Moonraker Bookstore (Langley), Habitat for Humanity (Freeland) and at the door,  unless sold out.

    For reservations, email concerts@uucwi.org.

  • ‘The Wind in the Willows’ at Whidbey Children’s Theater beginning Friday, Nov. 14

    ‘The Wind in the Willows’ at Whidbey Children’s Theater beginning Friday, Nov. 14

    Oct. 29, 2014

    Whidbey Children’s Theater is proud to present “The Wind in the Willows,” its first production of the season.

    Join Mole, Ratty, Badger, Mr Toad, and a host of woodland characters as they forge friendships, brave snowstorms, go on a wild car ride, and save Toad Hall from scheming weasels and ferrets! This classic tale is a joy for children and adults of all ages, so bring the whole family*! (And don’t forget our special Family Night on Nov. 22, when all tickets are just $8!)
    This group of young actors, grades 2-6, can’t wait to take you along on this magical journey!

    The show opens Friday, Nov. 14 at Whidbey Children’s Theater, next to Langley Middle School.

    Performance schedule is:
    November 14 and 15 (7:30 p.m.), Nov. 16 (2 p.m.)
    November 21 and 22** (7:30 p.m.), Nov. 23 (2 p.m.)

    Tickets can be purchased online at www.whidbeychildrenstheater.org or at the box office up to one hour before curtain.
    Prices are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $8 for students
    **Special Family Show on November 22nd at 7:30pm, where all seats are $8!
    *(recommened ages 4+, no babes in arms, no late seating)

    Whidbey Children’s Theater is located at 723 Camano Avenue in Langley  next to Langley Middle School.
    Phone: (360)221-8707 Email: contact.wct@gmail.com.
    Please call ahead for handicapped accessible seating if possible, so we can give you the best experience possible.

    See you at the theater!

  • New York Times best seller, David R. Ignatius, interviewed at WICA on Saturday, Nov. 15

    New York Times best seller, David R. Ignatius, interviewed at WICA on Saturday, Nov. 15

    Nov. 5, 2014

    WICA presents a rare interview with David R. Ignatius by Robert W. Merry, and a glimpse into his gripping new novel “The Director,” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15. Ignatius’ book was an instant New York Times bestseller about how spies don’t bother to steal information… they change it, permanently and invisibly.

    An American journalist and novelist, Ignatius is an associate editor and columnist for the Washington Post. He also co-hosts PostGlobal, an online discussion of international issues at Washingtonpost.com, with Fareed Zakaria.

    Author and political journalist, Robert Merry spent 20 years covering Congress, the White House, economic policy and national political campaigns. He is the author of “Taking on the World” (1996), “Sands of Empire” (2005), and recently, “A Country of Vast Designs.”

    Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.wicaonline.com, by phone through the Box Office at 800-638-7631 or 360-221-8268, or in person at  the Box Office at 565 Camano Ave. in Langley.

    Online Tickets Purchases are available only until 12 noon on the day of the show.

    Box Office hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and two hours before every show.

  • Island Consort announces concert season, opens on Saturday, Nov. 22

    Island Consort announces concert season, opens on Saturday, Nov. 22

    Nov. 5, 2014

    Island Consort—Whidbey’s resident early music ensemble—is pleased to announce our 2nd season performing works of the Renaissance, Baroque and early Classical eras (though with the occasional era departure thrown in for good measure!).

    We open our 2014-15 concert season at 7:30 p.m on Saturday, Nov. 22 with Henry Purcell’s “Welcome to All the Pleasures,” one of many late 17th century odes to St. Cecilia. This concert—performed on St. Cecilia’s Day—celebrates music itself, and includes works by Handel, Sanz, Bertoli and Benjamin Britten’s “Rejoice in the Lamb.”

    This concert is at Langley United Methodist Church, 301 Anthes in Langley on Whidbey Island. Suggest donation  is $20 adult/$10 youth & military.

    Future Island Consort concerts include “If Music Be the Food of Love…” at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland. A program of Renaissance music, it will include works by Monteverdi, Arbeau, Susato and Brahms’ Liebeslieder in this celebration of love!

    “Bach & the Italian Baroque” will be presented on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at St. Augustin-in-the-Wood Episcopal Church in Freeland. This will be a late birthday celebration of J.S. Bach, with the master’s music and including works by Monteverdi, Locatelli and Vivaldi.

    In addition to these concerts, please join members of Island Consort in two chamber music concerts at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts: (FFI www.wicaonline.org)

    Sunday, March 1, 2015
    Haydn String Quartet #13 in G Major, Op 77
    Mozart Piano Quartet #1in g minor, K478
    Beethoven “Spring” Sonata for Violin & Piano
    Hummel Adagio, Variations & Rondo on a Russian Theme, Opus 78, No 6 for Piano, Cello and Flute
    With Consort members Cynthia Morrow, Brian Kenney, Linda Morris, James Hinkley and Sheila Weidendorf.

    Saturday, May 23, 2015
    A Schubertiad featuring a selection of Lieder with soprano soloist Fumi Tagata, Schubert’s Octet in F Major, D 803 and the beloved “Trout” Quintet!
    With Consort members Chris Harshman, Brian Kenney,
    Gloria Ferry-Brennan, Linda Morris, Louise Fiori, James Hinkley, Jonathan Small and Sheila Weidendorf.

    Island Consort is a unique musical entity on Whidbey Island, specializing in chamber music and including both instrumental and vocal divisions. We are in the process of establishing our non-profit status with the State of Washington.

  • Commercial kitchen in Langley available for rent by the hour

    Commercial kitchen in Langley available for rent by the hour

    Nov. 5, 2014

    NABC announces a commercial kitchen is available for rent by the hour in Langley area, located at the Island County Fairgrounds. The kitchen features a propane stove, convection and regular ovens, cooling racks, stainless prep tables, fridge, freezer, sinks and microwave.

    The cost is $15 for the first hour and $10 for each additional hour. Lockers are available for $15 per month. The kitchen is open to individuals or groups as well as commercial enterprises.

    To view requirements for use and access the online reservation system, please see www.agbizcenter.org/SWIK.

    Please contact the Northwest Agriculture Business Center at 360-336-3727 or Project Manager Sera Hartman at sera@agbizcenter.org for more information.

  • ‘The Wizards of Weepy Isle’ debuts at WICA on Saturday, Nov. 22

    ‘The Wizards of Weepy Isle’ debuts at WICA on Saturday, Nov. 22

    Nov. 5, 2014

    Whidbey Island’s own dynamo, Piper Reva, presents her first play “The Wizards of Weepy Isle,” a one-woman performance (with two local elfin child actors) on Saturday, Nov. 22 at WICA in Langley.

    This is an experiential tale of magic, the soul’s search for the Great Wizard within, through the journey of a mouse who gets washed ashore an enchanted island, after a shipwreck. Mouse is the reincarnation of Penelope Zazen, a gypsy singer-songwriter who dies in the shipwreck and whose soul is lost at sea. Mouse encounters a myriad of wizards in the form of a bee, a buffalo, a treehorse, a giant Spaniard eggman, a white fairy, and, of course, an evil sorceress. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

    This is an event for all ages ~ all who seek to open the mind and heart for the sake of art medicine, soul surgery and sensory exploration. There will be much hullabaloo frolicking throughout the event. WICA’S doors will open to a world of magic, with Piper’s paintings, designs, music and merchandise presented in a whimsical womb in the lobby. The play will then infuse film, dance, paint, song and off-the-walls-of-the-maze adventure.

    The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with an Art Party and Cocktails. Theater doors will open at 7 p.m. and the performance begins at 7:30 p.m. More information/ticketing is accessible at www.wicaonline.com.