OLD Whidbey Life Magazine

Tag: Whidbey Island

What’s Happening: Thursday, August 14-Sunday, August 17
SUBMITTED BY KATY SHANER
Whidbey Life Magazine Guest Contributor
August 13, 2014

The Visitor Information Kiosk welcomes you to Whidbey Island and the many places to visit while you are on the island. In this handout you will find events and activities happening this weekend.

Since 2008, the Visitor Kiosk has welcomed over 18,000 visitors to Whidbey. The island offers a wealth of activities, places to stay, eateries, shopping and an abundance of the natural environment to enjoy and appreciate.

Whidbey Island, ‘as a crow flies’ is 45 miles long but, by road, about 60 miles. There are public beaches open to visitors, hiking trails, five state parks and even the first of its kind in the whole of the US – the Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve!

So welcome and enjoy your visit. Do come back.

The Visitor Information Kiosk is funded by the Greater Freeland Area and Langley Chambers of Commerce. Prepared by Katy Shaner Manager and Volunteer Coordinator – Visitor Information Kiosk ktshaner@whidbey.com. Contributions from drewslist@whidbey.com and Whidbey Life Magazine www.whidbeylifemagazine.org

THURSDAY AUGUST 14^th

CLINTON THURSDAY MARKET Indoor/Outdoor Market at the Clinton Community Hall. Held on Thursdays through August 28^th 3:30 – 7:00. This Thursday music by Quinn Fitzpatrick. Kevin Lungren, avid outdoorsman, will share 10 essentials for Salmon fishing on our Whidbey shores. Lesedi African Food plus fresh produce. www.clintonthursdaymarket.com. Located 1/4 mile from the ferry on 525.

ISLAND SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL proudly presents “RICHARD III” and“THE TAMING OF THE SHREW”. Weekend schedule:
- Thursday and Saturday “Richard III” at 5:00.
- Friday and Sunday “Taming of the Shrew” at 5:00.
Seating is limited for Richard III. Richard IIIis not appropriate for children under 10. Admission is FREE! A pass-the-hat donation after each performance supports the program. Dress warmly. Arrive early, allow time to park. House opens at 4:15 for all performances. No late seating. PLEASE: No toddlers & babes in arms. Under the Big Top tent located at 723 Camano Ave, behind Langley Middle School. www.islandshakespearefest.org. Service dogs only, please.

TRIO NOUVEAU QUARTET plays at 6-8:30 this Thursday atPrima Bistro featuring Keith Bowers and Troy Chapman playing lyrical swing guitar accompanied by Kristi O’Donnell on upright bass. Enjoy the French inspired cuisine paired with music of Trio Nouveau. www.kristio.comPrima Bistro 201½ First Street, Langley www.primabistro.com. 360-221-4060

BURNING WHIDBOY Music from Nick Toombs & Matt McDowell this Friday 7 – 8:00. Presenting an evening of adventurous listening, including extended reinterpretations of the music of John Fahey & traditional tunes. Bring the family and relax under twilight skies (along with some blankets & pillows!) Free, donations accepted for Burning Whidboy. 625 Edgecliff Dr., Langley. Carl at fiferpig@whidbey.com.

FRIDAY AUGUST 15^th

LANGLEY SECOND STREET MARKET 3 – 6:00 Fridaysthrough September 19. Located between City Hall and the veterinary hospital on 2^nd St.The market will host a number of favorite and rotating vendors – fresh organic produce, arts and crafts, handmade items, wood products, a masseuse and musicians. www.langleymainstreet.com

CASCADIA IRISH MUSIC WEEK CONCERT this Friday at 8:00. Camp Casey Auditorium A 1276 Engle Rd., Coupeville. Cascadia Irish Music Week returns for its second year on Whidbey Island. Some of the finest Irish musicians in the world will be on Whidbey Island teaching and performing. The Friday night Instructors’ Concert is open to the public. Tickets www.brownpapertickets.com/event/779362. This will be a fantastic concert featuring all the instructors at the camp, most of whom are traveling from Ireland to teach at Cascadia Irish Music Week. Last year’s concert sold out, so please either pre-purchase tickets or check our website on the day of the show for availability at the door. More information: http://www.cascadiairish.org. Questions? Diane Murphy at: diane@cascadiairish.org.

SATURDAY AUGUST 16^th

SHAKIN’ THE VINES Whidbey Island Winery. Summer Concert SerieswithMassey Ferguson at 6:00. Back by popular demand, Massy Ferguson is sure to wow with their energetic sound! Also known as “The People’s Band,” this roots Americana quartet combines steady, blue collar alt-country with Southern rock and an every-man ethos that has helped them land gigs all over the world! Concerts are held on the lawn/orchard in front of the tasting room, with the vineyard creating a beautiful backdrop. Take a blanket and picnic and soak in some tunes. Tickets www.brownpapertickets.com/event/674271. Admission price at $20 includes a free glass of wine. 5237 Langley Rd. www.whidbeyislandwinery.com 360-221-2040. Service dogs only, please.

WHIDBEY ISLAND TRIATHLON Start 10:00 Road Restrictions for Whidbey Island Triathlon. The following road restrictions will be in effect to facilitate the safety of runners & bicyclists.

8:00 – 9:45 Lakeside Dr. one way only (northwest-bound) between Traverse Rd. & Pintail Rd. (no street parking except select volunteers). • 9:45 – 11:45 Traverse Rd. and Lakeside Dr. closed • 10:15 – 12:30 Limited turns from Bayview Rd. onto Andreason Rd. • 10:00 – 12:30 DeBruyn Rd. closed between Saratoga Rd. and 3rd Street • 10:00 – 12:30 Second St. closed between Park & DeBruyn

Drivers will also encounter runners & bicyclists using the following routes from 10 – 2:00:

• Lone Lake Rd. between Andreason Rd. and Saratoga Rd. • Goss Lake Rd. between Traverse Rd. and Lone Lake Rd. • Saratoga Rd. between Lone Lake Rd. and Park Rd. • DeBruyn Rd. between Saratoga Rd. and 3rd St. • 3rd St./Brooks Hill Rd./Bayview Rd. between DeBruyn Rd. and Andreason Rd. • Park Rd. between Saratoga Rd. and Camano Rd. • Camano Avenue/Langley Rd. between Park Rd. and Sports Complex Park • Maxwelton Rd. between Langley Rd. and South Whidbey High School Drivers are asked to exercise extreme caution along these routes. South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District apologizes in advance for any inconvenience the road restrictions may cause & appreciates the public’s patience during this annual event. Questions? Contact the District Office at: 360-221-5484. www.swparks.org

MASTER OF THE GREENS GOLF TOURNAMENT Island Greens and D-Up Delivery Service proudly present this Saturday or Sunday. 18 holes Straight-up Golf9 – 5:00 Free Giveaways, Prizes, and Trophies! Free Island Greens T-shirt, Sponsors on every tee, DJ Music! Registration upon arrival: $35 registration fee. Open Dawn to Dusk 7 Days a Week Island Greens 3890 French Road, Clinton 360-579-6042. www.whidbeyislandgreens.com

BAYVIEW FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays from 10 – 2 at Bayview Corner. All the summer crops are flooding into the market now, and August is Farmers’ Market Month, so make a special effort to attend and support local! www.bayviewfarmersmarket.com

WHIDBEY CAMANO LAND TRUST 30TH ANNIVERSARY Explore & Play: Family-Friendly Celebration of the Land! Salmon BBQ – Mweya Marimba Band – Inspirational Speaker, Martin LeBlanc of the Children & Nature Network – Activities & Guided Tours. 2 – 5:30. Camp Casey Picnic Area, Coupeville $10/Individual and $25/Family. Information & to register, please visit: www.wclt.org Pre-registration by August 8, 2014 is required. Please contact Janelle Castro with questions: 360-222-3310 janelle@wclt.org Whidbey Camano Land Trust 765 Wonn Road, Barn C-201, Greenbank

CLUB CLYDE Brian Moote Returns to Club Clyde with fellow stand-up comic Geoff Keith this Saturday at 10:00. All tickets to the show are $10 festival seating. Doors will open at 9:30. Advance tickets can be purchased at The Clyde at night or at either The Taproom at Bayview or at Wander on Whidbey in Langley (closed Tuesdays). 217 First Street, Langley 360-221-5525. www.theclyde.net

OTT & MURPHY WINERY presents “Siri Plays Solo” at 6:45 & 8:15. Come join Siri Bardarson as she performs her out-of-the-box cello thing! More info at: www.siribardarson.com Enjoy this special experience with Ott & Murphy Wines in the intimate environs of the O&M Cabaret. Selections from a small plate menu are available. Cover Charge: $9 per person Reservations recommended (360) 221-7131. 204 First Street, Langley www.swedehillcellars.com

SUNDAY AUGUST 17^th

SOUP BOX DERBY this Sunday Registration: 9:00 Races Start: 10:00. Bring a racer or bring the family and enjoy the fun on First St in Langley. Entry fee per vehicle: $25 Adult Division, Children’s Division, & Seniors. Entries restricted to 32 vehicles. Every entry receives a trophy. Entries must comply with Rules and Regulations, sign a Release of Liability and Informed Consent document. Applications available at: Langley City Hall or Langley Chamber of Commerce. Sponsored by the Langley Community Club Langley. Questions? 360-221-4188

SING-A-LONG AT TAHOMAZEN MONASTERY 4th Community Concert this Sunday, at 2:00 6499 Wahl Road, Freeland. Bring your blanket, lawn chair, guitar, banjo, mandolin, and loud singing voice to shout out Peace, Love, and Justice. Song sheets will be provided. This is a Benefit for the Whidbey Veterans Resource Center. Questions? Dairin 360- 331-4142. onedropzen.org/community/usa/tahoma_sogenji

SUNDAY MUSIC AT BLOOMS WINERY TASTE FOR WINE & ART Listen to the sounds of Baby Bahia, great jazz with a little Latin style. The new art show for July and August is “Clay, Glass and Steam” with the work of Carol Rose Dean of Dean Tile, SteamPunk art by Jacob Bloom and glass jewelry of Sherren Anderson, plus Rust Revival jewelry and more.Bayview Corner Cash Store, 5603 Bayview Rd. www.bloomswinery.com 360-321-0515

TILTH FARMERS’ MARKET Kevin Lungren of the Whidbey Island Fishing Club will offer fishing and crabbing tips at the South Whidbey Tilth Farmers’ Market from 11:00 to 1: 30 this Sunday. He’s ready to share techniques, answer questions and make suggestions. Lungren is president of the Fishin’ Club which meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at the M-Bar-C Ranch. Danny Ward performs soothing jazz. The market is open from 11 – 2 with fresh produce, concessions, unique gifts. SNAP cards and Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons are welcome. www.southwhidbeytilth.org/market 2812 Thompson Road and Hwy 525. Look for the scarecrow.

GREENBANK FARM DOG & PONY SHOW this Sunday 12 – 4:00 FREE & very family friendly! Coordinated by Jerry and Connie Lloyd to highlight their merry band of friends, dogs and horses. Galleries, shops and café will all be open as well, and the trails are ever present, waiting for you to spend time with them. 360-678-7700. 765 Wonn Road
Greenbank gbfarm@greenbank.com

OUR ADVERTISERS HELP THE VISITOR KIOSK WELCOME YOU TO WHIDBEY. PLEASE VISIT THEM WHILE YOU VISIT OUR FAIR ISLE.

Blooms Winery “Taste for Wine”

Whidbey Island Vintners Association

Harbor Inn

WiFire Coffee Bar

Whidbey Telecom

One Spirit Garden

Whidbey Life Magazine

Whidbey Island Bank

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WLM stories and blogs are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Linking is permitted. To request permission to use or reprint content from this site, email info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.
August 13, 2014
Oh Happy Day: The Sculptor Speaks

“Man with Umbrella” bronze by Jeff Day (photo courtesy of the artist)

BY MARTHA McCARTNEY
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
July 30, 2014

Jeff Day is a storyteller, plain and simple.

His thoughtful bronze sculptures speak—conveying feelings such as calm, cool and serene. And his storytelling ability, so obvious in his purposeful bronze figures, reaches beyond the art gallery. In every way, Jeff is a storyteller—congenial, expressive and happy to share a tale. In fact, in his case, Jeff’s art may actually represent the “unspoken” side of his story.

Part of his seemingly extroverted nature may come from acting in theatre productions since the age of ten. Around that same time, he began attending classes in painting and drawing that were offered to gifted students through the Frye Art Museum in Seattle.

Day has a relaxed storytelling style that was probably honed while hanging out at the Blue Moon Tavern, the now-iconic gathering place for artists of all sorts during the sixties. The Blue Moon is where Jeff met Hector Dewart and Bill Cumming. Cumming, an associate of the Northwest School, was already becoming well-known, and Dewart was his frame maker. These lasting friendships became significant influences on both Day’s personal and artistic style and his skill as a sculptor.

Day’s studio in Langley (photo by Martha McCartney)

And then there were the stories he heard from his father. Especially loved was the account of his dad’s triumphant return from Germany and the 1936 Olympics—gold medal in hand—after he and the other members of the University of Washington’s eight-oar rowing crew vanquished the elite European rowers, a feat that earned them hero status and ticker tape parades. This event is now chronicled in the nonfiction book “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown.

Jeff Day with one of his bronze sculptures (photo by Martha McCartney)

Through his son’s eyes, Dr. Charles Ward Day, was a hero in other ways. Not coming from wealth, and working hard through medical school, he demonstrated once again his determination to come from behind. I asked Mr. Day for a story about his father.

“When my father started to make some money as a doctor, he decided that it was time to splurge a bit. He purchased all new furniture and had wall-to-wall carpet installed; that carpet was a big deal in those years. Of course, my mother instantly laid down the rule that everyone had to take off their shoes before they came into the house. My dad’s response to her new rule was to step onto a marble-topped table and begin tap dancing. He said that we owned the furnishings; they did not own us.”

Bronze walking woman by Jeff Day (photo courtesy of the artist

When asked what influence his father’s accomplishments have had on his life and work, Day uncharacteristically responded with only one word, “perseverance.”

It’s likely that the artist’s steady and assured nature as well as his articulate expression come from a combination of these influences, and yet they remain only part of his fascinating life story.

Day considers Washington his home, but during the last several years he has spent a lot of time in Turkey and, more recently, in China. These places continue to influence his body of work.

While in Turkey he watched people who were either strolling or hurrying through the streets flanking the shores of the Bosphorus. Much of his current sculptural work is reflective of these images.

Abstract, bronze by Jeff Day (photo courtesy of Jeff Day)

The stalwart sturdy figures of people going here and there have been captured in bronze. Each individual appears to be caught up in routine daily activity while lost in thoughts of planning dinner, ticking off lists or anticipating a warm drink with a friend. They are held still momentarily—like a single frame in a motion picture.

In each of his sculptures, there is a sense of determination, persistence and the will to endure. There are figures sculpted as a poignant message, an empathetic statement in regard to China’s One Child policy. A father gazes at his young daughter blankly while she seems filled with only the wish to be valued.

“I dance back and forth between figurative work and abstracts,” Day said, explaining a distinct juxtaposition of subject matter in his bronze sculptures. “When I work with abstracts I am inspired by organic forms that are windswept, timeworn and tenacious. Then I am drawn back to exploring the human condition. I want to express the deepest emotions of people that, even in solitude, speak of connections. For me, it is all about the heart and the soul.”

Inside the artist’s studio on Whidbey Island (photo by Martha McCartney)

Day is now living part time in China and teaches bronze casting at the Nanjing Fine Arts Foundry. His students are learning each step of the complex and meticulous process of lost-wax casting. They receive instruction starting with clay sculpture and work through the multiple-step process that finally results in the actual pouring of the bronze. Filing, polishing and buffing all come before the application of patina, which he explains is one of the most critical elements.

Jeff Day’s work can be found in public installations and major corporate collections and he is represented by several fine art galleries. His contact information, artist resume and portfolio can be viewed online.

The Brackenwood Gallery in Langley is honored to present an exhibition of his work. Opening night is 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday August 2 and the show continues through September 1.

Despite his exceptional ability to express himself in words, it just might be that his art speaks loudest of all.

Perseverance? It’s a fine legacy.

Martha is a poet, photographer, mixed-media artist, persistent gardener and candle-maker. She has never really gotten over not being photographed for a Richard Brautigan book cover. Currently she is learning to navigate by using her inner compass, which she keeps pointed towards her own true north.

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CLICK HERE to read more entertaining and informative WLM stories and blogs.

WLM stories and blogs are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Linking is permitted. To request permission to use or reprint content from this site, email info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

July 30, 2014
Much Ado About Something: Island Shakespeare Festival begins Fifth Season

BY DIANNA MACLEOD
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
July 23, 2014

Poster for “Taming of the Shrew”

Although Shakespeare considered all the world to be a stage, one wonders how he would have felt sitting on a bale of hay inside a circus tent watching his play, “The Taming of the Shrew,” performed in a Wild West setting.

Island Shakespeare Festival’s artistic director Rose Woods believes he would have appreciated the performance. She believes it so completely that she has spent much of the last five years producing classical theatre on Whidbey Island: scouting locations; assembling actors, directors, and musicians; working with set designers, graphic artists and stagehands. Her mission has been to bring Shakespeare’s comedies, tragedies and histories to the public. Free.

The “free” part of Island Shakespeare Festival (ISF) wasn’t entirely her own idea; Woods borrowed the concept from the Bard himself. In the 1600’s, the writing and production of Shakespeare’s plays were funded by patrons and performed free to members of the public, known as “groundlings.” Groundlings, moved by the poetry and humor of the entertainment, made small contributions—the Elizabethan version of “pass the hat.” No one was denied entrance to the theatre, just as no one is denied entrance to the orange-and-white striped Big Top ISF now calls home.

“Kate” (Melanie Lowey) photo by Rose Woods

After four previous years of producing Shakespeare—first in a woodsy glade on property owned by the Hull family and now in an open field in Langley—Rose Woods is seeing her original vision expanding by leaps and bounds. The acquisition of a tent last year marked the first time ISF had four walls and a roof, albeit canvas. This year the company has added guest directors and guest artists, as well as expanding its training component. According to Education Director Eric Mulholland, “We invest a lot in developing the skills—voice, movement, acting technique—of our company members. Skilled actors benefit the whole community. And there’s a real interest in theatre among our island youth.”

Accordingly, ISF offers a “classic conservatory for young adults” that consists of three weeks of training followed by a production. Mulholland is gratified by the way young people “lean into Shakespeare, into classical language, in a fresh way.”

A seasoned actor himself, Mulholland seeks to pass along certain values: solid technique, rigorous work ethic, an open mind, generosity of spirit, a willingness to connect with others and receptivity to feedback. “I want to help these young actors develop an internal sense of knowing for themselves when they’ve done their best work,” he said.

“Petruchio” (Michael Morgan) photo by Rose Woods

Mulholland had a chance to see those values in action during ISF’s production of “The Importance of Being Ernest,” which starred conservatory students. “That particular play provided the right amount of challenge,” he said. “It’s a comedy of manners that young people can enjoy; they can relate to the characters.”

“Madcap creatives” is how local business owner Debra Campbell describes the recently-formed ISF board. “They are the most joyous, passionate, creative people I have ever had the pleasure of working with.” Campbell, who studied drama as an undergraduate, lost touch with the theatre world during the years she oversaw mergers in the telecommunications industry. “I yearned to reconnect with a creative community; the ‘can do’ attitude of this board, their creative genius, is just what I’d been wanting.”

Composer Matthew Bell at the piano with David Locke on accordion and Cesar Perez Rosas on washboard (photo by Rose Woods)

Rene Neff, owner of Langley’s Brackenwood Gallery, joined the board because of her feeling of connection to ISF productions. “The first time I saw these actors perform Shakespeare, I understood the play in a new way. And I was delighted at seeing our local young people performing. As a director, Rose Woods knows how to make Shakespeare come alive.”

According to Neff, the festival brings an added benefit—tourism revenue. “Research shows that Shakespearian theatre improves the economic base of a community,” she said. Board member Peggy Juve estimates that the 22 repertory performances over six weekends, along with three performances by the young adult conservatory, will draw an audience of 4,000 people.

Actor and founding ISF member Morgan Bondelid has fond memories of the company’s origins performing Shakespeare in the forest. “We hung sheets to make dressing rooms. We cleared paths for audiences to reach the amphitheatre. We built the stage. The light was otherworldly.” But she recognizes that ISF’s growth has meant her growth as an actor; over the years, she’s received voice coaching and training in stage combat. Although the slapdash nature of the early years has been tempered by increased advance planning, Bondelid sees the change as beneficial. “This season’s shows have been cast for months and that extra time has allowed me to research my character. Since I’ve never played a character who was a real person, I have the time to compare Shakespeare’s interpretation to historical accounts.” But Bondelid, who doubles as the company’s graphics designer, insists that some things haven’t changed. A spirit of hands-on, all-for-one-and-one-for-all, still prevails.

Sweet Bianca (Ahna Dunn Wilder) and her suitor, Lucentio (Andrew Pearce) photo by Rose Woods

Rose Woods agrees. “Despite various feelings, moods, styles and visions, everyone has to work together and take care of one another. In some ways a theatre ensemble is similar to a small community, similar to our island. Respect, and all working mindfully toward the same goal, helps immeasurably.”

Woods has reserved plenty of hay bales for all the groundlings she will be welcoming into the Big Top over the next few weeks. And she hopes that, when the hat is passed, they will give what they can afford—no more and no less—to keep the dream of island Shakespeare alive and thriving into Season Six and beyond.

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The ISF season officially opens with “The Taming of the Shrew” at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 in the carousel striped tent at 723 Camano Ave. in Langley. Beginning August 8 and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday thru September 7, audiences can attend “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Richard III” on alternating evenings. For information, please call 360-331-1939 or check http://www.islandshakespearefest.org/Season/Season-Calendar.html for performance schedules. Remember, admission is free.

Image at top: ISF Artistic Director Rose Woods, photographed at the Bard’s Ball by Michael Stadler

Dianna MacLeod studied playwriting with the former dramaturg at Seattle’s Intiman Theatre. Her plays have been produced by The Women’s Theatre, included in the New City Playwrights Festival, and performed by students of the Yale School of Drama. An alum of Hedgebrook, Dianna moved to the island in 2011.

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CLICK HERE to read more entertaining and informative WLM stories and blogs.

WLM stories and blogs are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Linking is permitted. To request permission to use or reprint content from this site, email info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

July 23, 2014
What’s Happening | Whidbey Island July 17-20

SUBMITTED BY KATY SHANER
Whidbey Life Magazine Guest Contributor
July 16, 2014

“WHAT’S HAPPENING”

THURSDAY – SUNDAY

JULY 17 – JULY 20, 2014

VISITOR INFORMATION KIOSK

The Visitor Information Kiosk welcomes you to Whidbey Island and the many places to visit while you are on the island. In this handout you will find events and activities happening this weekend.

Since 2008, the Visitor Kiosk has welcomed over 18,000 visitors to Whidbey. The island offers a wealth of activities, places to stay, eateries, shopping and an abundance of the natural environment to enjoy and appreciate.

Whidbey Island, ‘as a crow flies’ is 45 miles long but, by road, about 60 miles. There are public beaches open to visitors, hiking trails, five state parks and even the first of its kind in the whole of the US – the Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve!

So welcome and enjoy your visit. Do come back.

The Visitor Information Kiosk is funded by the Greater Freeland Area and Langley Chambers of Commerce. Prepared by Katy Shaner, Manager and Volunteer Coordinator – Visitor Information Kiosk. ktshaner@whidbey.com

The cast of “Earnest”

THURSDAY, JULY 17

ISLAND SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL proudly presents “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde. The first production is from the newly formed Classic Conservatory for Young Adults. This Wednesday – Friday at 5 p.m. Admission is FREE! A pass-the-hat donation after each performance supports the program. Under the Big Top located at 723 Camano Ave. behind Langley Middle School. www.islandshakespearefest.org

CONCERTS IN THE PARK Free live music at Community Park. Cranberry Bog Bluegrass Band (Bluegrass/Americana) will be performing this Thursday 6:30 – 8 p.m. 5495 Maxwelton Road, Langley. Picnics welcome, concessions available. South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District. www.swparks.org

CLINTON THURSDAY MARKET held on Thursdays through August 28, 3:30 – 7 p.m. Indoor/Outdoor Market at the Clinton Community Hall. Located on Hwy 525 about 1/4 mile from the ferry. clintonthursdaymarket.com and info@clintonthursdaymarket.com

LANGLEY WHALE CENTER Orca Network’s Langley Whale Center celebrates and shares the lives of gray whales, orcas and other marine mammals of the Salish Sea. Orca Network’s programs include the Whale Sighting Network, Education programs, the Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network and the project to retire L pod whale Tokitae/Lolita. from the Miami Seaquarium. Thursdays – Sundays 11 – 5 p.m. 117 Anthes, Langley 360-331-3543 www.OrcaMonth.com

FRIDAY, JULY 18

LANGLEY SECOND STREET MARKET 3 – 6 p.m. through September 19. Located between City Hall and the veterinary hospital.The market will host a number of the favorite vendors plus some fun new items with a variety of products and some rotating vendors—fresh organic produce, arts and crafts, handmade items, wood products, a masseuse and musicians. www.langleymainstreet.com Contributed by drewslist@whidbey.com.

Gabe Harshman, Max Cole-Takanikos and Teresa McElhinny get into the hijinks of Christopher Durang’s “Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them.” It opens July 11 at OutCast in Langley. / Photo by Jim Carroll

OUTCAST PRODUCTIONS presents Christopher Durang’s absurdist comedy “Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them.” The show runs through Saturday, July 26. Durang turns political humor upside down with this raucous and provocative satire about America’s growing homeland “insecurity.” 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are $14 for students/seniors and $18 for adults. 819 Camano Ave. Whidbey Fairgrounds Black Box Theater www.outcastproductions.net Brown Paper Tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/733769 or reserve tickets by emailing ocp@whidbey.com.

THE HOT CLUB OF TROY, celebrating the Spirit of Django Reinhardt, is playing this Friday at Ott & Murphy 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. Join guitarists Troy Chapman and Keith Bowers, accompanied by bassist Kristi O’Donnell, for an evening of swinging, lyrical, gypsy jazz. Cover charge $10. www.kristio.com. Reservations recommended. Ott & Murphy Winery Tasting Room, 204 First Street, Langley. 360-221-7131

SATURDAY. JULY 19

CLUB CLYDE presents “A Hard Day’s Night” 50^th Anniversary showing of this Beatle’s Classic at 10 p.m. this Saturday. $10 (cash or check only) and can be purchased at The Clyde Theater from 8-10 p.m. 217 First Street, Langley 360-221-5525. www.theclyde.net

SPOILED DOG WINERY presents Music at the Vineyard this Saturday with Skinny Tie: Fran & Brad from 2-4 p.m. Enjoy a glass or bottle of wine and sit outside and enjoy the music. Bring your own chair. Spoiled Dog Winery open Friday noon- 5 p.m., Saturday 11 – 6 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m. Anytime the gate is open. 360-661-6226 for appointments at other times. 5881 Maxwelton Rd, Langley. www.spoileddogwinery.com

NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY will be hosting an Open House, 5K Run this Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is an opportunity for the public to learn about past, current, and future operations at the Navy’s only air station in the Pacific Northwest. A 5K run along the base’s flight line will be held at 9 a.m. with registration starting at 7:30 a.m. Aircraft displays include the EA-18G Growler, EA-6B Prowler, P-3C Orion and MH-60 Knighthawk helicopter. Visual displays, guided bus tours, and a K-9 Working Dog demonstration. All guests will enter onto Ault Field via Charles Porter Gate, located just west of the Ault Field and Goldie Road intersection. All visitors over the age of 18 are required to have state or government issued identification for access to the base. Information: www.facebook.com/NASWhidbeyIsland

SUNDAY, JULY 20

TILTH FARMERS’ MARKET Enjoy music, food and community. Singer and songwriter, Sommer Harris, performs her original songs this Sunday. Her work is her own styling influenced by other women artists; it sets a mood and tells a story. Experience this local talent while shopping for local food, flowers and gifts from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Concessions and children’s activities are part of the market experience. SNAP cards and Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons are welcome. 2812 Thompson Road, PO Box 252, Langley, WA 98260. market@southwhidbeytitlh.org and www.southwhidbeytilth.org/market

SUNDAY MUSIC AT BLOOMS WINERY TASTE FOR WINE & ART Enjoy the wonderful original tunes of Jim Castaneda 3 to 5 p.m. this Sunday. You may have seen him on stage at WICA and Whidbey Playhouse and his talent is amazing. No cover, no minimum. Just fabulous wines and great music! The new art show for July and August is “Clay, Glass and Steam” with the work of Carol Rose Dean of Dean Tile, SteamPunk art by Jacob Bloom and glass jewelry of Sherren Anderson, plus Rust Revival jewelry and more. Hours: Thursday noon to 5 p.m., Friday noon to 6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday noon to 6 p.m., Monday noon to 5 p.m. Bayview Corner Cash Store, 5603 Bayview Rd. Langley. www.bloomswinery.com, 360-321-0515

“Glad Tidings,” watercolor by Kay Parsons

ROB SCHOUTEN GALLERY presents paintings by Kay Parsons, “Watercolors in the Garden,” a water colored wonderland of botanical delight,s which runs through July 30. Parsons paints close-ups of flowers and garden life that are rich in “aromatic exuberance.” Weekends: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 765 Wonn Road, Greenbank, info@robschoutengallery.com 360-222-3070.

OTT & MURPHY WINERY proudly presents The Riveting Rosies 6:30 & 8:15 p.m. By popular demand, the Riveting Rosies return to Ott & Murphy! They are a creamy, tight-harmony girl trio of curvaceous crooners who sing Golden Age tunes with an intoxicating sound in pert, sassy, vintage pin-up style. The Rosies are: Jenny d’Armand, Billie Wildrick, Candice Donehoo and pianist Katherine Strohmaier. Enjoy award winning Ott & Murphy wines and selections from a small-plate menu in the Cozy Cabaret. Cover Charge: $12 per person. Reservations recommended. Winery Tasting Room 204 First Street, Langley, www.swedehillcellars.com, 360-221-7131

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July 11, 2014
Sheltering the Storytellers | Hedgebrook

BY KATIE WOODZICK
Whidbey Life Magazine contributor
July 9, 2014

They come from all over the world, authoring change. Over the past 26 years, 1,500 women writers from 40 countries have traveled to Whidbey Island to experience Hedgebrook’s radical hospitality.

Founded by Nancy Nordhoff, the retreat offers fully-funded residencies of two to six weeks to women writers at all levels working in a variety of genres. While in residence, each writer lives in a hand-crafted cottage of her own.

Nancy Nordhoff (photo by MJ Alexander)

It’s Thursday afternoon, and our newest resident, B, is arriving. She is originally from Zimbabwe and has flown into Seattle from Ann Arbor. As she gets out of the car, she is beaming. She is wearing a “One Billion Rising” t-shirt—a nod to her mentor, Eve Ensler. Her four daughters insisted she wear it.

“They wouldn’t let me leave the house without it,” she explains.

I follow Julie O’Brien, our Program Associate, as she orients B. We start at the Farmhouse and Julie gives a brief tour of the kitchen and the library that holds hundreds of books written by our alumnae.

Anne, one of our guest chefs, offers advice: “A lot of writers think they need to get to work right away. But I encourage you to listen to your body’s rhythms. If you need to sleep, sleep. Go for a walk in the woods. That is just as important to the creative process.”

We walk through the garden, sampling snap peas and raspberries. B tells us that growing up, she refused to do the chores traditionally assigned to girls.

“It was the duty of the boys to herd the goats and so that is where you found me.”

We all laugh, walking through the woods to bring B to the place she’ll be staying for her residency. Meadow House was originally the caretaker’s residence. It has been renovated to be an additional space to house writers. Gloria Steinem has stayed here, as has Alice Sebold, Carolyn Forché and Dorothy Allison. We encourage B to read the journal entries of past residents.

Julie points to the space between two trees where Mount Rainier becomes visible when the sky isn’t overcast. B jumps up and down, rejoicing in her good fortune, celebrating her new home for the next two weeks. This is easily the best part of the job: seeing the writer’s reaction to her new sanctuary.

Nancy Nordhoff has witnessed many tears of joy when showing writers to their cottages in the early days of the retreat. “There was always that moment,” she says. “They would say ‘You mean I can stay here?’ or ‘This is for me?’”

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One never knows what local color may make its way into literature around the world!

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A non-profit, Hedgebrook holds the following as our mission statement: Hedgebrook supports visionary women writers whose stories and ideas shape our culture now and for generations to come.

Hedgebrook is helmed by Executive Director and alumna, Amy Wheeler. She first experienced Hedgebrook as a resident in 2002, while working on one of her plays.

She has this to say about the power of the residencies that Hedgebrook provides: “Women are used to nurturing others and supporting their visions, often at the expense of our own. When you turn the tables and give a woman writer space and time to work, and the opportunity to focus on her vision, you send a powerful message: what you have to say matters. The evidence of Hedgebrook’s impact is seen in the ripple effect generated by our 1,500 alumnae, whose work is now reaching millions of people around the world.”

The writers that come to Hedgebrook go through a rigorous application process. Last year, 1,500 writers applied for 40 residencies.

(Clockwise from left) Authors Denise Barr, Rebekah Anne Bloyd, Carolyn Forche, Monique Truong and Dael Orlandersmith with Program Director Vito Zingarelli in the center (photo courtesy of Hedgebrook)

The selection process is organized by Program Director, Vito Zingarelli. “Adjudication is done without knowledge of the writer’s identity.…The final selection committee is comprised of writers, educators, agents, literary managers and editors who read the applications and rank each writer according to the following criteria: quality of writing, originality of voice and strength of proposal, with an eye toward diversity in all areas.”

The work of the writers who come to Hedgebrook becomes infused with the culture of South Whidbey.

Zingarelli illustrates: “There is a play that just opened off-Broadway—‘When We Were Young and Unafraid’ by Sarah Treem—that began such a journey four years ago in the Hedgebrook Women Playwrights Festival. The working title at that time was ‘Useless Bay.’ It’s set on Whidbey Island and the kernels of that piece were directly derived from our community and the surroundings. One never knows what local color may make its way into literature around the world!”

While it’s always bittersweet when residents leave the retreat, it is offset by the promise of the new words that they’ll be putting into the world to shape our culture.

In the words of Gloria Steinem: “Hedgebrook isn’t a retreat…it’s an advance.”

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To learn more about Hedgebrook, you can watch the recent KCTS documentary. (http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3351420)

If you or someone you know would like to apply for the Writers in Residence program, please visit www.hedgebrook.org.

Join us at the Hedgebrook Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 13!

Image at top: Cottage blue door (photo by Tom Marks)

Katie Woodzick works at Hedgebrook as an External Relations Manager. She is also an actor and director who can be seen on local stages. Her newest production, “Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them,” runs at OutCast Productions July 11-26.

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July 9, 2014
‘Watercolors in the Garden — paintings by Kay Parsons’ reception Sunday, July 13

July 9, 2014

‘Watercolors in the Garden’ paintings by Kay Parsons is the July show at the Rob Schouten Gallery. The special artist reception is 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 13.

Climb into Kay Parsons’ rabbit hole of flowers, a watercolored wonderland of botanical delights in which Alice herself would feel at home. “Painting is a conversation with my garden,” Parsons said.

“My garden stands as a chapel to my belief in everything: Life, death, dying back, renewal, exuberance, sadness, acceptance and beauty. I am tied to the land.”

Indeed, Parsons paints closeups of flowers and garden life that smack of a hot aromatic exuberance. A painting of a moth sporting velvety brown and white Appaloosa wings is drenched in a satisfying pool of saturated color. For the flowers, she brushes on light and color in a way that reveals the heady lusciousness of the plants, filled as they are with her evident passion for all that her garden grows.

As for process, Parsons says she doesn’t dwell too long on that white sheet of paper, but instead lunges at that creative moment that transforms what she sees into potential for a new painting.

“Tiger Moth I” by Kay Parsons is one of the paintings featured in “Watercolors in the Garden” at Rob Schouten Gallery in July. / Photo courtesy of the artist.

“A moment of a petal moving in light; a moth lightly holding its wings at rest waiting for night; or a fish gliding in quiet serenity,” she said, describing scenes from the garden that inspire her. “There is a moment that moves like visual poetry across the horizon, percolates insistently and I paint.”

“Watercolors in the Garden” runs through Thursday, July 30. Please join us for light refreshments and a chance to meet the artist from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 13 during Greenbank Farm’s “Second Sunday at the Farm” event, when the Farm’s galleries, shops, cafe and market welcome visitors to enjoy a relaxed afternoon of fine art, good food, natural beauty and lively conversation.

Rob Schouten Gallery, a premier showcase for Whidbey Island and Northwest artists, is located at 765 Wonn Road, #C-103 at the historic Greenbank Farm. Gallery Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For further information, call 360.222.3070 or email info@robschoutengallery.com.

Pictured at top, “Glad Tidings,” a watercolor by Kay Parsons./Photo courtesy of the artist.

July 8, 2014
Choochokam Fest Takes Over Langley Streets with Art, Eats and Music July 12-13

NOTE! Free Shuttle from the Clinton Ferry Dock

The 39th Annual Choochokam Arts Festival takes over the streets of otherwise bucolic, Langley-by-the-Sea on Whidbey Island—from 10 a.m. Saturday, July 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 13—for two fun-filled days of art, eats and music. The festival is free and open to the public with a free shuttle provided by Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle from the Clinton Ferry dock for those wishing to leave their vehicles in Mukilteo.

Festival-goers can have a more enhanced experience with the Mixby digital platform provided by Whidbey Telecom. The app provides real-time location-based monitoring of festival activities. Mixby is available for iPhone and Android in the App Store. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mixby/id869109229?mt=8.

Busy First Street (photo courtesy of Debra Campbell Designs)

ART and EATS

More than 75 regional artisans and craftspeople will line First and Anthes Streets with a wide array of artistic disciplines including woodworking, painting, printmaking, pottery, ceramics, metal work, fiber art, jewelry, glass and sculpture. Exhibitor booths will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

The culinary arts are celebrated in the food court with a variety of regional cuisines including fest favorites—Mini Donuts and Kettle Corn—returning again this year. To wash down your favorite regional fare, visit the Beer and Wine Garden presented by the Langley Chamber of Commerce, featuring handcrafted brews and award-winning Island vintners. For the full list of exhibiting artists and where to find them at the festival visit http://choochokamarts.org/exhibitors/exhibitor-booth-assigments.

Glass booth (photo courtesy of Debra Campbell Designs)

KID’S ZONE

Whidbey Children’s Theater partners with the Choochokam Arts Foundation for its third year to bring to life the Kid’s Zone at Langley Park located at Second and Anthes Streets. The Kid’s Zone introduces activities and arts and crafts for kids of all ages, including face painting, chalk art and a puppet making workshop and performance, as well as musical numbers from the theatrical production of “Puss and Boots.” Students from the Northwest Language Academy will delight audiences with cultural music and world dance.

NWLA will host a peace-flag making workshop; the finished flags will hang over the city of Langley to honor a vision of World Peace.

MUSIC

Original music takes front stage at this year’s festival on a new and improved 20 foot by 20 foot Main Stage complete with festival lighting. The festival’s 30+ musicians will perform all original works on two stages—the Main Stage located at First and Anthes Streets and the Pavilion Stage located at Useless Bay Coffee Company on Second Street beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Audiences will enjoy newcomers and returning favorites alike in a variety of genres including folk, bluegrass, roots rock, jazz, world, marimba, country, acoustic rock, reggae, funk and blues. For the full music lineup visit http://choochokamarts.org/entertainment-2014.

STREET DANCE

20 Riverside (photo courtesy of the artists)

The festival’s traditional Street Dance begins at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday with opener and six-time festival fan favorite, 20 Riverside. The six-piece funk group from Everett blends the driving rock and brassy horns of Chicago and the funky grooves of Tower of Power with socially conscious lyrics. Seattle’s Letters From Traffic, a seven-piece rock and soul marvel with Whidbey Island roots, follows with sweltering vocals, fresh horns, hot guitars and down and dirty grooves. All original contagiously moveable songs layer trumpet, trombone, saxophone, vocal-harmony, lead and rhythm guitars, bass and drums.

Ben Rice (photo courtesy of the artist)

Ben Rice returns to Choochokam with his exhilarating stage show to close out the Saturday Night Street Dance. Complete with cigar box guitars and resonators, Ben Rice brings vintage blues to the modern arena blending soul, roots blues and West Coast blues with rockabilly and funk. This virtuosic guitar player, who first picked up his father’s nylon stringed guitar at the age of five, now has twenty years of playing, numerous awards, nominations and a music degree from the University of Oregon. Ben is a 2014 finalist in the prestigious National Blues Association’s International Blues Challenge, was named 2013 Male Vocalist of the Year and 2013 Traditional Act of the Year by the Cascade Blues Association and received Performance of the Year Winner and Acoustic Guitar of the Year Winner from the West Side Blues Society.

SPONSORS

The annual Choochokam Arts Festival is a program of the Choochokam Arts Foundation and is supported through the generous donations of sponsoring organizations and strategic partners. The 2014 Festival is sponsored by AlliKat Records, Creativity Source, The New York Times, Sequoyah Electric,Whidbey Children’s Theater, Whidbey Life Magazine, Whidbey Island Bank, Whidbey Island Printing, Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle, Whidbey Telecom and Whidbey Weekly; with special thanks to Useless Bay Coffee Company, the Langley Community Club and numerous volunteers.

About Choochokam Arts Foundation: Active in the community since 1975, the Choochokam Arts Foundation was founded as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization in 2013 to preserve the rich arts history of the South Whidbey Community, to provide sustainability for the legacy Choochokam Arts Festival, and to provide arts programming and support for Whidbey Island arts programs year round. For more information visit http://www.choochokamarts.org.

Image at top: Choochokam Arts Festival booth (photo courtesy of Debra Campbell Designs)

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July 8, 2014
Maxwelton Parade 2014 in Photos

PHOTOS BY DAVID WELTON
Whidbey Life Magazine Photographer
July 5, 2014

Whidbey Life Magazine photographer David Welton attended the Maxwelton Parade on the 4th of July and shared his images with us. Whidbey Life Magazine was there and it was a beautiful day full of festivities, cheering and candy throwing! Thanks to all for putting on a great community parade!

July 6, 2014
Did You Miss this Year’s ‘Whidbey Island Garden Tour’?

BY DIANNA MacLEOD
PHOTOS BY DAVID WELTON
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributors
July 2, 2014

On the last Saturday of June, more than 800 people toured five “patches of paradise” during the Whidbey Island Garden Tour.

The event requires a full year of planning by the Garden Tour board and an entire day of participation by the 120 volunteers serving as parkers, greeters and docents. Along with the board and phalanx of volunteers, the garden tour has both friends and patrons—local businesses and individuals who regularly pledge their expertise and financial support.

The first tour in 1995 was organized by campaigners attempting to save Saratoga Woods; to this day, the proceeds of the garden tour are donated to local charities.

“We try for a variety of gardens to put on display, from postage stamp to grand, new to mature, sun to shade,” said WIGT President Penny Harger. “Over the years we’ve acquired all the gear needed for event parking, so we lend it out to the Maxwelton Fourth of July Parade and the Chicken Coop Tour. It’s all about community!”

If you missed the tour, here’s your chance to walk down the garden path—albeit virtual. After you’ve taken the tour, mark your calendar for next year’s event. For more information, visit www.wigt.org or call 360-321-4191.

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Cynthia Tilkin

The breathtaking views of Saratoga Passage from “Bluff Bliss” are enhanced by tall trees, raised beds and sunny stretches of lawn. Native vegetation, artfully pruned by owner Cynthia Tilkin, is viewed against a backdrop of stone walls, benches and ponds. The garden is designed with an eye to outdoor entertaining and quiet contemplation.

Tom and Robin Callison

The in-town garden of Tom and Robin Callison is a backyard getaway that displays an array of plant material suitable for the small-scale cottage garden. The owners’ love of art and poetry is evident in the sculpture and plaques—including the lyrics to John Lennon’s “Imagine”—found in the garden.

Carol Livers

Nestled deep in the forest, the garden of Carol Livers invites exploration. The owner, originally from Britain, flies the Union Jack flag above her beautifully cultivated “English Idyll.” The garden surrounds a house that is equally detailed and colorful.

John and Margi Bachert

By taking advantage of the natural kettle formations created thousands of years ago, owners John and Margi Bachert have designed a garden that offers numerous vistas. Winding paths lead from one garden room to another: the serene philosopher’s garden, a hillside of flowers, vegetable garden, a hedge of roses. Contemporary and classical art abound.

Debra and Colin Campbell

Overlooking Saratoga Passage, “Eagle Sanctuary” enjoys sweeping views of Camano Island, Mount Baker and the Cascades. Owners Debra and Colin Campbell have created paths that wind through stands of rhododendrons, native shrubs, and shade-loving plants. The many sculptures found throughout the garden add to the feeling of drama created by the owners’ contemporary house.

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July 2, 2014
On the Silk Road to Langley

BY MARTHA McCARTNEY
Whidbey Life Magazine contributor
June 25, 2014

Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other- Genesis 11:7

I had always suspected that something was not right in the area of language since the Tower of Babel became an unfinished construction project. After speaking with Josette Hendrix, my suspicions were confirmed.

Ms. Hendrix is the founder of Northwest Language Academy and her belief that language represents a potential for neural enhancement, a doorway to other cultures and an intersection between world views is an important part of the organization’s core mission.

The entrance to the Northwest Language Academy – showing the current events (photo credit Martha McCartney)

“Acquiring new language gives people a tool for gaining self-knowledge and that is where a change begins. The act of learning opens uncultivated pathways in the brain and challenges the student of language to think and explore concepts in fresh ways. It is by following these paths that we can attain a firsthand perspective of cultures other than our own, and it is through these means that we can learn to co-exist in peace.” said Ms. Hendrix while explaining the role of Northwest Language Academy.

Northwest Language Academy was founded in Langley in 1996. It all began as a summer camp for children with a focus on language education and has grown into the diverse program it is today. The summer camps continue and each experience includes a sampling of different cultures by incorporating regional food, dance and music along with language.

A pond filled with water lilies graces the grounds of the Northwest Language Academy (photo credit Martha McCartney)

The heart of the Academy is the Cultural Center, which is located on three well-groomed acres on Southern Whidbey Island. The Center includes an expansive kitchen–suitable for several people to participate in cooking or to watch a demonstration–surrounded by spacious meeting areas both inside and outside that can be utilized for classroom or dining. There are six large attractively furnished guestrooms that can be rented to provide accommodations. The facility is also available to be used for private functions and is not limited to Center events.

In addition to serving the youth populations, there are adult-learning programs and “drop in” conversational groups for all ages. There are immersion weekends in which intensive instruction on different levels is given, ranging from beginners, to updating already mastered skills. All programs include partaking in cultural experiences with native speakers and the sharing of stories–an essential part of the learning method used by Northwest Language Academy.

NWLA’s June 28^th event, “China Pearls”, is perhaps the largest and most diverse to date, certainly one of the most exciting. The program is divided into several components throughout the day.

The first is a Chinese cooking class, which can be considered a stand-alone event, being held from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. This class will be taught in the kitchen at the Northwest Language Academy Cultural Center at 5023 Langley Road. Cooking students will learn to make traditional dishes including shaved noodles, hot pot and dumpling. As a take-away, each participant will receive a cookbook with recipes contributed by the instructors. Space is limited and pre-registration required. For information and additional details call 360-321-2101. Tuition for the class is $35.

Dancers for NWLA’s “China Pearls” (photo credit: Melody Institute)

The dinner and performance portion of “China Pearls” takes place at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) at 565 Camano Avenue in Langley. Dinner consists of a Dim Sum buffet and cocktails from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The final part of the program will follow dinner from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a unique blend of contemporary and classical music incorporating traditional Chinese elements, a selection of folk song and traditional dance. The performers all hail from Cascadia and include composer Austin Huang with the Saratoga Orchestra musicians, Imperial Dance Ensemble, Melody Xie Dance School , soloist Chrystal Yu hai Yang and Whidbey Island Dance Theatre. English and Chinese translations will be provided throughout the event.

“Each element of the daylong program is similar to one treasured pearl, which is being strung together by the sharing of story, a blend of learning and culture, aided by translation” Ms. Hendrix said.

Tickets for China Pearls at WICA can be purchased now. China Pearls cooking class registration can be completed by contacting 360-321-2101. Details regarding the menu and performances will be posted on the Academy’s blog.

Northwest Language Academy is planning upcoming events including a Bavarian Festival on September 27 and a Russian Winter Festival in early December. All events and classes are frequently updated on the website.

(photo at the top: Talented Chinese traditional dancers will be featured in NWLA’s “China Pearls” event June 28 (photo credit: Melody Institute))

Martha is a poet, photographer, mixed-media artist, persistent gardener and candle-maker. She has never really gotten over not being photographed for a Richard Brautigan book cover. Currently she is learning to navigate by using her inner compass which she keeps pointed towards her own true north.

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WLM stories and blogs are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Linking is permitted. To request permission to use or reprint content from this site, email info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

June 25, 2014