Plan Ahead: Here’s the Shakespeare Festival Schedule

March 19 – 22, 2014

Third Annual Orcas Island Shakespeare Festival

You are invited to come enjoy our Shakespeare Festival on Orcas Island, featuring costumed performers, an Eastsound Parade, street theater, and a performance of ‘Othello’ by The Seattle Shakespeare Company.

The Stage on the Green, located in the heart of the island, will be home to numerous festival activities all day Saturday, March 22, including stage performances and music of the period. That evening, a performance of ‘Othello’ will be presented at the island’s version of The Globe – the 200-seat Orcas Center, the community’s performing arts facility.

If you have any questions, please email or call (360-376-2273) the Chamber of Commerce.

Festival Event Schedule

Wednesday, March 19
‘Music, Shakespeare & More!’ performed at Random Howse in Eastsound. A night of local entertainment, featuring an array of Orcas Island’s top talent. Tickets for the entertainment are only $12 per person. Dinner and drinks are all available from the Random Howse menu. It all gets underway at 6 pm. Tickets available at Brown Paper Tickets, at The Office Cupboard (360-376-2378), or at the Chamber of Commerce (360-376-2273).

Thursday, March 20
Dinner at Sazio di Notte with the Seattle Shakespeare Company. Chef Bill Patterson has created a meal fit for The Bard himself! 6 pm – 9 pm. $125 per person (wine included; wine list available). Reservations made at Sazio (360-376-6394), The Office Cupboard (360-376-2378), or at the Chamber of Commerce (360-376-2273), or Brown Paper Tickets.

Friday, March 21
‘Romeo & Juliet’ and Baroque music performed at Random Howse in Eastsound. Geoffrey Cohan’s Baroque trio will open the evening with music, followed by a Seattle Shakespeare Company performance of ‘Romeo & Juliet.’ Food and beverage will be available. Only $15 per person. It all gets underway at 6 pm. Tickets available at Brown Paper Tickets, at theThe Office Cupboard (360-376-2378), or at the Chamber of Commerce (360-376-2273).

Friday, March 21
‘Romeo & Juliet’ performance for local students. 1 pm at Orcas Center. The Seattle Shakespeare Company performance is free of charge, but open only to Orcas school students. Check with the Chamber of Commerce for more details.

Friday, March 21
‘Crossroads Lecture Series: Othello in the 21st Century – To Perform or Not to Perform?’

7:30 pm at Ocas Center. George Washington University Professor Ayanna Thompson presents a most relevant topic. Othello is the best-known black character in Shakespeare’s plays, a traditional role of dignity for black actors. But racial stereotypes of the 17th century create some discomfort among 21st century audiences. Tickets for this talk are $10 and are available at the Orcas Crossroads website, Darvill’s Bookstore in Eastsound, and through Brown Paper Tickets.

Saturday, March 22
All-day Shakespeare Festival on Orcas Island, featuring street performances, a parade, farmers market & much more!

11 am: Parade through Eastsound, ending on the Village Green. Orcas Island’s William Shakespeare will be feted as he arrives.

Vendors on Village Green (11 am – 4 pm)

Saturday, March 22
7:30 pm: ‘Othello’ performance at Orcas Center. Tickets for the March 22 performance of ‘Othello’ by the Seattle Shakespeare Company are on sale now, and are available through the Orcas Center Box Office (360-376-2281), or at Brown Paper Tickets.

Synopsis: After the high-ranking general Othello bypasses Iago for a promotion, the cunning manipulator enacts his revenge. By playing on the Moor’s insecurities, Iago paints a false vision of Othello’s faithful wife, Desdemona, which leads to a murderous fit of jealousy.

Clear your schedule for March 19 – 22, 2014!