The Week Ahead: Hi-Def Opera, Movie Premiere, & Actors Theater Play

Monday, July 25

Kids 3-Day Sculpture & Pottery Workshop  Ellen Wherrette & Mary Jane Elgin will be creating new worlds of wonder using all the basic elements of our own world! Students will create usable pottery, creatures, plants and sculptures inspired by our imaginations. The class will meet for three days of sculpturing in July: Monday 7/25; Tuesday 7/26 & Thursday 7/28 from 11 am – 1:30 pm.  One additional class in August.  Workshop will be held at Mary Jane Ceramics, 474 North Beach Road #3 (in the back on Prune Ally across from the Trading Co).  The cost is $100 for the four sessions with a $20 supply and firing fee, for a total of $120. Call 376-7602

Tuesday, July 26

Open Mic at the Lower Tavern  Come watch Orcasians let loose – and that includes you!  It’s Open Mic and you’ll never know who might be on-stage. Starts at 8 p.m. Call The Lower @ 376-4848

Wednesday, July 27

KindlingsFest Annual Getaway Wednesday, July 27 – Saturday, July 30 KindlingsFest is a celebration of Art & Ideas where they intersect with the spiritual. This four-day getaway provides just the right mix of free time for you and your family to enjoy the refreshing wonders of Orcas Island while drinking in the a stimulating morning lecture, conversations with artists in residence and BagEnd Café. The Kindlings is a relational, intergenerational movement whose mission is to rekindle the spiritual, intellectual and creative legacy of Christians in culture. The Kindlings welcomes people to participate in our events regardless of their religious affiliation. For information, go to

Brown Bag Lunch Concert  Noon at Emmanuel Church. Free to attend, but donations are gladly accepted.  This week: enjoy Roger Sherman on the organ and Steve Alboucq on the trumpet.
Sustainable Orcas Island meeting 5:30 p.m. at the Public Library. Call 376-4985 and with Phil for more information.  Meets last Wednesday of the month.

Captain America: The First Avenger  Movie Benefit Premiere 6 p.m. at the Seaview Theater. “Captain America” tells the story of the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America. As Captain America, Rogers wages war on the evil HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull.  The premiere of this movie is a fundraiser to support the scholarship programs of Camp Four Winds & Camp Orkila. Many campers receiving scholarships come from Orcas.  So by coming to the screening, you’re supporting two exceptional camps and our island children. The screening begins at 6pm, at the Seaview Theater.  Tickets cost $25 per person, (or $75 for a family of four) and includes popcorn and a soda. The film is rated PG-13. Buy tickets at the Chamber of Commerce, or by calling 376-2277.

Thursday, July 28

Orcas Island School Board meeting  5:30 p.m. at the School library.  Call 376-2284 for more information.

Open Mic at the Doe Bay Café

Join island visitors and residents to share music, spoken word, and other performances on the night when we come together in that ancient ritual of community and communion: good pizza!  This month’s donations go to the local sustainability group Food Masters. Pizza served  5 to 10 p.m. Open Mc starts at 7:30 p.m. Call 376-8059 or see www.doebay.com

Friday, July 29

“Trying” on stage at the Grange The Actors Theater presents Fred Whitridge & Cara Russell in a fully staged reading of the play “Trying” by Johanna McClelland Glass. This touching, sweet and ultimately uplifting play takes place when a young woman comes to work for an aged aristocrat, Judge Francis Biddle – a former Attorney General of the United States under Franklin Roosevelt. The play takes place during the late 1960s as they “try” to understand each other. Directed by Doug Bechtel.  Tickets for all performances are $10 and are available at Darvills Bookstore and on-line at www.orcasactors.com . Friday & Saturday, July 29/30 & Friday – Sunday, August 5 – 7All performances are at 7:30 pm.   This play is suitable for all ages but may not interest younger children.  Call 360-317-5601.

Tosca: The Met on-screen at Orcas Center The Met: Live in HD 2011 Summer Encore Series continues with “Tosca.” Luc Bondy’s controversial and Avant-garde production of Puccini’s operatic thriller, which Le Monde called “a perfect night at the opera,” stars Karita Mattila in the title role. Marcelo Álvarez is her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, and George Gagnidze plays Scarpia, the sadistic chief of police who wants Tosca for himself. Joseph Colaneri conducts. This production of Tosca was originally aired in 2009.  Tickets are $15 (adults) & $11 (students) – $2 off for Orcas Center members.  Purchase at www.orcascenter.org , calling (376-2281 x1), or at the Box Office. Contact Orcas Center.