This was a big part of Olga Symphony’s journey to Orcas Center stage

||| FROM ANITA ORNE for THE OLGA SYMPHONY |||

Shortly after Orcas Center opened in the 1980s, the Center’s Everything But Classical Music Committee began producing its annual gift to the community – Holiday Magic. It was a fun and music filled evening with all performers donating their time. Admission was by donation, so everyone could come. One of the acts from the very first year was The Olga Symphony. A few years later, the Symphony took over hosting duties for the show, and by the 90s, it had morphed into The Olga Symphony concert.

This year, on Nov. 26 and 27 at 7 p.m., the gift is back! While a few things are slightly different (Covid protocols will be in place, advance ticket sales only, no guests nor intermission nor cookies, darn it!), Melinda, Gordon, Z, JP, and Anita are excited to carry on playing and singing their trademark mix of Olga Symphony favorites and new songs along with plenty of fun and jokes and fine clothes.

And there’s some new excitement: this year, for the first time, the concert will be livestreamed both nights! So whether you are on island and attending the show or off celebrating Thanksgiving elsewhere, you needn’t miss a thing. Plus, now you can share it with family and friends, wherever they may be. Both in person and livestream tickets are still by donation and the artists and crew will be donating their time so these generous donations can be passed in their entirety to island charities.

In person tickets MUST be purchased in advance – to get yours (and to read and agree to the aforementioned Covid protocols), visit www.orcascenter.org. To watch the livestream, just tune in at concert time at www.orcascenter.org. Let the holidays begin, in the good old-fashioned way!