Weekend fun in the good old summertime

Friday, June 19

County Planning Commission consideration of 6-year Transportation Improvement Plan. 8:45 a.m. at County Legislative Building in Friday Harbor.

Summer Solstice Contra Dance -Get the family together, bring your favorite home made dish, and put your dancin’ shoes on… there will be a community potluck, contra dancing and home made pie. Live musicians from San Juan Island will kick the night off and a portion of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to a local charity.  Potluck 5:30-7 p.m. Dance 7-10 p.m. at  Oddfellows Hall.  Contact Nichole at 360-255-3544.

Martin Lund hosts his fantastic One World Music Festival – one of Orcas Center’s most popular summer music events that brings together Orcas Island’s best musicians and top-notch talent from beyond the islands!  For the first time ever we are also making available a very limited number of special seats right on the stage during the performances! All net proceeds from the concert go to The Funhouse, whose mission is to help the children and families of Orcas Island.  $20 for members, $24 for non-members and $12 for students. 7:30 p.m.  Call Orcas Center @ 376-2281.

Waiting for MacArthur Opening Night at the Grange, 7:30 p.m. Set in the months just before and after the American entry into World War Two, Waiting for MacArthur follows Annie Lou Holsom, a young nurse played by Sandy Thompson, as she joins the Army.   Tickets are $10 and are available at Darvill’s or at the door. The intense emotional nature of this play make it unsuitable for younger children. Contact Doug Bechtel at 317-5601 or doug@orcasactors.com.

Saturday, June 20

The Botany of Mount Constitution II – The Summit 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. meet at Summit parking lot. Rising 2,409 feet above sea level, Mount Constitution is the highest point in the San Juan Islands and home to a wider variety of plant communities than anywhere else in the county.  This course explores the high country, starting at the summit and following the trail down approximately 2 miles to Little Summit.   Instructor: Thor Hansen, Biologist and Author.  Cost $35 per person.  You must register to reserve your place. Call 378-3646 to register.

Eleventh Annual Solstice Parade, Line up begins at the Odd Fellows Hall at 11 a.m. with the parade marching down North Beach Road to Eastsound Village Green at noon. Music and dancing follow at the Farmers Market.

Writers Roundtable – Jill McCabe 0f Orcas Artsmith hosts “Comings and Goings” 1 to 3 p.m. at the public library.

Celebration of the Orcas Off-Leash Area just off North Beach and Mt. Baker Roads. Games for dogs – and people, dog agility demonstrations, a raffle, pet portraits, info on pet care on Orcas, a shelter dedication and more!  If you are a pet care professional or pet-friendly lodging on the island contact Pawki’s with your cards or brochures for distribution at the event. 1 to 4 p.m.

Canoe Island French Camp Open House . 1 to 4 p.m. Free to the public.  Summer camp sessions: June 21 – September 7. Campers 9-16, school groups and Families explore their own 47-acre island while taking part in French language/culture, outdoor and artistic activities.  No language pre-requisite required.  Financial aid available. See website for schedules/pricing  www.canoeisland.org Call 360-468-2329 or email info@canoeisland.org

Waiting for MacArthur at the Grange, 7:30 p.m. Set in the months just before and after the American entry into World War Two, Waiting for MacArthur follows Annie Lou Holsom, a young nurse played by Sandy Thompson, as she joins the Army.   Tickets are $10 and are available at Darvill’s or at the door. The intense emotional nature of this play make it unsuitable for younger children. Contact Doug Bechtel at 317-5601 or doug@orcasactors.com.

One World Music Festival hosted by Martin Lund – one of Orcas Center’s most popular summer music events that brings together Orcas Island’s best musicians and top-notch talent from beyond the islands . All net proceeds from the concert go to The Funhouse, whose mission is to help the children and families of Orcas Island.  $20 for members, $24 for non-members and $12 for students. Call Orcas Center @ 376-2281.

Sunday, June 21

Moran Homes Open House from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – special viewing times for each home and refreshments and raffle at the Rosario Mansion at 4 p.m. Homes in White Beach and at Rosario on view, with transportation by boat between Rosario and White Beach. All proceeds benefit the Orcas Island Historical Society. Tickets, Adults $20,students $10.

Garden Party, sponsored by Relay for Life on the Summer Solstice, June 21, at 3 p.m. The garden setting will be at the Coffelt’s farm, benefit for Relay for Life. Call 376-1001.

The Mishras return to the Odd Fellows, bringing classical North Indian ragas and folk music to Orcas, gifting the audience with a fabulous performance and a spiritual experience. Join us in this rare experience in a duet of the world’s best sitarists inspiring one another to new levels of loving interplay. The Mishras will be performing at the Oddfellows Hall at 7:30 p.m.