Entertainment Stories - San Juan Islands

New sculpture garden at Orcas Island Pottery

A 63-year-old island business, tucked away in the woods above West Beach, enters a new phase as Orcas Island Pottery brings bronze sculpture to its rambling site. Syd Exton, owner of Orcas Island Pottery, is preparing for the official opening of the new Bronze Sculpture Garden on June 27 from 4 to 7 p.m., as she arranges inventory, weeds the gardens, and installs a pond where one of the new bronze sculptures will be featured this summer.

Orcas resident comes home to release CD

Evan Fraser will release his new CD “Organica” at the Orcas Island Grange at 8 p.m. On Saturday, June 28, Fraser and Tbird Luv will play a fusion of world sounds from 8 to 9:30 p.m. There will be a short slideshow afterwards to raise awareness about Tbird and Evan’s documentary film project “One Cause, Many Voices.” Doors will open at 7:30 p.m.

Arts calendar

ORCAS ISLAND

KindlingsFest brings inquiring minds to Orcas

Dick Staub, pastor of the Orcas Island Community Church, is inviting islanders as well as “international creatives – those for whom the transcendent or God is of paramount importance” to KindlingsFest 08, a “celebration of art andideas where they intersect with the spiritual.”

Oliver Aldort returns to Orcas Center stage

Orcas Islanders will have the rare opportunity to experience the talents of local musical prodigy Oliver Aldort at Orcas Center on Saturday, June 28 at 7:30 pm.

July Center Show features works by Hardman & Alex-Glasser

Sculptures by Hannah Alex-Glasser and acrylic/watercolor paintings by James Hardman will be on exhibit in the Orcas Center main gallery throughout July. The show will open with an artists’ reception Friday, June 27, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Madrona Room.

Brown bag begins with Orcatrazz

Each Wednesday at noon this summer concert-goers can take their brown lunch bags to Emmanuel Episcopal Church and enjoy a variety of great Orcas musicians.

June Showcase of local artists features Orcas favorites

The June 2008 edition of the Slightly OffCenter Local Artist Showcase, curated by Carolyn Cruso, features some of Orcas’ favorites: John Clancy’s Improvissimo, Heather Stansbury and Bryan Benepe, Buckthorn and Rutabaga, and Evan Fraser and Tbird Luv. The showcase will be on Sunday, June 29 on the Orcas Center OffCenter Stage. Tickets are $10 and available at the door of the Off Center Stage, and in advance at the Orcas Center box office.

Funhouse begins early music classes

The Funhouse introduced Orcas Island Music Together this spring and now the youngest islanders have something just for them. Music Together® is an internationally recognized early childhood music education program. It was founded on the premise that all children are musical and can develop their musical potential within a supportive learning environment. A Music Together class inspires children and their parent/guardian with song, dance, instrument, and rhythm play. The whole idea is to bring more music into everyday life experience.

Overton Berry comes to Lopez

Overton Berry and Friends will appear in a tribute to Art Foxall on Thursday, July 3, at 2 p.m at the Lopez Center for Community and the Arts.

Artist Profile: Peter Fisher, Orcas Island

From the time Peter Fisher of Orcas Island was a child, he knew he wanted to share his love of nature and become an artist.

Lopez Island nonprofit looks to bring musicians to schools

Another great summer concert season is upon us, and one local organization is doing its best to bring some of the best jazz and blues acts to the island. Dean Jacobsen and his non-profit the Lopez School Music Advocacy Foundation have a series of music events coming up. All of the proceeds support the music program at Lopez School and help bring musicians for in-school sessions with the students.

Art in View

Lopez Island

Enchanted Quilters to host gathering for SJC quilters

The Enchanted Quilters of Lopez Island are offering a chance for all San Juan County quilters to get together for a day of sharing, talking about their craft, and socializing.

Children of the Revolution return to Lopez

The popular world music band Children of the Revolution returns to Lopez Center Saturday, July 5 at 7:30 p.m. after a two-year absence. The group will perform in the Outdoor Pavilion.

BookBeat

Colleen Smith Armstrong reviews Jennie Shortridge's new novel, "Love and Biology at the Center of the Universe."

Acclaimed farming documentary to be screened on Lopez Island

In celebration of our local, organic farmers, a community screening of the documentary The Real Dirt on Farmer John will be shown Saturday, June 14, 7-9:00 p.m. at Lopez Center. A dessert from Farmer Johns Cookbook will be served; the 83-minute film begins at 7:30 p.m.

Lopez Library welcomes author Deb Caletti

National Book Award finalist Deb Caletti will visit the Lopez Library on Saturday, June 28 at 11:00 a.m. to talk about her latest book, The Fortunes of Indigo Skye.

San Juan's Devorah to perform songs from new CD at Pig War Picnic

Devorah, aka “Firecracker,” that whirling dervish of musical energy and talent, has just spun-off her third music compilation, “Irrepressible,” a 10-track CD that marks a sea change in her music, featuring several songs of her own writing.

Poisoned apples, personal growth

The more comfortable you can get them in their own skin prior to adolescence, the better they’ll be able to handle the onslaught on their identity during their teenaged years. Life skills. Empowerment. That’s why Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) and activities like it are so important.

Two very special events for First Nations artist, Rande Cook

A blessing of two totem poles created by two prominent First Nations artists, Rande Cook and Calvin Hunt, took place at the new owners’ home on San Juan Island, June 20 during an unusually warm and perfect summer evening.

Art spirit is alive and well in San Juans | Commentary

Back in 1938, I was considering getting out of high school in mid-winter. My Omaha Central High School adviser told me it would be tough entering a good college that way unless transferring from another college.

What’s Happening!

Today: Summer Reading Program kickoff with Maggie Gallivan, 1:30 p.m., Friday Harbor Elementary School field. Enjoy music with Maggie Gallivan, popcorn, lemonade and lots of fun. Sponsored by the San Juan Island Library. Call 378-2798.

Grammy nominee among performers at San Juan Theatre June 21

Chamber Music San Juans presents “Music for a Summer Solstice” on the San Juan Community Theatre’s Whittier Stage on Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Artistic director and clarinetist Patricia Kostek brings together some of CMSJ’s favorite performers, including violinist Ron Patterson, violist Roxanna Patterson, and Grammy Award-nominee bassoonist Martin Kuuskman.

Around Town

San Juan Community Theatre is offering two Children’s Summer Theatre Workshops in July, presented by professional theater artists.

Who knows who's naughty and nice in Friday Harbor? The Shadow knows

SanJuanJournal.com's eye on the town is taking note of your attitude, your deeds, your jokes, your personality.

Upcoming events connect islanders with rich heritage of the San Juans

For thousands of years before the Spaniards first saw the San Juans in 1791, the islands were the home of Coast Salish peoples and a culture that was intertwined with the natural beauty and resources offered by the archipelago. Coast Salish peoples were forced to move to reservations, but their cultures and ties to the islands — and those of other Northwest Coast Native peoples — survive. And in the next few weeks, several events will take place that will help San Juan residents connect with the original cultures of the islands.

A look at four of the latest by San Juan authors

“MS and Your Feelings: Handling the Ups and Downs of Multiple Sclerosis,” by Allison Shadday; “Of the Law,” by Susan M. Wingate; “Naturally Attracted: Connecting with Michael J. Cohen,” by Michael J. Cohen; “Getting Around in China: Notes from an American Traveler,” by Fred Richardson