All members and prospective members are invited to our monthly Chamber meeting at 9 a.m. at Prima Bistro on Wednesday, April 10.
We will be discussing the Welcome the Whales event and also hearing from the president of South Whidbey Pride.
Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided.
First Saturday Art Walk April 6, 5-7 p.m.
Exciting developments are taking place at Artworks Gallery as we work towards reopening in April. We’ll commemorate our triumphant return to Langley with a Grand Reopening celebration!
April featured artists are Susan Bradley and Shari Thompson. Artist Susan Bradley’s artistic medium of choice is colored pencil, skillfully applied on stipple paper, incorporating pointillism to bring forth exquisite detail in her creations.
Shari Thompson reflects that she has been charmed by the intricate beauty of seed beads for as long as she can remember. The moment she started bead weaving, she fell in love with creating wearable works of art by weaving together colorful beads, stones, shells, and other treasures.
Our online store is open 24/7! Browse and buy art from the comfort of your own home, and benefit from the convenience and privacy of online shopping. You can also call the gallery to schedule a personal tour of our artists’ studios. Leave a message at 360-926-1001.
Bursts of color, more light, and sweet smells – it’s spring outside and in the gallery! Museo joyfully presents our annual Garden Show. We have invited a group of exceptional artists, many showing for the first time at Museo, to share their vision of this lively season of renewal and growth. What will bloom from these seeds of creativity?
Featuring work by Karen Abel, Drew Christie, Bonnie Cook, Michael Dickter, Marci Erspamer, Trisha Gilmore, Ryan Grossman, Meg Holgate, Michael Howard, Heather Jacks, Kathleen Kemly, Jan Lipetz, Hilary Pfeifer, Amy Pleasant, AJ Power, Kathleen Secrest, John Smither, Mary Tapp, Deloss Webber, Christie West and Jean Whitesavage. Rob Schouten Gallery showcases Sharon Spencer’s bronze and stone sculptures in April.
Sharon’s sculpture’s simple elegant lines and extraordinary patina finishes strike a deep chord, and almost automatically has one reaching out to softly run one’s hands along the sculptures’ forms. In recent years health issues made it increasingly difficult for Sharon to continue working, leading to her retirement this past year, and subsequent moving away from Whidbey Island after having been part of our arts community for more than twenty years.
The gallery is celebrating the accomplishments of this extraordinary artist and exhibiting the last available works in bronze and stone. Included are both stylized figurative and abstract pieces in a variety of sizes and patinas. (above: Wintersong – bronze by Sharon Spencer – !6”h x 18”w x 7”d)
Artists at Whidbey Art Gallery in Langley are looking forward to April, with a new guest artist and featured member artist. Meet guest artist painter Kim Stokely and featured artist, the multi-talented Deon Matzen. Many other artists will be there as well to discuss their work.
Deon Matzen will feature some impressive new pieces that show off her wonderful brush work and composition skills. Kim Stokely will be highlighting her recent work studying backlit subjects and the play of light that creates.
Events
Celebrate Cynthia Tilkin and In the Country
Saturday, April 6, 3 – 5 p.m. @
Zech Hall at WICA, 565 Camano Ave., Langley
Cynthia is retiring after over 40 years in business in Langley providing us with wonderful clothing choices at In the Country and Annie Steffan’s prior to that. Please join us to say Thank You to Cynthia. Hors d’oeuvres will be provided, WICA’s bar will be open and there will be cake. Peter Morton will be at the piano.
Contact Mary Ann for more information:360-969-9924 mam@whidbey.com
Join Whidbey Island Distillery and Lavender Wind Farm
Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Visit Whidbey Island Distillery for a complimentary tasting of all our spirits, including the new limited Lavender Raspberry Liqueur.
Lavender Wind Farm will be on-site on Saturday, April 6th, with various lavender products to help us celebrate this release.
This is the perfect opportunity to indulge in world-renowned spirits, savor local lavender products, and taste our newest spring limited release.
April is Earth and Ocean month, with activities all month for the whole family.
Costume Prep at Whale Center
Get ready to dive into the world of costume magic at the Langley Whale Center! Join us April 4-7 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. for our exciting Costume Prep Event!
Unleash your imagination and join in on several craft projects designed to help you create the most spectacular costumes for the upcoming Welcome the Whales Parade on April 13. Whether you’re inspired by the depths of the ocean or the grace of these magnificent creatures, there’s something for everyone!
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to get creative and make a splash at the parade. See you there!
Saratoga Orchestra Presents “Rhythms of Nature”
In celebration of Ocean and Earth Month on Whidbey Island, the musicians of Whidbey’s Saratoga Orchestra invite you to their third annual “Rhythms of Nature” program. This year’s event will be held on April 6 at 2 p.m. in the Main Barn at Greenbank Farm. Admission is free and donations are gratefully appreciated.
Rhythms of Nature was conceived in 2022 to present and explore a vast array of diverse and eclectic chamber music, mostly centering on the percussion family. Audiences have come to expect the unexpected. This year’s program will include composers Lauren Bernofsky, John Cage, Stacy Garrop, Alan Hovhaness, and Morten Lauridsen, plus a few improvised segments and surprises.
Interspersed within the musical program will be special guests Mary Elizabeth Himes, affectionately known as “A Poet on Whidbey,” and the OKK (Okinawa Kenjin Kai) Taiko ensemble from Oak Harbor fusing traditional Okinawan music, dance, chanting and taiko drumming.
The Earth has music for those who listen. . . .will you be one who listens?
Further information can be found at www.sowhidbey.com or 360-929-3045.
Poetry Reading @ Outcast Theater
An embodied poetry reading, a performance art piece, an evening dedicated to the themes of healing, embodiment, community, solitude, the natural world, and the divine. Saturday, April 6th @ 7:30 p.m. at Outcast Productions (Black Box theater at the fairgrounds in Langley)
Tickets are suggested donation, sliding scale $10-$20 apiece or pay what you can!
Space is limited, fill out this form to reserve your spot: https://forms.gle/u3XhGo5X4UX4ZJzS6
Veggie Gardening Saturday, April 6, 1 – 2 p.m.
with Jeff Markette, Farm Manager of Organic Farm School
We’re excited to have Jeff here to teach this class with his lifetime of farming experience, and several years on Whidbey farming while teaching others his skills. In this class you will learn about how to plan out your summer garden along with seed starting basics to ensure strong plants. This will include succession planting for a longer harvest season and tips specific to our maritime climate. Class fee is $15, proceeds will be donated to Organic Farm School. To register call us at 360-321-9931.
Foodscaping: How to use edible plants in your landscape
Sunday, April 7, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
with Tobey Nelson CPH, Garden Designer
You don’t have to have a dedicated “veggie garden” to enjoy delicious, homegrown produce. It’s possible to incorporate many food plants into your landscape. In this class we’ll cover lots of ideas and suggestions for how to weave food plants in amongst your ornamental plants for beauty and flavor! Class fee is $15, to register call us at 360-321-9931.
Venture Out Nursery
3693 Scriven Lane, Langley
360-321-9931
Playwright Lauren Gunderson, of The Revolutionists, brings Justice in partnership with award-winning composer/lyricist duo Bree Lowdermilk and Kait Kerrigan. Justice features the “firsts” of the Supreme Court justices. In an intimate, epic new musical built with sweeping songs, urgent conversations about equality, and deeply relatable heroines, Justice explores the first women on the U.S. Supreme Court: Sandra Day O’Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Sonia Sotomayor, at the height of their influence. They confront and comfort each other about equal justice under the law, legal strategy, civic responsibility, as well as husbands, motherhood, kids, dreams, and sorrows, all while setting a new course for our country and the world.
Directed by Rose Woods, Musical Direction by Sheila Weidendorf
Showing Dates
Thursday, April 11 (Preview Night), Friday, April 12 (Opening Night) Saturday, April 13, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 14, 2 p.m.
Thursday, April 18, Friday, April 19, Saturday, April 20, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 21, 2 p.m.
Thursday, April 25, Friday, April 26, Saturday, April 27, 7:30 p.m.
Annual Welcome the Whales Festival and Parade April 13-14!
Saturday, April 13
11 a.m. Costume Making at Langley United Methodist Church
1:30 p.m. Staging for Parade (location TBA)
2 p.m. Parade through downtown Langley. All are welcome to walk in the parade.*
2:30 p.m. Waterside Ceremony at Seawall/Whale Bell Park after the parade
3:30 p.m. Langley Beach Clean-Up
* No vehicles larger than golf carts permitted. Please contact cindy@orcanetwork.org for more information.
Sunday, April 14
12 Noon Reception and Presentation from Cascadia Research Collective (location TBA)
3 p.m. Fundraising boat trip with Puget Sound Express, leaving from Langley Marina.
Talks with Afghan Women at Music for the Eyes April 14
Women Helping Women!
Please join us at “Music for the Eyes” at 314 First Street, Langley, at 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, to talk with Afghan women about the “Afghan Advantage” literacy program.
Afghan and U.S. women came together to help the women evacuated when the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 2021. The first need of learning to communicate and read in English was made even more difficult by the fact that more than 50 percent were not even literate in their local languages of Dari and Pashto. Other Afghan women volunteered to help teaching, and the goals expanded to learning to make trips to the grocery store, learning mathematics, learning to drive, learning to use libraries, and to even more ambitious goals of learning how to be responsible members of a democracy.
You will meet several Afghan women who live in the greater Seattle area and hear stories of how the program is enhancing their lives. Please ask questions and exchange ideas. Donations to support the nonprofit “Afghan Advantage” are welcome.
Find out more about the program at https://afghanadvantage.org
Sunday, April 14th @ 7:30 p.m. @ WICA
In celebration of National Poetry Month, Andre Feriante, Sheila Weidendorf, and Joni Takanikos present The Book of Voices, featuring poetry from Rumi, Leonard Cohen, and familiar island voices. The evening will consist of both poetry reading and music.
Please Click Below to Purchase Tickets! https://tickets.wicaonline.org/TheatreManager/1/tmEvent/tmEvent2116.html
Spring Polliwog Classes at Whidbey Island Waldorf School
Spring Polliwog Caregiver and Child Classes at Whidbey Island Waldorf School
6 classes on Saturday mornings, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Saturdays: April 13, 27, May 4, 18, 25, June 1
$150 for the 6 class series
For children and their caregivers, on campus. Children ages 0-3 welcome. Maximum 8 families
Spring classes on campus are indoors for the first hour, and outdoors for the second hour.
Dress warmly please!
With WIWS Early Childhood teacher Vanessa Rochon-Tierney.
Questions? To register? enrollment@wiws.org
360-341-5686 wiws.org
Give blood to help patients receiving transplant procedures
April 16-17, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Blood donation and organ transplants go hand in hand. Over 40,000 transplants were performed in the U.S. last year. Most of those surgeries require a unit, and in most cases, multiple units of blood and platelets. As a blood donor, you make organ transplantation possible and provide patients with another renewed chance at a healthy life. Donating blood takes about an hour and is urgently needed. Book an appointment to give blood at WICA on April 16th and 17th and give hope to our community. To sign up, call 1-800-398-788 or visit https://www.bloodworksnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/redirectgroup.ht…
Walk-ins will be seen based on availabilities;
appointments are highly encouraged.
WICA
565 Camano Ave., Langley
Uprise Gallery Opens Its Doors Celebrating The Artistic Spirit Of Youth
In collaboration with Langley Arts Fund, Langley Creates, Campus Stewards, and Woodhaven High School, we are excited to unveil a new youth arts program and gallery space at Readiness To Learn on April 20!
With our partners, we identified a need to increase opportunities for South Whidbey’s youth to engage in the creative visual arts beyond school. We took the next logical step and created a new youth arts program!
Please join us on Saturday, April 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the grand opening of Uprise Gallery’s inaugural show, “We Create Together: Celebrating Youth + Art,” at the South Whidbey Community Center.
Uprise Gallery: Youth Art Education Space will provide South Whidbey youth opportunities to learn, create, and display visual arts. This program encourages students to explore their creativity through drawing, painting, printmaking, graphic design, photography, and art as a business. Curated pieces from student portfolios will be displayed in the beautiful new Uprise Gallery, housed in the Grand Hall of South Whidbey Community Center, for the whole community to interact with and enjoy.
Here’s what Gail LaVassar, South Whidbey Community Center Director and Co-Executive Director of Readiness To Learn, has to say about youth opportunities in the art space, “Research shows that kids who engage in art are happier, mentally healthier, more innovative and stronger academically.”
Attendees can complete a survey to share thoughts and suggestions about this new program at the event. Refreshments will be served.
Center Conversation Series: Bobbe Bridge & Mary Yu on Sunday, April 21 @ 3:30 p.m.
Whidbey Island Center for the Arts proudly welcomes you to join us for an onstage conversation between retired Washington State Supreme Court Justice Bobbe Bridge and sitting Washington State Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu on how the groundbreaking work of women Supreme Court Justices relates to the courts today.
A Q&A will take place after the discussion.
Poetry in the Afternoon: April, Celebrate National Poetry Month!
The Bard’s Boutique Artist Spotlight presents: April, Celebrate National Poetry Month! Please join us upstairs in the Front Room Gallery at the Bayview Cash Store from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21 as we welcome local poets:
David Ossman,
Robin Barre,
Mary Elizabeth Himes,
Raúl Sánchez,
Dallas Huth.
Poetry in the Afternoon is a pay-what-you-will donation event to support Island Shakespeare Festival (www.islandshakespearefest.org), an outdoor summer of classical theater happening July 19-Sept. 8, 2024 and featuring Shakespeare’s “King Lear” and “The Lucky Chance” by Aphra Behn, open to everyone!
Reserve your poetry seat if you like at: https://www.ticketsource.us/island-shakespeare-festival/t-lnmxmnz
Look for future Sunday poetry readings with these themes:
Fathers: June 16; The Cusp: September 22.
The Bard’s Boutique in the Bayview Cash Store is located at 5603 Bayview Road in Langley.
How Nature Enhances Art: A Guided Tour by the Founder of the Sculpture Forest
Saturday April 27, 10 a.m.-12 noon
Wander through the Price Sculpture Forest on an interactive tour to learn about conservation, unique aspects of the park’s habitat, and how natural surroundings can enhance your experience of art. The walk will be led by the founder of the Sculpture Forest in celebration of Whidbey Earth & Ocean Month plus International Sculpture Day. Free and no reservations required. Please go to www.SculptureForest.org for more information and visitation details.
Price Sculpture Forest
678 Parker Rd, Coupeville
Whidbey Island Fairgrounds and Events Center Launches Adopt-a-Bench Volunteer Program
The Whidbey Island Fairgrounds and Events Center announces the launch of its new volunteer program, Adopt-a-Bench. The program aims to provide an opportunity for community members to make a meaningful contribution to their local fairgrounds.
The inaugural volunteer workday for the Adopt-a-Bench program is scheduled for April 27, and will involve cleaning and repairing the fairgrounds’ benches and picnic tables. Some benches require extra support and nails, while others need a fresh coat of paint. The goal of the workday is to prepare the fairgrounds for the upcoming summer season and make them more inviting for visitors.
The fairgrounds will provide basic tools and paints, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their fun fair-themed ideas and paint colors to personalize the benches. Once the work is done, volunteers can visit the fairgrounds for events and see the benches they have worked on, feeling proud of their contribution to the community.
The Adopt-a-Bench program is part of the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds and Events Center’s ongoing efforts to engage with the community and create a welcoming space for all visitors. The fairgrounds would like to thank all volunteers for their support and participation.
Learn the art of pasta making with workshops at the Wildly Beloved Foods Marketplace and Studio. Register for one of our classes instructed by founding owner Aurora Echo. Each workshop includes
Wine pairing
Light charcuterie
Fresh Pasta tasting
Choose your favorite themes including: a simple pasta, egg pasta, spinach pasta and stuffed pasta.
Inquire about private events! Friend events, birthdays, family gatherings, corporate team-building, and just for group foodie fun.
*In anticipation of the Farmers Market season please note our workshop days will move to Thursdays starting April 25.
Workshop dates:
Sunday, April 7 @ 3:30 p.m. Fresh Wild Mushroom Ravioli Class, $95
Sunday, April 14 @ 3:30 p.m. Fresh Tortelloni Pasta Class, $95
Saturday, April 20 @ 3:30 p.m. Fresh Egg Pasta Class, $70
Thursday, April 25 @ 3:30 p.m. Fresh Spinach Pasta Class, $70
Bloom’s Winery & 5511 Bistro Live Music @ 5:30 p.m.
April 6, David Locke
April 13, Gary Way jazz piano
April 20, John Hribernick
April 27, The Honey Duo Roz & Yana
Open Wednesday through Sunday. Now open Wednesday and Thursday for dinner, seating from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Open Friday and Saturday lunch and dinner, seating from noon to 7:30 p.m. Open Sunday lunch and dinner seating from noon – 6:30 p.m. Reservations recommended by calling 360-321-0515.
Wednesday Solo Artists at Double Bluff Brewing Company
Double Bluff Brewing Company presents “Solo in the City”, a more intimate, mid-week performance by a solo artist. Wednesdays 5:30-7 p.m.
Grab a drink, some food from Ikaika Bistro and listen to some cool hump day tunes!
Upcoming performances:
April 10: Andre Feriante
April 17: Alicia Elliott
April 24: Kevin Fristadt
May 1: Mike Hopkins
May 8: Mandy Johnson
Ott & Hunter Live Music Saturdays 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 6, Andre Feriante & Troy Chapman $30
Saturday, April 13, Whidbey Island String Trio, $30
Saturday, April 20, Desio Carmin, $30
Saturday, April 27, The unknowns, $25
Ott & Hunter Winery Tasting Room
204 First Street, Langley www.otthunter.com
Sales and Markets
The Backyard Whidbey Spring Offerings
Two-hour base parties 20% off!
The Backyard is a fun place for the whole family to play together!
Come work out while your kids play, run around with the kids and play together,
or celebrate a birthday or special occasion with us!
Bayview Farmer’s Market opens April 27 and will be open every Saturday until October 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. South Whidbey Tilth opens April 28, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and runs every Sunday until October 13.
Discover Pass Free Day
Monday, April 22nd (Earth Day)
at all Washington State Parks
Join Whidbey Island Distillery and Lavender Wind Farm
Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Visit Whidbey Island Distillery for a complimentary tasting of all our spirits, including the new limited Lavender Raspberry Liqueur.
Lavender Wind Farm will be on-site on Saturday, April 6th, with various lavender products to help us celebrate this release.
This is the perfect opportunity to indulge in world-renowned spirits, savor local lavender products, and taste our newest spring limited release.
Whidbey Island Center for the Arts is excited to be the location of a Huge Oriental Rug Sale, with new inventory and low prices! Over $300,000 of original handmade Oriental rugs in many sizes are slashed to the guaranteed lowest price!
Take advantage of this tremendous opportunity to purchase
high-quality rugs for a fraction of the cost!
Monday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 9 10 a.m -6 p.m.
Wednesday, April 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
WICA
565 Camano Ave., Langley
Book Your Summer Bioluminescence Tours Now with Whidbey Island Kayaking
We are excited to announce our 2024 Bioluminescence Experience dates and booking process! All of you wonderful people on our mailing list have exclusive access to booking these tours before the general public.
Key Details:
• Booking access links will be shared only via our email blasts
• We cannot ‘hold’ dates for you
• Our standard cancellation policies apply
• Exclusive access will end 3/31
2024 Bioluminescence Dates:
Summer Camps at Whidbey Island Waldorf School July 8-August 1
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 8 – August 1 for children ages 3-12
For camp details and registration see our website summer camps page: https://wiws.org/summercamps
Cost $300 per week for Grades campers and $425 per week for Early Childhood campers (ages 3-6)
Early Childhood families: we are offering a 10% discount if enrolling in all 4 weeks of EC Camp. No sibling discounts
There is limited financial assistance available, to apply please email summercamps@wiws.org
For more information call 360-341-5685 www.wiws.org
Introducing New Owners at Blooms Winery & 5511 Bistro
Virginia & Ken Bloom announce their retirement!
Blooms Winery & 5511 Bistro will have new owners starting in April!
Chef Kyle ONeill and wife Michelle will take over both winery and bistro.
They have been working with the Blooms since May and have plenty of experience, great new ideas and lots of energy!
The new wine blend they helped create – Legacy Trio has won a GOLD medal at Savor NW Wine Competition, a tribute to their winemaking skill! Congratulations to all!
Where did the Langley Library go?
Get ready for an exciting new chapter as the Langley Library
undergoes a major renovation.
During construction, library staff and services are available in a temporary location at the South Whidbey Community Center, 723 Camano Ave. This location is just a hop, skip, and jump away, and will offer great library services.
Books, DVDs
Magazines, newspapers
Holds pickup
Public computers
Printing/copying
Free Wi-Fi
When the remodel is complete in nine to 12 months, our community
will enjoy reading nooks, an interactive children’s area, and a new meeting room.
Langley Library
360-221-4383
Island Senior Resources needs volunteer Meals on Wheels drivers. Please call 360-321-1600.
Join the lunch bunch at Island Senior Resources for nutritious food and good company.
Keep up to date with ferry schedule changes:
Washington State Ferries | WSDOT https://wsdot.wa.gov
