The Langley Chamber of Commerce members Meeting will be Wednesday, August 9 at 9 a.m. at Prima Bistro. The guest speaker will be Sharon Sappington of Island County Economic Development Council All members and prospective members are welcome to sttend.
First Saturday Art Walk August 5, 5-7 p.m.
Artworks Gallery features Susan Bradley, whose work in colored pencil on stipple paper incorporates pointillism to bring out details through light and shadow. Her drawings of dogs and cats are often commissions. Artworks welcomes two new members to the gallery.Sarah Silverman-Pucci, watercolorist whose educational background is in scientific illustration. Watercolorist Judy LaCourse feels the Pacific Northwest offers infinite artistic inspiration. Her subjects are derived from her observations of island life: birds, sea life, flowers, boats, lighthouses, beaches, and the ever-changing character of coastal subjects.
August brings some of our near and dearest to Museo: Pete Jordan, Karen Abel and Skip Smith, all portraying the Pacific Northwest from their own unique perspective. These three artists are a wonderful representation of the strong Whidbey art community and are longtime Museo supporters – and good friends. Jordan famously brings the landscapes of Whidbey to life – his masterful touch creates an incredible sense of place. Beloved local ceramist Karen Abel delights with her architecturally inspired ceramics. Abel pushes the boundaries of land and the sea with this new collection – breaking out of her more typical “box” and playing with scale, shape and form. Our love affair with Skip Smith’s photography continues as he illuminates through a practiced eye. Smith gives us a reflective and thoughtful interior view with his Black & White photographs.
Rob Schouten Gallery presents: Celebrating the Life and Art of Alfredo Arreguín; 1935 – 2023. Renowned painter Alfredo Arreguín passed away in April of this year after a long and groundbreaking career. Arreguín was born in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico and came to Seattle in 1956. He attended the University of Washington, graduating with a BFA in 1967, and a MFA in 1969. Alfredo soon became an influential painter in the Seattle art scene. He is considered one of the founders of “Pattern Painting” along with artists like Chuck Close. Sunday afternoon, August 6 at 2 p.m. in the Sculpture Garden, there will be a remembrance of Alfredo’s life hosted by his close friend, poet Tess Gallagher with contributions from UW professor Lauro Flores, author of the definitive book Alfredo Arreguín: Patterns and Dreams of Nature. Other friends will also be speaking, and the public is invited to briefly comment as well. robschoutengallery.com
Whidbey Art Gallery on Second St in Langley will be brimming with new work from our featured member artist Doug Hansen and two guest artists, Rosie Brouse and John Lundberg. Doug’s years of art studies combined with his artisan skills have given rise to an inventive style that integrates oils and three-dimensional elements into unique pieces of art. Painter Rosie Brouse captures compelling landscapes in an energetic style. John Lundberg will show sculptures ranging from abstract to figurative.
Free Whidbey Working Artists Open Studio Tour August 19-20
Events
Wander/Wonder: a Sculptured Dance Happening at Price Sculpture Forest
Sharing with you the news that the big WANDER/WONDER professional dance event will be making a completely new encore this August 19, 1-3 p.m. at the Sculpture Forest! Famed choreographer Eva Stone is bringing 11 national caliber dancers into the Forest with all new choreographed performances that enhance and re-interpret selected sculptures. Visitors can stroll from any performance to any other performance throughout the event, which will consist of short dances at each sculpture repeated frequently so visitors can wander through on their own schedule and at their own paces. All donation proceeds will be split between Gifts From The Heart Food Bank and the Sculpture Forest.
Whidbey Island Holistic Health Association presents Medicine 3.0 and Exercise
Thursday, August 3, 4 p.m.
Medicine is evolving to a new level. Medicine 3.0 is focused on each individual’s proactive
prevention of degenerative diseases and on empowering you to delay or avoid completelythe “four horsemen” or the four degenerative
diseases most likely to destroy your health and end your life.
Whidbey Island Holistic Health Association presents Adam Fawcett, Whidbey Island’s functional strength and
muscle guru, who will give you an experiential introduction to the exercise component of this emerging medical model.
For more information visit wihha.com
National Lighthouse Day Celebration August 5, 12 noon – 4 p.m.
Music by All Island Community Band 1 – 2 p.m.
Presentation on the seven lighthouse keepers for Admiralty Head Lighthouse at 2 p.m.
Discover Pass required for parking.
Midsummer’s Afternoon Jazz Concert
Sunday, August 6th @ 3 p.m.
Island Jazz Collective plays a variety of familiar swing, blues, ballads,
and bossa novas, perfect for a sunny summer afternoon in the gardens.
Admission is $10 per person and children admitted free!
Bring a picnic basket, blanket, comfy chairs, and don’t forget the sunscreen.
Sunday, August 6, 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.@ Coupeville Wharf
Please join us as we commemorate the capture of Southern Resident orcas in Penn Cove and honor Lolita/Tokitae/Sk’aliChehl-tenaut – the only survivor. We will celebrate her courage and resilience and the plans to return her to a seapen in her home waters.
1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Join us for educational displays, presentations, and a dockside ceremony. A portion of this event will be livestreamed to TokiTV.
Confirmed speakers:
Howard Garrett, Orca Network
Sandra Pollard, Author of “Puget Sound Whales for Sale”
and “A Puget Sound Orca in Captivity”
Additional speakers to be announced soon.
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. – Help us raise funds for our education and advocacy efforts and join us for a ceremonial boat trip to the capture site in Penn Cove onboard the Suva or Cutty Sark. Tickets are $75 and registration is available at https://www.orcanetwork.org/events/penn-cove-orca-capture-commemoration-…
If you have your own boat or kayak please join us for a procession to the capture site as we honor Tokitae and her family members who were captured in 1970.
Goosefoot invites the public to an Affordable Design Workshop on August 7 at the SW Community Center @ 4:45 p.m.
All are welcome to attend and share questions, comments, ideas, and feedback on the project.
Attendees will be entered into a raffle prize drawing. Kindly RSVP to housinggroup@goosefoot.org, and if Spanish or ASL interpretation would be helpful to you, please let us know.
Island Shakespeare Fest
Weekends through September 10
Island Shakespeare Festival opens its summer season on Friday, July 21 with “Romeo and Juliet” and opens Hannah Cowley’s “A Bold Stroke for a Husband” on Thursday, July 27. The season offers 6 p.m. and some 1 p.m. Sunday performances rotating Thursdays through Sundays until
Sept. 10. Bring a picnic for the family and enjoy the wine, beer and refreshments garden before the show! Pay-what-you-will at the tent or
get reservations at islandshakespearefest.org.
Janice Robinson plays Juliet and Kellan Oelkers plays Romeo in ISF’s production of “Romeo and Juliet” opening Friday, July
21 through Sept. 10.
Camila Calerdón, Breezy Diabo, Lydia Medeiros, Jacq Babb, and Janice Robinson play the intelligent and interesting women of “A Bold
Stroke for a Husband” opening Thursday, July 27 through Sept. 9.
Soupbox Derby free Car-Making Clinic August 19
Hey future Soupbox Derby racers! Check out this free workshop offered by a team of seasoned derby racers, welders, woodworkers and artists, just in time for the Langley Soupbox Derby on September 17th.
Open to all, ages 7 and up. (Kids must be accompanied by an adult.) Bring spare wheels and parts! See poster for more details.
Thank you Tim Callison, Tim Leonard and friends!
Bring the whole family to this tribute to Tokitae.
WICA Presents Happy Hour Under the Tent
Friday and Saturday nights through August 26, 5-7 p.m. Free admission. Musicians and groups listed are scheduled to play during the given Happy Hour slot for tips. Happy Hours do not have a cover charge or a minimum purchase! Soft drinks, beer and wine available for purchase.
Aug 4 | Doug Rorbach and Double Diamonds
Aug 5 | Vintage Country Folk Band
Aug 11 | Barbara Dunn and Bev Heising
Aug 12 | Four
Aug 18 | Fiddle Chix
Aug 19 | Unity Family Band
Aug 25 | Forrest and Mariam Anderson
Aug 26 | Kristi O’Donnell’s Café Impromptu Quartet
Bluegrass Festival at Meerkerk Gardens
Get ready for some great music, delicious food and toe-tappin’ fun. The Bluegrass Festival at Meerkerk Gardens is August 19. The festival is from noon till 4 p.m. Come take in the sound of bluegrass from three groups on the gazebo stage with the Salish Sea serving as a stunning backdrop.
Cheer on Whidbey Island’s own Cranberry Bog Bluegrass Band from noon till 1 p.m. They’ll be followed by another island favorite, the Fiddle Chix, 1:30-2:30 p.m., and Rusty Rails, to finish the day 3-4 p.m.
Adult admission to the Bluegrass Festival is $15 – payable at the Meerkerk gatehouse entry by cash, check, credit card or prepay on our website.
Bring your own seating. Parking is limited so please carpool, take the bus, ride a bike, or walk, if possible. Kids under 16 are free.
We would like to thank our event sponsors Heritage Bank and Terra Firma Wealth Management for all the support they have given to this event.
This year marks the 21-year anniversary of Tour de Whidbey. Since 2002, the Whidbey community has come together around a unified mission to host this bicycle ride fundraiser—which is currently known as one of the most beautiful rides in the Pacific Northwest. More than 6,000 cyclists and their families visited Whidbey from 23 states, Canada, and 87 towns in Washington to enjoy some of the most scenic vistas in the Pacific Northwest and to raise money for health needs on the island. For 21 years, proceeds raised by Tour de Whidbey went directly to support the highest priority needs of surgical and diagnostic equipment for WhidbeyHealth.
In addition to supporting health and economic vitality, “Tour de Whidbey breaks diversity barriers, promotes an inclusive culture, and brings the community from the north, central, and south Whidbey together around a unified mission. In 2022, our youngest participant was one year old, and our oldest rider was 81 years old,” stated Samar Arny, Executive Director of the WhidbeyHealth Foundation. “The diversity and inclusion of all ages and backgrounds in one event promoting health, outdoors, and fun times are remarkable attributes of this fundraiser.” Hundreds of volunteers sign up annually from all over the island in this friend-raiser to coordinate logistics across the 6 bike routes or to help at the 10 fully stocked break stations.
There are several ways to participate and contribute with us. Start by registering your family or friends to ride. Sign up to volunteer or donate towards the cause and the sustainability of this initiative. For more information, contact Samar Arny ArnySa@whidbeyhealth.org or Heather Tenore TenorH@whidbeyhealth.org.
2023 Whidbey Island Music Festival
Single tickets and Festival Passes are on sale now!
Purchase a 2023 Festival Pass and receive access to ALL ticketed concerts
at the 2023 Whidbey Island Music Festival and VIP seating.
August 6 – Organ Recital: Bach, Pachelbel, Böhm, Buxtehude, Marchand,
St. Augustine’s @ 3 p.m.
August 9 – Coupeville Waterfront Wednesday Series – The Orphan, the Fencer and the Genius
– FREE pop-up concert @ 4 p.m.
August 12 – Whidbey Farm and Market, Oak Harbor – The Orphan, the Fencer and the Genius
– FREE Pop- up concert @ 1 p.m.
August 12 – J.S. Bach Cello Suites with William Skeen, St. Augustine’s @ 7 p.m.
August12 – J.S. Bach Cello Suites with William Skeen, Cultus Bay Gardens @ 3 p.m.
Music and Movement classes are $20
All other concerts are $30
Pop-up concerts are FREE
Complete artist, program and venue details at: www.whidbeyislandmusicfestival.org
Announcing Wednesdays at WICA
Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) shares the lineup of one-night-only performances coming this summer from ISF and WICA. We’ve partnered to put together programming that will scintillate, educate, excite, and delight. See below for details and ticket links!
Expand the Canon: Why We Need Women Writers Wednesday, August 2
How many classic female playwrights can you name? If the answer is less than three, you should attend this event! Meet Emily Lyon (she/her), the Artistic Director of New York’s Hedgepig Ensemble Theatre –– and director of Island Shakespeare Festival’s A Bold Stroke for a Husband. We’ll discuss the need for a canon of classics that includes a diverse group of women, who some of those women are, and what you can do to help expand the canon.
Emily will begin with a discussion of Hedgepig’s cornerstone program, Expand the Canon. This will be followed by a handful of scenes and monologues performed by Island Shakespeare Festival actors. Finally, WICA’s Executive Artistic Director Deana Duncan (she/her) will facilitate a conversation between Emily, and Island Shakespeare Festival’s Executive Artistic Director Olena Hodges (she/her), to discuss their three year (and beyond) partnership. This is not an event to miss!
Wednesday August 9: Patio party with ISF company members!
Join us for a summer night under the WICA tent to meet and greet the ISF company.
No tickets, free to attend!
In Another Light: An Island Shakespeare Variety Show Wednesday, August 16
Get ready to see Shakespearean actors “in another light”! The multi-talented company of artists from Island Shakespeare Festival (ISF) share their variety of talents not seen onstage this summer at the ISF stage. Singing, dancing, burlesque, and more, this fundraising variety show will delight, surprise, and entertain all!
Recommended for mature audiences.
The Radical Act of Dance Wednesday, August 23
Join Island Shakespeare Festival company members Parmida Ziaei (she/her) and Helen Roundhill (they/them) as we explore how dance can be a radical form of protest. Dance as Protest: Woman, Life Freedom and Beyond
Dance as a form of political protest has a long history among many movements around the world. Parmida Ziaei (she/her), an Iranian dancer and artist (and ISF choreographer and scenic designer), will share more about the history and significance of using dance and movement as a form of resistance, specifically as it relates to the current revolution and uprising in Iran. The discussion is followed by a performance of Journey, an original piece choreographed and conceived by Parmida Ziaei and performed by Parmida Ziaei, Nakisa Dehpanah and Stephanie Su. Journey is a performance, centered around the concept of immigration, loss and resilience of women. Journey explores what it means to leave something behind – your loved ones, your home country, and your identity. It’s about what happens when you decide to stay and bleed for freedom. This performance is dedicated to the brave people of Iran fighting for freedom.
Artwork by Nakisa Dehpanah animated by Stephanie Su A Night of Burlesque
Burlesque has existed, in one form or another, for centuries. In that time it has evolved tremendously and taken on new significance as every new generation of performers redefines it. What began as a variety show based in bawdy humor and parody has become the intersection of dance, arts and crafts, story-telling, and a body positive movement. What has remained consistent throughout the years has been the use of irreverence, frivolity, humor, absurdity, beauty, and scandal to defy convention. As bodies are increasingly politicized and policed in public spaces, Pearl Clutch and friends will explore the significance Burlesque may take on in coming years. Curated by Helen Roundhill (they/them).
The Last Babushka: A Staged Reading by Amy Wheeler (she/they)
Wednesday, August 30
Details to follow
And of course, don’t miss our productions in rep outdoors at ISF! Romeo & Juliet and A Bold Stroke for a Husband run through September 10!
Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) is located in Langley at 565 Camano Avenue.
Summer Festival: Ice Cream, Fire Truck & Dance Party
Saturday, August 12, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Free event!
Ice cream, fire truck, and a dance party, oh my! We’re celebrating summer with an outdoor festival featuring music spun by local DJ Portals of Creation, ice cream courtesy of Sprinklz, a fire truck courtesy of South Whidbey Fire/EMS, face painting, crafts, outdoor activities, and more. Let’s all get together and share in the fun! https://sno-isle.bibliocommons.com/events/6441ae4715e0d237009ea82a
#3 Join Whidbey’s Saratoga Orchestra for our Farm to Fiddle Summer Gala
Friday evening August 25 @ Greenbank Farm
More details coming soon!
Bayview Corner Street Dances
Goosefoot is pleased to announce the 2023 lineup for the Bayview Corner Summer Street Dances. All members of the community and visitors are invited to these free, family friendly celebrations.
Street Dances are every other Wednesday—June 14 through September 6— from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bayview Cash Store, 5603 Bayview Road. Rain or shine! Beer, wine, and soft drinks are available for purchase and picnic dinners are welcome.
August 10 – PETE is the quintessential Whidbey Island garage band, performing rock & blues dance music and American groove music. The band is comprised of Goosefoot’s own Fredde Butterworth on drums, Dave Draper and Tom Hoeflich on guitar, Marc Strader on bass, with special guests David Licastro on guitar and Danny Ward on sax.
August 24 – Western Heroes have been providing original dance music to the Whidbey Island community for 14 years. From polka to punk, their diverse collection of songs are played with one goal in mind: to get people up and moving. Michael and David Licastro provide vocals and guitar, Lorraine Newland on bass and vocals, David Maloney on drums, and Larry Neubauer on keyboard and vocals.
September 6 – Doctor Savage is brewing up the funkiest concoction. Featuring the talents of some of the Pacific Northwest’s finest musicians, including Joanna Cook on vocals, Keegan Harshman on bass, Eric Vanderbilt Matthews on keyboard/sax, and more. This band is sure to get your toes tappin’, booty shakin’, and keep the party going!
Little BIG Fest August 11 – 13
Little BIG Fest Music and Arts Festival is back August 11-13 at the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds and Events Center in Langley. Our goal is to support live music, music education, local arts and provide an amazing event for our community full of friends, family and unforgettable memories. Enjoy over 20 bands, beer gardens featuring local beer, wine and cider, art, retail and food vendors, family zone, healing zone, yoga, silent disco and more! Tickets and camping passes available now including day and weekend passes with or without camping. Camping options include tent camping, car camping and RV passes. More info at littlebigfest.org.
Shake N’ Bake at Whidbey Island’s Newest Automotive Festival August 19
Join us at the highly anticipated Shake N’ Bake Automotive Festival on August 19 at the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds in Langley. Gates open at Noon.
The festival promises to be a haven for car enthusiasts, featuring exciting competitions and awards for participating vehicles. Judging will take center stage as cars compete for the top spot and bragging rights.
Walking in and viewing the cars is free. If you’d like to park your car on the midway to show it off, it’s only $10. For those who want to enter the competition and have their car judged, there is an additional fee of $15, but the opportunity to win an award is priceless.
Produced and sponsored by a group of car enthusiasts based out of Oak Harbor. They host Friday night car meets at Windjammer Park, cruise-ins around the county, and other fun events for everyone who loves cars. More info can be found at www.instagram.com/redline_whidbey_island
DjangoFest Northwest 2023
September 20 – 24
Individual Concert Tickets and Passes Now Available
DFNW Passes for the general public are now on sale!
Individual concert tickets went on sale to the general public July 14th.
Call the box office to purchase your Festival Pass today.
(Box office hours: Tuesday – Friday 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.)
360-221-8268
This Saturday, August 5 we will have some incredible guitar music at our Back Alley Summer Jam Concert Series! Quinn Fitzpatrick will be playing under the open, blue PNW sky at 5:15 p.m.
New on tap this week is a hard-to-find-anywhere-else Gose. A tart and slightly sour wheat ale with coriander, we changed it by adding a healthy amount of finishing hops, giving it a lot of hop flavors without the bitterness. Truly a unique beer. Also back on tap after a very long pause is our Makimwe IPA, a quintessential West Coast IPA.
For the full line-up of our beers go to: dblfbrewing.com/beers.html
We look forward to seeing you in our Back Alley!
The DBLF Brew Crew
Bloom’s Winery Live Music 5:30 p.m. Saturdays
Saturday, August 5, Alicia and David
Saturday, August 12, Honey Duo (Roz & Yana)
Saturday, August 19, Eric Arnold
Saturday, August 26, Russell Clepper
Blooms Winery & 5511 Bistro is open Thursday through Sunday
Thursday dinner only, starts at 4 p.m.
Friday through Sunday lunch 12-3 p.m. dinner starts at 4 p.m.
Saturday evening enjoy live music while you dine our fresh casual cuisine,
with wonderful wines made on site, local brews and tasty desserts!
All fresh, wholesome and made in house. Sit back, relax and enjoy!
Music Night events are currently by reservation only and your entrance fee includes appetizer selections served directly to your table. Wine is available by the glass or bottle for your enjoyment. Music Nights are Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 3, Jesse Thoreson & The Crown Fire
Saturday, August 5 Andre Feriante & Michael Powers $30
Saturday, August 12, The Porch Bothers $25
Saturday, August 19, Local Secrets $25
Saturday, August 26, Beliza! John Stowell & Dmitri Matheny $25
Ott & Hunter Winery Tasting Room
204 First Street, Langley www.otthunter.com
Penn Cove Brewing Company Freeland Taproom
Weekly $5 Pints Special This Pint Special is good all day on Mondays and Tuesdays!
Every Thursday Open Mic with Asher and Asa at 7 p.m. Bring your musical talents into Freeland and join the melodic rumpus with our Beertender Dani! Sign up at the bar.
Every Wednesday Trivia with Count Kristo at 6:30 p.m.Topics to be released on social media prior, stayed tuned!
Every Thursday Open Mic with Asa at 7 p.m. Bring your musical talents into Freeland and join the melodic rumpus with our Beertender, Dani! Sign up at the bar.
Saturday August 5, Live Music, Four, 7-9 p.m. Four is a Whidbey Island combo that brings the music you like to listen and dance to. From lowdown blues & bossa novas to uptown boogie and swing dance tunes. Always a crowd pleaser!
Friday August 25, Live Music, The Buckets, 7-9 p.m.
Playing your favorite classic rock, Pop, folk, blues and country, The Buckets are ready to entertain. With a range from soulful to soaring, the buckets feature Donovan Jones on vocals and Johnny Stephens on guitar and vocals.
Events at Seabiscuit Bakery & Co
Pizza nights are here, as well as the return of our Wednesday in the Woods Summer Concert Series. View the menu and get more info at: www.seabiscuitbakery.com/upcoming-events/
Stop by the Bakery the night of for a la carte slices, salads, sweets and beverages – no reservations, tickets or pre-orders needed.
Summer Concert Series 5-8 p.m.
August 16, Ross-a-con
August 30, Janie Cribbs and The T.Rust Band
September 13, Ross-a-con
September 27, Barncat
Open Daily
7 a.m. – 3 p.m. (or ’til sell out)
Open 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays for Pizza Night
Open 7-10 p.m. Fridays for Cocktail & Crumb
Seabiscuit Bakery & Co
3228 Lake Leo Way, Langley
360-321-2290
Whidbey Island Kayaking Offers Special Summer Tours
We’re back at the Captain Whidbey Inn and are excited to share this popular tour that dives into the rich history, habitat and aquaculture of Penn Cove. You’ll paddle along bluffs fringed with stately madrona trees and under the watchful eyes of herons and eagles. Cap your adventure with a drink or meal at the restaurant of The Captain Whidbey, enjoying a front-seat view of the cove. Here’s what people are saying about our Captain Whidbey guided tour…
“Awesome experience! We did the private two hour Captains Loop in Penn Cove. Tucker was a knowledgeable and friendly guide. Patricia was a huge help too getting us set up. We saw seals pop up close-ish to our kayaks, bald eagles, and lots of other cool wildlife. Learned a lot about the island during the tours. Boats and equipment were high quality and clean. Would highly recommend!” ~ JA
Maybe it’s a point-to-point Kingfisher Tour your interested in? Take the morning or an afternoon to enjoy a scenic exploration of Whidbey’s coastline. You’ll do some good paddling but will also take the time to glide close to shore for close-ups.
“Thank you, WIK!!! Fantastic pt to pt five mile paddle yesterday. Wonderful team. Mt Baker in view all morning! Tons of marine life and Patricia, Krista, and Sue are so welcoming and knowledgable about the island. Don’t wait. Book it now!” ~ ju_
Whidbey Island Kayaking
5781 Bayview Road, Langley
Nutcracker Community Auditions and More! at Whidbey Island Dance Theatre
Whidbey Island Dance Theatre (WIDT) prepares for its annual Nutcracker Ballet by inviting the community to its Nutcracker Community Auditions on Saturday, Sept. 16 at Island Dance Studio, 714 Camano Ave. in Langley.
Come dancers and family members, come little ones and elders! We welcome everyone from age 6 to 96 to audition! No prior dance experience is necessary to be a part of this magical holiday tradition where 100 roles are available including elves, butterflies, bumblebees, forest creatures, mice, rats, soldiers, cousins, aunts and uncles!
Audition times are 12 to 12:45 p.m. for ages 16-adult; 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. ages 6-7; 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. ages 8-10; and 2:15 to 3 p.m. ages 11-15. Questions: Call 360-341-2221 or email: whidbeyidt@gmail.com.
Great news! WIDT has two new artistic directors for its 2023/24 season with Jamee Pitts and Mark Thrapp will be leading the new season. These directors have new and exciting things to present this season, starting with an even more magical Nutcracker, now going into its 31st production on Whidbey! Both Pitts and Thrapp are longtime dance instructors, choreographers and performers at WIDT and are looking forward to taking the helm and producing not only their beloved holiday ballet, but also the annual spring concert “A Celebration of Dance” in April.
Would you like to be involved? We need volunteers for all our events and fundraisers, to keep the young dancers of WIDT in training and performance. Would you like to help with ushering, costumes, backstage duties, fundraising or helping with technical duties? We would love to have everybody who is willing to lend a hand. Please reach out by email at whidbeyidt@gmail.com or find out more about WIDT and see where you might like to help at our website widtonline.org.
See you at the auditions in September!
Aquatic Wellness & Recreation Center
“For” and “Against” Committees
On the November 7, 2023 ballot, registered South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District voters will be asked to consider an unlimited tax general obligation bond funding for the design, development, construction, and commissioning of a new aquatic wellness and recreation center.
This is a maximum 29-year bond of $27,000,000. The estimated levy rate beginning in 2024 is 17 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, which equates to an estimated annual cost of $85 to a homeowner whose assessed value is $500,000.
The District is seeking volunteers from the community to be on the “For” and “Against” committes for this measure. Each committee may have up to three individuals and is responsible for writing the “For” and “Against” statements for the Voter Guide and submitting them to the Elections Division in accordance with the timeline for the November election.
Interested parties should contact South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District Business Manager, Carrie Monforte at swparks@swparks.org or 360-221-5484.
LCOC Seeking Visitor Center Representative
Langley Chamber of Commerce is seeking a Visitor Center Representative to work in our downtown Langley office part time.
Job Summary
Seeking a dynamic, multi-faceted, self-directing person that enjoys wearing many hats and has a customer service mindset to be part of a small staff in downtown Langley on a part-time basis.
Responsibilities
As part of the Langley Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center team, and as an ambassador of the City of Langley, you will be responsible for greeting visitors to the city in person, via email and on the telephone. Maintaining contact with our local member businesses, event purveyors and attractions, to stay current, is also a key component of the position.
You will be responsible for management of the LCOC’s social media, with the Executive Director’s input, to include developing social media strategies, scheduling ongoing campaigns, developing seasonal campaigns, developing content, and analyzing results.
Updating the LCOC website, VisitLangley.com, and adding content will also be part of the day-to-day responsibility of your position.
You will be part of producing several events the LCOC sponsors each year. As part of that function, you will be responsible for obtaining and coordinating licenses, insurance, vendors, venues; soliciting sponsorships; managing communication and analyzing results.
The position is part time (20 hours per week) and requires office hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Additionally, other hours, as required by the demands of the job, which may include attendance at meetings and events, some of which occur on weekends or evenings.
Job Requirements
Proficiency in speaking to the public and business writing.
Outgoing, friendly personality.
Ability to adapt to changing job requirements.
Knowledge of, and ability to use computer programs, such as word, excel, InDesign and Photoshop.
Knowledge of and ability to use social media programs to include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.
Knowledge of Whidbey Island and the business community is helpful.
Prior customer service experience is helpful.
Marketing background is helpful.
Prior business background is helpful.
Drop off your resume at the Visitor Center at 208 Anthes Avenue or email langley@whidbey.com
Soup Box Derby 2023
The Langley Community Club and Langley Main Street Association are hoping to bring back Langley’s Classic Soup Box Derby and we need your help. Date for this year’s event is Sunday, September 17.
Aside from day of event helpers we are seeking help with pre-event organizing.
We need volunteers for the following lead positions:
Event Registration: Includes organizing event paperwork (waivers of liability etc.), pre-registration, coordination of safety checks for participants and vehicles.
Clerk of Course: Includes organizing event set up and take down. Includes announcers dais set up, PA system, overall course safety and security.
Straw Bale Captain: Includes straw bale purchase, delivery coordination, placement on street, coordinating resale of straw bales after event completion.
What can you offer us in volunteer help?
Thank you for your help as we move ahead with this Langley 60-year-old tradition.
Get involved in your community.
Contact: John Lawson Langley Community Club/Langley Main Street Association
206-498-3774 jlawson203@gmail.com
Join the lunch bunch at Island Senior Resources for nutritious food and good company.
Garden Tours Expand at Meerkerk Gardens
Spring is a magical time to visit Meerkerk Gardens. If you’d like to explore the gardens during this beautiful time while also learning about plants and a little history about a unique property, consider a guided tour.
Volunteer docents will be leading 40-minute tours of Meerkerk Fridays at 1 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. These tours are free with your $5 paid admission to the Gardens.
Explore the hidden corners of Meerkerk and discover something you never knew about rhododendrons. Meerkerk’s specialty nursery will also be open during this time.
Meerkerk Gardens is 53-acre garden and woodland preserve located at 3531 Meerkerk Lane in Greenbank (take the Resort Road exit off Highway 525). The nonprofit Gardens are open from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. every day of the year except during extreme weather events.
Adult admission is $5. Children under 16 are free. Dogs on leash are welcome.
