Orcas Center

Contemporary Dance meets Sundays 10-11:15am and Tuesdays 10-11:15am at the Orcas Center Dance Studio. Drop-in classes are $20, or save with a 5- or 10-class pass for $15 per class. Passes can be purchased through the Parks & Rec website or in person at the office (30 Pea Patch Lane, Eastsound, WA). Register here: https://orcasparkandrec.org/

Audition Notice: Kids Got Talent Auditions: September 16th 2:30pm – 4:30pm Tech and Dress: September 24th, 3:30-6:30pm Performance Dates: September 25th at 6pm and September 26th at 2pm AUDITIONS SIGNUP (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1sWAKYMsRT3OsHMi83tAyNIFNRtWaJiHRQs0HAAP7F0Q/viewform?edit_requested=true) Auditions for Orcas Center’s youth talent show will take place on Wednesday, September 16th from 2:30-4:30pm in the Black Box Theater. Bring your talent and show us your act! Your performance can incorporate anything from song and dance to skits to playing an instrument. All acts must be under two and a half minutes in length. Organizers will select the most appropriate acts for the two shows, which will take place on Friday, September 25th at 6pm and Saturday, September 26th at 2pm. Self-tape auditions will also be accepted if you are unable to attend in-person. Self-taped auditions should be sent to clint@clintmccunemusic.com by Sept. 18th at 6pm. If your act requires a backing track please email the file or a YouTube link, or if your act requires anything technical beyond a single microphone (guitar amp, drum kit, multiple microphones, video, etc.) email Clint at clint@clintmccunemusic.com with your details or questions. The organizers reserve the right to not include or cut any performance that we deem under-prepared, inappropriate, or if the participant’s behavior is inappropriate or disruptive at any time. The show is not a competition – just a fun, community showcase of local youth talent! You can purchase tickets online at www.orcascenter.org. Tickets for the performances can be purchased online at orcascenter.org. (https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200544437)

On Center Stage: https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200544201Moment of Truth for American Democracy Wednesday, September 16th at 5pm Ticket Pricing: FREE Tickets required: GET YOUR FREE TICKET (https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200544201) PRE-ORDER HEDRICK’S NEW BOOK (https://www.amazon.com/Road-Autocracy-Lost_and-Recover_Our-Democracy/dp/B0HCCKDKY7/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bcBYywaTSegsD2P3PHpQ-JTu0z50kRi9l3JJZsTPayM.KO7pyyT2DFcaR6X6v4nVrrf-H_i7oE4vhcsCEAdAuUs&dib_tag=se&keywords=hedrick+smith%2C+the+road+to+autocracy&qid=1786738617&sr=8-1) [ VOLUNTEER FOR THIS EVENT ] (https://orcascenter.ludus.com/volunteer/opportunity/12447) Moment of Truth for American Democracy https://www.amazon.com/Road-Autocracy-Lost_and-Recover_Our-Democracy/dp/B0HCCKDKY7/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bcBYywaTSegsD2P3PHpQ-JTu0z50kRi9l3JJZsTPayM.KO7pyyT2DFcaR6X6v4nVrrf-H_i7oE4vhcsCEAdAuUs&dib_tag=se&keywords=hedrick+smith%2C+the+road+to+autocracy&qid=1786738617&sr=8-1 Click Here to Pre-Order The past 20 months have been unprecedented in U.S. history. Donald Trump has overridden the constitutional separation of powers and put America on the path to autocracy. And he has been protected by Republican majorities in Congress that have acquiesced in his one-man rule, refusing to limit his war powers, his global trade war, his vendettas against political enemies, his threats to interfere with elections or his wangling personal immunity from tax investigations by the I.R.S. By contrast, majorities of rank-and-file Americans have voiced their disapproval of Trump’s presidency. In poll after poll, solid majorities have rejected what they see as Trump’s abuse of power, his trampling on Congress and the separation of powers. On specific issues, majorities have given thumbs down to his handling of the economy, his tariffs, inflation, the violence of the ICE immigration crackdown, and his costly, unprovoked war against Iran. The question now is whether these unhappy majorities will take their anger to the ballot box and turn over control of the U.S. House and Senate to Democrats and others committed to checking Trump and starting to restore our constitutional guardrails in the next two years? Or will Trump find some way to disrupt the mid-term elections and control the outcome to keep Congress in the hands of Republicans so that he can accumulate even more power? Pre-Order Hedrick’s Forthcoming Book: The Road to Autocracy: How We Lost―and Can Recover―Our Democracy (https://www.amazon.com/Road-Autocracy-Lost_and-Recover_Our-Democracy/dp/B0HCCKDKY7/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bcBYywaTSegsD2P3PHpQ-JTu0z50kRi9l3JJZsTPayM.KO7pyyT2DFcaR6X6v4nVrrf-H_i7oE4vhcsCEAdAuUs&dib_tag=se&keywords=hedrick+smith%2C+the+road+to+autocracy&qid=1786738617&sr=8-1), released in March 9th, 2027. Hedrick’s new book will include results from the November 2026 Midterm elections. Author Biography: Hedrick Smith is a Pulitzer Prize–winning former New York Times reporter, Emmy Award-winning PBS documentary producer, and author of multiple bestsellers including The Russians, The Power Game: How Washington Works, and Who Stole the American Dream? In Smith’s twenty-six years with the Times, he covered the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War from Saigon, and the Cold War from Moscow and Washington; he reported on six presidents and served as Washington bureau chief and chief correspondent from 1976 to 1988. In 1971, he was a coauthor of the Pentagon Papers series, and in 1974, he won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting. He has a website and a YouTube Channel, The People vs. the Politicians. https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200544201

Contemporary Dance meets Thursdays 5:15-6:45pm at Orcas Oddfellows. Drop-in classes are $20, or save with a 5- or 10-class pass for $15 per class. Passes can be purchased through the Parks & Rec website or in person at the office (30 Pea Patch Lane, Eastsound, WA). Register here: https://orcasparkandrec.org/

https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200540851Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage: Henry ‘Oz: The German Magician Comedy Magic Show Friday, September 18 at 7 p.m. Tiered ticket prices (https://orcascenter.org/ticket-prices/): $70, $40, or $25, ($10 student/senior/veteran tickets available) [ VOLUNTEER FOR THIS EVENT ] (https://orcascenter.ludus.com/volunteer/opportunity/11704) Henry ‘Oz: The German Magician After a string of full houses across the San Juan Islands, professional magician Henry ‘Oz brings his comedy magic show to Orcas Center’s Main Stage on Friday, Sept. 18. It is his first appearance on the island’s largest theater. Known across the islands as “The German Magician,” ‘Oz has spent the past few years performing everywhere islanders gather: theaters, weddings, private parties, corporate and community events, from Roche Harbor to Lopez to Eastsound. His three theater productions, at Sea View Theatre, Odd Fellows Hall and most recently Lopez Center, where more than 180 guests filled the room, all ended in standing ovations. More than 1,000 guests have seen him perform on the San Juan Islands alone, and his shows hold a 4.97 average across 40-plus five-star reviews. “Magic is not about fooling people, it is about moving them,” said ‘Oz. “This island gave me a home and an audience. One evening on the Orcas Center stage, all of us laughing together and believing the impossible for a moment, that is my thank-you.” The 60-minute show blends sleight of hand, storytelling and comedy, with audience participation woven through the entire evening. True to his tagline, “German precision. American stage. Real wonder.”, ‘Oz pairs European craft with American stage humor. The performance is suitable for all ages, and a meet and greet follows the show. ‘Oz picked up his first deck of cards at 17, not to fool people, he says, but to connect with them. More than 25 years later, that is still the point. He came to America in 2021 looking for freedom, found it on Orcas Island, and never looked back. His shows are built around a single moment: the split second when the mind says impossible and the heart says maybe. The show begins at 7:00pm on Friday, Sept. 18 at Orcas Center, 917 Mt. Baker Road, Eastsound. Tickets are $70, $40, or $25,  with $10 student/senior/veteran tickets also available at orcascenter.org. Recent show footage is available at henryoz.com. [ Volunteer for Henry ‘Oz: The German Magician ] (https://orcascenter.ludus.com/volunteer/opportunity/11704) https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200540851

Orcas Center Presents: Role Out: ’26-’27 Season Sunday, September 20th 4:00pm – 6:00pm FREE After a rolicking summer of free outdoor shows to close out the year, Orcas Center is launching its 2026-27 season, which is also the organization’s 40th anniversary season. Anyone interested in their community arts center is invited to a “Role Out” on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 4 to 6 p.m for this festive free event. It’s a chance to learn about your Center’s inner workings and see a sneak peek at what is ahead for the coming year. Oh, and food will be served! Executive Artistic Director Jake Perrine is eager to share how Orcas Center has been thriving this past year, and talk about the path ahead. Those in attendance will hear results from the Center’s annual membership vote, an overview of the finances and facility improvements, meet staff and board members, learn about arts-related classes launching this fall, local productions in the works, touring acts to be presented, and an award ceremony for stars of the past season. Following the presentation on the main stage, head over to the Madrona Room for snacks, sign up for volunteering and auditioning opportunities, and learn about becoming a member of your local arts organization. “Orcas Center stands here today because a group of people came together 50 years ago with a vision and a dream,” Perrine said. “A dream, not just of erecting a building, but of building a place where future generations of dreamers could come together and enact their visions and dedication to their craft. And that dream is alive and well today due to the support of countless people like you who believe that coming together and realizing visions is at the core of what it means to be alive. Orcas Center membership is a pledge of support to these intangible ideals and the vision of this place. It is a commitment, a leaning in towards our shared belief that art is not an elective or a hobby, but is as essential to our community as the air we breathe.” There are two ways you can be an Orcas Center member: you can make a donation, or donate your time as a volunteer. Visit orcascenter.org (http://orcascenter.org/) for more information, and come to the Role Out!

Visual Arts Committee Presents: Community Show: Of The Water Art Opening: Friday, September 25th; 5:30pm – 7pm On Display: September 25th – October 21st All are invited to attend the Art Opening on Friday, September 25th from 5:30 to 7 p.m., featuring live entertainment and complimentary refreshments. Artists are urged to attend and contribute hors d’oeuvres. To learn more about exhibiting your art, commission structures, and upcoming shows, please visit the VAC page.

https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200544437Kids Got Talent 2026 Saturday, Sep. 26 at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sep. 27 at 2 p.m. Center Stage Tiered Tickets (https://orcascenter.org/ticket-prices/): $25, $40, or $70 ($10 Student/Senior/Veteran tickets available) GET TICKETS (https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200544437) | VOLUNTEER TO USHER (https://orcascenter.ludus.com/volunteer/opportunity/6065) Kids Got Talent Orcas Center’s annual youth talent show will highlight the island’s youngest performers who will sing and dance, do skits or play an instrument. The show is on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m., and will be hosted by 12-year-old Agathe Elverum. Kids Got Talent is directed by Clint McCune. The show is not a competition – just a fun, community showcase of local youth talent! Come support our young, brave entertainers. https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200544437

https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200546927Orcas Center Presents: Karen Hall: Delusions and Grandeur Thursday, October 1 @ 7pm Center Stage Tiered Ticketing: (https://orcascenter.org/ticket-prices/) $25, $40, and $70 ($10 student/senior/veteran tickets available) [ VOLUNTEER FOR THIS EVENT ] (https://orcascenter.ludus.com/volunteer/opportunity/12449) Karen Hall: Delusions and Grandeur ”As irreverent as it is poignant” (Australian Arts Review). Come for the music, stay for the existential crisis as genre-blurring jester and cellist Karen Hall peels back the layers of formality leaving you with only the humanity and insanity of the artist behind the instrument. And yourself. Featuring Suite Number One in G Major by JS Bach and personal comedic pieces crafted in Idiot classes, Karen fuses in a healthy dose of pathos tackling identity, expectations, and success through the eyes of a fool. Winner: Best Solo Performance Los Angeles Theatre 2025 from Stage Raw Winner: Outstanding Theatre Award Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025 from Fringe Review Karen Hall: Based in Los Angeles, Karen boasts a diverse resume having graced the stages of Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl to behind the scenes work in studio sessions for everything from indie singer/songwriter albums to work on soundtracks for Emmy-nominated shows. Karen most visibly spent four seasons on camera as the Cellist on the TV show, Glee, and performs regularly with various symphony orchestras throughout the greater Los Angeles area. She has worked with notable artists such as Shawn Mendes, Geoff Emerick, and Yoshiki. Karen is a sought after music educator frequently employed as a Teaching Artist in Residency for the prestigious Music Center Los Angeles and Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County. Reviews: “The billing asked us to come for the music and stay for the existential crisis played out through the eyes of a fool. That doesn’t do the show justice: Karen is no fool, and she’s a very accomplished cello player.” -Canal St. Online, Manchester “Hall flirts seamlessly from rational to neurotic in the blink of an eye.” -Number 9 Reviews, Manchester “A poignant labour of love” -British Theatre Guide, Manchester “The best fringe moments are discovering something unexpected and brilliant. World-renowned cellist Karen Hall’s Delusions and Grandeur is both… You really won’t forget hearing or seeing this in a hurry.” -North West End, Manchester “Hall’s performance is precise, poetic, and unflinchingly personal.” -One4Review, Edinburgh https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200546927

https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200546928Orcas Center Presents: “No Time To Waste” + Jaeger & Reid Friday, October 2 @ 7pm Center Stage Tiered Ticketing: (https://orcascenter.org/ticket-prices/) $25, $40, and $70 ($10 student/senior/veteran tickets available) [ VOLUNTEER FOR THIS EVENT ] (https://orcascenter.ludus.com/volunteer/opportunity/12450) “No Time To Waste” + Jaeger & Reid ”We invite you to spend an evening with, “No Time To Waste”, a documentary film about the late Betty Reid Soskin, the National Park Service Ranger who retired from the Park Service at 100 years old. Soskin died at home at the end of 2025. Her work, however, including her role in the creation of the Rosie the Riveter World War II Homefront National Historical Park in Richmond, California continues to inspire. Her unique perspective and experience of the World War Two shipyards, has been informative and enlightening to those who seek creative responses to the continuing struggles for racial and social equality. The film will share the evening with a musical presentation by Jaeger & Reid, a duo composed of Betty’s son, longtime musical activist, Bob Reid, and his partner, Judi Jaeger. Bob Reid was a part of the extended family of Pete and Toshi Seeger. He was one of the performers selected to perform at SeegerFest, a celebration of the lives of Toshi and Pete, as well as the memorial concert for Toshi Seeger, along with Judi Collins, Arlo Guthrie, Natalie Merchant, and others. Jaeger & Reid have spent the past 10 years performing for audiences of all ages around the United States and abroad. About Jaeger & Reid: “From the moment they stepped onstage they had the audience in the palms of their hands and held them spellbound for the entire set.” Rika Ruebsaat | Artistic Director, Princeton Traditional Music Festival, Princeton B.C. “As contemporary singer-songwriters, Judi Jaeger and Bob Reid are strictly top tier. They know how to work within the folk idiom to craft a song that is personal and introspective without ever being self-indulgent. That skill alone sets them apart from most of the pack, but that is not all they have to offer. For Judi and Bob can take a familiar song, a chestnut if you will, something from Bob Dylan or John Lennon, make it their own, and shine a new light upon it. Let’s be honest. Any competent musician can cover an old standard. But it takes a particular combination of insight, intelligence, talent, skill, and courage – yes, courage – to let us see and hear the nuances and intricacies that were always there, but which perhaps we had never previously noticed. Judi and Bob, I am pleased to say, possess that very rare combination.” Steve Suffet, People’s Voice Cafe, NYC, NY https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200546928

https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200542100Orcas Center Presents: Yungchen Lhamo in Concert with Rafe Pearlman Saturday, October 3 @ 7pm Center Stage Tiered Ticketing: (https://orcascenter.org/ticket-prices/) $25, $35, and $70 ($10 student/senior/veteran tickets available) [ VOLUNTEER FOR THIS EVENT ] (https://orcascenter.ludus.com/volunteer/opportunity/12451) Yungchen Lhamo in Concert with Rafe Pearlman World-acclaimed award-winning Tibetan singer Yungchen Lhamo, this year’s recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Artist Award presented by the City of Kingston Arts Commission and the Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs, will make her first-ever visit to Orcas Island in September/October, including performing in concert at Orcas Center on Saturday October 2026, with Rafe Pearlman as opening artist. Yungchen will sing some songs a cappella, others accompanied by guitarist John Alevizakis, producer of her most recent, and seventh, album, ‘One Drop of Kindness’ – and some with audience participation! Rafe will be accompanied by musician Bluetech and guitarist Chris Haugen. Rafe Pearlman says: “This is a special event not to be missed! I first heard the incredible voice of Yungchen Llamo when Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD Festival came to Seattle many years ago. I had never heard anyone like her before (or since). It was like hearing a Tibetan Goddess incarnate on earth. When I heard recently she was touring the PNW I reached out to see if we could do something together in Seattle and Orcas.  It’s a true delight to help welcome her to town. Come join us for this magical night and help support this unique artist as she makes a rare tour to our area.” Yungchen Lhamo Yungchen has performed in over 80 countries on all five continents. Her first album Tibetan Prayer won the Australian Recording Industry Award for Best World Music Album. Yungchen was then signed to Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records label on which she released three more albums: Tibet Tibet, Coming Home, and Ama, which featured songs with Annie Lennox and Joy Askew. Tayatha, a collaborative work with Russian classical pianist Anton Batagov, was released by Cantaloupe Music, her sixth album Awakening by Six Degrees Records, and her seventh, One Drop of Kindness, by Real World Records on CD and pink vinyl. In addition to her ARIA Award in Australia and a UNESCO Music Prize, in Italy Yungchen was gifted the city of Silanus’s esteemed ‘Funtana Elighe’ award and was recognized by the province of Genoa as a ‘Messenger of Peace’ and given the title of ‘Ambassador of Culture’. In France, she received the Golden Voice Award from the Dijon Bourjogue Festival, and in the UK, Yungchen’s One Drop of Kindness album won the Asia & Pacific category in the Songlines Music Awards. Rafe Pearlman Rafe Pearlman began his singing career in the Alaskan wilderness, and the wildness of that origin has never left his voice. His exploratory vocal practice has taken him to stages across the globe—India, Hong Kong, Israel, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Australia, Thailand, Mexico, and throughout the United States—including a performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He appeared on America’s Got Talent, which led to a touring collaboration with the Earth Harp Collective, the world’s largest stringed instrument. In Malaga, Spain, he performed accompanied by a full orchestra at MOSMA, the international festival of film composers, alongside Hollywood composer Tyler Bates. Rafe’s voice is featured on soundtracks for Netflix, Direct-TV,  NBC and Thunder Road Films, and on Sony’s top video games. Rafe will be a new voice on the upcoming season of Motherland: Fort Salem, creating vocal spells for the cast of characters. Rafe recently was awarded an artist residency at the Orcas Center Theater to create a new evening length show inspired by his childhood in Alaska featuring his music and visual art, entitled “KANU”. Rafe is a performer, composer, speaker, and creative vocal coach. His musical intention is to inspire a vision of a world in harmony and unity, celebrating diversity, sustainability, and equality for all beings.  He has been a long time resident of the Salish Sea area and feels a deep personal and artistic ties to this place as home. https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200542100 “Yungchen joined our Real World Records label in 1996. The label was founded in 1989 to provide gifted musicians from around the world with access to state-of-the-art recording facilities, with the aim of bringing the music of the world to the world. We were lucky to work with Yungchen’s wonderful voice and music, which encapsulate the spirit, understanding and compassion of Tibetan culture.” – Peter Gabriel “Yungchen sings like an unearthly creature. Her voice has the power to stop time and makes everything else in the world fall away. Her voice transports you.” – Natalie Merchant “Lhamo is a singer. A very acclaimed singer. Her name was given her by a Buddhist lama. It means ‘Goddess of Song’. Anyone who witnessed a brief performance of hers during the V-Day celebration in uptown Kingston will recognize the accuracy of her name. Or you could ask music critics. The New Yorker’s has called her singing “brilliant”. Newsweek called her “angel-voiced”. The New York Times admired her “pristine, gliding vocal lines”. – Jeremiah Horrigan

https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200547700Orcas Center Presents: Philip Daniel October 9 & 10 @ 7pm Center Stage Tiered Ticketing: (https://orcascenter.org/ticket-prices/) $25, $40, and $70 ($10 student/senior/veteran tickets available) Philip Daniel Originating from Lincoln, Nebraska, Daniel is a distinguished pianist and composer, acclaimed for his ability to evoke powerful emotions through his music. He holds a graduate degree in Piano Performance from the UMKC Conservatory and an undergraduate degree in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from Hastings College. [ more details coming soon ] Philip Daniel, Film Composer & Pianist While pursuing his education, Daniel uncovered a fervent passion for composing original music. Drawing inspiration from contemporary classical luminaries like Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm, Philip Glass, and Max Richter, he has cultivated a unique musical voice that gracefully merges classical elements, minimalist soundscapes, and cinematic qualities. Daniel’s compositions resonate with both seasoned musicians and casual listeners, creating a profound impact on a diverse audience. Daniel’s impressive discography boasts ten studio albums, showcasing his ever-evolving artistry. In addition to his solo projects, he has established a successful full-time career in film composing. His evocative scores have been featured in numerous films and his music has been listened to over 30 million times. Daniel now composes for film, dance, and more full-time. As a composer, Daniel’s primary objective is to create music that elicits deep emotions, fostering a unique connection with each listener. He firmly believes in the transformative power of music and is dedicated to making a positive impact on his community through his work. Currently residing in Lincoln, Nebraska with his wife and dog, Daniel crafts his masterpieces in his home studio. As a celebrated artist in the world of film composing, Daniel continues to captivate audiences with his emotive and captivating scores. https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200547700

https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200546932Orcas Center Presents: Calum Graham Sunday, October 11 @ 7pm Center Stage Tiered Ticketing: (https://orcascenter.org/ticket-prices/) $25, $40, and $70 ($10 student/senior/veteran tickets available) [ VOLUNTEER FOR THIS EVENT ] (https://orcascenter.ludus.com/volunteer/opportunity/12452) Calum Graham Born in British Columbia and now based in Victoria, Calum Graham has been making waves in the global music scene for almost two decades. He is distinguished by his passionate and emotionally expressive original compositions and is recognized as one of the world’s Top 30 Guitarists Under 30 by Acoustic Guitar magazine. His repertoire includes songs written for the acoustic, baritone, and harp guitar, where innovative compositions meet breathtaking skill. Drawing inspiration from legendary guitarists like Michael Hedges, Don Ross, Andy McKee, and Antoine Dufour, his original compositions create a sonic experience, taking you on a journey that will linger long after the final note. Testimonials: “THE MOST PROMISING YOUNG GUITARIST I’VE SEEN. HIS COMMAND OF THE GUITAR IS ALREADY REALLY IMPRESSIVE!” – ANDY MCKEE “I KNOW BEAUTIFUL HANDS WHEN I SEE THEM NOW, AND I UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE TO MANIFESTING YOUR IDEAS. CALUM HAS THEM, AND PUTS THEM TO GOOD USE AS HE SEEKS OUT BOTH TEXTURE AND MELODY IN HIS COMPOSITIONS” – BILLY MCLAUGHLIN “CALUM GRAHAM IS AN AMAZING GUITARIST. HE IS THE RARE KIND OF ARTIST WHO IS NOT ONLY A GREAT VIRTUOSO ON HIS INSTRUMENT, BUT ALSO A WONDERFUL COMPOSER. I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE OF BEING HIS TOUR MATE ON THE 2017-18 INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT TOUR. PLAYING AND TRAVELING WITH HIM WAS ALWAYS A JOY BUT THE MOST INTERESTING PART OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WAS THAT EVERY NIGHT, DURING SOME 60 OR SO CONCERTS THROUGHOUT EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA, I ALWAYS MADE IT A POINT TO GO INTO THE AUDIENCE AND ENJOY HIS SOLO SET. I WAS USUALLY SMILING, LIKE A HAPPY FAN, BUT AT TIMES, I WAS MOVED TO TEARS. THE GUITAR LOVING PUBLIC HAS MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO AS CALUM’S CAREER PROGRESSES.” -MICHAEL CHAPDELAINE CALUM GRAHAM HAS SOLIDIFIED A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR THE GUITAR. HE MOVES US FORWARD WITH A POWERFUL ORIGINAL MUSICAL VOICE WHILE PAYING TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO PAVED THE WAY BEFORE HIM. A PRIME EXAMPLE IS HIS COMPOSITION “THE NOMAD;” THE COMPOSITION IS 100% CALUM’S ORIGINAL VOICE, YET IT MAGICALLY CONJURES UP THE SPIRIT OF MICHAEL HEDGES. EVERY NOTE CALUM PLAYS IS FILLED WITH HONESTY, INTEGRITY, PASSION, AND JOY. THIS IS GREAT NEWS FOR THE REST OF US, BECAUSE MANY NOTES COME OUR WAY DURING A PERFORMANCE! -THOMAS CLIPPERT “CALUM’S ENTRY RESONATED STRONGLY AMONG THE JUDGES. HIS POEM CELEBRATES THE CULTURAL MOSAIC THAT IS CANADA. HE HAS CAPTURED THE DIVERSITY OF THIS COUNTRY – SOMETHING THAT WE AS A NATION ARE RENOWNED FOR AND PROUD OF” -STEPHAN MOCCIO https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200546932

Visual Arts Committee Presents: Featured Artists: Carla Stanley Class Community Show: 6 x 6 Art Opening: Friday, October 23rd; 5:30pm – 7pm On Display: October 23rd – November 18th All are invited to attend the Art Opening on Friday, October 23rd from 5:30 to 7 p.m., featuring live entertainment and complimentary refreshments. Artists are urged to attend and contribute hors d’oeuvres. To learn more about exhibiting your art, commission structures, and upcoming shows, please visit the VAC page.

https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200547706Orcas Center Presents: TAIKOPROJECT October 24 @ 7pm Center Stage Tiered Ticketing: (https://orcascenter.org/ticket-prices/) $25, $40, and $70 ($10 student/senior/veteran tickets available) TAIKOPROJECT TAIKOPROJECT celebrates 25 years of taiko creativity and innovation with a new concert production entitled “25.” Featuring new compositions and choreography and stunning costumes by acclaimed designer Sueko Oshimoto, “25” will take audiences on a thundering roller coaster of the senses. TAIKOPROJECT has astonished audiences worldwide since 2000 with their unique blend of traditional taiko & innovative aesthetics. Percussive power, dynamic music, and graceful choreography work together to weave a gorgeous narrative you’ll have to see (and hear!) to believe! The group’s powerful drumming unites ancient Japanese tradition with 21st century American innovation to create a riot of movement and thundering rhythm. It’s been called a tsunami of sound but this highly charged ensemble is so much more. This show will ignite all of your senses with a spellbinding mix of music, theater and precision. The group received international acclaim when they became the first American ensemble to win the prestigious Tokyo International Taiko Contest. Since then, they have wowed audiences at the Academy Awards and the Grammys with their grace, energy and passion. About TAIKOPROJECT TAIKOPROJECT was founded in 2000 in Los Angeles, California by a group of young, emerging taiko drummers led by Bryan Yamami and Masato Baba. The group continues to define a modern American style of taiko, blending traditional forms with an innovative and fresh aesthetic. TAIKOPROJECT first made waves when they became the first American taiko group to win the prestigious Tokyo International Taiko Contest in 2005, besting all of the Japanese taiko groups in the competition. That year, they were cast in the Mitsubishi Eclipse commercial, the first and still only national advertising campaign to prominently feature taiko. Since then, the group has performed on the Academy Awards, the Grammy Awards, NBC’s “The Voice,” Syfy’s Face/Off, The X-Factor, rock band 30 Seconds to Mars’ “Up in the Air” music video, Conan, Jimmy Kimmel Live, the iHeartRadio Music Festival, and was honored with the prestigious Visionary Award from East West Players. TAIKOPROJECT has performed and recorded with Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Hans Zimmer, Alicia Keys, A.R. Rahman, John Legend, Meshell Ndegeocello, producer Squeak E. Clean, Sean Paul, Diplo, as well as international stars such as Greek singer Antonis Remos, Persian singer Mansour, Brazil’s Olodum, and Netherlands’ Tiesto. They appeared on Ovation TV’s “The Art Of”, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Food Network’s Iron Chef Gauntlet, and the MTV Movie & TV Awards. TAIKOPROJECT has performed at many of the premiere performing arts centers in the country, including the Hobby Center (Houston, TX), Ordway Center (St. Paul, MN), Meany Hall (Seattle, WA), Mondavi Center (Davis, CA), Tower Theatre (Bend, OR), Hatfield Hall (Terre Haute, IN), Lied Center (Lincoln, NE), Gammage Auditorium (Phoenix, AZ), TPAC (Nashville, TN), Cache Valley Center (Logan, UT), Kentucky Performing Arts (Louisville, KY), Macey Center (Socorro, NM), Green Music Center (Sonoma, CA) and the Ferst Center (Atlanta, GA), just to name a few. https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200547706

https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200548104Orcas Center Presents: Grabbing the Hammer Lane: A Trucker Narrative Sunday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. Center Stage Tiered Ticketing: (https://orcascenter.org/ticket-prices/) $25, $40, and $70 ($10 student/senior/veteran tickets available) [ Volunteer for this event ] (https://orcascenter.ludus.com/volunteer/opportunity/12627) Grabbing the Hammer Lane: A Trucker Narrative “Grabbing the Hammer Lane: A Trucker Narrative” is a searing, 60-minute, one-act play about prodigal rebellion and fleeting moments for redemption written by and starring David M. Proctor. Matt, a long-haul trucker, hits the road to find himself and the freedom he desires — only to become imprisoned over time in a steel cell on 18 wheels. Clarence remains at home, diminishing with the passage of time and from the anguish he bears from losing the love he pushed away. With humor, grit, and in-your-face honesty, Hammer Lane chronicles the lives of these two men living different sides of one story — a story about rejection, regret, separation, and the devastating consequences of rage-fueled choices. It offers an intimate glimpse of a final reckoning after a six-million-mile journey back home. https://orcascenter.ludus.com/200548104

Visual Arts Committee Presents: Featured Artist: Debra Babcock Community Show: Mixed Media Art Opening: Friday, November 20th; 5:30pm – 7pm On Display: November 20th – December 22nd All are invited to attend the Art Opening on Friday, October 23rd from 5:30 to 7 p.m., featuring live entertainment and complimentary refreshments. Artists are urged to attend and contribute hors d’oeuvres. To learn more about exhibiting your art, commission structures, and upcoming shows, please visit the VAC page.