Events on the islands.

The Orcas Island Farmers Market takes place every Saturday at the Eastsound Village Green from 10am-2pm. This beloved Orcas tradition is a source of community pride and joy, bringing together islanders and visitors alike each week. From jewelry and handmade art to locally grown fruits and vegetables, the market showcases a vibrant mix of local vendors and makers. Live music is featured on the stage from 11:30am-1:30pm, adding to the lively atmosphere of the day. Upcoming Performances May 16 — Gene Nery May 23 — Minnow Creek May 30 — The Irthlingz June 6 — Dobro Brian June 13 — Tom Rawson June 20 — Solstice Dance Party (after parade) June 27 — The Hot Tomatoes July 11 — Speece’s Pieces July 18 — Kady Fox July 25 — The Studs August 1 — The Jukebox Boys August 8 — JP and the OK Rhythm Boys

4th - 7th graders can grab a free book and join us for an informal book discussion and movie screening (11:30 am) thanks to Friends of the Orcas Island Library.

Join us on Saturday, June 27 for a free Family Art Days class with instructor Alice Hibberd! Kids ages 5 and up will practice the mindful art of dreamcatcher-making — gently kneading a cedar branch into a hoop, weaving a sacred web, and adorning their creation with beads, feathers, and other decorations while learning about this meaningful traditional craft. All materials are provided, but space is limited, so RSVP is required. Register at sjima.org/familyartdays (https://www.sjima.org/event-details/family-art-days-weave-a-dreamcatcher)

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/

Every Sunday at 10:00am in person or online at www.orcaschurch.org

With Tabitha Rose.

Nancy Spaulding will talk about her new children's story Angus and Anna's Unexpected Adventure. What kind of mischief can two black cats get into when their owners are away? Angus and Anna decide they should take a jaunt. Since they live on an island, the path outside quickly takes them to the edge of the sea. That’s where everything changes. They experience one adventure after another-- will the cats ever find their way home? Marty Robinson from the San Juan Island Library will read aloud and Nancy will talk about her art, answer your questions, and sign copies.

The Hot Tomatoes will be performing live at the Orcas Hotel Bar on Sunday, June 28, from 4-8pm. This first-come, first-served event invites guests to enjoy an evening of live music in a relaxed, welcoming setting at one of Orcas Island’s iconic venues.

With Lily Ostle.

Orcas Center Presents on The Village Green Stage: James Charles Howard, Jr. + Minnow Creek Sunday, June 28, 5 p.m. Tiered ticket prices (https://orcascenter.org/ticket-prices/): Free, by donation! James Charles Howard, Jr. + Minnow Creek Orcas Center’s annual Summer Concert Series is back in the Village Green. All performances are free to the community. Kicking off the season is James Charles Howard, Jr. with local group Minnow Creek opening on Sunday, June 28, starting at 5 p.m. Howard, Jr. performs original blues-rock, instrumental rock and acoustic singer-songwriter originals and covers. Drawing inspiration from legends like Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, and Jimi Hendrix, Howard fuses traditional blues with psychedelic roots rock — seasoned with touches of Latin and jazz — to create a sound that’s uniquely his own. Howard, Jr. won the Washington Blues Society Finals in 2016 and 2023, and competed in the 2017 and 2024 International Blues Challenge, in Memphis Tennessee. Opening act for the performance is Minnow Creek, an indie folk quartet that blends heartfelt storytelling, rich harmonies and percussivegrooves into a warm roots-driven sound. Led by frontman Clint McCune on rhythm guitar, with Joel Gamble on violin and keys, Rebecca Cohen on stand-up bass and Dan Hall on percussion, the band creates music that is both intimate and alive. Rooted in folk honesty, Minnow Creek’s songs invite audiences to listen, move, and connect. Whether gentle and reflective or foot-stomping rhythmic, their music celebrates community, collaboration, and the joy of being alive.