First 2021 Music in the Park event features Stardust Big Band

Stardust Big Band takes the stage at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, at the James Center for the Performing Arts’ band shell, 350 N. Blake Ave., in the first of the 2021 Music in the Park series.

Attendees are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the free event.

Since 1992, the Sequim-based Stardust Big Band has delighted audiences throughout the Puget Sound region with music for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy.

Concessions will be available on-site from The Lefties Beer Barrel and Sequim Valley Lion’s hot dogs.

The month-long Music in the Park features different musical acts at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays at the James Center adjacent to Carrie Blake Community Park. Events are sponsored by KSQM 91.5 FM, a listener supported, commercial-free community radio.

NOLS to host improv for teens, tweens

As part of the Summer Reading Program, the North Olympic Library System invites teens and tweens to express themselves using improvisation.

Learn, create, connect and have fun with local writer Shannon Cosgrove, who will lead this interactive session scheduled for 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 2. No registration required. Find Zoom log-in details at nols.org/teens-events.

Cosgrove has “made it her personal mission to create entertainment for the town she has adopted and loves greatly,” program organizers say. Her further mission, through her work as co-owner of Port Angeles Panto and Nemesis Theater Productions is to provide enrichment opportunities for young people. Visit shannoncosgrove.com.

Sequim artist’s piece selected for Bainbridge auction

“UP,” a carved porcelain piece by Sequim resident Linda Collins Chapman, has been selected by the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art to be included in the 2021 Gala Art Auction to benefit the museum.

Chapman is a member of ARTjam, an art show and community event which is usually held Lavender Weekend. This year only, ARTjam is set for 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4-5, in and around the barn at Rock Hollow Farm, 505 E. Silberhorn Road.

Chapman is also a board member of the Olympic Peninsula Art Association. See LindaChapmanDesign.com for more about Collins Chapman’s art.

For more about the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, see biartmuseum.org.

Driftwood Sculptors to meet

Olympic Driftwood Sculptors hosts its first in-person meeting at the Dungeness Recreation Area picnic shelter from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug 4. Members can bring their current projects to work on and sculptures or photos of sculptures completed during the Covid hiatus. Guests are welcome.

For more information, contact Tuttie Peetz at 360-683-6860 or trpeetz@gmail.com.

‘Light up the Night’ with paper lantern kits

As part of the Summer Reading Program, the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) invites people of all ages to “Light up the Night” with a take-and-make paper lantern kit.

Pick up a kit at any NOLS location, beginning Monday, Aug. 2. Assemble it, and then decorate any way you choose for a fun colorful activity to do with the family. Share images of your creations with NOLS by emailing to discover@nols.org, or tagging North Olympic Library System on Facebook or Instagram.

Port Angeles gallery to feature Radock’s work

Harbor Art Gallery, 114 N. Laurel St. Port Angeles, will participate in the Second Saturday Art Walk from 4-7 p.m. on Aug. 14. The community is invited to meet featured artist/block printer Randy Radock along with many of the gallery’s artists.

The gallery is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Radock will also be working at the gallery during opening hours on Aug. 4 and 5.

OMF season kicks off Aug. 29

Olympic Music Festival (OMF) Artistic Director Julio Elizalde announced last week the organization’s 38th summer season featuring a combination of live and virtual events held in late August and throughout September.

The festival’s season kicks off with a celebratory event featuring Musicians from GardenMusic on Sunday, Aug. 29, at Littlefield Green at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend. Tickets are $40-$65.

Performances continue online with Virtual Salon Concerts, Sept. 5–22, with a range of classical music performances and behind-the-scenes artist discussions. This year’s artists include Grammy-nominated violinist Tessa Lark and legendary Juilliard School piano professor Robert McDonald, among many others. Violinists Jennifer Frautschi and Yoojin Jang make their festival debut. Virtual performances are free online at olympicmusicfestival.org.

See the festival’s website for a full season lineup.

Concerts in the Barn series continues

The 2021 Concerts in the Barn continues with its third weekend of free chamber music concerts with featured guest artists are members of Trio Hava at 2 p.m. on July 30 and Aug. 1 at the historical barn at 7360 Center Road, Quilcene.

The members of Trio Hava include: Elisa Barston, violin; Amy Barston, cello, and Jessica Choe, piano. The Barston sisters have performed many times at the Quilcene barn. The trio will perform Lily Boulanger’s “D’un Matin de Printemps,” Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Piano Trio in D major, Op. 70, No. 1 (“Ghost”)” and Johannas Brahms’ “Trio in B major, Op. 8.”

All concerts are free to the public. However, to ensure COVID guidelines are maintained, all concertgoers must reserve their place in the barn or on the lawn in advance through Brown Paper Tickets.

To get passes, select “Free Tickets Required” on the home page of concertsinthebarn.org. The barn currently is limited to 75 percent of its usual capacity.

Call Leigh Hearon at 206-240-8324 for more information.

Renaissance Faire volunteers sought for OTA faire

Volunteer auxiliary/atmosphere actors needed for Olympic Theatre Arts’ first outdoor Renaissance Faire, set for Aug. 21-22. The organization is seeking beefeaters, wenches, pagers and game players, among other positions. Casting is being done now.

The faire is also in need of face painters and card players. Games will be from the Renaissance era and will be taught beforehand. No acting experience is necessary, but “a keen interest in having frolicking fun is a must,” organizers say.

For more information, email to office@olympictheatrearts.org or call OTA at 360-683-7326.