“Lavender Dreams’ opens July 5 on OTA stage

Olympic Theatre Arts’ “Lavender Dreams,” annual Lavender Weekend melodrama, opens July 5 and runs 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays through through July 21.

Cheer the hero, boo the villain and sigh for the damsel in distress in this melodrama based on the mythical history of the Pacific Northwest and Sequim. This year the tradition continues on with an all new script, cast, and jokes. The plot follows good-natured Johnny who tries to enter the lavender industry, and the evil hermit Nimby who unleashes everything in his power to stop him including the city, the county, and the Kraken.

Tickets are $20 and available online at olympictheatrearts.org or by calling the box office (360-683-7326) between 1-4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

Summer storytimes set at libraries

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) offers weekly Summer Family Storytimes from July 2-Aug. 9, as part of the Summer Reading Program. Community members are invited to listen to books, learn new songs and enjoy plenty of movement and fun.

Storytime is open to all ages and geared toward children ages 5 and younger, with activities such as talking, reading, playing and singing that education experts say each have an important role in early childhood development. Learn more at NOLS.org/storytime.

Summer Family Storytimes at the Sequim Library temporary location, 609 W. Washington St., are set for Tuesdays from 9:30-10 a.m. The Irrigation Festival Royalty will visit on July 23, so attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite gowns, cloaks, ribbons. and jewelry.

Storytimes at Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St., are 9:30-10 a.m. on Fridays in the Carver Room, and repeating at 10:30–11 a.m. outside in the courtyard.

This event is part of the “Read, Renew, Repeat” Summer Reading Program, happening now through Aug. 24. Sign up at NOLS.org/SRP for the reading challenge, earn a T-shirt, win prizes and participate in free events.

For more information, call 360-417-8500 or email to discover@nols.org.

Sequim Accordion Social set for July 14

The Sequim Accordion Social will be held at Shipley Center at 1:30-4 p.m. on Sunday, July 14.

All accordionists are invited to play a selection or two. Accordion lovers and dancers are also welcome.

The featured player will be David Locke.

A suggested donation of $5 per person is requested to help cover room rental.

Hear Indigenous stories from local storytellers

In partnership with the New Old Time Chautauqua (NOTC), three Indigenous storytellers from the Olympic Peninsula will share stories starting at 1:30 p.m. on.Wednesday, July 3, at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.

Photos courtesy of North Olympic Library System / Indigenous storytellers Harvest Moon, Mark Charles, and Professor Ron Johnson will share stories at the Port Angeles Library on July 3.

The storytellers include Harvest Moon, Mark Charles and professor Ron Johnson. Moon, of the Quinault Indian Nation, is a master basket weaver and storyteller who combines her skills and talents to create educational lectures for people of all ages, offering insights into the Coastal Salish Natives. Charles is a drummer, dancer, cultural-bearer and storyteller of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Johnson is a Makah historian with a gift for sharing stories and history.

NOTC is a community of performers, friends and families who see live performance as a way to share friendship and wonder, and to build community through laughter, entertainment and education. The NOTC summer tour is visiting Port Angeles the first week of July and will offer community service projects, workshops, parades, potlucks, and shows.

A small poster exhibit about the history of the Chautauqua movement will be on display at the Port Angeles Library through July 6.

Craft fair scheduled at The Fifth Avenue

Experience winter holidays in the heart of summer at The Fifth Avenue’s Christmas in July Craft Fair, set for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, at 500 W. Hendrickson Road.

The event will feature hand-crafted jewelry, textiles, home and garden décor, and specialty one-of-a-kind items.

From 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., The Fifth Avenue chefs offer a spaghetti and garlic bread lunch for $5. Santa will be available from noon-1 p.m. for photos and fun.

The event also features a raffle with a chance to win a “Sequim Savory Soiree,” a gift basket filled with gift cards from several local restaurants.

“The Fifth Avenue is thrilled to host this unique event,” said Donna Ingram, administrator of The Fifth Avenue. “Christmas in July is a wonderful way to bring the community together, support local artisans, and celebrate creativity. We are excited to share holiday spirit with the community and create lasting memories with family and friends.”

‘Mindful Mending’ at the library

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is teaming up with Mendful, a program of Ginger’s Closet and Forks Disaster Relief, to offer free Mindful Mending workshops.

Participants are invited to learn to mend textiles to revive favorite clothes. Bring in repairable items and let Mendful’s skilled volunteers guide attendees through the textile repair process. Learn tips and tricks to fix clothes and textiles while reducing waste.

The Mindful Mending workshop schedule is set at the Sequim Library temporary location, 609 W. Washington St., for 5:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17.

A workshop is also scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.

These workshops are part of the “Read, Renew, Repeat” Summer Reading Program, happening now through Aug. 24.

For more information about the Summer Reading Program, visit nols.org/srp, call 360-417-8500 or email to discover@nols.org.

‘Passing Traditions’ concert at St. Luke’s

“Passing Traditions: An Evening With The Weeds and Cary Novotny” is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 525 N. Fifth Ave.

Photo courtesy of / Father/son duo John and Tyler Weed with Portland’s own Cary Novotny for an evening of Celtic fiddle tunes, old-time mountain music, and American song, at “Passing Traditions: An Evening With The Weeds and Cary Novotny,” set for 7 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Join father/son duo John and Tyler Weed with Portland’s own Cary Novotny for an evening of Celtic fiddle tunes, old-time mountain music, and American song.

Attendance is a suggested $30 free will offering per adult, with children under 18 free.

The concert traces the music of the Emerald Isles and follow it to one of its many landing spots in the United States. The show will also highlight the singing and original songs from Novotny, who has been splitting his time between Oregon and Tennessee, making inroads into the storied Nashville music scene.

The event will feature a healthy mix of new compositions from Tyler Weed, a “fresh voice upcoming in the West Coast scene.”