A&E briefs — Oct. 9, 2024

Story Slam returning to OTA

After a summer-long hiatus, Out Loud Story Slam brings a group of tellers ready to take to the stage for a “Grand Slam” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, on the main stage at Olympic Theatre Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave., for an evening on the theme “Regrettably.”

Listen as previous winners share stories about mistakes, misdeeds and regrets. This event will be a Grand Slam. Unlike previous events where anyone can get on stage, tellers for this special event are all winners of previous story slams over the past year. The evening will be hosted by Nessa Goldman and feature stories by Star Pittman, Heidi Hansen, Jeri Seamands, Emma Amiad, Sarah Tucker, Doug Woodall, Trisha Haggerty and others.

Guest judges include representatives from the North Olympic Library System, The Clallam Story People and Story Night, a storytelling event based in Bremerton. The top three winners of the evening will be awarded prizes and one skillful teller will be named the Grand Slam champion.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 online at olympictheaterearts.org or $25 at the door if available; cash and credit cards are accepted.

Fiddlers set two jam sessions

The Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association will meet for a jam session from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 525 Fifth Ave.

“Old Time” music is a genre of North American folk music played on acoustic instruments, group members say —generally centering on a combination of fiddle and plucked string instruments including the guitar, banjo, mandolin, dobros, dulcimers, autoharps, bass and ukuleles. Those interested are encouraged to play or just to listen and learn about this traditional style of music.

The group will also be holding an open jam from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Tri-Area Community Center,10 W. Valley Road, Chimacum.

There is no charge to attend, but donations in support of a youth scholarship program are always welcome. Snacks to share are also appreciated.

Live music on tap at Wind Rose Cellars

Check out live music this month at Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St. The lineup for this months’ remaining performances include:

• 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 — Jason Paul & Friends

• 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 — Tess Teel & the Side Hustle (vocal jazz)

• 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 — Jason Paul & Friends

• 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 — Nightingale (folk)

• 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 — Jason Paul & Friends

• 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 — Anna (rock)

• 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31 — Halloween Party

Call 360-681-0690 or visit windrosecellars.com for more information.

Improv Troupe sets OTA show

Imagined Reality, a six-person improvisation troupe, is back on the Olympic Theatre Arts stage for an interactive show set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at OTA, 414 N. Sequim Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Since 2016, Imagined Reality Improv has been bringing laughter to audiences throughout Western Washington. While the members of the group share a love of improv, they come from varied walks of life: a scientist, two lawyers, a classical musician, a professor and a writer, each bringing something unique to the performances and creating one-of-a-kind shows based on suggestions from the audience.

Tickets are $15 and are available online at olympictheatrearts.org or by calling the box office (360-683-7326) between 1-4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

Blues comes to the Sequim Elks

Andy Koch’s Badd Dog Blues takes the stage at the Sequim Elks Lodge, 143 Port Williams Road, for a concert and dance from 6-8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13.

Photo courtesy of Andy Koch Andy Koch of Andy Koch’s Badd Dog Blues brings the band to the Sequim Elks Lodge on Sunday, Oct. 13.

Admission is $10 for Elks members, $12 for non-members.

Hailing from Bellingham, Andy “Badd Dog” Koch — whose mother lives in Sequim — tours the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and beyond.

See BaddDogBluesSociety.com for more about the musician.

Local Toastmasters look to inspire

The Skwim Toastmaster Club will sponsor an interactive workshop that will teach an inspirational speech structure — along with the seven steps to a standing ovation — at their next meeting set for 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the KSQM 91.5 FM broadcasting offices at 609 W. Washington St., and online.

Facilitating the workshop is Distinguished Toastmaster Lindy MacLaine of Sequim. An eight-year Toastmaster, MacLaine has competed in the International Speech Contest five times. She won at the district level four times, competed as a semifinalist three times and as a finalist once — winning third in the 2020 World Championship of Public Speaking.

“I didn’t find Toastmasters until I moved to Sequim,” MacLaine says. “While the organization is commonly associated with career advancement because of its renown for soft skills, I finally found it at the ‘ripe old age’ of 54, and have flourished because of it. Not only through all I have learned about communication and leadership, but also through being a part of the amazing Toastmaster community.”

Skwim Toastmasters is part of Toastmasters International, a worldwide nonprofit educational organization that “empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.”

The Sequim club meets every Tuesday. Search Sequim Toastmasters online or visit skwimtm.org for more information.