by Laura Kussman

Orcas Center

Our friend, dancing partner, Orcas Idol and local performer Sanjaya Malakar (recently Sky in “Mamma Mia!” and Jacob in “La Cage Aux Folles”) will sing a solo set as the confirmed opener for Windham Hill’s Scott Cossu and cellist Holly Reeves this Friday, April 19, at Orcas Center. Malakar will be accompanied by local musician and artist Stephen Fairweather. Come bid adieu to the “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!” star — this will be Malakar’s Orcas Island swan song as he moves onward to new beginnings.

They say beauty exists in the eye of the observer, but what of the transcendence of music? It’s hard to say what octave of feeling may arise from the combination of Malakar’s soulful, syrupy singing and the professional meditation of musical luminaries Cossu and Steele. Cossu, who was scouted by Windham Hill’s founder Will Ackerman in the late 1970s, forged the way for many artists who would follow in a genre he dubbed “heavy mental” or “cosmic National Geographic.” A grandfather of the New Age scene, Cossu’s career has brought him international fame. He has had sold out shows in Germany, England, Japan, Costa Rica and Chile.

Cossu, who resides in the Pacific Northwest, is joined on stage by Reeves, the principal cellist of the Olympia Symphony and Tacoma-based chamber orchestra Northwest Sinfonietta. This year marks her 21st season with the Olympia Symphony. Both Cossu and Reeves express joy in touring regionally together.

Malakar echos, “You can expect an intimate evening of heartfelt expression. I’ll be putting all the love I have for the people of this community into every song. They’ve given me so much support, I feel it’s time I give some back. It’s not much, but it’s what I have to share.”

In addition to many years of musical theatre, including a short stint off-Broadway, Sanjaya secured the seventh place position as a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol, making him a household name.

In recent years, Malakar has focused more on his community, performing in various local theater and music productions. He continues to share his love of music through teaching and collaboration, with a strong focus on the art of intention and the importance of personal expression.

For tickets and more information, visit www.orcascenter.org/events.