by Nicole Matisse Duke

Marketing and Special Events Manager, Orcas Center

Here we are just two weeks into the new year – an excellent time to ponder any resolutions you’ve made, and to perhaps make some new ones. Consider making an enriching resolution to let 2015 be the year that you bring a greater dose of the arts into your life.

Wondering where to start? Orcas Center has put together a full calendar of artistic programming that is sure to engage you and your friends and family.

Read on for a sneak preview of what Orcas Center has in store for you in 2015.

Launch your personal arts infusion now and attend one of the four offerings available this month:

• Sunday, Jan. 18 – The Met: Live in HD, “The Merry Widow.”

• Thursday, Jan. 22 – National Theatre Live, “Treasure Island.”

• Saturday, Jan. 24 – Uke-a-palooza (a festival of all things ukulele).

• Saturday, Jan.31 – Mariachi Huenachi (award-winning Mariachi from Wenatchee).

One of the most exciting announcements of the 2015 season is a new on-screen offering: the Bolshoi Ballet brings its thrilling performances live to Orcas Center’s big screen. Treat yourself to “Swan Lake,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Ivan the Terrible” like you’ve never seen before, in incredible high definition and surround sound.

Are you a diehard or newbie theater fan? Then you are in for a real treat. National Theatre Live brings big- time Hollywood stardom to its London stage in John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men,” starring James Franco and Chris O’Dowd. Sure to be a phenomenal hit, you don’t want to miss this!

NT Live rounds out its season with a powerful new stage adaptation of the family favorite Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” an intriguing modern play by acclaimed playwright Tom Stoppard, “The Hard Problem,” and a witty reinvention of Bernard Shaw’s “Man and Superman,” starring Ralph Fiennes.

For those folks who enjoy basking in the splendor of spectacular physicality on the main stage, mark your calendars for the fantastic Acrobatic Conundrum aerial circus and the breathtaking BodyVox dance company.

Following in the popular footsteps of last year’s Moulin Rouge, Orcas Center is in the midst of producing a sensational concert staging of the movie “Across the Universe.”

For two full weekends, audiences will step into an immersive atmosphere where a full age range of local singers, dancers, and – new this year – musicians will spread the love of the Beatles via one-of-a-kind adaptations.

The talented collective of Grace McCune, Jake Perrine, Kara O’Toole, Laura Ludwig, Deborah Sparks and more will make this an unforgettable experience.

The 2015 season is packed with many more productions, including the touching play “The Miracle Worker,” featuring local acting talent, several film festivals (the Wild & Scenic Film Festival and the Orcas Island Film Festival), touring artists of all kinds and several Burgers and Brew pre-show dinners brought to you by the Lower Tavern.

There is sure to be something of interest for everyone, so take a look at the complete calendar of events pictured above and plan your artistic outings now.

And don’t forget to visit us online at www.orcascenter.org.