When the portal between worlds is most thin, Orcas Island is ready to celebrate. Starting this weekend, Halloween festivities are kicking off.
Halloween Masquerade
Fian and the Orcas Dance Collective are throwing a masquerade on Saturday, Oct. 25, in Orcas Center’s Black Box. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Costumes are emphatically encouraged, and this event is for all ages. A $10 minimum donation is requested.
Continuing the partnership that began with Robert Keene and Jonathan Wilson’s involvement in “What Dreams May Come,” Fian and the Dance Collective tightened their ties with interdisciplinary performance art pieces “Animalia” and “Chiaroscuro,” performed with forge artist Zack Leck at Imagine Festival in Doe Bay and twice at Fire and Story Festival in Bellingham. Fian’s unique sound runs the gamut between classical, jazz, rock, electronic and metal.
Floating Halloween Ukulele Jam
Hop aboard for the first-ever Floating Halloween Uke Jam on Thursday, Oct. 30. Costumes are encouraged! Bring your uke, your voice, your friends and relations, and maybe a song to share (know any scary songs?) or just come enjoy riding the ferry in your costume with a bunch of folks doing the same. And singing while they do! Boat departs Friday Harbor at 5:40 p.m., Orcas at 7 p.m. and Shaw at 7:15 p.m. Please help spread the word to other islands! No uke? Just come and sing, or listen in. No songs to share? Just come and play and sing, we’ll teach you some. No friends and relations? Come and make some! We’ll see you on board — let’s play!
(If the boat is canceled, they’ll patiently wait for the Holiday Jammie Jam on Dec. 18 — mark your calendars.) For questions, more info or fashion advice, email anita@rockisland.com.
Sea View Theatre to show ‘Nosferatu’ with live score
Sea View Theatre is excited to announce a showing of the classic 1922 horror movie “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30 . The silent movie will feature a live on-stage, new score created and performed by the band Star Guts. Admission is by donation ($10 suggested).
“Nosferatu” established many of the tropes of vampire movies and has been remade multiple times, most recently in 2024. The original is still regarded as one of the most influential horror movies ever made. This showing provides a rare opportunity to see the film as it would have been originally shown, on the big screen with live accompaniment. The unique setup of Sea View Theatre allows the band to set up on the stage, allowing for a compelling mix of classic cinema and live music.
Star Guts is a band from the non-tropical rainforest that makes music attuned to the natural world and the beat of their hearts. They hail from the beyond, reaching us through the power of mystical masks. They are thrilled to get to create music for such an iconic fellow cryptid, and hope all can enjoy the otherworldliness of Nosferatu’s hijinks! The event is a perfect way to get hyped for Halloween, support local music and explore what kind of shows Sea View can offer the community. The concession booth and lounge will be open for snacks and drinks. The show is open to all ages, if attendees are prepared to see the scariest film that 1922 has to offer.
Halloween in Eastsound
Eastsound Halloween festivities are kicking off at 3:30 p.m. The Chamber will be hosting its third Annual Halloween Costume Contest amidst all the usual fanfare. And this year they are also hosting Trunk or Treat on North Beach Road in front of the Village Green.
Odd Fellows Halloween Dance
Celebrate Halloween at the Odd Fellows Hall at the annual dance on Oct. 31 from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. This dance is a benefit for the Odd Fellows Scholarship Fund for graduating high school students and toward the care and upkeep of our beloved community building. Costume prizes at intermission. The cost is $15, though additional contributions to the worthy cause are welcome. All ages are welcome.
High School Halloween Laser Tag Party
The Funhouse is hosting our annual high school Halloween Party on Oct. 31, but this time, they’ll have LASER TAG. We’ll have laser tag going on outside with DJ Teacher’s Pet, and games, food and karaoke inside! Come in costume (there will be a contest), but be sure that you’re able to dodge, duck, and dive during laser tag! The event will be 8-11 p.m. at the Funhouse.
Día de los Muertos
Hosted by Tony and Jenna Moreno, all are invited to a Dia de Los Muertos gathering starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, when the festivities kick off with a candlelit procession. The Village Green will be transformed into a graveyard, adorned with candles and flowers, and ofrendas (spiritual altars) to honor those who have passed. Anyone is invited to create an ofrenda with items for deceased loved ones, photos, mementos and more.
There will be food vendors, a place to share loved ones’ favorite foods, tamales, Mexican sweet bread, pan de muerto, café de olla and Mexican hot chocolate. For those who want to dress up, enter the Catrina (an elegantly dressed skeletal figure) costume contest. Jenna will sing a traditional Day of the Dead song, “La Llorona,” and a DJ will spin music for dancing.
