The first time I heard the “Queen of the Night” aria from “The Magic Flute” I was 14. It was one of those memories I can still see, or should I say hear, clearly. It was my first delicious taste of Mozart’s work. I loved the power of the orchestra pushing forward like stars exploding. The soprano’s voice was dark and resonating and then magically high, light and bright sailing overhead – it was an inhuman sound. It was the most beautiful sound on earth.
On Oct. 26 our students were treated to the very exciting production of Nanda, a martial arts and dance troupe, that the students thoroughly enjoyed.
The Orcas Island Senior Center kicks off the winter bazaar season with the Holiday Festival of Arts on Saturday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be arts, crafts, live music and a visit from Santa. Admission is $1 or a donation to the food bank.
Col. Tyler Otten became the 477th Fighter Group commander during a change of command ceremony Nov. 2 in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
San Juan, Lopez and Orcas Island youth and prevention coalition leaders traveled to Yakima for the Washington State Prevention Summit.
Opening night of the Actors Theater of Orcas Island’s new play “Tracers,” conceived by John DiFusco and written by him and members of the original cast, taught me something about time travel. Lin McNulty’s phenomenal casting and direction of eight young island men in the roles of “grunts” in Vietnam opened a door I thought was closed and locked pretty well.
“The Tempest,” The Met: Live in HD’s acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s magical fable, comes to Orcas Center’s big screen on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m.
Four members of the Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross on San Juan have deployed to the areas ravaged by Hurricane Sandy and the Nor’easter following it. Phil Schober has been sent to Sparks, N.J. as a shelter manager, while his wife, Nancy, an RN, has been deployed to Tinton Falls, N.J. Diane Ludeman has been sent to White Plains, NY and other cities acting as a shelter inventory supervisor. LauraJo Severson has been sent to White Plains for assignment.
Fans of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival look forward every year to a two-week summer festival filled with world class musicians, magnificent works and exhilarating performances.
New fall books will be reviewed on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. at Darvill’s Bookstore.
The Olga Symphony has been madly dusting off old favorites and working up new musical masterpieces for their upcoming holiday concerts at Orcas Center, Nov. 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Orcas Family Health Center is hosting its fifth annual Dinner Dance Fund Raiser at Orcas Center to benefit the Care-For-All Program, assisting those in the community who are under-insured or have no health insurance.
As part of an ongoing monthly series, the Orcas Island Historical Museum will present Skye Burn, granddaughter of June Burn who was the author of “Living High.”
