Aug. 28, 2013

You’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate the last days of summer this Labor Day weekend. Soak in the music at the Oak Harbor Music Festival, wonder at the wood-crafting extravaganza that is “Woodpalooza,” get in the mood for the upcoming DjangoFest with Pearl Django, or pack a picnic and watch Shakespeare under the big top. Here’s what else is coming up this weekend, Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. (Click on the links for details.)

Pearl Django will play Shakin’ the Vines at Whidbey Island Winery on Saturday, Aug. 31.

• The Oak Harbor Music Festival runs all weekend long with a line-up of local and regional musical talents. Read more about it in the WLM feature.

• Island Shakespeare Festival continues “Much Ado About Nothing” under the tent in Langley this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Aug. 30 to Sept. 1. Performances start promptly at 5 p.m., house opens at 4:15 p.m.

• See masterfully crafted furniture, instruments and wood-art at the Tenth Annual “Art + Wood = Woodpalooza” at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts in Langley. Opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30. Exhibit continues from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 through Monday, Sept. 2.

• Enchanting singer-songwriter Alyse Black returns home to the Northwest for a special CD pre-release performance at Blooms Taste for Wine at Bayview Corner from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Aug.30.

• Discover what inspires local artists and watch them at work on the self-guided Whidbey Working Artists Summer Art Studio Tour. This tour focuses on the studios of central and north Whidbey artists and is open on Saturday, Aug. 31, through Monday, Sept. 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brochures available at Ishler Studio and Pacific Northwest Art School, or download a copy here. 

• Perennial favorite Pearl Django caps off the Shakin’ the Vines concert series at Whidbey Island Winery in Langley at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31; $25. Get tickets here.

• Grab a hay bale, sip some Pinot Noir and listen to jazz classics and other tunes from Fran & Brad at Spoiled Dog Winery from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 1.

• Catch Siri and Steve doing “that cello and guitar thing” at Useless Bay Coffee Club’s shed in Langley 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

•  Talia Toni Marcus, Ron Atlee and Steve Showel perform as “Pastiche” at the popular Sunday Live Music Series at Blooms Winery at Bayview 3 to 5 p.m.

• Historian and pioneer descendant Roger Sherman leads a fascinating look at the trailblazers who helped forge Whidbey Island on a Labor Day Heritage Tour at Sunnyside Pioneer Cemetery Monday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m.. Passes are $5; proceeds benefit the Island County Historical Museum. Call 360.678.3310 for more information.

Garry Oak Gallery in Oak Harbor features the work of photographer Shirley Haley through August. (Photo courtesy of Garry Oak Gallery)

GALLERY SHOWS THROUGH AUGUST

• Rob Schouten Gallery at Greenbank Farm “Colors of Whidbey” through Sept. 3.
• Artworks Gallery at Greenbank Farm features painter Barbara Mearing through August.
• Inspired Arts Gallery in Freeland features the work of more than 30 artists and artisans all the time.
• Studio 106 in downtown Langley shows Phyllis Ray paintings and others.
• Penn Cove Gallery in Coupeville features woodcarver and turner Joseph Albert III.
• Brackenwood Gallery in downtown Langley “A Painter’s Summer in the Northwest” through Sept. 2.
• Museo Gallery in downtown Langley shows works by Kathe Fraga, painter, and Elaine Michaelides, glass, through August.
• Whidbey Art Gallery in downtown Langley features Travis Kuehn sculptures this month.
• Arlon Rosenoff Gallery in downtown Langley shows Rosenoff’s work. He demonstrates on Sundays.
• Garry Oak Gallery in downtown Oak Harbor features nature photographer Shirley Haley through August.

LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS

• Thursday Market in Clinton from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays.
• Langley Second Street Market from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays.
• Coupeville Farmers Market from 10 a.mid. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
• Bayview Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
• The South Whidbey Tilth Market from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.
• Greenbank Farm’s Farm and Flea Market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.

CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL SCHOOLS FOR MORE ART CLASSES

• Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio 
• Pacific Northwest Art School 
• Sweetwater Creek Farm Studio
• Art Center@WICEC
• Drama Camps at Whidbey Children’s Theater

Although an Irish cabbie once said, “I’ll give you a tip; never jump off a runnin’ bus!” Here’s a better tip: To make these regular Whidbey Life Magazine lists, become a member and start posting your events to member news and the syndicated calendar!

(Pictured at top, Kent Junge, Melanie Lowey and Olena Hodges in “Much Ado About Nothing” at Island Shakespeare Festival in Langley./Photo courtesy of ISF )