WEDNESDAY, June 19, 2013
The Islands’ Sounder • www.islandssounder.com
Island Living
PG. 11
It’s the roaring 20s at Orcas Center
Annual summer gala and fundraiser to celebrate a bygone era by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG
D
Editor/Publisher
olled up dames and debonair daddies will mingle at a 1920s inspired speakeasy at Orcas Center’s upcom-
ing gala. “We wanted to have a sense of mystery, make it theatrical and highlight that we are a performing arts center,” said Orcas Center Director Kara O’Toole. The 27th annual fundraiser is on Saturday, July 20 starting at 5 p.m. There will be a professionally run casino complete with black jack, poker, craps and roulette (the games will be for fun and prizes, not money) as well as hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a live and silent auction. Auction items include a oneweek stay in Hawaii, a cruise on Holland America, five-night stay in Bali, local dinners and pieces from such artists as Carl Buttke, Heidi Klippert Lindberg, Josie Barrow, Frank Loudin and Sallie Bell.
Dinner will be prepared by renowned island chef Christina Orchid. The menu is a surprise, but she has promised that champagne and caviar will be in full supply. “She is focused on creating a wonderful evening that will be special,” O’Toole said. Following the dinner and live auction, the San Juan Jazz Quintet will perform music perfect for dancing. Attendees can dress up if they like; accessories will be on hand for those in need of sparkling jewels or fancy feathers. Tickets are $150 per person and available at www.orcascenter.org or 376-ACT1. Event co-chairwomen Susan Meadows and Pat Thomas have been working on the gala since September. They have accumulated decorations and vintage dresses from San Juan Community Theatre, the Friday Harbor Animal Shelter and Western Washington University.
CALENDAR
JUNE 21 AND 22
THURSDAY, JUNE 20
ONE WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL: Martin Lund’s annual concerts will explore jazz music, 7:30 p.m., Orcas Center, tickets at www. orcascenter.org.
4-H COMMUNITY DINNER: Dinner
from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Orcas Senior Center, $5 for kids and seniors, $10 for adults. Menu includes Soup, local green salad, enchiladas (beef or vegeterian) with rice and beans, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Served by the Orcas Fur & Feathers 4-h club.
JUNE 21 THROUGH JULY 29 EXCHANGE ART SHOW: 12th annual Appropriate Recycling Technology (A.R.T.) Show, at Enzo’s Cafe.
SATURDAY, JUNE 22 SOLSTICE PARADE:
Whimsical,colorful foot parade whirls and dances through Eastsound to celebrate art, summer and community, starts at noon. Local music and dance performers entertain at the Stage on the Green immediately following the parade.
WEDS. – ONGOING ADULT VOLLEYBALL: 7:30 to 9:30
The annual fundraiser brings in around $50,000, which goes towards programming, running the facility and general operations. In addition to being the arts and cultural hub of the island, the center hosts monthly art shows and classes and is a venue for public and private events. “Orcas Center really supports the whole community,” Thomas said.
About the chef Founder of the famous Christina’s restaurant on Orcas, Orchid now runs Red Rabbit Farm, where she hosts farm to table dinners, featuring local meats and seafood and produce fresh from her garden, teaches classes and creates jams, jellies, chutneys and baked goods that she sells both near and far. Her award-winning book “Christina’s Cookbook: Recipes and Tales from a Northwest Island Kitchen” is still a popular tome.
p.m. in the “old gym” at the Orcas Public School. $2 to dropin or register at www.oiprd.org, 16 plus. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Benson Hall, Emmanuel Church. LIONS CLUB: Weekly lunch, 11:45 a.m., American Legion.
THURS. – ONGOING AL-ANON: 5:30 p.m., Benson Hall, Emmanuel Church. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: 5:30 p.m., Orcas Longhouse, 236 Prune Ally, Eastsound. LIBRARY STORY TIMES: 11 a.m., Orcas Island Library children’s room, for children between the ages of three and six; all kids welcome.
FRI., ONGOING ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS:
Community Church family center, noon. Also 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Benson Hall, Emmanuel Church.
SAT. – ONGOING ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: 8 to 9
a.m. and 7 p.m., Benson Hall, Emmanuel Church. Last Saturday of the month, AA potluck, Emmanuel Parish Hall, 6 p.m. ISLESHARE TIMEBANK: For orienta-
tions, call Morgan Meadows at 376-9213. LIBRARY STORY TIMES: 11 a.m., Library children’s room.
SUN. – ONGOING ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Benson Hall, Emmanuel Church.
MON., ONGOING
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: 5:30
to 6:30 p.m., Benson Hall, Emmanuel Church. AL-ANON: 7 p.m., 197 Main Street, Benson Hall, Emmanuel Church.
TUES., ONGOING AA FOR WOMEN: 5:30 to 6:30. Benson Hall, Emmanuel. AA FOR MEN: 7-8 p.m. Benson Hall, Emmanuel Church. KIWANIS: Every Tuesday, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Orcas Community Church Family Center.