Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Town seeking applicants for open positions on Friday Harbor Arts Commission.
The Town of Friday Harbor is accepting applications for open positions on the Friday Harbor Arts Commission (FHAC). Commissioners are volunteers who consider the interests of the Town Council, community, and local artists when advising the council on the selection and placement of public art. Meetings are held at 4 p.m. the second Tuesday of […]
How about a night of improv with island friends?
Orcas Improv: Last Thursday Night is the place for improvised comedy on the island, held on the last Thursday of every month. The next event is Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Black Box. Improv groups and players borne from the classes and Monday evening Improv Jams (Whalewreck) at Orcas Center perform fully improvised bits, made up, on-the-spot, based on audience suggestions and stories and transformed right before your eyes […]
The Art of Stillness | Christian Carlson at Crow Valley Gallery
“Place has become a pendulum swing for me between life in the Skagit Valley and life on Orcas Island — one busy showing artists at Perry + Carlson Gallery [in Mt. Vernon] and one very quiet. Always between them is the Sea and I spend time there too, usually alone. Often there is a sense for me that words don’t easily capture and this is what I try to paint.” For painter, former architect, […]
‘The Poet’s Pier’ short film in FHFF has local interest
I’m excited to let you know that Michael and I (and my fiddle tune “Olga and Buck Bay) are featured in a short film that will be shown in the Friday Harbor Film Festival at 10:30 am on Sunday, Oct. 25. I hope you can come see it! The film was made by our friend Mara Miksch and it focuses on the Olga dock on Orcas Island. We will be at the screening and of […]
October 25: Sharon Abreu’s Olga and Buck Bay featured in short film at Friday Harbor Film Fest
Michael and I (and my fiddle tune “Olga and Buck Bay) are featured in a short film that will be shown in the Friday Harbor Film Festival at 10:30 am on Sunday, Oct. 25. I hope you can come see it! The film was made by our friend Mara Miksch and it focuses on the […]
Moreno family’s Day of the Dead celebration returns to the Village Green Nov. 1
The Moreno family continues its tradition with its fourth annual Day of the Dead celebration on Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Village Green.
Can you spell f-u-n? The 4th Annual Orcas Island Adult Spelling Bee returns
Submitted by the Orcas Island Public Library.
Antidote dance party gets wicked this Halloween at Orcas Center
On Friday, October 30, Orcas Center transforms for a night of dark beats, wild costumes and serious dancing. From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., come lose yourself in the music and celebrate Halloween the Antidote way. Come dressed as your strangest, spookiest, most unhinged self. Expect a night of electronic music, dancing and Halloween mayhem. Details: $10 minimum donation; 18+; Cash bar available for guests 21+. Valid ID required. And if you’re […]
I’m Not the Church Lady | Listening for where life is inviting us to participate
Some people’s presence just makes me giggle with delight The quality of presence speaks volumes about a person. That’s my experience of Pastor Justus Kubais, whom I met through a Zoom meeting about 18 months ago. It was like awakening to a deeper realization that people all over the world radiate something that goes far beyond the roles they fill. People like Justus make me want to be a better […]
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens come to Orcas with Barb Faville
Submitted by the Orcas Island Garden Club.
A very special night of drumming with TAIKOPROJECT
Submitted by the Orcas Center.
Orcas Center holding auditions for The Lightning Thief
Orcas Center will hold open auditions Nov. 4 and 5 for its spring production of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Auditions are free and open to teens ages 12 and up and adults. The show is directed by Katie Zwilling, with music direction by Johanna Lange and choreography by Tiffany Loney. It runs April 30 through May 9, 2027. To sign up, visit www.orcascenter.org. All auditions take place in the Black […]
C Street Brass returns to the islands for two free community concerts
Submitted by the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival.
Can you spell F-U-N? The 4th Annual Orcas Island Adult Spelling Bee returns
Calling all word nerds, spelling enthusiasts, and brave souls willing to face the dictionary! The 4th Annual Orcas Island Adult Spelling Bee returns on Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m. at the Orcas Center, promising an evening of friendly competition, community spirit, plenty of laughs, and perhaps a few spectacular spelling mishaps! Hosted by the Orcas Island Public Library, this beloved annual event brings islanders together for a lively celebratio
C Street Brass returns to the islands for two free community concerts
C Street Brass will return to the San Juan Islands October 26 and 27 as part of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s Musicians-in-Residence program. Known for their energetic performances and wide-ranging musical style, the ensemble moves comfortably between traditional chamber music, jazz, and popular music, creating concerts that are engaging and accessible to audiences of all ages. During their island visit, C Stree
Keith Busha January 18, 1951 – September 18, 2026
Keith David Granley, also known as Keith Busha, was born on January 18, 1951 in Queens New York, the second child and only son of David Granley, a half-Swedish mining engineer from Minnesota, and Irma Moisio Granley, a native New Yorker of Piedmontese Italian heritage. He died from complications of lung cancer on September 18, […]
‘Grabbing the Hammer Lane: A Trucker Narrative’ | One-act play
Submitted by the Orcas Center.
Library received grant from Brooklyn’s Books Unbanned
Submitted by the Orcas Island Public Library.
Islands’ Sounder and Journal of the San Juans receive General Excellence in 2026 WNPA Better Newspaper Contest
San Juan Group newspapers combine for 24 awards, including a sweep of Crime & Court Story reporting
Radio show ‘On the Rock’ at the Grange
Submitted by Melinda Milligan.
Orcas Center art show opening | “The Art of Expression”
The Visual Arts Committee of Orcas Center announces the opening of a new show on October 23 (5:30 to 7:00 pm) featuring works from “Art with Carla” – a weekly event at the Orcas Island Senior Center. Wonderful art is the result when community members come together to express themselves in an environment with no rules, no right or wrong. This show, entitled “The Art of Expression” is an exhibit of curated […]
A very special night of drumming with TAIKOPROJECT at Orcas Center
TAIKOPROJECT celebrates 25 years of taiko creativity and innovation with a new concert production entitled “25.” Featuring new compositions and choreography and stunning costumes by acclaimed designer Sueko Oshimoto, “25” will take audiences on a thundering roller coaster of the senses on Saturday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m. at Orcas Center. Taiko is a dynamic Japanese percussion art that uses large hollow wooden drums to create thunderous, earth-shaking
One-act play | Grabbing the Hammer Lane: A Trucker Narrative
“Grabbing the Hammer Lane: A Trucker Narrative” is a searing, 60-minute, one-act play about prodigal rebellion and fleeting moments of redemption, written by and starring David M. Proctor. He will perform on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m., Orcas Center. Matt, a long-haul trucker, hits the road to find himself and the freedom he craves — only to become imprisoned over time in a steel cell on 18 wheels. Clarence remains at home, […]