The Merc Playhouse wrapped up a week-long drama camp Friday (Aug. 9) with scenes from the Broadway musical Annie. Seventeen kids honed their song, dance and acting skills, and designed set pieces and costumes under the tutelage of guest director Megan Fox Hicks. Here, from left, Travis Grialou, Sage Borgias, Isabelle Horan, Peter Nourse, Seth Kurtz, Wyatt Belcher, Julia Dietz, Emma Nourse, Wyatt Albright and Olivia Morrow peform “It’s a Hard Luck Life.” Photo by Laurelle WalshTatiana Kruse, foreground, in black, led campers of all ages in a rehearsal of an African song of celebration at the first Methow Valley Voice Camp this week. The group will perform three ensemble pieces and a dozen solos and duets at the Twisp River Pub on Friday (Aug. 16), starting at 6 p.m. Photo by Marcy StamperLucaas Gonzalez-Ortega, of Carlton, stayed alert during a game of “Hunger Games, Battle to the Death” (played with handmade bows and foam-tipped arrows), but didn’t know he was about to be ambushed by fellow warrior Peter Sawyer Walter of Brooklyn, NY. Kids at the four-day Warrior Camp, taught by primitive skills instructors Katie Russell and Ex Umbra, also fashioned atlatls (throwing sticks) out of mullein stalks; learned to make friction fire; caught, roasted and ate grasshoppers; practiced stalking and wilderness movement; played games and learned other warrior skills. Photo by Laurelle WalshWorld renowned potter Deborah Schwartzkopf of Seattle talked about her process to an intrigued audience during the recent Clay Art Fest at TwispWorks. Photo by Don Nelson
