Chamber Orchestra concert
The Twisp Chamber Orchestra will present a concert, “A Tale of Two Seasons: Piazzolla and Vivaldi,” on Saturday (Sept. 11) at the Methow Valley Inn in Twisp.
Featured musicians will be Mandy Howard-Phillips performing Vivaldi’s “Winter and Spring” concertos, and Vanessa Moss performing Piazzolla’s “Winter and Spring” concertos. Also on the program is a presentation of “Brahms’ Viola Quintet in G,” and an original composition, “Branching Sequence,” by Matt Armbrust.
Cost of the outdoor performance, which begins at 7 p.m., is $18 for adults and $1 for minors, or by donation for the streaming presentation. For information, email matta@sunnco.com.
The Twisp Chamber Orchestra includes members of Kairos, the Spokane Symphony, the Yakima Symphony and PNB, as well as Methow Valley musicians.
Art Walk coming
TwispWorks, Methow Arts, the Twisp Chamber of Commerce, Cascadia and Confluence Gallery & Art Center are partnering to present the Twisp Fall Art Walk and Studio Tour on Sept. 25 from 1-5 p.m.
The organizers are reaching out to local artists to participate. Artists with booths will set up in the plaza at TwispWorks or between Second and Third avenues on Glover Street. Artists can participate at no charge.
For information about participating, email kaileah@confluencegallery.org or call 997-2787. The registration deadline is Saturday (Sept. 4).
Redman book discussion
Methow At Home will host a free Zoom presentation, a book discussion with local author Eric Redman, on Oct. 6 from 9-10:30 a.m. Redman will discuss his book, “Bones of Hilo,” which is available at local libraries, bookstores and online. The book is described as “a riveting mystery novel set in the Methow Valley and Hawaii.” Half the royalties will go to the Makuakane Endowed Scholarship for students of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo. Redman, who splits his time between Hawaii and the Methow Valley, previously authored the nonfiction best-seller “The Dance of Legislation.” Visit methowathome.org to register, and find more information at https://ericredmanwriting.com/about.
Beets’ concert
The previously scheduled free concert by the Bitterroot Beets has been rescheduled for Oct. 2, from 7-9:30 p.m. at the TwispWorks Pavilion. Visit www.twispworks.org for more information.
MV Orchestra update
The Methow Valley Orchestra typically starts rehearsals for its holiday concert just after Labor Day. But with the current high rates of COVID transmission, orchestra director Terry Hunt and the orchestra leadership committee are evaluating public health recommendations before making a decision about the fall/winter season. The orchestra plans and public health protocols will be announced shortly.
The Cascadia Chorale, under director Dana Stromberger, will not meet until 2022, because singing indoors is a high-risk activity. Current and future members of the chorale are invited to remain involved by joining the Cascadia board or chorale leadership committee.
For more information, visit cascadiamusic.org or contact cascadiamv@gmail.com.
‘CoronAnthology’ in October
The Merc Playhouse will stage its first live production in nearly two years when it presents “CoronAnthology: The year we held our breath,” on Oct. 14-17. Visit www.mercplayhouse.org for additional information, or call 997-7529.
Poetry Out Loud returns
Liberty Bell High School’s annual Poetry Out Loud competition has been scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 6, at The Merc Playhouse in Twisp, starting at 6 p.m. At least 12 students from Liberty Bell and the Independent Learning Center are expected to participate after advancing from competition in their classes.
The competition returns to The Merc after it was staged virtually last year, with participants making videotapes of their recitations. Last year’s winner was then-freshman Leki Albright. She advanced from regional competition to the state finals.
Previous winners were Cymone Van Marter (2019 and 2018), Mackenzie Woodworth (2017), Mia Stratman (2016), Lillian Cooley (2015), Claire Waichler (2014), Liam Daily (2013) and the late Tom Zbyszewski (2012).
Poetry Out Loud is a national program to encourage appreciation of poetry. Students memorize and recite two poems and are judged on their memorization skills, as well as their confidence, projection and poise.
Poetry Out Loud is presented in partnership with the Washington State Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation and Methow Arts. The Public School Funding Alliance also directly supports the local program.
