Stafford poetry reading
The sixth annual William Stafford Birthday Reading, by Confluence Poets at The Confluence in Twisp, will be on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. The free event begins at 7 p.m. Audience members are welcome to share a favorite Stafford poem. Masks and proof of vaccination required. Audience size limited to 40. To reserve your seat, go to http://Stafford2022.brownpapertickets.com.
Art show in Chelan
The Lake Chelan Arts Council will sponsor a Winter Art Exhibit at Radiance Downtown, 71 Wapato Way, in Manson beginning Jan. 14 and continuing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Feb. 27. Check www.radiancewinery.com for hours. Invitations to exhibit have been sent to more than 50 local artists. The theme of the show is “Artist’s Choice,” and the Arts Council is expecting a wide variety of artworks will be on exhibit. Visit www.artinchelan.com for more information.
Writing competition open
The 15th Annual Write on the River (WOTR) Writing Competition is open, with the submission deadline set for Feb. 28, 2022.
Six winners will be awarded a total of $1,200 in cash prizes for short fiction or nonfiction (maximum 1,000 words), on any theme or topic. For competition guidelines and to submit your work, visit the Write On The River website, www.writeontheriver.org.
The competition is for any writer residing in central or eastern Washington. Current WOTR members living elsewhere in the state may also enter.
The cost to submit is $20, or $40 to receive written critiques on the submission. If a writer would like to submit but is unable to due to financial circumstances, a few scholarships are available to cover the cost of submission. Writers interested in applying for a scholarship should contact info@writeontheriver.org.
Methow Valley resident Rose Weagant won first place in the 2021 Write on the River fiction contest with her submission “The Piggly Wiggly.”
Live music in the valley
Methow Music Monthly, compiled by local musician George Schneider, is a free compilation of live music events in the valley. Email Schneider at MethowMusicMonthly@gmail.com to be included in the listings.
• Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at 2 p.m. at The Merc Playhouse, pianist Michael Brady will offer the second of two recitals to jointly benefit Room One and Jamie’s Place. Solo classical piano. Tentative program will be variations on “Mein junges Leben hat ein End” by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck; the first movement of Carl Maria von Weber’s Second Piano Sonata in A-Flat major; Chopin’s First Ballade; a Prelude of Reinhold Gliere together with Rain Tree Sketch II (in memoriam Olivier Messiaen) by Toru Takemitsu; and Chopin’s “Heroic” Polonaise in A-Flat major.
Seating capacity is limited; vaccinations and masks are required. Admission by donation. 996-5002.
At Sun Mountain Lodge
Several holiday season performances will be offered at the Sun Mountain Lodge lobby and gallery. Indoor mask requirements in place. No cover charge for any of these events.
• Dec. 22, 6:30-8 p.m., Terry Hunt and Friends.
• Dec. 23, 6:30-8 p.m., folk singer Hank Cramer.
• Dec. 24, 5:30-7 p.m., Wayne Mendro at the piano.
• Dec. 26 and Dec. 29, 6:30-8 p.m., jazz with Marcus Duke and George Schneider.
• Dec. 27, 6:30-8 p.m., The Tamarack Quartet performs standard classical repertoire like Mozart, Schubert, Bach, Beethoven, Corelli, Vivaldi and Strauss.
• Dec. 28, 6:30-8 p.m., Terry Hunt, classical guitar.
• Dec. 30, 6-8:30 p.m., “Celebrate the Piano” with five of the valley’s most-talented pianists: Lynette Westendorf, Michael Brady, Marcus Duke, Maggie
Coon and Mike Kamansky.
• Dec. 31, 6-8:30 p.m., singer/guitarist Dave Nolet presents Brazilian bossa nova tunes.