Musicians needed!
Are you a musician looking for opportunities to make music with others? There are several opportunities in the Methow Valley and Okanogan County this season.
- The Methow Valley Orchestra is gearing up for its 2022 – 23 season and welcomes string, woodwind, brass and percussion players to join.
The orchestra aims to provide enriching opportunities for all interested musicians. It is open to musicians who have at least two years of experience with their instrument and who read music.
The first rehearsals is Thursday, Sept. 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the gym at the Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp. The holiday concerts are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec, 13 and 14.
For more information or to join, email Conductor Terry Hunt at mountainsound@centurytel.net.
- Singers and instrumentalists are invited to join the Okanogan Valley Orchestra & Chorus for their 2022 – 23 season.
OVOC doesn’t hold auditions — they have a great time celebrating the community and welcome beginners and professionals (and everyone in-between).
The first rehearsals for both groups are on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 5) in the Omak High School band and choir room. The orchestra meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and the chorus from 7:45 to 9:15 p.m. Masks are optional for rehearsals. Concerts are Oct. 15, Dec. 10, Feb. 11 (a variety show), and March 25.
For more information, go to ovocmusic.org. To join the orchestra, email the orchestra representative, Rikki, at rikkirodrigues94@gmail.com. To join the chorus, email the chorus representative, Betsy, at betsyrainsford@gmail.com.
Guitarist Bensusan returns
Renowned acoustic guitarist Pierre Bensusan returns to the valley on Sept. 14 for a performance sponsored by Cascadia Music at the Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp, starting at 7 p.m.
The appearance will feature compositions from Bensusan’s 2020 album “Azwan.”
Bensusan appeared in the Methow Valley in 2017, when the News noted that “he blends his own Algerian-French heritage and his voracious interest in Irish, classical, and folk and traditional styles in a unique and distinctive style.”
Bensusan’s influences include the folk revival in the 1960s and his rich personal musical heritage, which he combines in an uncommonly innovative style. In addition to fingerstyle acoustic guitar, Bensusan straddles genres in his vocals, which are peppered with scat singing drawn from jazz tradition as well as whistles and improvisational vocalizations.
Advance tickets are $22 at www.cascadiamusic.org; or $25 at the door. There is no reserved seating. Call (509) 997‑0222 or email cascadiamv@gmail.com for information.
‘One Act Play’ opens Sept. 16
The Merc Playhouse production of the quirky comedy “The One Act Play that Goes Wrong” opens on Sept. 16 and continues through Oct. 2.
The play, written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields and directed by Mark Easton, is a physical slapstick play-within-a-play exposing the inner workings and foibles of a community theater company staging a classic murder mystery.
Performances are at 7 p.m. on Sept. 16 – 17, 22 – 24, 29 – 30 and Oct. 1. Shows are at 2 p.m. on Sept. 25 and Oct. 2. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 online or $20 at the door; youth tickets are $5. Admission is by donation on Sept. 22 and 29. For information, visit www.mercplayhouse.org.
