OVOC fall concert
The Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus present their fall concert, “New Beginnings,” on Saturday (Oct. 15), at 3 p.m. in the Omak Performing Arts Center.
Both ensembles are highlighting different aspects of newness — music by composers new to local audiences, music from different cultures, and music acclaimed for its novelty when it was first composed.
Admission is $10; free for youths under 18. Visit ovocmusic.org for more information.
Benefit concert for Peniel Orphanage
Linda Mendro will play piano pieces from her past, joined by other musicians, friends and family and daughter Jennifer Duguay reading poetry, at a fundraising “Back to Childhood” concert on Sunday, Oct. 23, at the Methow Valley United Methodist Church. The event, which starts at 1 p.m., is a benefit for the Peniel Orphanage in the DRC (Congo). Refreshments will be served. Admission is by donation.
Liberty Bell Drama presents ‘Adrift’
The Liberty Bell Drama Company will stage “Adrift,” a variety show consisting of seven 10-minute plays plus a number from a spooky Broadway musical, on Oct, 27, 29 and 30 at The Merc Playhouse in Twisp.
“Adrift” is described as “an evening of theater to put you in a darkly humorous mood in honor of the season.” It features plays by Shel Silverstein, Pete Barry, David MacGregor, Ian August, Steven Hayet, Laurie Allen, and Rachael Murray.
The Oct. 27 and 29 shows start at 7 p.m.; the Oct. 30 show starts at 2 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes before show time. The show is free for all students and the families of the cast and crew; $15 for general community members. The performance is rated PG-13 because of some strong language and adult themes.
Nobuntu performs at the Barn
Methow Arts presents the all-female a cappella group Nobuntu from Zimbabwe in concert at the Winthrop Barn on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $30 reserved (first five rows and balcony); $18 general admission; $12 for students ages 5 – 17. For information, email info@methowartsalliance.org or visit http://www.methowarts.org.
According to information from Methow Arts, Nobuntu has drawn international acclaim for its fusion of soul-stirring sounds, traditional African instruments, and joyful dance. Their repertoire includes traditional Zimbabwean songs, Afro Jazz and Gospel. Nobuntu was nominated for Best Musician of the Year at the Zimbabwe International Women’s Awards in London in 2015 and are currently a two-time winner for the Best Imbube Group at the Bulawayo Arts Awards 2017 and 2019.
Methow Arts will also send Nobuntu into six school districts in Okanogan County.
African acrobats at Omak PAC
The ZUZU African Acrobats will perform at the Omak Performing Arts Center on Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. Tickets are on sale at Rawson’s in Okanogan, Kelley Imaging in Omak and at Tonasket Interiors as well as online at www.omakpac.org. Adult tickets are $25, student tickets are $10. Children 4 and under are free. Call (509) 847‑4773 for additional information. Halloween costumes are encouraged.
Originating from the historical small town of Bagamoyo, Tanzania, ZUZU African Acrobats celebrate the 2,000-year-old Bantic culture of East Africa, offering a high-energy routine which includes fast pyramid building, limbo, contortion, bottle balancing, unicycle, tumbling and African traditional dance and music.
Holiday Concert rehearsals
Rehearsals are underway for Cascadia Music’s annual Holiday Concert in December:
• Cascadia Chorale — Rehearsals are weekly on Mondays at 7 p.m. at the Methow Valley United Methodist Church under the direction of Rebecca Gallivan. No experience is necessary, just bring your voice and love for making music.
• Methow Valley Orchestra — Rehearsals are weekly on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp under Terry Hunt, orchestra director. Musicians who have at least two years of experience with their instrument and who read music are welcome. Contact Hunt for more information at mountainsound@centurytel.net.
Proof of vaccination is required. Dress rehearsals and performances will be the week of Dec. 11 – 14.
Contact Cascadia Music at cascadiamv@gmail.com for more information.
Poetry in November
Two local poetry events on are the scheduled in November:
• On Friday, Nov. 18, Friends of the Winthrop Library hosts Washington state Poet Laureate Rena Priest presenting her poetry at the Winthrop library meeting room. The free event begins at 6:30 p.m.; registration is required. Visit www.winthroplibraryfriends.org/events for information.
Priest’s two-year focus celebrates poetry in tribal communities and uses poetry to increase appreciation of the natural world and the threats it faces. Priest’s literary debut, “Patriarchy Blues,” was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and her most recent work is “Sublime Subliminal.” She’s a member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, and she is the first Indigenous person to serve as the state Poet Laureate.
• On Saturday, Nov. 19, Methow poets will gather for an open Poetry Slam, also in the Winthrop library meeting room. The free event starts at 6:30 p.m. Signup is limited to 15 entrants and begins at 6 p.m. Entrants must be prepared with three original poems to perform, each less than three minutes long. Elimination rounds will produce three finalists, each of whom will receive a gift certificate from Trail’s End Bookstore. For information, email fowl98862@gmail.com.
