R&B Festival donations
The Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival has announced donations to regional nonprofit organizations, generated from the proceeds of the July event. Recipients are:
• The Cove Food Bank ($5,000), which provides assistance to people in need in the Methow Valley.
• Tommy Zbyszewski Methow Valley Education Foundation scholarship ($1,000), honoring the local firefighter lost during the 2015 wildfires
• Room One ($2,000), a multi-faceted social service organization located in the Methow Valley.
• Methow Valley School District Music Program ($1,500).
• Methow Housing Trust ($1,000) which develops and preserves affordable, quality housing for residents of the Methow Valley.
• Washington Blues Society Musician Relief Program ($750).
Since its formation in 2005, the nonprofit Winthrop Music Association has provided more than $100,000 in support of these and other organizations.
‘Ripcord’ continues
The Merc Playhouse production of “Ripcord,” written by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Phil Quevillon, continues this week with performances at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Sept. 28-30), and at 2 p.m. on Sunday (Oct. 1). Admission is $18; or by donation on Thursday (Sept. 28). Buy tickets online at www.mercplayhouse.org/202223-season.
The Merc’s next presentation is a Readers’ Theater production of “The Girl on the Train,” based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and the DreamWorks film, and directed by Jane Orme. Performance dates are Oct. 13-22. Shows are at 7 p.m. on Oct. 13, 14, 20 and 21, and at 2 p.m. on Oct. 22. Admission is by donation at all performances; there are no pre-sales.
Ahearn talks about NPR series, new book
Valley resident Ashley Ahearn, an award-winning NPR podcast producer, will release “Mustang,” an eight-part series that will be aired on NPR and member stations across the west, on Oct. 25. Ahearn will appear at The Confluence: Art in Twisp on Thursday, Oct. 5, at 5:30 p.m. to talk about her works. The NPR series explores the controversial issue of how we manage the more than 80,000 wild horses that roam across 10 western states. Ahearn has also published a children’s book, “The Little Black Mustang,” described as “a timeless tale of a young wild horse who roams the sagebrush country with his family until, one day, he is captured and brought into the world of humans.”
Four Guitarists at Omak PAC
Four guitarists from Italy, 40 Fingers, will perform at the Omak Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. The group just completed a successful tour in Europe, and will perform their own compositions as well as covers for Eric Clapton, Dire Straits, the Beatles and Queen. Tickets are $28 for adults, $10 for students with children under 5 free. Rawsons in Okanogan, Kelly Connect in Omak and Tonasket Interiors have tickets for sale. Tickets can be purchased at omakpac.org. Call (509) 846-4773 for information.
Cristy Carlson book reading
Local author Cristy Carlson reads from her new memoir “Growing Up with Dad. East of the Cascades” on Monday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. at the Winthrop Library. Books will be available for sale at the free event, and a portion of the proceeds will support the programs of Winthrop Kiwanis. For information, visit MethowPress.com.
Cascadia Chorale needs you
The Cascadia Chorale, directed by Terry Hunt, has started rehearsing for its Holiday Concert and invites people to join. Singers practice on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Methow Valley United Methodist Church between Twisp and Winthrop. Prior experience singing or reading music is helpful. All ages are welcome and no auditions are required.
The Holiday Concert featuring the Cascadia Chorale, the Pipestone Orchestra and friends will be held on Dec. 12 and 13. For more information, contact Terry Hunt at mountainsound@centurytel.net or (509) 699-3589.
Live music
• Friday, Sept. 29, Swallowtail (Emele Clothier and Matt Armbrust) at Twisp River Tap House, 6 p.m. No cover.
• Saturday, Sept. 30, Vera Loves Vinyl dance party at Twisp River Tap House, 7 p.m. No cover.
• Tuesday, Oct. 9, the Snowberries (Teresa Hayden, Tom Kelley, Suzanne King, Mark King) play jazz standards and more at the Mazama Public House, 5:30-8:30 p.m. No cover.
• Tuesday, Oct. 17, singer/songwriter and recording artist Jeffrey Foucault at Sun Mountain Lodge, 7 p.m. $25.
• Tuesday, Oct. 24, George Schneider/Marcus Duke Duo at Mazama Public House, 5:30-8:30 p.m. No cover.
