Orcas Center News

Help us Thrive in 2025!

Help us Thrive in 2025! $300,000 to raise in our END OF YEAR FUNDRAISER As we wrap up a dynamic season overflowing with activity, preparation for 2025 is already well underway! Orcas Center is proud

Announcing the 2024 Summer Concert Series!

Orcas Center’s Summer Concert Series returns to the Village Green No tickets necessary thanks to our generous sponsors! Sundays at 5pm from June 16th - August 25th On the Village Green Full Concert Line-up June

Native American Canoe Journey – May 22

Orcas Island to Welcome Native American Canoe Journey May 22nd, 2024 By Geri and David Turnoy Image courtesy of Phreddie Xwenang Lane For more information, Visit Gathering of the Eagles on Facebook For the last

The Met Opera at Orcas Center this Spring

This spring, watch incredible performances from The Metropolitan Opera at Orcas Center! Filmed live in HD, these on-screen events feature a diverse sampling of the world’s best performers at the height of their careers –

Featured Artist: Avi Shmueli

The Visual Arts Committee (VAC) opens its March exhibit with a community show showcasing landscape art on Friday, March 1 at 5:30pm with Featured Artist Avi Shmueli. After moving to Orcas with his wife, Andrea

The Met Opera at Orcas Center

Start the New Year off right with incredible performances from The Metropolitan Opera at Orcas Center! Filmed live in HD, these on-screen events feature a diverse sampling of the world’s best performers at the height

Get Into the Festive Spirit at Orcas Center!

Orcas Center brings the holiday spirit to life through song, music, art, and dance! Whether it’s a book talk, art show, craft market, concert, or dance extravaganza, there are so many activities to choose from

Whale of a Show – 2023!

Did you miss Whale of a Show last week? Fret not! Now it's in our video archives! Click on the image below to watch the full show: https://vimeo.com/881512357  

Call for 2024 Featured Artists

CALL FOR 2024 FEATURED ARTISTS! The Visual Arts Committee of Orcas Center is planning the 2024 season and is pleased to welcome back Featured Artist Exhibits! Featured Artists at Orcas Center have dedicated displays in

Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival 2023

2023 Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival 26th Season August 4 – 19, 2023 Season Sponsors: David and Amy Fulton All Concerts and Events take place at Orcas Center, Main Stage (unless otherwise indicated) (all artists

2023 Summer Concert Series

What started out as a means to gather safely during COVID has now turned into an annual tradition. Join us this summer as we present 12 great bands on the Village Green - FREE to

On Screen at Orcas Center: May – July 2023

This summer's On-Screen lineup at Orcas Center includes a host of offerings from The Metropolitan Opera, and National Theatre Live. Filmed live in HD, these on-screen events feature a diverse sampling of the world’s best

On Screen at Orcas Center: March and April 2023

March and April's On-Screen lineup at Orcas Center includes a host of offerings from The Metropolitan Opera, and National Theatre Live. Filmed live in HD, these on-screen events feature a diverse sampling of the world’s

In Memoriam: Bruce Orchid

In Memoriam: Bruce Orchid Bruce Orchid played many roles in our community, including that of Orcas Center's first Executive Director in 1986. We are heartbroken to learn of his passing and send our condolences to

Olga Symphony Livestream 2022

The Olga Symphony Livestream Friday, November 25th, 2022 They’re back! The beloved tradition returns, as the Olga Symphony once more takes to the Orcas Center stage for their annual Holiday Concert. Melinda, Gordon, Z, JP,

What A Difference a Year Makes!

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES! $300,000 to raise in our END OF YEAR FUNDRAISER Help us get a $60k donor match by the end of November! . This time last year, Orcas Center was

In Memoriam: Jane Marilyn McGuire

Jane Marilyn McGuire, previously of Eastsound, WA, passed peacefully in Atlanta, Georgia under the Full Hunter Moon with her family by her side on October 9, 2022.  She was a woman of exceptional beauty, humor,

Orcas Center is Hiring!

Orcas Center is hiring for two part-time positions! Marketing Manager (approximately 20 hours per week) and Bookkeeper (approximately 10-15 hours per week) Come join a supportive, talented, and dedicated staff that helps create a home

Youth Acting Classes Begin This Fall

Youth Acting Classes Running September 13th - October 20th: 12 sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Black Box Instructors: Jake Perrine and Jamey Moriarity Price: $70 . Acting classes provide children with more than just

Announcing – Summer Concert Series!

Full Concert Line-up! June 18th - August 27th On the Village Green 203 N Beach Rd, Eastsound, WA 98245 Tickets are complimentary thanks to our wonderful Summer Series Sponsors! ** JUNE ** Sat 18th at

Orcas Center welcomes Mieka Neenan

Orcas Center is pleased to welcome our newest staff member, Mieka Neenan, as our Front-of-House Manager! Mieka is now full-time and will be your go-to person for all customer care issues: Ticketing inquiries, memberships, upcoming

Art Unlocked – Pandemic Productions

Visual Arts Committee Presents: Art Unlocked - Pandemic Productions On display March 4th-April 12th Opening Reception Friday, March 4th 5:30pm-7pm Lobby Gallery & Madrona Room Due to COVID Precautions, the following guidelines will be followed

Home for the Holidays December 2021

Donations from this event will go to the performing artists and Orcas Center's streaming campaign. Thank you for your support! Mail donations to: Orcas Center PO Box 567 Eastsound, WA 98245 Donations from this event

Olga Symphony – November 2021

All donations to this event will be donated to local charities and Orcas Center’s streaming campaign. Thank you for your support! Mail donations to: Orcas Center PO Box 567 Eastsound, WA 98245 On the Orcas

Fundraising is on now!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE Orcas Center, our beloved community resource, has undergone a major makeover : From brand new theatre seating to a reinvigorated costume shop, we are poised to take on our 2021-2022 season

Orcas Center’s Reopening Plans

Orcas Center’s closure over the past 15 months has brought about great challenges, change, and opportunities. I am thrilled that we can look towards a more certain future now that the majority of San Juan

Happy 90th Willie Thomas!

Performed LIVE from Orcas Center September 22, 2019 Willie Thomas Memorial Concert https://vimeo.com/511335129 In celebration of what would have been Willie Thomas' 90th birthday, Oliver Groenewald and Wendy Thomas released the memorial concert played

Archive #19 – Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms

Streamed LIVE from Orcas Center October 23rd, 2020 Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms   https://vimeo.com/454557333   If you've traveled anywhere in North America and Europe, or have spent any time listening to country music that

Archive #18 – Stephen Fairweather

Streamed LIVE from Orcas Center October 18th, 2020 Stephen Fairweather https://vimeo.com/459592074 Stephen Fairweather is a pianist and composer from NW Montana currently residing on Orcas Island. He has worked as an accompanist for choral &

Archive #17 – Rafe Pearlman

Streamed LIVE from Orcas Center August 27th, 2020 Rafe Pearlman with VJ Kaizen https://vimeo.com/452940116   In a beautiful twist of fate, we find ourselves in the company of Rafe Pearlman who is visiting Orcas this

Archive #16 – Charlie Porter and Friends

Streamed LIVE from Orcas Center on Thursday, August 20th, 2020. Charlie Porter and Friends 200820 Charlie Porter & Friends final from Orcas Center on Vimeo. An event not be missed, GRAMMY award winning trumpeter and

Black Lives Matter

Community is everything, especially on our rugged 57-square mile island with its 5,500 citizens. We are all here by choice in this microcosm, where we ideally elevate each other to be better human beings in

Archive #14 – The 39 Steps – 2014

Directed by Deborah Sparks and starring Robert Hall, Grace McCune, Christopher Evans, and Cali Bagby. This was the funniest production I have ever seen at Orcas Center! I laughed to tears multiple times.

Closed But Busy Serving the Community

One of the hardest decisions we had to make was closing down activities at Orcas Center. That included classes, art showings, productions, meetings and gatherings of all kinds. After all, it was just a few

Archive #2: Sea Stars / Sorne

Last fall we had a great run of live music acts (and with any luck you will get to see the lineup coming this fall!), and thanks to our friends Imagine Music and Arts Festival,

Archive #1: This Is Me

Hello, shut-in community! We miss you! Since we can't get together, its time to share some memories from when we did. I'm adding to enormous pile of "stuff to watch while social distancing" with a

In the Gallery: Fiber Magic

Visual Arts Committee Presents: Fiber Magic On display March 5th-March 30th Opening Reception Friday, March 6th 5:30pm-7pm Lobby Gallery & Madrona Room Join us for an evening celebrating fiber artists! Geoff Shilling will be the

Keeping our community healthy

The Orcas Center board and staff have received questions regarding the public health concern over the recent Novel Coronavirus (2019-ncov) outbreak. As of this writing, there are no confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus (2019-ncov) in

An Evening with George Winston

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage An Evening with George Winston Sunday, September 13th at 7:30pm Tiered Ticket Pricing for George Winston: $57, $40, $25 $2 ticketing fee per ticket Orcas Center Members receive $2

In the Gallery: Man Made Show

Visual Arts Committee Presents: Man Made On display February 6th – March 3rd Opening Reception Friday, February 7th 5:30pm-7pm Lobby Gallery & Madrona Room The Visual Arts Committee of Orcas Center has realized that most

On Sale Now: Chicago!

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage Chicago! March 19th – April 4th: Thursday – Saturday at 7:30pm March 29th, Sunday at 2pm Tiered Ticket Pricing: $47, $25, $15 $2 ticketing fee per ticket Orcas Center

On Screen: 42nd Street

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage Broadway: Captured Live in HD 42nd Street Saturday, March 7th at 7pm Run time: 2 hrs and 35 minutes Tiered Ticket Pricing: $47, $25, $12 $2 ticketing fee per

On Center Stage: The Gothard Sisters

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage The Gothard Sisters Friday, March 6th at 7:30pm Tiered Ticket Pricing: $47, $25, $15 $2 ticketing fee per ticket Orcas Center Members receive $2 off per ticket **Orcas Center’s

On Screen: All My Sons

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage NT Live: Captured Live in HD All My Sons Saturday, January 25th at 1pm Run time: 2 hours 45 minutes Tiered Ticket Pricing: $47, $25, $12 $2 ticketing fee

Orcas Center’s Year in Review: 2019

WHAT A YEAR IT'S BEEN! Orcas Center has seen a lot of changes and activity in 2019, and we couldn't have done it without you! We wanted to take a moment to acknowledge all that

Holiday Closures – 2019

Please Note Orcas Center's Holiday Closures: Orcas Center's Box Office and Administration Offices will be closed December 23rd - January 13th. Staff will be available intermittently via email during this time. The Box Office will

On Center Stage: Triple Americana

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage Triple Americana: Carolyn Cruso with Tom Rawson & Ellen van DerHoeven Friday, February 7th at 7:30pm Tiered Ticket Pricing: $47, $25, $15 $2 ticketing fee per ticket Orcas Center

On Center Stage – Che Apalache

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage Che Apalache Tuesday, February 18th at 7:30pm Tiered Ticket Pricing: $47, $25, $15 $2 ticketing fee per ticket Orcas Center Members receive $2 off per ticket **Orcas Center’s Tiered

Class Announcement: Computer Audio

Jake Perrine, Orcas Center's Artistic Director & Technical Director, will teach a Computer Audio class Tuesday evenings 6-8pm in January: 1/7, 14, 21, 28, at Orcas Center. This class is for anyone who wants to

On Screen: Raymonda (Bolshoi Ballet)

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage The Bolshoi Ballet: Captured Live in HD Raymonda Saturday, January 11th at 1pm Run time: 3 hours Tiered Ticket Pricing: $47, $25, $12 $2 ticketing fee per ticket Orcas

Giving Thanks for Our Community

We just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge how thankful we are for your continued support and involvement at Orcas Center! There have been many highs and lows throughout the years, but Orcas Center

Enjoy the Holidays at Orcas Center!

As the days grow shorter and nights get colder, Orcas Center helps keep holiday spirit alive through song, music, and dance! There are many traditional holiday concerts, films, and performances to choose from that are

On Stage – A Christmas Carol

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage in conjunction with San Juan Community Theatre A Christmas Carol Sunday: December 15th at 3pm Tiered Ticket Pricing: $15, $25, $47 plus a $2 service fee Orcas Center Members

On Screen: Akhnaten

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage The Metropolitan Opera: Captured Live in HD Akhnaten Sunday, December 22nd 2019, 1pm Run time: 3 hours 41 minutes Tiered Ticket Pricing: $47, $25, $12 $2 ticketing fee per

On Screen: The Magic Flute

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage The Metropolitan Opera: Captured Live in HD The Magic Flute Saturday, December 28th 2019, 1pm Run time: 1 hour 45 minutes Tiered Ticket Pricing: $47, $25, $12 $2 ticketing

On Screen: Madama Butterfly

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage The Metropolitan Opera: Captured Live in HD Madama Butterfly Sunday, December 1st 2019, 1pm Run time: 3 hours 22 minutes Tiered Ticket Pricing: $47, $25, $12 Plus a $2

On Center Stage: The Olga Symphony

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage The Olga Symphony and Friends Friday, November 29th at 7:30 PM Saturday, November 30th at 7:30PM General Admission $5 plus a $2 service fee Olga Symphony Tickets are available

On-Screen: Two Amazing Productions from The Met

Orcas Center is pleased to present two amazing Operas from The Metropolitan Opera during the month of November on screen in HD: Manon and Turandot. November 3rd, 11am: Manon The Metropolitan Opera Tiered Ticket Pricing:

In the Gallery: A Lifetime of Learning

Visual Arts Committee Presents: A Lifetime of Learning: Adult Students and Their Teachers On display October 30th - December 17th Opening Reception Friday, November 1st 2019 5:30pm-7pm Lobby Gallery & Madrona Room The November art

Orcas Island Community Band Holiday Concert

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage Orcas Island Community Band Saturday, December 14th, 3:00 PM Admission by donation No one has to be alone, nor spend any money at the holidays.   Please receive the gift

On Center Stage: The Roasted Nut Too!

Kicking off Orcas Center’s Holiday offerings this November 21-23 is The Roasted Nut Too – an original dance performance by The Island Inspiration All-Stars sure to bring festive light to these ever-colder nights.   The

A Thank You from Oliver and Wendy

Thank you dear fans and friends of Willie Thomas, When an artist is preparing and planning a concert, the hope is that the audience is going to love it, will be inspired, and will come

New Software System Coming Soon!

It is with great excitement that we announce our upcoming software move from Ovation (the current ticketing platform) to Arts People! As with any move, there is a lot of prep-work going on behind the

On Center Stage: Whale of a Show

Orcas Center presents on Center Stage: Whale of a Show Friday, October 4th at 6:30pm Saturday, October 5th at 6:30pm Tiered Ticket Pricing: $15, $25, $47 Orcas Center Members receive $2 off **Orcas Center’s Tiered

On Center Stage: Paul Rucker – Normalization

Women in the Woods Presents on Center Stage Paul Rucker - Normalization Saturday, September 28th at 7pm Tickets ~ $25 PURCHASE PAUL RUCKER TICKETS <br><br> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAQ11iNknoU&t=19s Paul Rucker: A Man for All Seasons

2019-2020 Season “Role-Out”

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage: Season "Role-Out" 2019-2020 Sunday, September 8th  4pm Orcas Center’s Season “Role-Out” is a great opportunity to learn about upcoming shows for the season, scheduled classes, sponsorship opportunities, and volunteer

Audition Notice: Whale of a Show Jr!

Whale of a Show Auditions It’s time for Whale of a Show! Auditions will take place on Friday, September 13th (3pm-5pm) on the center stage and Saturday, September 14th (10:30-noon) on the center stage. This is

Audition Notice: Chicago

Chicago Auditions Robert Hall will direct this Tony award-winning production in the original Bob Fosse style. Choreographed by Tiffany Loney with musical direction by Martin Lund, this production on the Orcas Center main stage will

In the Gallery: Marcia Spees

Visual Arts Committee Presents: Marcia Spees On display September 4th - October 4th Opening Reception Friday, September 6th 2019 5:30pm-7pm Lobby Gallery & Madrona Room Orcas Island artist Marcia Spees is known for her exquisite

On Screen – Two Great Shakespearean Plays

Orcas Center is pleased to present two great Shakespearean Plays during the month of November on screen in HD: A Midsummer's Night Dream and The Tempest. November 2nd, 1pm: A Midsummer’s Night Dream National Theatre

On Center Stage: StoryFest

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage Orcas Storyfest: Shadows, Secrets and Other Stories Saturday, August 24th, 7:30 PM Tiered Ticket Pricing: $15, $25, $47 Orcas Center Members receive $2 off **Orcas Center's Tiered Ticket Pricing

On Center Stage: Laura Veirs

Orcas Center Presents On Center Stage Laura Veirs Friday, August 23rd 7:30PM Tiered Ticket Pricing: $15, $25, $47 Orcas Center Members receive $2 off **Orcas Center's Tiered Ticket Pricing is based on the needs of

Painting Party: Round Two!

Painting Party: Round Two! We have just one-and-a-half sides of the building to go! Help beautify Orcas Center by joining us for a painting party to update the exterior of the building. Orcas Center is

On Screen: Kinky Boots

Orcas Center presents on Center Stage: Kinky Boots - The Musical Saturday, October 19th - 7pm Tiered Ticket Pricing: $15, $25, $47 Orcas Center Members receive $2 off **Orcas Center’s Tiered Ticket Pricing is based

Audition Notice: Hamlet

Audition Notice: All-Female Cast of Hamlet Audition dates: August 26th, 27th, 28th and September 9th, 10th, 11th Time: 7pm-9pm Place: Orcas Center Madrona Room Performance Dates: Summer 2020 For More Information: Contact Michael Armenia –

In the Gallery: The Orcas Artist Studio Tour

Visual Arts Committee Presents: The Orcas Artist Studio Tour On display July 26th - September 4th Opening Reception Friday, July 26th 2019 5:30pm-7pm Lobby Gallery & Madrona Room Thirty-two premier Orcas Island artists and craftspeople

In the Black Box: The Lost Virginity Tour

Orcas Center Presents in the Black Box The Lost Virginity Tour Click on the date to purchase tickets: Thursday, September 12th 2019 @ 7:30 PM Friday, September 13th 2019 @ 7:30 PM Saturday, September 14th

On Center Stage: Sea Stars and Sorne

Orcas Center in conjunction with Imagine Arts and Music Festival presents on Center Stage a special double-bill event: Sea Stars and Sorne Wednesday, September 18th 7:30 PM Tiered Ticket Pricing: $15, $25, $47 Orcas Center

On Center Stage: Climbing PoeTree

Orcas Center in conjunction with Imagine Arts and Music Festival presents on Center Stage: Climbing PoeTree Wednesday, September 11th 7:30 PM Tiered Ticket Pricing: $15, $25, $47 Orcas Center Members receive $2 off **Orcas Center’s

In the Gallery: Remnants by Leon Rosenblatt

Visual Arts Committee Presents: Leon Rosenblatt: Remnants On display June 26th - July 24th, 2019 Opening Reception Friday, July 5th 2019 5:30pm-7pm Lobby Gallery & Madrona Room After graduating from the California Art Center College

2019 Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival

2019 Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival Friday August 2 – Saturday August 17 Aloysia Friedmann, Artistic Director Jon Kimura Parker, Artistic Advisor Tickets available May 16, 2019 $10 - $40 Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann presents

In the Gallery: Salish Blanket Exhibit

Visual Arts Committee Presents: Salish Blanket Exhibit: On Display through June 25th Opening Reception Thursday, May 30th 2019 5:30pm-7pm Lobby Gallery & Madrona Room "Worn as ceremonial robes, Salish blankets are complex objects said to

Support Orcas Center through the Give Orcas Campaign!

We're so excited to announce we are part of GiveOrcas! -- the Orcas Island Community Foundation's spring fundraising campaign, alongside several other community nonprofit gatekeepers. (Donate through the catalog here: Support Orcas Center's New Siding

In the Gallery: Student Art Show 2019

May is National Arts Education Month. To celebrate the work of our island youth, a month-long student art exhibit is held at the Orcas Center each year. This work features A-OK art from K-8 classes

Audition Notice: Rocky Horror Show!

Rocky Horror Show Auditions IT'S HAPPENING!  THE SPACESHIP TRANSYLVANIA IS LANDING! GET ON BOARD AND DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN! Deborah Sparks will direct this hilarious camp-filled naughty rock-romp through this rebellious classic - opening

Earth Day Festival 2019 at Orcas Center

Earth Day Festival 2019 You are warmly invited to celebrate our Earth at Orcas Center on April 21st from 10 am to 7 pm. Presenters will offer speaking topics related to the preservation of our planet,

On Screen: The Sleeping Beauty

Orcas Center offers a diverse sampling of the world’s best performing arts–theatre, ballet, and opera–without leaving the island! All the shows are filmed live with an actual audience during a live performance. You get to

On Center Stage: Physical Calligraphy

Orcas Center is proud to Present Island Inspiration All-Stars: Physical Calligraphy, A dance concert on April 12th and 13th at 7:30pm. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. The Island Inspiration All-Stars and

In the Gallery: Madonna Comix

Each month, Orcas Center's Visual Arts Committee brings local and international artists to explore the diversity of artistic expression. This April, the VAC is proud to present Madonna Comix, a collaboration between artist Dianne Kornberg

On Center Stage: Mamma Mia!

Orcas Center is proud to present: Mamma Mia! Running on the main stage from March 14th-March 30th. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. Since its 1999 debut, Mamma Mia! has delighted over

On Screen: Adriana LeCouvreur

Orcas Center offers a diverse sampling of the world’s best performing arts–theatre, ballet, and opera–without leaving the island! All the shows are filmed live with an actual audience during a live performance. You get to

In the Gallery: Bradford Hansen Smith

Each month, Orcas Center's Visual Arts Committee brings local and international artists to explore the diversity of artistic expression. This March, the VAC will be presenting Bradford Hansen Smith, a renowned paper artist. Come learn

On Screen: King Lear

Orcas Center offers a diverse sampling of the world’s best performing arts–theatre, ballet, and opera–without leaving the island! All the shows are filmed live with an actual audience during a live performance. You get to

On Center Stage: Sway Wild

Orcas Center is proud to present Sway Wild on Saturday April 27th at 7:30pm. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SViJGka4vpw Known as a standout electric guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, Mandy Fer

On Screen: Antony and Cleopatra

Orcas Center offers a diverse sampling of the world’s best performing arts–theatre, ballet, and opera–without leaving the island! All the shows are filmed live with an actual audience during a live performance. You get to

On Screen: The Madness of King George III

Orcas Center offers a diverse sampling of the world’s best performing arts–theatre, ballet, and opera–without leaving the island! All the shows are filmed live with an actual audience during a live performance. You get to

On Screen: Marnie

Orcas Center offers a diverse sampling of the world’s best performing arts–theatre, ballet, and opera–without leaving the island! All the shows are filmed live with an actual audience during a live performance. You get to

On Screen at Orcas Center

This year’s On-Screen lineup at Orcas Center kicks off this Saturday at 1pm with a replay of Frankenstein featuring Benedict Cumberbatch in Danny Boyle’s celebrated production.  Why are these on-screen events so worthwhile? They feature: