Tags: Fall Season

DjangoFest returns to Whidbey Island for a five-day festival celebrating the music and spirit of the great French/Belgian Gypsy guitarist, Django Reinhardt.

Whidbey Island Center for the Arts is proud to present DjangoFest Northwest 2008. DjangoFest NW is a five-day festival celebrating the music and spirit of Django Reinhardt and Gypsy Jazz. This unique blend of Eastern European melodies, Parisian Musette, Spanish Flamenco and American Swing was created and perfected by the genius of Django Reinhardt and his fellow Gypsy musicians in the Cafes of Paris during the thirties and forties, and is quickly becoming one the most distinctive and enjoyed jazz hybrids on the music scene today.

DjangoFest NW is a unique opportunity for Gypsy Jazz fans, players and enthusiasts from around the globe to congregate in the Pacific Northwest and to attend a series of concerts by internationally renowned players. In addition to the performances, there will be a number of exciting workshops, unannounced local acts, surprise guests, "djam sessions" in local pubs and cafes, and many opportunities to link with fellow Djangophiles.

Other Notes of Interest D'JangoFest Northwest Tickets are on sale but that's only part of the news. Langley get ready to be a vibrant participant in D'JangoFest. Take control of your D'Jango Destiny and mark your spot for D'Jango musicians to come and play. Retailers rise to the occasion to promote your business and welcome D'Jango musicans that flood our town during this awesome festival. Jenn from Prima and me... or is I... hmmm are collecting information, fliers, specials, jam locations to post and pass out to everyone who comes in for D'JangoFest Northwest 2008.

And get this. There's going to be a D'Jango Party center town at the Star Store Parking Lot. Thanks Gene and Tamar for allowing us to party, party, party! YES! Contact me at isleangl@whidbey.com or come in and see me at 1 Angel Place, Chocolate Bar or Jenn at Prima Bistro, or Joan Stanley at the Langley Chamber of Commerce to find out how you control your very own D'Jango Destiny!

*Pumpkin Carving and Pretzel Baking Demos on the courtyard at The Chef's Pantry from 1 till 3 pm *Commemorative Oktoberfest Beer Mugs for sale and special deals on featured beers or other drinks At Prima,TheFishbowl,Village Pizzeria, Chef's Pantry, The Edgecliff and Useless Bay Coffee,
*Brats and Sausages behind Island Angel Chocolates from noon till 3 pm *Special Oktoberfest Menu Items at Participating Restaurants and Cafes *Live Music at 3 pm featuring gypsy jazz guitarist Troy Chapman & friends Art Walk beginning at 5 pm.

The Coupeville Arts Center hosts its Plein Air Photography Art Exhibit. Students were challenged to capture the 'Essence of Coupeville' on camera in three days . This juried exhibit is the result of the Plein Air Photography: Shoot, Show and Sell' CAC workshop, taught by renowned Puget Sound photographer Ray Pfortner.
Best of Show and Award of Excellence
ribbons will be presened. Attendees can cast theirvote for the 'People's Choice' award. All works will be for sale.

Oct 7 - 5:30pm award presentations - photography will be on display 9am-4pm Mon-Fri during October

This exhibit and sale will remain in CAC Gallery through Oct.

In addition to many wonderful booths with local produce and products the Greenbank Farmers Market will enjoy a workshop offered by Kevin Pardue.
Beginners can learn to make hypertufa pots. Anyone can learn how to make affordable pots with their own hands using a concrete product that imitates the tuffa stone from Europe.

Workshop including all materials is $20 for adults and $10 for children

Of course there is no charge to visit the Sunday Market-located inside the Greenbank Barn and open every Sunday throughout October

A panoramic slide show by Don Baldwin, noted impersonator of environmentalist John Muir, will be presented in three Whidbey Island venues. John Muir is recognized as one of America's most significant and influential environmentalists. Founder of the Sierra Club, Muir challenged the nation to love, enjoy, and preserve its natural treasures. Don Baldwin, a retired clergyman, was appointed to serve as Resident Minister in Yosemite National Park. His love of nature and his skills as a photographer led him to develop an entertaining and compelling presentation of Yosemite and the Sierras, while taking on the persona of Muir.

Spectacular scenery comes alive on a twenty-seven foot wide triple screen, using six projectors and stereo music to dramatize the inspiring message of environmental stewardship.

"An Evening with John Muir" will raise funds to support Saratoga Community Housing, a nonprofit community land trust affordable housing project formed one year ago. Working with Habitat for Humanity, three families have moved into new homes and a fourth will be renovated and ready for occupancy in the next 60 days.

All programs start at 7:00 pm and last 90 minutes. Families are encouraged to attend. Donations of $10 for adults and $15 for families are encouraged

Dates:
Thursday,
October 16, 2008

hidbey Island Center for the Arts has joined theatres in more than 120 cities from coast to coast to take part in theatrical history -- Theatre Communications Group’s 4th Annual Free Night of Theater program. This year, the national program is being presented by more than 600 theatres that are offering free tickets to over 1,000 performances around the country.

Free Night of Theatre is an audience development program designed to attract new patrons to live theatre and give existing patrons access to theatres they have never been to before.

WICA invites area theatergoers to attend a special preview of Sweeney Todd on October 16,

Please contact me if you have any questions regarding - or would like to attend! - Sweeney Todd.

ABOUT SWEENEY TODD

Benjamin Barker had everything -- until a man of power stole his freedom, destroyed his family, and unjustly sentenced him to prison. Upon his return to London, Barker extracts his revenge by becoming

Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street who "shaved the heads of gentlemen who never

thereafter were heard from again..."

Sweeping, tragic, epic and strange, Sweeney Todd is, without reservations, one of the greatest musicals written for the American stage.

Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler, directed by Deana A. Duncan. Musical direction is by Dana Linn and Robert Marsanyi. Performances will begin at South Whidbey High School, 5675 Maxwelton Road, on Friday, October 17 and continue through Saturday, November 1.

Tickets range in price from $12 to $20, with discounts available for students and groups, and are available from www.WICAonline.com or 360.221.8268 – 800/638.7631.

Halloween Bash - Dance to Swing and Zydeco Music

Costume or not, join us for a rockin' out party featuring Ken Pickard and the Zydeco Explosion. These guys are an ultimate dance band for Swing, Zydeco, Walz and more.

Pre-dance workshop is $5, Zydeco Two-step variations with Walter, Janice and the girls

Dance cost is $10 per person at the door

Crockett Barn is located on Crockett Farm Rd. East on Ft. Casey Rd. (3/4 mile north of Keystone Ferry) Look for the bigt red square barn.

For more information on Coupeville - Ebeys Preserve

For More Information Contact:
HYPERLINK ""walterdill@whidbey.com
HYPERLINK "www.EveryoneCanDance.com

Time:
7;30-8:30 pre dance workshop - Dance 8:30-11pm

Dates:
Saturday,
October 25, 2008

There's a chill in the air, the leaves are falling, and dogs all across Whidbey are wagging their tails just a little more impatiently. And you might wonder, why? You guessed it. The Mutt Strut dog parade and costume contest is just around the corner!

This year's prize categories are: best dog and owner costume combo, best trick, best dog costume, and best celebrity dog.

Ever-ebullient Jim Freeman emcees this menagerie while our literary panel of judges takes carefully crafted notes of your creativity and élan. You'll be dressing to impress Drew Campion, Molly Cook, Sue Frause, Elisabeth George, and Janice O'Mahony, led by MuttStrutJudgeforLife Emily Berg. You're gonna' have to be on your game!

All this dog on fun happens on Saturday, October 25, 11 am - 3 pm. Register for the Mutt Strut beginning at 12:30. The parade starts at 1:30 sharp.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

It's also Apple Day, so Bayview Farm & Garden will be hosting their spectacular apple tasting station. The Bayview Farmer's Market has all sorts of goodies planned. There's mask making in the Cash Store. And Ro Purser and Neil Brown are back this year to play bluesy, wistful, gritty, and heartfelt tunes about living large and loving hard.

See you at the Corner!

Meet at Cook's Corner in costume - parade on Front Street in historic downtown Coupeville. Free flashlights to first 100 kids 12 and under; parents come join the fun.

Coupeville Lodging Open House

Coupeville area Bed & Breakfasts open their doors for visitors to see what they have to offer. Tour includes approximately a dozen B&Bs and a snack is provided at each one, as well as drawings for a variety of prizes.

12 prizes, ranging from free overniht stays to local artwork to a tea party for 10 - all to be awarded on Nov. 2nd. Bring a bag of canned or nonperishable groceries and recieve a chance to enter the prize drawing a second time. Participants need not be present to win.

'Passports' for the tour are available from the Anchorage Inn and Blue Goose Inn, both on Main St. in Coupeville. Also at bayleaf, corner of Alexander and Coveland in Coupeville

The 'Passport' is your ticket to any or all the lodgings and includes directions, it also includes discount coupons from area businesses.

Passports are available from now through Nov. 1 & 2 for $10 each

Proceeeds from the open houses benefit the Island County Museum and Coupeville's Gifts from the Heart Food Bank.

Participating lodgings Sat. Nov. 1: Blue Goose Inn; The Bluff on Whidbey (Oak Harbor); The Captain Whidbey Inn; Compass Rose B&B; Coupede Villa B&B; The Coupeville Inn; and Spinnaker Tea Garden
Participating lodgings Sun. Nov 2: Anchorage Inn/Callista Cottage; Blue Goose Inn;The Coupeville Inn; The Captain Whidbey Inn; Coupe de Villa B&B; Garden Isle Guest Cottages; The Jenn Farm; Lovejoy Inn; and Spinnaker Tea Garden.

This concert will feature a variety of music from the styles of classical, folk and rock. The youth orchestra, under the direction of Roxallianne Medley will perform works by JS Bach and other traditional folk composers while the community orchestra, under the direction of Kat Fritz will perform works by Anton Dvorak, J.S. Bach and Ritchie Valens.

A light reception will be held afer the concert

Open Minds lead to Open Doors
Looking to learn a new art form or technique? Stretch your artistic
limbs and imagination to new heights with Creating Gourd Vessels, led
by Susanne Newbold on Sunday, November 22,

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Call for all the details

Bring a prepared food to share or volunteer to help prepare the food

Enjoy community fellowship in Coupeville

Also, many Freeland businesses will participate in the activities, including the Paint Escape, which will offer a “Late Night Paint Night,” China City, which will create special peppermint patties and hot buttered rum drinks, Coastal Community Bank, which will give away apples and cookies, and the Beach Cabin, which will offer a “Taste of Freeland” special. Other Freeland businesses are staying open late for shoppers as well.

Las Olimpiadas! Get ready for the 2016 Olympics in Madrid! Follow the flaming torch as teams from Spain and Latin America join the parade to engage in traditional sports - Futbol de Espana, Gimnasia de Argentina, y Natacion de México. Aplausos!! Spanish music and songs, traditional group games, a field trip to a local pool for the swimming event, and Spanish food will create a rich environment for team building and language learning. Friday, join us for the Closing Ceremony and Awards!! Todo en espanol! All in Spanish! Vamonos!

The event will celebrate the harvest of the Food Bank’s new on-site garden, while providing a venue for local performers.

The event will feature a stage with scheduled bands and solo peformers throughout the day, with a dance in the evening. Food Bank tours, garden tours and garden demonstrations will be held, as well as a jam judging contest.

Fall at Whidbey Island Winery is here and its time to recruit volunteers to help pick the fruit off the vines, includes harvest picnic.

Call the winery if you would like to sign up to join the 2009 harvest picking crew.

Scarecrow decorating contest that takes place throughout Coupeville. Drive or walk to enjoy each uniquely decorated scarecrow scattered throughout town. The theme for 2009 is "The Pirates of Coupeville". Winners announced at Harvest Fest on 10/10/09.

A weekend of fun events! Friday Night Flights is our walk-about wine tasting from 4 till 6:30 pm featuring Prima, the Edgecliff and Chef's Pantry. Participants begin at any venue and enjoy a sample pour of fabulous wine (based on a theme - the month will feature wines of Alsace) along with a luscious food pairing. Tickets are $20 per person, advance purchase is recommended. Ticket holders are entitled to special discounts on dining and more.

On Saturday, purchase a commemorative stein at various locations around town and enjoy sample pours and special deals on a selection of Oktoberfest beers. Wander around town and enjoy the music of the Bavarian Village Players and learn to polka! At 1 pm, Chef Donna Leahy and other renowned chefs feature cooking demos on the Chef's Pantry courtyard. Oktoberfest will feature a recipe contest and home brew beer contest. Cooking demos, samples and recipes are free of charge, with donations benefiting Northwest Harvest. Island Angel chocolates will be cooking up authentic brats and hotdogs from Bavarian Meats. From 3 till 6 pm, enjoy Happy Hour at Prima with drink and appetizer specials. Then beginning at 5 pm, walk through our art galleries and meet this month's talented featured artists.

he fourth annual Whidbey Island Farm Tour, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3-4, the free, self-guided tour encourages awareness and support of local agriculture. The primary goals of the tour are to educate the community about our farms and farm stewardship practices, to promote the benefits of locally grown food, fiber and other products, and to help local farms in their sustainability, marketing and publicity efforts.

Come and support the Farm at the 4th Annual Oktoberfest fundraiser.Enjoy "wünderbar" German Bier and Wine with German fare including authentic bratwurst and pretzels. Top notch entertainment with the Pickled Herring Band will be rocking the Old Red Barn! Dance, eat, drink and be merry with German Polkas and genuine Paulaner Bier Steins. Greenbank Farm staff, board and volunteers will be donning their lederhosen and dirndls' at this event which will raise funds for the continued preservation of the Farm. Tickets $15 adults includes cover charge and authentic German food. (10% Senior discount also applies) Tickets go fast so call to reserve yours now!

An evening on the Haunted Farm, complete with headless horsemen, riders of the Apocalypse, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Ghoul Bank, corpse bride, haunted barn and more. This is a walking tour of the Haunted Farm and through woods and pastures.

$15 general admission, $7 children 12 and under, $35 for family of 4, 10% military discount

Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Harbor

Enjoy an afternoon on the beach with your family participating in fun nature activities. Washington State Parks and The Center for Wooden Boats have this family fun planned; walk along forest trails in search of clues on the forest animal’s discovery. Join us for activities which include mini -pumpkin decorating, make an animal mask, nature design t-shirt painting, crafts for kids, environmental games for the green at heart and bean bag toss. See live small beach critters in an aquarium located at 1880 S.W. Camano Dr. Walk down to the beach or catch one of the park operated shuttles from the drop-off shelter.

An evening on the Haunted Farm, complete with headless horsemen, riders of the Apocalypse, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Ghoul Bank, corpse bride, haunted barn and more. This is a walking tour of the Haunted Farm and through woods and pastures.

$15 general admission, $7 children 12 and under, $35 for family of 4, 10% military discount

Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Harbor

"Beautify Your World"! Meerkerk Gardens announces its Autumn Rhododendron Sale: Mature hybrids from the test garden and fantastic Meerkerk Grown specialty rhodies are ready to beautify your gardens! All proceeds benefit this peaceful woodland garden.

The sale is held in the Meerkerk Nursery. Parking is in the main parking lot. Our 'Rhodie Valet' will escort your plants to you! Bring your truck, your neighbors...and your checkbook. Sales are cash and carry.

Members of the Whidbey Island Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society and Island County Master Gardeners will be available to answer your horticultural questions.

Friends of Meerkerk members receive a discount on plant purchases.

Admission is free this day: take time to enjoy the fantastic Fall colors and fragrances!

Pick your pumpkin from the Farms organic pumpkin patch! Grown by the CSA farmers training students. Family fun and costume parade from 1pm - 3pm. Trick or treat at the Farm in the big red barn! Pumpkin carving, kettle corn, cider and apples may be available.

Wine tasting and winery tours, $20 gets you a wine glass and trick or a treat, costumes encouraged!

Discover the agricultural richness of the northwest corner of Snohomish County and Camano Island where the farms are many and the people friendly, the food fantastic and where you will find an abundance of activities for all ages.

Exhibits, demonstrations, animals, hayrides, produce, pumpkins. Festival hub downtown Stanwood features BBQ, fine art, vendors and crafts, plants and produce, barn dances and live music.

Tour maps available at all venues and with festival sponors.

Bratwursts, brews, and oompah-pahs will spice up the seaside town of Langley on Whidbey Island during OktoberFest.

Come and support the Farm at the 4th Annual Oktoberfest fundraiser.Enjoy "wünderbar" German Bier and Wine with German fare including authentic bratwurst and pretzels. Top notch entertainment with the Pickled Herring Band will be rocking the Old Red Barn! Dance, eat, drink and be merry with German Polkas and genuine Paulaner Bier Steins. Greenbank Farm staff, board and volunteers will be donning their lederhosen and dirndls' at this event which will raise funds for the continued preservation of the Farm.

Call for ticket prices. Tickets go fast, so call early.

Scarecrow decorating contest that takes place throughout Coupeville. Drive or walk to enjoy each uniquely decorated scarecrow scattered throughout town. Winners announced at Harvest Fest on 10/9/09.

Celebrate HarvestFest at the last Farmers Market of the season in Coupeville. Local produce, fun and games for everyone to enjoy.

Oak Harbor offers children and families a magical and safe Halloween in historic downtown.