Melinda Bargreen, music critic for Seattle Times,
writes for American Record Guide, Nov-Dec 2006

The white ferry glides to Orcas Island through an assortment of smaller tree-covered islands that look like someone scattered a fistful of giant emeralds onto northern Puget Sound. On such late-August days, the water is as calm as glass, though there’s plenty of bustle at the departing ferry terminal in Anacortes, about a 90-minute drive north of Seattle.

Orcas Island, one of four ferry-served islands in Washington State’s San Juan Islands, has been home for the past nine years to the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. A cozy boutique event run by founding Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann, it’s an outgrowth of some very serendipitous circumstances. Friedmann, a violist, met her husband, pianist Jon Kimura Parker, while performing at Toby Saks’s Seattle Chamber Music Society’s Summer Festival (now in it 25 th year). The couple wanted to create a junior version of the Seattle festival up on Orcas Island, where Friedmann’s parents (violinist Martin Friedmann and oboist Laila Storch) had a vacation house. They knew the arts-friendly environment of the island, which nurtures many writers, musicians, and artists. And they knew the spectacular scenery, which led to the fledgling festival’s subtitle, “Chamber Music with a View”.

Best, there were some excellent venues: the small but acoustically lively Orcas Center, whose 213 seats are perennially full, and the sanctuary of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, which is perched on the rocks overlooking vistas of islands, water, and mountains.

With advice from Saks, Friedmann and a cadre of Orcas friends set forth to create a festival where the ambience is almost as great an attraction as the music. Having Parker, a Leeds Competition winner and international soloist, as the house pianist is a draw in itself; his faculty colleagues at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, including the likes of cellist Lynn Harrell, have proved a rich trove of talent from which to draw an artist lineup. More artists have come from Friedmann’s wide circle of friends at the Juilliard School and summer music camps, including trumpeter Stephen Burns and violinist Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio.

From day one, innovation has been one of the festival’s hallmarks. Over the years, Friedmann has introduced the bandoneon, alphorn, cajon, organ, and sitar as well as more traditional chamber instruments and repertoire. Distinguished film director and photographer Otto Lang gave two seasons of inspired lecture –screenings before his death last January at 98. Composer and pianist Jake Heggie appeared with mezzo-soprano Zhen Cao in his own song cycles. Two San Francisco Ballet principal dancers, Muriel Maffre and Benjamin Pierce, have created two Stravinsky dance-music-video evenings (one of them this season) that would do credit to any festival on the planet. And the artist roster has included such icons as John Mack and Claude Frank alongside William Preucil, Jeffrey Kahane, and (in a nice quid pro quo) cellist and mentor Toby Saks. During the last two weeks of August this year, happy concertgoers pile in for the pre-concert lectures and lined up at the box office, where a wait list of substantial proportions usually formed. This is a festival that’s very good to it audiences; community donors underwrite a terrific little reception after each concert with big tables of catered hors d’oeuvres, fruits, cheese, and wines. (Donors, many of them individuals, also underwrite each performer, pre-concert lecture, and concert.) Rehearsals are open to the public; a youth-involvement program works with local school music programs through the school year and brings kids to the concerts. Children are admitted free to a Family Concert, which Parker hosted this year with horn player William VerMeulen, who performed on the garden hose and funnel, alongside excerpts from main stage programming.

The four main stage concerts, each presented twice, included a nod to Mozart in every program, with repertoire ranging from the standard to the startling. In the latter category was Michael Daugherty’s 1993 Dead Elvis, where “The King” ( Benjamin Kamins, very much alive) emerged from the wings clad in a white metal-studded jumpsuit and bearing a bassoon. Daugherty’s chamber piece is a tour-de-force for any bassoonist brave enough to handle its considerable technical challenges as well as hip-swiveling ones, and Kamins made it a personal triumph, losing no opportunity to kiss women in the audience and in the onstage chamber ensemble.

On the same program was an utterly fascinating version of Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat, created and choreographed by Muriel Maffre, whose concept included a nearly life-size puppet soldier cunningly manipulated by her and fellow dancer Benjamin Pierce. The seven-piece chamber ensemble (with Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio leading from the violinist’s chair) played with unanimous vigor and wit, and three narrators, Adam Stern, Owen Kotler, and John Clancy – gave voice to the major characters. The extraordinary pliancy of the dancing and the effective use of the puppet (underscoring the Soldier’s puppet-like manipulations by the Devil) were enhanced by Maffre’s video images on a small screen. It was both visually and musically mesmerizing, as fresh as new paint and as exciting as a newly minted classic.

When you realize that both Dead Elvis and L’Historie du Soldat shared the same program with Poulenc’s Sonata for Horn, Trumpet and Trombone, Mozart’s Flute Sonata No. 6, and Loeffler’s Two Rhapsodies for Oboe, Viola and Piano, not to mention a little hors d’oeuvre in the form of Adam Stern’s new chamber transcription of Ginaster’s final dance from Estancia, you begin to understand the extraordinary creativity of this festival. Of course, there were more conventional programs. The final one, “Mozart Meets Tchaikovsky”, offered a sparking Mozart E-flat Piano Quartet with two married couples performing: Parker and Friedmann, and Lynn Harrell and his violinist wife Helen Nightengale. The second half was a supercharged Piano Trio by Tchaikovsky with Parker, Friedmann, and Harrell (Harrell, by the way, won a Grammy Award for his recording of this work).

An even smaller-scale program put Parker and Harrell together for some dream repertoire: Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata, Brahms’s Cello Sonata No. 2, and Beethoven’s Seven Variations on The Magic Flute. Here were two top-flight players at their best in a duo recital of true partners, with cellist powerful enough to let pianist play at full strength in music that showed the deep commitment of both artists.

Afterward, as the blissful audience wafted into the reception room for treats and some of the festival’s reserve-label wine (bottled by Mount Baker vineyards), one audience member happily murmured, “We’re so spoiled.” Three words said it all.

(This article is from http://www.oicmf.org/ !)

Thursday, March 18th, 2010
Written by: Carol Bryant

Budget friendly. Family friendly. Fido friendly.

We’ve uncovered “don’t worry, be happy” at it’s finest. With first hand (er, paw) experience as visitors to this vacation home getaway, the Orcas Ohana is a must-see, must-do, for the couples, canines, and coastal enthusiasts.

Centrally located in the heart of Orcas Island, the Orcas Ohana (Hawaiian for “family”), offers an easy charm, ocean view, luxury meshed with contemporary, and access to a host of activities for the two-legged and four-legged variety.

Check out our ORCAS OHANA REVIEW and visit their website to discover THREE BIG REASONS people love vacationing in this beautiful Orcas Island rental home. While there, learn in-depth info about reservations, things to do, and their current photo contest. You could win a one-night stayover just by entering your pooch’s picture in their PHOTO CONTEST.

Twitter: @TheOrcasOhana and/or FACEBOOK ORCAS OHANA

When you vacation, how important is it that accommodations are Fido friendly? Tell us below.

(source: http://blog.fidofriendly.com/tails-from-the-road/orcas-ohana-fido-nirvana/)

Orcas Island | Eastsound, Washington

March & April Events:

WORKSHOP: TELLING A LIFE JOURNEY STORY @ ORCAS SR. CENTER

(Fridays, March 12 & 26; April 9 & 30, from 10 am – 3:30 pm)

In conjunction with the Orcas Historical Museum July event, “Journey Stories,” (in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution), Caroline Buchanan will lead a series of Friday work sessions to help you tell your journey story. We all have journey stories — How do you go about telling YOUR story? Buchanan will help you to decide – written, done as a journal, as a children’s book, a collage … Caroline will help you make it possible. Class limited to 10, $165.

REGISTER: Call Senior Center @ (360) 376-2667

INFORMATION: Contact Caroline @ 376-5509 or watercolors@rockisland.com

DALLAS BRASS BLOWS AWAY ORCAS CENTER

(Saturday, March 13, 7:30 pm. Burgers & Brew @ 5 pm – only $12)
Copland, Bernstein, Sousa, Gershwin, Berlin, Chicago, Dixieland, Swing, Broadway, folk, pop, hiphop. An American Musical Journey is an adventure for the whole family! The Dallas Brass is a nationally-recognized ensemble of traditional brass instruments and percussion, and their Orcas performance will feature several Orcas musicians. $25, $17 (Orcas Center members), $11 (students). Come in early for the ‘Burgers & Brew’!

INFORMATION: Call 376-2281 or visit www.orcascenter.org

SONGSHARE 2010 AT ORCAS CENTER

(Sunday, March 21, @ 3:00 pm)

SONGSHARE 2010: Join Orcas a Cappella for SongShare 2010: The Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, led by guest conductor Richard Marlow, with guest performance by Islands Sinfonia, Tickets are $11 and sold through the Orcas Center Box office and at the door.

INFORMATION: Email dawncleary@rockisland.com

(Source: http://orcasislandchamber.com/blast/)

Tranquility Awaits

This Orcas Island vacation home will take your breath away.

By Nicholas Sveslosky, Editor
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
(Continued from Mar/Apr 2010 Issue of FIDO Friendly)

A late night, one-hour ferry ride from Anacortes, WA, to Orcas Island sets the mood

for a romantic getaway. …

The Orcas Ohana welcomes human and canine guests with a peaceful and restful ambiance surpassed only by the quiet and beautiful views. Built in 2007, the craftsman-style home features three bedrooms, two baths and is both family and Fido-friendly. The Orcas Ohana sleeps up to eight people with the master bedroom overlooking the water; granite and marble countertops, cherry hardwood floors and heated travertine floors are in each bathroom.

A huge balcony is stretched above the peaceful bay, and guests can fi re up the barbie or simply relax and watch the deer go by. The backyard fire-pit offers the perfect setting for campfire stories and late night s’mores. Located on a hill above Eastsound and the bay, Orcas Ohana is just a three-minute walk to the ocean and a five-minute walk to the town of Eastsound, home to art galleries, shops, restaurants and a Farmers’ market. Comfortable, cozy and serene are just a few of the words to describe this beautiful island Getaway.

Owner Jason Miller along with his two Labs, Jazzy and Daisy, have thought of everything. Take a leisurely walk through the forest to the beach or pull up a bench next to a tree and breathe in the fresh air. Morning coffee goes better al fresco with your pooch by your side, and for the more industrious, there are mountain bike trails just waiting for an approach.

Whatever you have in mind during your vacation to Orcas Island, The Orcas Ohana will be your home-away-from-home for the duration of your stay. Ohana means “family” in Hawaiian, and we all know that pets are part of the family. So go, stay and play at the beautiful Orcas Ohana and bring Fido; your trip would just not be the same without him.

PET POLICY

The Orcas Ohana understands your pet is a part of your family and for that reason we welcome well-behaved dogs on property. All dogs must be ok’d by the property owner, Jason Miller, prior to your stay. Failure to provide this information prior to your stay will void your tenancy and security deposit. The Orcas Ohana provides a large pet crate, leash, yard tie-outs, dog brush, dog bed, and food/water bowls for your comfort. All other pet essentials are to be provided by the guest. Pets staying at The Orcas Ohana must not be left unattended or off-leash while on property. Barking and otherwise disruptive behavior is not acceptable. Guests are solely responsible for any injuries or disagreements due to pet behavior during your stay.  Guests are responsible for all damages created as a result of your stay and will be deducted from your security deposit.

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If You Go STAY

THE ORCAS OHANA

Room rate range: Seasonal $179+. Centrally located in the heart of Orcas Island. Close to Moran State Park, kayak and bicycle rentals, art galleries, restaurants, beaches, theatre, trails, boutique shops, coffee houses, bookstores, library, ice cream and gelato parlors, groceries, pubs and an organic Farmers’ Market. Basic pet amenities provided include: Water and food bowls, Large crate, Large dog bed, Doggy waste bags, 25-foot tie-out to roam the backyard, 6-foot leash for walks Doggy brush; Orcas Island, WA 98280; (818) 415-4098; www.theorcasohana.com.

DOG PARK

The island’s fenced-in dog park is well stocked with water, chuck-its, toys and poop shovels; www.orcasdogpark.org.

MT. CONSTITUTION

Moran State Park, Eastsound 98280; (360) 376-2326; www.sanjuanislands.kulshan.com/Washington/San+Juan+County/Orcas+Island/Eastsound/Outdoors/Mt.+Constitution.html

PAWKI’S

Located in Eastsound on 199 Main Street (next to the Outlook Inn); www.pawkis.com.

(source: http://www.fidofriendly.com/destinations/tranquility-awaits/)

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