Concert, dance parties set at NOLS branches

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) invites people of all ages to a free Concert and Family Dance Party with Eli Rosenblatt, who will be on stage at three local libraries this month.

Rosenblatt visits the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave., for a concert/dance party from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday Feb. 17. He’ll also be at Forks Elementary School, 301 S. Elderberry Ave., from 10-11 a.m. on Friday Feb. 16, and at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St., from 6-7 p.m. on Feb. 16.

The Seattle-based musician “combines world music, movement, and imagination in a high-energy mix that creates a unique interactive experience,” event organizers say. His original songs feature global sounds including salsa, reggae, funk, and hip-hop.

Rosenblatt is a vocalist, composer and multi-instrumentalist. He has performed at The Tractor Tavern, The Showbox, Nectar, Neumos and Bumbershoot among many other venues in the Seattle area and across the U.S. His compositions have been featured on the national television series “Burn Notice,” “Persons Unknown” and “Better Call Saul” as well as the feature film, “Coach.” Eli acknowledges that most of the musical styles that he has the honor and privilege to play have their deep roots in West Africa. Learn more about the musician at elirosenblatt.us.

This program is funded in part by local Friends of the Library groups.

For more information, visit nols.org/eli, call 360-417-8500 or email to Youth@nols.org.

Fabric artists slate Sequim museum exhibit

“Inspiration/Exploration” is a juried exhibit organized by the Washington State Region of Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA), hosted at Sequim Museum & Arts.

Artwork courtesy of Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. This quilt by Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry and other artwork is on display at the Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. Washington’s regional exhibition showing at Sequim Museum & Arts.

Members were asked to identify the inspirational qualities of our state and then explore that inspiration in their artwork.

The exhibit features 41 quilts and four three-dimensional pieces were juried into this exhibit, representing 26 artists. It will be at the Sequim Museum & Arts during February and March, and will then travel to other venues around the state for the next three years.

Sheila Frampton Cooper serves as juror for the show. Cooper is an artist, teacher and studio art quilter who has won awards in major exhibits throughout the United States.

SAQA is a nonprofit organization and a global community of artists, curators, collectors and art professionals who appreciate and love art quilts, whose mission is to make the art quilt universally recognized as a fine art medium. See saqa.com.

Woodturners to host monthly meeting

The Strait Turners woodturners group will meets at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the will be having a meeting on the Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road.

The presenter this month will be Olympic Peninsula Woodturners member Larry Lemon, who will teach about how to put wood on a lathe.

Masks are not required but can be worn if you wish. Community members are invited to expand their knowledge of woodturning.

For more information, contact Jackie Le Doux at jackieledoux2022@outlook.com or 360-457-5172 (8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., after 5 p.m.) or 360-452-5673 (12:30-5 p.m.).

Monday Musicale to meet, host accordionist

The Monday Musicale group will meet at noon on Feb. 19 at at Joshua’s Restaurant, 113 Del Guzzi Dr., Port Angeles. Following lunch (available for $20) is entertainment by Joe Schipani, playing the digital accordion.

Schipani enjoys playing jazz, specifically old standards from the Great American Songbook.

Reservations are required. Call Maralyn Hillhouse at 360-928-3015.

Spirits, sweets on tap

The Olympic Peninsula Winery Association’s Red Wine & Chocolate Festival returns, with its 2024 iteration a pop-up event set for noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the 7 Cedars Hotel and Casino, 270756 U.S. Highway 101.

All participating wineries will be under one roof to eliminate winter travel between tasting rooms, and to provide more wine and chocolate pairing opportunities.

Get full details and links to advance purchase ticketing at tinyurl.com/SEQrwcf.

Photo exhibition scheduled at Field Hall

“A Different Lens,” an exhibit featuring the work of photographers Alex Bodi Hallett, Amy McIntyre, Keith Ross, Ernst-Ulrich Schäfer and Charlotte Watts, has an opening reception set for 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, at Field Hal & Events Center, 201 W. Front St., Port Angeles.

At the reception, guests will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with the artists and curators, as well as participate in a panel discussion about the exhibit. This event is free and open to the public; RSVPs requested. RSVP at fieldhallevents.org/tickets/#/events/95543.

Curated by Steve Raider-Ginsburg and Kayla Oakes, the “A Different Lens” exhibit will be on display in the Field Hall through May 18. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, plus one hour prior to most events. Private group tours are available by appointment; email gallery@fieldhallevents.org to make arrangements.

‘Our Island’ concert coming to Port Angeles

Field Arts & Events Hall, 201 W. Front St. in Port Angeles, welcome Small Island Big Song as part of the group’s “Our Island” tour that unites leading performers from the Pacific and Indian oceans.

The performance is set for 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, and will include a pre-show introduction from producers BaoBao Chen and Tim Cole, as well as a post-show First Fed Community Conversation with the artists.

Small Island Big Song brings together some of the most prominent artists of Taiwan, Madagascar, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, and Tahiti. These artists have made a conscious choice to preserve the cultural voice of their people, singing in their native languages and playing traditional instruments. Their unique lineages, combined with diverse contemporary styles such as roots-reggae, beats, folk, and spoken-word, establish a contemporary musical dialogue between cultures. The performance draws on ancestral heritage to address contemporary issues with a hopeful vision for the future.

The performance is framed with live visuals filmed across 16 island nations during a three-year field trip by the project’s co-founders, Taiwanese theater producer BaoBao Chen and Australian music producer/filmmaker Tim Cole.

Tickets for Small Island Big Song at Field Hall are available online at fieldhallevents.org/tickets as well as through the box office at 201 W Front St. Tickets are $20-60 for adults and $15 for students/youth; $5 from each ticket sale will benefit the Maui Strong Fund, supporting wildfire recovery.

Following the performance, attendees are invited to a free post-show First Fed Community Conversation moderated by Tom Sanford North Olympic Land Trust executive director, and featuring performers from the show, along with: Melissa Williams, executive director of Feiro Marine Life Center; Kevin Grant, superintendent of Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, and a representative from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

For more information, email to boxoffice@fieldhallevents.org or call 360-477-4679, x1.

Auditions set for ‘Plastic Sandwich’ play

Auditions will be held for “The Man with the Plastic Sandwich,” a comedy at Olympic Theatre Art (OTA), at 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 26-27, at the OTA Gathering Hall, 414 N. Sequim Ave.

The play by Roger Karshner follows the story of Walter Price, who after a 20-year career is fired and finds himself encountering three provocative characters while contemplating his options on a park bench: Ellie, a high spirited ingenue who represents hope; Haley, a distinguished hobo representing wisdom, and Lenore, a hooker who represents reality.

Directors are looking for two male actors (one in mid-20s to 40s, another to play 60-plus years old) and two female actors (one 25-35 years of age, another 35-45). Those auditioning will be asked to read from the script.

“The Man with the Plastic Sandwich” is scheduled to run April 26-May 12.

For more information, call Olympic Theatre Arts at 360-683-7326 or office@olympictheatrearts.org.