The Year That Rocked Washington
On display at the top of the hill in La Conner, “1968: The Year That Rocked Washington” can be seen from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through May 8 at the Skagit County Historical Museum, 501 S. 4th St. This collection of online oral history profiles explores the lives of 19 Washingtonians caught up in one of the most tumultuous years in world history. With profiles, compelling photos and artifacts, Legacy Washington documents activism and aftershocks of a landmark year in world history.
Legacy Washington looks back at 1968 and its impact on Washington state through the stories of some remarkable people who lived through it. On college campuses, the campaign trail and evergreen peaks, Washingtonians were spurred to action.
Whether it was Ralph Munro fighting for the rights of people with disabilities, Polly Dyer protecting natural treasures with cheerful tenacity, Maxine Mimms striving to improve educational opportunities for African-Americans, or the valor of Green Beret Sgt. Bryon Loucks deep in the jungles of Vietnam, these Washingtonians came from very different backgrounds. But they had one trait in common: the courage of their convictions.
The exhibit includes middle school curriculum with accommodations and adjustments available to upper elementary and high school. To find out more, call 360-466-3365 or go to skagitcounty.net/Departments/HistoricalSociety.
Kulshan Chorus returns
After its concert postponement in January, the 40-voice Kulshan Chorus returns at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19 to perform “Why We Sing” at Congregation Beth Israel, 751 San Juan Blvd. Expect to hear some of the choir’s favorites as well as songs about peace that artistic director Dustin Willetts has discovered that he says “celebrate the common bonds of humanity through music.”
Congregation Beth Israel’s committee’s goals for 2022 include both continuing to help the congregation explore how to increase equity, and also to bring the community together for joyful activities — especially through music, and in-person when possible. This aligns with the choir’s goal to celebrate and advance equity through their music.
This event is non-ticketed, but donations to the Kulshan Chorus are welcome. The concert is in-person only and will not be live-streamed. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and proof of vaccination (for all ages) and photo ID (of adults and teens) will be checked before admittance. All attendees, including performers, must be fully vaccinated and wear masks.
Registration is required by Feb. 17. Registration requires all adults to provide name, phone and email (just in case contact tracing becomes necessary). If you have already registered, you don’t need to do so again, but indicate that you plan to attend on the new date. Details can be had at www.kulshanchorus.org.
‘Beauty and the Beast’ auditions
Roles in “Disney’s Beauty & the Beast” are up for grabs and auditions will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Feb 21–22, at Lynden’s Claire vg Thomas Theatre, 655 Front St. The cast calls for up to 10 men, up to 10 women, and three or four kids, ages 6 to 12. Please plan on attending both audition nights. Have one short song prepared, and be dressed comfortably and ready to move.
Auditions on Feb. 21 will include singing and dancing; auditions on Feb. 22 will include cold readings from the script and choreography; auditions on Feb. 23 will be callbacks. The musical runs April 28 through May 15, and will be directed by Schad and Lisa Russell. Get the particulars by going to theclaire.org.
Western Wind Symphony presents the works of Omar Thomas
One of Western Washington University’s newly hired faculty, Jacob Scherr, the visiting director of bands, directs a Western Wind Symphony concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24 at the school’s Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. The free event is open to the public and will feature two works by Omar Thomas, “Of Our New Day Begun” and “Come Sunday,” as well as Kimberly Archer’s Symphony No. 3 and Percy Grainger’s “Handel in the Strand.”
Thomas was born to Guyanese parents in Brooklyn, New York in 1984 and moved to Boston in 2006 to pursue a Master of Music in Jazz Composition at the New England Conservatory of Music after studying music education at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
His work has been performed by such diverse groups as the Eastman New Jazz Ensemble, the San Francisco and Boston gay mens’ choruses, and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. He’s now an Assistant Professor of Composition and Jazz Studies at The University of Texas at Austin. Find out more about the concert at cfpa.wwu.edu/event/wind-symphony-presents-works-omar-thomas.
The Barber of Seville
Pacific Northwest Opera presents Gioachino Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville,” one of the most popular of all opera comedies, Feb. 25 and 27, and March 4 and 6 in Mount Vernon at Skagit Valley College’s McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way. The story follows the escapades of a barber, Figaro (played by Western Washington University’s Mark Davies), as he assists Count Almaviva in luring the beautiful Rosina away from her lecherous guardian, Dr. Bartolo.
The production will be sung in Italian with projected English translations, with stage direction by Mitchell Kahn, Gregory Buchalter conducting.
Pre-concert lectures begin in the concert hall 45 minutes before the performance. All patrons must provide proof of a negative COVID test or vaccination and wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. Tickets are $25-$75 and can be procured at mcintyrehall.org.
