Do you love animals, music and treasure hunts?
Then this is your month.
In honor of its 20-year anniversary, there are several opportunities to support the Orcas Animal Protection Society in August.
“Having a place for animals to go is a huge thing for this community, and having a low-cost spay and neuter program really helps reduce the number of unwanted pets,” said APS Executive Director Kristina Snyder. “The Orcas shelter is also a huge asset for other shelters in the state that are overcrowded. We accept animals that might otherwise be euthanized.”
Pedro Lopez De Victoria has organized a Battle of the Bands fundraiser for the shelter on Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Sea View Theatre. Ten musical acts will compete for a variety of awards issued by a panel of judges. To buy tickets, go to https://www.seaviewtheatreorcas.com/. The cost is $15 for adults, $13 for youth 12 and under and $11 for seniors 65+.
“I figured what better way than a battle of the bands to bring local music projects out of the woodwork and into the light,” Lopez De Victoria said. “It’s to boost and promote the music scene, and we are raising money for the shelter, which I’m also very passionate about.”
Lopez De Victoria, who plays guitar, piano, banjo, ukelele and drums and is in several bands on the island, will be emceeing the festivities and not competing. The following groups are slated to rock the stage: Chubasco, Bad Dads, Release the Kraken, Bonzi, Dan and the Lions, High Synth Wizards, Meld, Oedipus and the Mothaf*ckas, Feral Mary and the Mother, Electrix and Meatwood Flac.
“It’s going to be instilled with a big sense of camaraderie and support. The idea of a ‘battle’ is tongue-in-cheek,” he said. “I hope this becomes the beginning of more togetherness in the music scene.”
One of the prizes is for the best cover of “The House of the Rising Sun,” and the band that receives the most donations for the animal shelter will receive the people’s choice award. Lopez De Victoria also gave “fair warning” about the competition for the gnarliest guitar solo.
“I think people attending should prepare to have their faces melted off,” he laughed.
After you’ve spent a night listening to locals joyfully contending for musical bragging rights, check out the Orcas APS second annual Paws Across Orcas — Salty Dog Treasure Hunt (no dog required). During the month of August, a $20 donation will procure you a treasure map with clues to boxes hidden at locations around the island. You will find hand-carved rubber stamps inside the boxes to mark the completed hunt on the maps. Participants can return to the shelter with their stamped booklets for free entries into a raffle. Swing by the shelter, Pawki’s or Beachhaven to grab a map. You can also buy raffle tickets for $5.
Raffle prizes include a cordless electric lawnmower, wildlife cruise with Deer Harbor Charters, mini golf passes, a dog quilt and gift certificates to Pawki’s, Clever Cow, Darvill’s Bookstore, Ray’s Pharmacy, Island Thyme, Kingfisher Eastsound Studio and Tide Pool Coffeehouse.
APS is hosting a 20-year anniversary open house on Sunday, Sept. 4. There will be tours, games, food and music from 2 to 5 p.m. The raffle drawing for the treasure hunt will be held at 3 p.m. but you do not need to be present to win.
