Grab a blanket, pack some snacks and prepare to revel in the sound of live music.
Orcas Center and Doe Bay Resort are collaborating to offer six musical performances with local and off-island artists.
“We can’t have indoor shows right now but it’s summertime, so we can have outdoor shows. However, the real challenge of summer is housing,” said OC artistic director Jake Perrine.
Doe Bay Resort is currently hosting an artist-in-residence series where previous Doe Bay Fest performers are participating in week-long stays. Perrine approached Doe Bay owner Joe Brotherton about asking the musicians if they’d like to perform for the community at large while on the island. Brotherton gave an enthusiastic yes.
“He said, ‘If you can give some of our artists a paying gig, it’s a win-win for everyone. You pay them, we house them,’” according to Perrine.
And the summer concert series was born.
The first five shows will all be in the Village Green on the community stage. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and attendees can be in groups of up to six people. Eight-foot diameter circles, separated by six feet, will be drawn in the grass. Each party must stay in their circle during the show. Entrance to the concert will only be on the street side (North Beach Road) in order to track the number of people in attendance. Donations will be accepted that evening or online at www.orcascenter.org. The final show in August will be held at Doe Bay and free tickets can be acquired on the OC website closer to the event date.
“These are a gift to the community,” Perrine said. “We can’t wait to see people out of their homes and enjoying live music together. We are hoping this is training wheels for coming indoors in the fall. While Orcas Center has been closed it’s been anything but dormant.”
Orcas Center and Doe Bay Resort summer concert series line-up
Bobby Bare Jr. and Lilo Sanchez: Friday, June 18 at 6 p.m., Village Green. Bobby Bare, Jr. is the son of iconic Country Music Hall of Famer Bobby Bare, was born into Nashville’s Music Row elite. Wanting to make his own way, Bobby Bare, Jr. blazed a path of unique songwriting craftsmanship with a voice that “blows through you like an unyielding wind on the desolate prairie.” Orcas-based Panamanian artist and producer Lilo Sanchez, whose musical career spans more than 20 years is best known for his work with the celebrated Panamanian band, Señor Loop, will open the show.
Third World United (3WU) and Dustin Fox: Saturday, June 19 at 6 p.m., Village Green. Seattle Sacred Music and Seattle DJ Derek Mazzone are producing this show. 3WU, a musical collective with roots in Islam, features some of the region’s most talented artists and performers, has a primarily all-vocal production. The performance will feature 3UW’s founder, Essam; poet and emcee, Akhi Abu; voice and sample-focused producer, Petty Pro; and the illustrious vocalist Amina. Orcas Island hip hop artist Dustin Fox will open the show.
Jacob Miller and Tony Furtado & Stephanie Schneiderman: Sunday, June 27 at 6 p.m., Village Green. Tony Furtado is an evocative and soulful singer, a wide-ranging songwriter and a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist adept on banjo, cello-banjo, slide guitar and baritone ukulele who mixes and matches sounds and styles with the flair of a master chef (he’s also an accomplished sculptor). Trying to pin down Stephanie Schneiderman to any one genre, talent or discipline is next to impossible. One thing is clear, however: whether pursuing her prolific work as a solo artist, playing drums for all-star roots-pop act Swan Sovereign (Dirty Martini), producing, acting, or giving back, Schneiderman is diverse and hard working. After seven years leading a jazz sextet and performing both internationally and throughout North America, Jacob Miller now focuses his efforts on a different kind of songwriting and storytelling. n 2020, Miller was a featured performer on NBC’s “The Voice,” working with Nick Jonas and James Taylor.
Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms and The Horsenecks: Saturday, July 10 at 6 p.m., Village Green. If you’ve traveled anywhere in North America and Europe, or have spent any time listening to country music that is outside of the radio charts, you will have heard the name Caleb Klauder. He is currently touring and promoting his new album with Reeb Willms called “Innocent Road.” This is a full-length, full-band recording featuring more of Klauder’s original songs, with him and Willms sharing the lead vocal role. The Horsenecks play hard-hitting and heartfelt Old Time and classic Bluegrass music. Their sound is centered around the pairing of the signature rhythmic Appalachian fiddle style of Oregonian Gabrielle Macrae and the driving yet subtle banjo playing of Liverpudlian Barry Southern.
The Talbott Brothers and Brograss: Saturday, July 24 at 6 p.m., Village Green. The Talbott Brothers have earned a large and growing following for their songs consisting of down-to-earth messages that prove to be prevalent in today’s world. Originally from Imperial, Nebraska, they now call Portland, Oregon home. Billboard defines their music as “captivating with haunting brotherly harmonies.” Orcas Island’s own brother group Brograss, featuring Tashi and Kaj Litch, will open the show.
Goodness Tour Collective, Acrobatic Conundrum and Rafe Pearlman: Friday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m., Doe Bay Resort. Come to see a variety of music and performing art acts. Free tickets must be ordered in advance through the Orcas Center website.