Orcas Today: September 4th-6th

Labor Day Tennis Camp
September 4th-6th at the Orcas Tennis Club
The Orcas Tennis Club’s Labor Day Tennis Tournament takes place September 4–6 and is open to players of all skill levels. This fun team doubles tournament matches players with partners and teams based on skill level for balanced, competitive play. Play begins Friday at 1pm, Saturday at 8:30am, and Sunday at 9:30am. Participants do not need to be available for every session to register. Learn more at orcastennisclub.com/tournaments.

Kids Storytime at the Orcas Island Library
September 4th from 11:00am-11:30pm
Join Jenny for storytime in our kids section!

Free WA Cares Informational Workshop
September 4th from 11:15am-12:15pm via Zoom
Learn how the WA Cares Fund can help cover long-term care services at this free workshop hosted by the Economic Development Council (EDC) and Northwest Regional Council (NWRC). Most Washington workers are already contributing to the WA Cares program. This workshop will explain how it works, who is eligible for benefits, and how to apply. The workshop is free, but advance registration is required at sanjuansedc.org/bizlabs. For more information, call 360.378.2906 or email info@sanjuansedc.org.

First Friday Book Club
September 4th at 1:00pm at the Orcas Library
Contact Andrea Reback for more information: areback@orcaslibrary.org.

Art with Carla at the Orcas Senior Center
Fridays from 1:00-3:00pm
Led by experienced artist Carla Stanley, this lighthearted class focuses on the creative process with a strong belief in your artistic potential, regardless of skill level. The class is $10 (or $8 for OSC members). Contact Carla at 360.317.5652 or onlyonorcas@gmail.com to secure your spot. Uncover your artistic potential and join creative Fridays at Orcas Senior Center!

WOW Farm Pop-Up
September 4th from 2:00-5:00pm at Olga Community Club Park
Browse a selection of farm-fresh produce and healing herbs while supporting a local island farm.

Teen Blockbuster Fridays
September 4th from 2:00-5:00pm at the Orcas Library
Revisit the movies that earned Midnight Releases and had crowds lining up around the block.

Needlework Circle at The Orcas Senior Center

Fridays from 2:00-6:00pm
Join this weekly gathering for knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and all needleworkers at Orcas Senior Center, every Friday at 2pm. Come hang out—no project required! Whether you haven’t knitted in years, want to learn to crochet, or just want to relax and chat, you’ll find a wonderful selection of donated yarn, needles, books, and plenty of friendly advice. For more information, contact Edy Hansen at edy@orcasseniors.org or 206.413.6167

On Screen at Seaview Theater: Cat Video Fest
September 4th & 5th at 6:00pm, September 5th at 4:00pm

Orcas Island Jazz Festival Concert
September 4th at 7:00pm at Orcas Center
Formed in 1993, the Latin Grammy-nominated Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto has become one of the West Coast’s most important creative music ensembles. Performing Jovino’s original arrangements and compositions, its members excel in near-telepathic musical interactions, modern harmonic journeys, deep lyricism and high energy Brazilian grooves that never fail to excite audiences.

On Screen at Seaview Theater: Camp Miasma
September 4th & 5th at 8:00pm
Rated R.

Orcas Island Farmers Market
Saturdays from 10:00am-2:00pm at the Village Green
Head down to the Village Green every Saturday from 10am-2pm and support your favorite vendors, farmers and food growers, and catch some amazing musical talent from the stage.

End of the 90 Days of August Party
September 5th at 6:00pm at The Lower Tavern
The parking lot party kicks off around 6:00pm on Saturday with live music from The Studs and Bad Dads, hot dogs, and specials from Bale Breaker Brewing and Yonder Cider. Gather with friends, enjoy great music, and send off the season with a night of food, drinks, and fun at Lower Tavern.

Orcas Island Jazz Festival Concert
September 5th at 7:00pm at Orcas Center
Straight from the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, the Paradise Jazz Band brings the energy, soul, and tradition of authentic Crescent City jazz to Orcas Island. Featuring acclaimed musicians Darold Alexander, Trombone Charlotte, and Ryan Hitchin, this dynamic ensemble delivers an unforgettable performance filled with spirited improvisation, infectious rhythms, and timeless jazz classics.

Hoedown at the Hangar
September 6th from 2:00-10:00pm at Slanted Apple Farm
This community fundraiser benefits the Orcas Island Food Bank, Community Resource Center, Orcas Island Wrestling, and Sail Orcas. Enjoy live music from four bands, local food vendors, and drinks from the Hangar Bar, all set on a historic grass airstrip. Bring your friends and neighbors for an afternoon and evening of music, food, and community while supporting local organizations.

Orcas Island Jazz Festival Concert
September 6th at 7:00pm at Orcas Center
Martin Lund, one of the most diverse musicians in the universe, lives and breathes music in many different colors and cultures. He has played with some of the great blues artists of our time and worked in LA studios as a composer, arranger, and musician.

WOW Farm to Table Classes
September 6th from 5:00-7:00pm at Houlme
Learn the healing science of Ayurveda while preparing simple, nourishing meals inspired by the abundance of the island. These hands-on classes celebrate farm-fresh ingredients, mindful cooking, and the connection between food and wellness.

Mount Pickett Trail – Easy to Difficult

7 miles. 900 feet elevation gain and loss The Mount Pickett Service Road and Trail runs through Moran State Park’s Natural Area Preserve which is one of the oldest undeveloped areas in the San Juan Islands. The parking at the Cascade Falls trailhead is the quickest route to the Service Road that leads towards Mount Pickett. An alternative starting point is the picnic shelter and parking at Mountain Lake; follow the trail to the southern end of the lake and continue east-southeast to the Mount Pickett trail. In addition to the undisturbed natural beauty of the area, Mount Pickett is also one of the most remote hiking locations on Orcas Island. Featuring a Natural Area Preserve; the densely wooded trail takes hikers away from roadways and campsites into the rustic woodland beauty that the Pacific Northwest is known for. Pack and prep for a challenge; Orcas Islanders use this trail as a test for their hiking and climbing endurance.

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Orcas Hotel Café – By Howie

I am an American. Those four little words should tell you everything you need to know about how much I love burgers. Okay, not everything, but I hope you get the idea. There’s nothing quite like it: Meat, Toppings, Condiments, Crispy Toasted Bread, mix and match to your liking (yes, I realize I also just described a normal sandwich, but follow me on this one), and chow down! That being said, I do also realize that not all burgers are created equal: a gourmet burger is not a good comparison to a cookout burger, and while I do enjoy both (very much so), when you decide to up the ante and treat yourself to a restaurant, you expect something a bit more on the decadent side. And, I am pleased to report, that (at least) the food given to me by Orcas Hotel Café did not disappoint! Orcas Hotel has a long history of different chefs and restaurant names gracing its doors, but in the new world of Survive the Pandemic (take that however you will) they have opted for a simpler design: small café, small menu, daily specials, lunch, and dinner; no frills, basically. Their entire ordering process for dinner is online so my esteemed colleague and I had to change up our usual rules, and I took his recommendation for the Cheeseburger with Fries while he went with the Burmese Chicken Curry Special (read Simon’s review of Orcas Hotel Café here). Now, my overly simplified palate may suggest that I got the raw…

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