Category: Celebrations

My kind of grafitti, 2 of 2

Yarn bombing is a seemingly spontaneous art movement that’s popped up around the world. But to look at some of the work that’s now on display in Sequim, it seems like lots of people kept themselves busy all winter.

I can imagine conversations: “Now that looks interesting. What are you working on?” “Oh, just a little something for a chilly looking bike rack.”

The daffodil at top was in one of the “flower beds” on the plaza where this was taken.

I had a hard time deciding which photos to post. There were wrapped and garlanded trees, other decorated benches, and a snake draped over a street sign. It’s a unique and cheerful sight. Thank you, Fiber Arts Bombadiers!

My kind of grafitti, 1 of 2

Yesterday was International Yarn Bombing Day and Sequim became a target. Fiber artists – knitters, felters, weavers, crocheters – from the North Olympic Peninsula adorned our streets with random color and whimsy.

The Sunshine Cafe on Washington Street was one of the first targets earlier this week.

Nothing was safe as the city was cloaked in bits and pieces of fibrous splendor.

More shots tomorrow.

Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts

There’s nothing like live music. There are a number of venues for it around the Olympic Peninsula, and other events that feature terrific performers, too. But the Juan de Fuca Festival is one of our favorites and the one we budget for. Musicians come from far and wide and there is a great diversity of musical styles. Mary Flower, above, is a guitarist and blues singer who has placed twice in the top three in the National Fingerpicking Championship, the only woman to do so.

Paul Chasman, above, accompanied Mary Flower on Saturday and also performed on Monday. He is a well known West Coast guitarist.

The Portland Cello Project performs nontraditional and classical music – a great mashup of styles, wonderfully interpreted. They give a whole new twist to what a cello can do. One original piece they played was entitled “Robin Hood Changes the Oil.” Great fun!

Sequimarimba!

Last weekend was the 19th annual Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts in Port Angeles. It’s a weekend full of live music and more. There’s free entertainment outside and dozens of live acts inside for paying customers. Sequimarimba played outside on Saturday.

Sequimarimba plays music largely from the Shona culture of Zimbabwe and the group has played together for decades. It was a perfect day for an outdoor performance and marimba music is upbeat and totally addictive. Click here for a link to a video of part of the performance I saw.