Above: Oak Harbor Music Festival
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Small communities burst with big talent on the islands. Artists of all stripes represent an outsized portion of the population in these parts, with residents and visitors alike reaping the benefits. If live entertainment is what you seek, there is no bad time of year to visit. A bevy of talented performers take to the stage across many disciplines, from dance and drama to melody and musings.
Both Whidbey and Camano Islands are home to inspiring dance schools, with students ranging from the tiniest twirlers to mature movers. Annual showcases of these performers will make you want to boogie, and a festive annual performance of The Nutcracker inspires memories of holidays past. No classes necessary to cut a rug at the summertime Bayview Street Dances or a winter pub jam on Camano. With so many incredible musicians around, there’s always somewhere to shake your tail feather.
Check out local venues and tasting rooms for year-round musical performances. In the summer that extends to markets, festivals, and street corners; with island musicians livening up every event. Camano, being “the Easy Island”, is a popular home address for talented troupes who also perform at mainland venues, with no race for the last ferry home. Oak Harbor hosts a lively three-day music festival each Labor Day weekend, featuring a wide variety of musical stylings and no entry fees. Langley is home to one the largest Django music festivals in the world, setting the whole town buzzing each September.
On the islands, actors can take the stage at any age. Children’s theater groups bring beloved classics to life while veteran actors create contemporary new works. Shakespeare and other historic works are presented in accessible ways at beautiful outdoor settings. Comedians and podcasters and spoken word poets all find their niche on these shores. The community produces creative giants and attracts renowned artists to perform in inspiring places.
These experiences of human creativity are fleeting and transformational. They cannot be bottled or reproduced. You experience them live, and collectively, or you miss out. Come join the party and witness the islands’ performing arts firsthand.