In the arts

Posted

Brower biographer to read at library

Robert Wyss, author of “The Man Who Built the Sierra Club: A Life of Dave Brower,” is to give a reading at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 15 at the Port Townsend Public Library, 1220 Lawrence St.

Brower was a central figure in the modern environmental movement, and his leadership, vision and elegant concept of the wilderness changed forever how people approach nature, according to a press release. He lived from 1912 to 2000.

Shantala returns

Shantala returns to Port Townsend on Sunday, June 18 for a high-energy evening of ancient call-and-response singing at Madrona MindBody Institute, 310 Fort Worden Way.

Shantala's core members, Benjy and Heather Wertheimer, are joined by Jared May on bass and Port Townsend musician David Michael on Celtic harp to present the ecstatic chants and sacred music of India known as kirtan.

Audience participation is encouraged, and no previous musical experience or spiritual belief is required. Shantala has been leading kirtans worldwide since 2002. Its style is eclectic, universal and welcoming to beginners For ticket information, visit madronamindbody.com.

'Tickling Giants' showing benefits Waterkeepers Iraq

A screening of “Tickling Giants,” a new film by “Daily Show” senior producer Sara Taksler about the “Egyptian Jon Stewart,” Bassem Youssef, is set for 7 p.m., Friday, June 16 at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Ave.

The film is hosted by the fellowship's Green Sanctuary Environmental Action Committee, together with Peninsula College and Waterkeepers Iraq.

The screening is part of an international effort to spark dialogue about the abuse of power, free speech and how we treat Muslims, said event organizers, who describe the film as a cautionary tale about what can happen when conservative leaders across the globe go unchecked.

“Tickling Giants” tells the story of Bassem Youssef, an Egyptian heart surgeon who brings satire to Egypt during the Arab Spring. The film follows Youssef as he meets his hero Jon Stewart, and as he gets into major trouble in his country for jokes about religion and government.

The screening is a benefit for Waterkeepers Iraq, a group founded by a PT resident that works on river and water quality protection in Iraq.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The suggested donation is $10 at the door, although no one will be turned away. Child care is provided.

The Smiths serve up ‘homemade music’

The Arts to Elders program, in conjunction with the Northwind Arts Center, presents “The Homemade Music of Kristin and Otto Smith,” from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20 at the Discovery View Retirement Community, 1051 Hancock St., Port Townsend.

Kristin and Otto Smith have taught and performed music together since 1981. Kristin is a music instructor and concertmaster for the Port Townsend Community Orchestra and performs with the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra, while Otto also plays with both orchestras.

Book-It Rep kicks off summer reading

The Port Townsend Public Library is hosting Book-It Repertory Theatre’s performance of “El Deafo” to kick off its annual summer reading program on Thursday, June 22.

The show, geared toward kids in kindergarten through sixth grade, is set for 4 p.m. at the Cotton Building, 607 Water St., in downtown Port Townsend.

In this staging of Cece Bell’s Newbery-honored graphic novel, “El Deafo,” audiences experience Cece’s journey as she learns to embrace her hearing loss and searches for a true friend.

When Cece is 4 years old, she loses her hearing due to an illness. Afterward, she faces embarrassment at school with her bulky hearing aid strapped to her chest. She then discovers a superpower: the ability to hear the teacher when she is not in the room.

The show is to be performed using spoken English and American Sign Language.

(Compiled by Leader staff writer Katie Kowalski)