Guild to swap stories Sunday afternoon

The Quimper Story Guild is set to meet from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, May 21 at the Library Learning Center, 1256 Lawrence St. The afternoon includes story swaps, activities and discussion to enhance the craft of storytelling. Each teller has five minutes to tell a story, with the option of having attendees “feed the story” or “feed the teller.”

In this way, listeners get a couple of minutes to highlight what element, character or moment of the story stood out for them, or highlight what was noteworthy about the way the teller conveyed the story. Attendees may sign up to tell stories when they arrive; availability of the seven teller spots is on a first-come basis.

Now in its third month, the Quimper Story Guild is organized by locals to foster an appreciation for the art and tradition of storytelling in Jefferson County communities. The group meets on the third Sunday of every month.

Dance at the Grange to contra duo’s tunes

Musicians Alex Sturbaum and Brian Lindsey play for a contra dance at Quimper Grange on Saturday, May 20.

The two musicians met in college in Ohio, where they played together in the band Gallimaufry. On the West Coast, they formed Countercurrent, with Sturbaum playing a driving guitar, and Lindsey, a lyrical fiddle with foot percussion. Together they sing harmonies. The passion they infuse in the music is contagious, and dancers can’t help but get into their groove, said dance organizer Tinker Cavallaro.

Calling the dance is Michael Karcher, a doctoral student in statistics at the University of Washington. He has been calling dances around the Puget Sound region for the past few years. A lesson is set for 7:30 p.m., followed by dancing from 8 to 11 p.m. Admission is $6; ages 16 and younger are free. The Grange is located at 1219 Corona St.

4 to tell of Standing Rock experience May 17

Four community members share stories of their personal experiences at Standing Rock beginning at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 17 at the Jefferson County Library, 620 Cedar Ave., Port Hadlock.

The four presenters – Terry DuBeau, Jennimae Hillyard, Sabrina McQuillen Hill and Gary Buckman – all spent time at Standing Rock this past fall and winter.

DuBeau was at Standing Rock for 100 days. She and others drove a 16-foot Penske truck full of donations from the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe to the protest.

McQuillen Hill, a Makah tribal member living in Port Townsend, visited Standing Rock in November with the Pacific Northwest caravan to support the water protectors through prayer and serving meals. She traveled there with her two children, Scott, age 7, and Mary, 3.

Buckman is a Lakota from Wounded Knee, South Dakota, and a member of the American Indian Movement (AIM). He and his wife, Hannah, are the owners of Big Wolf Trading Co., which has been open for the past six years in downtown Port Townsend. They spent time in October at Standing Rock in the Wild Oglala Camp.

Sing with Ringle at the Chimacum Grange

Aimee Ringle, musician and Chimacum Grange member, is to bring a singing community to the Grange at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 18. Songs range from folk, Americana, echo songs, singing in the round, chanting, invocation, social and eco-justice songs, rhythm games and more. Drop-ins are welcome.

Songs are taught without sheet music; participants are invited to bring notebooks to take lyric notes if they wish. Singing dates are set for May 25, June 29, July 13 and July 27. Admission is by a $10 suggested donation per person. For more information, contact Ringle at 531-4395. The Grange is located at 9572 Rhody Drive.

Arts Commission seeks entries, due June 9

The Port Townsend Arts Commission and Northwind Arts Center are seeking submissions for "Expressions Northwest,” the 19th annual Art Port Townsend juried art exhibit, set for Aug. 3-27 at the Northwind Arts Center, 701 Water St.

Artists must be at least 16 years of age and a resident of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska or British Columbia.

Work in both two- and three-dimensional forms – including jewelry and photography – is eligible.

The entry deadline is June 9.

For more information, visit northwindarts.org or artporttownsend.org.

(Compiled by Leader staff writer Katie Kowalski.)