Chamber Orchestra concert to benefit Gatheringplace

The Ladies' Chamber Orchestra & Benevolent Society is joined by Seattle ensemble Flute Circle for its spring concert, set for 4 p.m., Sunday, April 23 at the First Baptist Church, 1202 Lawrence St. Admission is by donation. Proceeds benefit The Gatheringplace and the International Justice Mission. The joint concert includes music from Baroque to modern and also features the world premiere of the composition “Ode to Helen” by Ann Lindquist of Mukilteo, Washington. The orchestra is joined by guest musicians Marilyn Sterbick (soprano), Diane Vaux (cello) and Lee Inman (viola da gamba).

Wood turner Winter embellishes in Gardiner

Port Townsend wood turner Helga Winter gives a presentation on “Embellishing Surfaces” at the April meeting of the Strait Turners. The meeting is 9 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, April 25 at the Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road.

Wood turners of all levels are encouraged to attend, along with anyone interested in embellishing techniques on wood.

Grant Street to host student art

The Grant Street PTA hosts an evening of art with more than 3,000 works by Grant Street Elementary students from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 21. Admission is free; donations are welcome.

This is the largest event of the year for the Grant Street Elementary School PTA, said organizers. Organized by art teacher Wanda Leclerc, the show also includes several student art projects that were done in collaboration with local artists from the community. Many of the projects align with the Port Townsend School District’s Maritime Discovery Schools Initiative, with themes relating to place-based education.

View weird treasures at JCHS open house

The Jefferson County Historical Society (JCHS) celebrates its 138th Founders’ Day from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 23 at the JCHS Research Center.

“Imagine Grandma’s attic packed with cool, creepy things and exciting treasures to discover – only without the cobwebs,” a press release states. The open house provides a sneak peek of the next show at the Women's Jail Cell Gallery, “Cabinet of Curiosities,” set to open in June. The exhibit is to feature a selection of the strangest, creepiest and weirdest items in the society’s collection.

The Research Center is located at 13694 Airport Cutoff Road (State Route 19). There is no admission charge.

Singer makes PT debut at Candlelight Concert

Soprano Lissa Staples makes her Port Townsend debut Thursday, April 27 at this month's Candlelight Concert at Trinity United Methodist Church, 609 Taylor St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the concert starts at 7 p.m.

Staples, who has recently relocated from Tucson, Arizona, has appeared throughout the United States and Canada in opera, oratorio and musical theater. She's also performed on film and stage, and appeared locally in Key City Public Theatre's 2014 production of “The Trojan Women.”

She is set to perform selections by Ned Rorem, Robert Schumann, Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, Claude Debussy, Giacomo Puccini and Roger Quilter.

“As a professional singer herself, my mother sang many of these songs and arias when I was growing up, and they have been a source of joy to me all my life,” said Staples. “In an increasingly frenetic world, it is my great pleasure to offer these treasures by way of Tucson, with much love.”

The evening’s performance is accompanied on piano by Maria Sierra and Woody Bernas.

Admission is by a suggested $10 donation (children admitted free). All donations from this concert benefit Ecumenical Christian Helping Hands Organization (ECHHO), which assisted Staples’ husband, Bill, after the couple moved to Port Townsend.

CHS presents ‘Snow White’

The Chimacum High School Drama Performance Club presents a somewhat untraditional retelling of the story of Snow White, titled “Snow White and the 7 1/2 Dwarfs,” for one weekend only, May 4-7 at the high school.

The family-friendly comedic rendition plays 7 p.m., Thursday-Sunday, with two 3:30 p.m. matinee shows Saturday and Sunday. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time. General admission is $10; senior citizens and students with ASB cards are $5; children ages 10 younger are free. Chimacum High School is located at 91 West Valley Road.

(Compiled by Leader staff writer Katie Kowalski)