Kef brings Balkan music to QUUF

Kef, a Balkan dance band from Eugene, Oregon, is set to perform a Balkan folk music dance/concert at 7 p.m., Sunday, March 26 at Port Townsend’s Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Ave. An introduction to basic dance steps is offered before the event at 6:30 p.m.

The band takes its name from a Middle Eastern word describing the spirit and energy shared by a group of people in celebration. An associated Greek word, “kefi,” describes a spirit of joy, passion, enthusiasm, high spirits, overpowering emotion, according to a press release.

The band’s members have immersed themselves in learning the music of Bulgaria, Macedonia and neighboring traditional music of the Balkans. They have trained with native ethnic musicians at many camps and workshops.

Contemplate food, owls at Imprint Books

The Writers’ Workshoppe & Imprint Books is to host authors Kathleen Alcalá and Leigh Calvez for a reading at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 25 at the shop, located at 820 Water St.

Alcalá is to read from her new book, “The Deepest Roots: Finding Food and Community on a Pacific Northwest Island,” which is replete with insights of longtime islanders who have gone back to the land (or sea) to produce food. She also is to talk about what she learned from local residents who have become food producers, gardeners and growers.

Calvez is the author of the New York Times best-selling book “The Hidden Lives of Owls: The Science and Spirit of Nature’s Most Elusive Birds.” Calvez has studied humpback whales in Massachusetts and on Maui, along with spinner dolphins on the Big Island of Hawaii. Her interest in the natural world led her to nature writing, and her work has been widely published.

JCHS seeks tour guides, docents

In preparation for the upcoming tourist season, the Jefferson County Historical Society (JCHS) is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to train as walking tour guides and historic house docents.

“If you are interested in local history and enjoy sharing it with others, we’d love to have you on our team and will provide all of the necessary training,” said Bill Tennent, JCHS executive director.

“We are particularly looking for guides to assist with the downtown walking tours for the upcoming cruise ship shore excursions and for assisting at the Rothschild House Museum during the summer.”

For more information, call Brooke Weber at 360-385-1003.