HELLO JANUARY

Each month we bring you a list of five things to do curated by a local artist. To greet the new year, Currents invited Bainbridge teaching artist and performer Teresa Marchinek to share what’s on her radar for the coming month. Here are Teresa’s picks.

1. January 2 (-12) “BYE BYE BIRDIE”

Some people like to kick off the new year with a commitment to the gym and promises of a cleaner diet, but I like to ring in the new year with a song and dance of celebration! Check out Ovation!’s performance of “Bye Bye Birdie” January 2-12 at Bainbridge Performing Arts (BPA).

2. January 4 THE EDGE IMPROV

If you have not spent a Saturday night doubled over with laughter, it’s time to go see The EDGE Improv! The first Saturday night of each month, The EDGE brings “imagination on demand” to BPA with its hilarious shenanigans. Be sure to raise your hand for everything and engage in all the silliness. It’s better than chicken soup for the soul!

3. January 17 ANZANGA

My daughter attends Odyssey Multiage Program where every student learns to play the marimbas! We are so fortunate that Anzanga, a marimba ensemble that performs all around the world, will be right here on Bainbridge for one night only at BPA. Come celebrate and dance the night away to beautiful South African marimba music. If you are a true Anzanga enthusiast, join us for the percussion and drumming workshop in the afternoon before the show by contacting 206-842-8569. 

4. January 24 (-Feb 9) “NEXT TO NORMAL”

In this complicated world that we live in, it is so important to keep mental health issues in the forefront of our minds and conversations. I cannot wait to see The Lesser-Known Players’ performance of “Next to Normal,” an American rock musical about a mother’s struggle with bipolar disorder and the effects it has on the whole family. Performances are at Rolling Bay Hall.

5. January 26 The “Mad Priest” McAllister Poetry Readings

The late Bob McAllister taught English at Bainbridge High School (BHS) for 35 years and was deeply involved in over 100 BHS theater productions. He was also an active participant in the theater at BPA and taught private weekly poetry workshops. He had a massive influence on local poetry events that continue on the island to this day. I went to high school in Port Angeles, Washington, with his daughters — wonderful, amazing and vibrant women with whom I share some wonderful and very silly high school memories. I look forward to attending the McAllister Poetry Readings this January at the Bainbridge Public Library as an ode to Mr. McAllister, his beautiful daughters and the poetic legacy he left behind.

McAllister taught English at Bainbridge High School (BHS) for 35 years and was deeply involved in over 100 BHS theater productions. He was also an active participant in the theater at BPA and taught private weekly poetry workshops. He had a massive influence on local poetry events that continue on the island to this day. I went to high school in Port Angeles, Washington, with his daughters — wonderful, amazing and vibrant women with whom I share some wonderful and very silly high school memories. I look forward to attending the McAllister Poetry Readings this January at the Bainbridge Public Library as an ode to Mr. McAllister, his beautiful daughters and the poetic legacy he left behind.