Tonight was one of my favorite annual events on Orcas Island – the kids’ talent show called Whale of a Show. It’s not a contest. No one is judged and no one wins. It’s a night devoted to kids who have the courage to perform any talent they choose, up on stage at Orcas Center.
Why is it so great? Because if you were in any city, you’d go to a talent show in which only the most polished, perfected routines were selected for that night’s judged performance. Matching glittery sequined leotards, perfectly applied make-up, $100 coiffed hair, you name it. Kind of akin to the opening ceremonies for the Olympics.
Not so here. This is so genuine. So practiced and yet so perfectly imperfect. Kids ranged from 4 to 16 years old tonight and, as with all shows from the past, they were surrounded by an audience filled with love and support for every single performer. It’s truly unlike anything I’ve attended in my life. It’s heartwarming, it’s inspiring, and it’s a night filled with bravery and passion.
Thank you to all the people doing sound, lighting, backstage work, etc. And thank you to Didier and Emilie Gincig, the father-and-daughter team who make Whale of a Show happen every year.
Thank you, Aristotle Luna, for letting me take some photos on your phone. If you don’t know Aristotle Luna, he is one of Orcas Island’s talents. He is an upbeat, dedicated, humble, polite 15-year-old who works at his endeavors seriously. Just watching him do slow-motion cartwheels while co-teaching a boys’ dance class here on the island is a glimpse at years of intense training. He was the lead in the local Billy Elliot production at Orcas Center and dances with the Island Inspiration All Stars (click this link and scroll down a little – you’ll be able to watch him performing in several varied dances, including on rings). Just had to plug you, Aristotle. Keep at it!
All the performers taking a final bow before the whole place broke into a communal dance on a final song
To say that Orcas Island is a big supporter of the arts is an understatement. I was laying my little boy down to sleep tonight and thinking about all the opportunities that people have on this island to branch out in the arts. Here are a bunch of them…
Piano lessons with Catherine Pederson
Music lessons with Martin Lund
Singing lessons with Grace McCune
Violin, guitar, and ukulele lessons with Mary Wachter
Silks acrobatics with Maria Bullock
Ballet, tap, and modern dance classes with Stephanie Moss
Dance classes for boys with Tiffany Loney and Aristotle Luna
Island Inspiration All Stars with Anthony the Dancer
Orcas Island Community Band (all ages)
African dance at the Odd Fellows Hall
Tango, Swing, and Salsa free monthly dance lessons at the Odd Fellows Hall by Bill Gincig
and the list probably goes on…..
Edee, where is the link for Aristotle?
Hi Carrie, it’s down below at Island Inspiration All Stars, but I added an additional one up in the paragraph about him.