Whale of a Show is going to happen again this year at Orcas Center! Woohoo!! I’m a diehard fan of this, and of the other island talent shows as well (for adults and seniors). I bought tickets for my family the minute I heard it was on!
Kids ages 5-18 years old are invited to participate. Solo acts and group acts are welcome, as well as family acts! I know A LOT of you are singers, dancers, musicians, comedians, magicians, acrobats, improv phenoms, and so on. Give it a try – this is as safe, encouraging, and supportive of an atmosphere as you’ll ever have.
To be in the show, text or call Didier Gincig at (360) 298-0362, email him at orcasdidier@gmail.com, or come to the audition at Orcas Center on Thursday, October 13th from 3-5 pm or Friday, October 14th from 4-5 pm.
Whale of a Show will be on the Orcas Center Stage on Saturday, October 22nd at 6:30 pm and Sunday, October 23rd at 2 pm. I can’t wait!
If you have any questions, contact Didier.
Thank you, Didier, for making this happen and not allowing it to disappear into Orcas Island’s history. It is one of my favorite events EVER!
Whale of a Show – A Tradition of Talent and “Triumphant Joy” (from Orcas Center’s website)
This October, there will be a flurry of activity behind the thick red velvet curtain on Center Stage at Orcas Center. Children will be tuning their instruments, doing last-minute rehearsals of choreography, warming their vocal chords, and calming their nerves. Many hours of practice go into the performances during Whale of a Show, the island’s celebration of youth talent on Orcas.
“Backstage can be quite interesting,” muses organizer Didier Gincig, “We honor the children’s emotions and discuss what they’re feeling – especially around nervousness and excitement. It’s been a wonderful process to see the transformation over the years – how a nervous child just a few years ago now takes the role of mentor to those experiencing their first time on stage.”
The study of art, music, dance, and theatre benefits children in many ways including enhancing socialization, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, while encouraging creativity, individualism, and team work. Art, no matter the form, gives children an outlet for self-expression as they are finding their way in the world. Public performances of that art encourage pushing through fears while being wholly supported by their community. At the surface, talent shows like Whale of a Show are a fun family night for all, but the benefits of practice and performance stay with children for years to come.
Gincig has been coordinating Whale of a Show for nearly 20 years, first emceeing with his daughter Emilie back in the early 2000s, and he has no intention of stopping anytime soon. “We’re keeping the tradition going and enjoy providing this fun opportunity for children to be authentic about their self-expression. They can have fun in a supportive environment and transform their nervous feelings into triumphant joy.”
The photo above is from 2019’s show.
