Lopez swings. More than a dozen Lopez guitar, fiddle and ukulele musicians of all ages joined JP and the OK Rhythm Boys on stage at Woodmen Hall the night of March 8, for a swinging new version of San Antonio Rose.

Thirty musicians turned out for the afternoon’s workshops with JP Wittman, Gordon Koenig and Anita Orne of Orcas Island to learn swing techniques, while another enthusiastic contingent braved a raging downpour for the group’s benefit concert and dance that evening.

Thank you Lopez for coming to tap your toes, swing your sweetheart and sing along to the talented trio’s bass, fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, sweet harmony and ethereal musical saw.

Because of you and many concert sponsors: Gary and Karen Alexander, Barbara Carver, Sarah and Larry Eppenbach, Kip and Stanley Greenthal, Dean and Carolyn Jacobsen, Jeff Nichols, Kate Scott and a generous anonymous supporter,  the Lopez Island Family Resource Center will be able to offer a summer music camp and other musical adventures to islanders this year!

Thanks are due to the staff and Board of the Lopez Island Family Resource Center for organizing, managing and promoting the March 8 workshop and concert along with the summer music programs, to Angie Clothier for smoothing the way to Woodmen Hall, to Dean Jacobsen for providing everything a visiting musician could want, and especially to my fellow volunteers Sarah Eppenbach, Kate Scott, Jim Parker, Jesse Jacobsen, Bill Clemens, Ann and Andy Whipple, Pete and Karin Gandini and the cleanup crew for making it happen.

If you avoided getting your hairdo blown and your feet wet last Saturday night, catch JP and the OK Rhythm Boys at The Galley on April 19 – and prepare to swoon with your sweetie!

Micki Ryan

Music Education Committee

Orcas Chamber Music Festival Lopez Concerts