ARTS & CRAFTS

THE POULSBO ARTIST LEAGUE: An association of artists of all media, meets from 12:30-3:30 p.m. every Wednesday (except during the month of December) at the Vinland Lutheran Church on Finn Hill Road to work on individual pieces. Guest are welcome. Contact Mike Clayton at (360) 930-8171 or m-dclayton@comcast.net for more information.

CALL TO ARTISTS: The Bainbridge Island Studio Tour is accepting applications for the 2009 summer and winter Studio Tours, slated for Aug. 7-9 and Dec. 4-6, respectively. Artists can apply for one or both events at this time. Application forms and more details can be found in the “For Artists” section of www.bistudiotour.com, as well as at the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce or by calling tour manager Dinah Satterwhite at (206) 842-0504.

CRAFTERNOONS: Kitsap Regional Library in Little Boston hosts Crafternoons for crafters to get together and work on handmade projects at 2:30 p.m. every Wednesday at 31980 Little Boston Road in Kingston. Info: www.krl.org or call (360) 297-2670.

A IS FOR ARTISTS GALLERY: A nonprofit, artist-owned and -run gallery on Bainbridge Island is seeking artists. Info: www.AisforArtistsGallery.com or call (206) 842-2434.

AUDITIONS

BAINBRIDGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: The Bainbridge Performing Arts’ Classical Music Program is seeking musicians for all instruments for the 2009-2010 season. Interested woodwind, brass and string players should prepare three to four minutes of music, contrasting styles recommended. Percussionists should prepare two minutes. Sight-reading will be provided. Contact BSO’s personnel managers Lisa Hirayama at (206) 781-8354 or Patricia Beasley at (206) 842-6658 to schedule an audition. Info: www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org/Symphony.html.

DANCE

BALLROOM DANCE: The Bremerton Elks, 4131 Pine Road in Bremerton, host ballroom classes, followed by afternoon dances for seniors, starting at 11:30 a.m. Thursdays through Aug. 27. Pre-registration suggested. Info: Call Jan at (360) 877-5181.

FARMERS MARKETS

BAINBRIDGE FARMERS MARKET: Raspberries, currants and cherries are in, as are vine-ripened tomatoes and delectable salad fixins, at the Bainbridge Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at Town Square at City Hall.

PORT ORCHARD FARMERS MARKET: Is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays at the Marina Park in Port Orchard. Info: www.pofarmersmarket.org.

SUQUAMISH FARMERS MARKET: Is from 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 14 at the corner of Suquamish Way and Division Ave, across from the Shell Station.

KINGSTON FARMERS MARKET: Is located at Mike Wallace Park at the Port of Kingston Marina from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Saturday through October. Vendors offer fresh, local fruits and vegetables. Local artisans bring wonderful handmade art and crafts and local musicians play live music. Info: kingstonfarmersmarket.com.

PORT GAMBLE SUNDAY MARKET: Will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Sunday through September in Port Gamble. Local handmade and homegrown products are available — everything from kiddie teepees and fused glass jewelry to potted flowers and pit barbecue. Info: www.portgamble.com.

THE BREMERTON FARMERS MARKET: Is open at its new location — Evergreen Park at the end of Pacific Street in Bremerton. The market will be open from 4-7 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 15, offering goods from local farmers, artists and businesses. Info: www.bremertonmarket.wordpress.com, e-mail bremertonmarket@gmail.com or call Kim at (360) 440-5139.

POULSBO FARMERS MARKET: Features fresh produce, preserved food, art, crafts and live music every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the medical/dental center parking lot at 7th and Iverson in Poulsbo. Info: www.poulsbofarmersmarket.org or call (360) 779-6720.

SILVERDALE FARMERS MARKET: Silverdale Farmers Market is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays at the Silverdale Beach Hotel, rain or shine. The market will feature fresh baked bread, jams, honey, beef jerky and sweet treats. Info: (360) 471-8219 or www.SilverdaleFarmersMarket.com.

INDOOR FARMERS MARKET: The Peninsula Farmers Market Association’s indoor farmers market will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays in the Island Jamz Caribbean Restaurant, 1783 NE State Highway 308, Keyport. Available this time of year are bulb pots, fresh baked bread, jams, beef jerky, fresh cut herbs, art and crafts and veggie starts. Info: Monica at (360) 471-8219 or www.KeyportFarmersMarket.com.

HANSVILLE FARMERS MARKET: Is open at Dragonfly Farms Nursery, 34881 Hansville Road, Kingston, from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Info: www.dragonflyfarms.com or (360) 638-1292.

FESTIVALS

SLUG inFESTation: The Kingston Art Gallery and the Kingston Chamber of Commerce are selling “hunting licences” for a new town festival — the inaugural Kingston Slug Hunt — the SLUG inFESTation, slated for Aug. 8, in which 101 hand-painted slugs will be hidden throughout Kingston on a town-wide scavenger hunt. Finders keepers. Info: www.kingstonartgallery.com.

KIDS

MAN’S BEST FRIEND: Dogs and other furry, cuddly and slinky pets will be celebrated during a free summer camp with storytime and activities at Barnes and Noble from 9:30-11 a.m. Aug. 3-6 at Kitsap Mall. Included will be games and crafts, songs, a snack, themed storytime and on most days, an appearance by a guest speaker and their trained pet for an informational, fun talk. Activities are targeted at kids ages 4-9, but everyone is invited. Info: (360) 698-0945.

PROFESSIONAL BOOKBINDER AND CONSERVATOR: Carolina Veenstra will show six designs of handmade books and assist kids (ages 8-12) in making some to take home at 10 a.m. Aug. 5 at Eagle Harbor Books, 151 Winslow Way on Bainbridge. Materials supplied. Registration encouraged. Info: www.eagleharborbooks.com, or call (206) 842-5332.

GARDENING CLASSES FOR KIDS: The master gardeners of Anna Smith Garden in Tracyton host gardening classes for children, age 4 through sixth grade, from 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays now through Aug. 26. Each Wednesday is a different class:  Aug. 5, Composting; Aug. 12, Herbs; Aug. 19, Why Trees Are Important; Aug. 26, Old Shoe Day and Harvest Clean up. Anna Smith Garden is located on Tracyton Boulevard near Fairgrounds Road, park on the street. Classes are free, donations welcome. Info: call (360) 674-2199 or email iharper@wavecable.com.

SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR KIDS: Eagle Harbor Book Company will be hosting activities for kids at 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 27. Wednesday programs will be geared for ages 8-12 while Thursdays will be for kids 3 and older, starting at 10 a.m. All events are free and open to the public at Eagle Harbor, 151 Winslow Way on Bainbridge. Info: www.eagleharborbooks.com or call (206) 842-5332.

STORYTIME AT THE LIBRARY: The Poulsbo branch of the Kitsap Regional Library presents baby storytime (ages 1-18 months) at 1 p.m. each Tuesday and toddler storytime (ages 18 months-3 years) at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. each Wednesday, 700 Iverson St. in Poulsbo. Info: www.krl.org or call (360) 779-2915.

GALLERIES & EXHIBITIONS

POWERS OF 10 GALLERIES: Will host an August reception with a Western and state fair theme from 5-8 p.m. Aug. 7. at Powers of 10 Galleries, Fourth and Pacific, Bremerton. Info: (360) 373-3187.

‘BUGS:’ Invade Bainbridge Arts and Crafts: We see the August garden as beautiful plants. Bugs see it as a high-rise condo, a crop ready for harvest, or a summer playground and picnic area. In our August exhibition, Bugs, BAC artists look at the insect in textiles, letterpress, artists’ books, jewelry, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, assemblage, and glass. “Bugs” will display from Aug. 7 through Sept. 1. An artists’ reception is slated for 6-8 p.m. Aug. 7. BAC is located at 151 Winslow Way E., Bainbridge. Info: (206) 842-3132 or Victoria@bacart.org.

BAC ARTIST DEMOS: During the month of August, several artists will be sharing their talent at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts. From 1-3 p.m. on Aug. 8, Meredith Chernick will present silverpoint; from 1-3 p.m. Aug. 15 Cameron Snow will display hand-painting on porcelain; and from 1-3 p.m. Aug. 22, Jan Hurd will present realism with watercolor. BAC is located at 151 Winslow Way E., Bainbridge. Info: (206) 842-3132 or Victoria@bacart.org.

DOGS & DEMOS AT THE VERKSTED: The Verksted Gallery’s annual photo contest begins Aug. 1. Submit one 4×6 color or black-and-white dog photo between Aug. 1-16 for the Poulsbo gallery’s annual Dog Days. Full contest rules are available at the gallery. Also Aug. 1-2, the gallery will host a sidewalk sale and on Aug. 15-16 selected Verksted artists will demo in the gallery. The Verksted is located at 18937 Front St. in Poulsbo. Info: www.verkstedgallery.com or call (360) 697-4470.

‘RECALL RENDEZVOUS:’ An exhibit of paintings by Anna Hoey and Larry Parker will be featured in the main gallery of Collective Visions, 331 Pacific Ave. in Bremerton, while installation artist Deanna Pindell will show “Improved Land For Sale” in the boardroom gallery. Both shows hang Aug. 2-30, with an artists’ reception slated for 5 p.m. Aug. 7. Info: www.collectivevisions.com.

THE KINGSTON ART GALLERY: Features Winnie Rich’s new exhibit “Exquisite Commonplace” hanging now through Aug. 2, exhibiting through Kingston’s inaugural SLUG inFESTation Aug. 8. The KAG is located off Highway 104, two blocks up from the ferry in downtown Kingston. Info: www.kingstonartgallery.com.

LITERARY

AVID SHIELDS: Author of “The Thing About Life is That One Day You’ll be Dead,” will speak at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at Eagle Harbor Book Company. The event is free and open to the public. Two seats may be reserved with the advanced purchase of the book. A Q&A and book signing will follow. In “The Thing about Life,” Shields, inspired by his 97-year-old father, reflects on life and mortality. Eagle Harbor Book Company is located at 157 Winslow Way East, Bainbridge. Info: (206) 842-5332 or www.eagleharborbooks.com.

MARY BELLE KUPER: Author of “Harry Potbelly: The Pig Who Came to Stay,” will speak at 11 a.m. Aug 8 along with book illustrator Lynnette Sandbloom at Eagle Harbor Book Company. The event is free. A Q&A and book signing will follow. “Harry Potbelly” is based on a true story of a real pig, “Squeaky,” who showed up one day on Jon and Betty Backstrom’s farm five years ago in Roy. Eagle Harbor Book Company is located at 157 Winslow Way East, Bainbridge. Info: (206) 842-5332 or www.eagleharborbooks.com.

MUSIC

THE CHARLESTON: Small Minds and Puke Rocket play with guests Aug. 4, Bremerton Pyrate Punx present Decrats and more Aug. 5 and Tygerrs Lair headlines Aug. 6. All shows are all ages, bar w/ ID, $5 cover at the Chuck, 333 Callow Ave. in Bremerton. Info: www.myspace.com/thecharlestonmusicvenue.

THE SOLID ROCK CAFE: Located at 1140 Bethel Ave., across from the post office in Port Orchard, offers live music of diverse variety from 7-9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. All ages. Info: www.thecaferocks.com or call (360) 876-6311.

ONGOING JAM SESSIONS: At the Island Music Guild — 10598 Valley Road on Bainbridge — include:

A jazz ensemble workshop: from 7-9:20 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. $5 donation requested. Info: Email Mike at msellman@att.com

Drum workshop: Monday evenings every week. Info: call Micah at (206) 818-5859.

Old Time Fiddle Tune Jam: Led by Stuart Williams from 7:30-9:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month. $5 requested. Info: call Stuart at (206) 323-8004.

SUMMERTIME CONCERTS

CONCERTS IN THE PARK: The Bainbridge free, summertime concert series is at 7 p.m. each Wednesday with pop punk/classic rock band Sub-Motive Aug. 5, Ranger and the Rearrangers Aug. 12 and MachOne Jazz Orchestra Aug. 19. All ages. Info: www.biparks.org.

SUMMER NIGHTS ON THE BAY: Poulsbo’s free, summertime concert series features The Four Plus Band Aug. 4 followed by the Blues Counselors Aug. 11. Both shows are all ages at 6:30 p.m. at the Kvelstad Pavilion in downtown Poulsbo. Info: Call Poulsbo Parks and Rec at (360) 779-9898.

CONCERTS ON THE BOARDWALK: Bremerton’s free, summertime concert series features the Navy Band Northwest ‘Cascade’ at 6 p.m. July 31. Both shows are all ages at the Bremerton Harborside Boardwalk. Info: www.bremertonmsa.org.

CONCERTS ON THE COVE: Kingston’s free, summertime concert series will feature Julie Holt and the Crazy Family Band July 31 and House of Cards Aug. 1. All shows are all ages, from 7-9 p.m. at Mike Wallace Park. The summer concert series continues every Saturday with Locust Street Taxi Aug. 8, Blues Counselors Aug. 15, Elvis Memories of King Aug. 22 and the Buz Whitely Band with the KHS Jazz Ensemble Aug. 29. Info: www.kingstonchamber.com or call (360) 297-3813.

NATURE & OUTDOORS

LOOK THROUGH THE EYES: Of local pond keepers on the 10th annual Pond and Water Garden Tour, sponsored by the Olympic Koi, Goldfish and Water Garden Club, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 1. Tickets are $5, kids under 18 free, and can be purchased at the Roadhouse Nursery, 12511 Central Valley Road, Poulsbo. Info: Jerry at (360) 871-0301 or www.olympickoiclub.org.

ANNA SMITH OPEN HOUSE: Anna Smith Children’s Park will celebrate the opening of a new butterfly habitat created by the Kitsap County Master Gardeners with the help of Fiskars Project Orange Thumb, during the park’s annual open house Aug. 1. Ribbon cutting ceremonies commence at 11 a.m., while the open house will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Anna Smith Park, located on Tracyton Boulevard near the intersection with Fairgrounds Road. Info: (360) 674-2199.

THEATER

SUQUAMISH THEATRE PROJECT: Presents two nights of theatre during the Canoe Journey week. At 7 p.m. on Aug. 4, the players will present “Yellowman” and “My Red Hand/My Black Hand,” directed by Fred Saas. “Yellowman” is a Pulitzer-Prize nominated play about the search for a normal life amid prejudice and domestic violence. It is not recommended for younger or more sensitive audiences. “Sisters” will play at 7 p.m., Aug. 7, and also is directed by Fred Saas. An encore performance of STP’s presentation of this emotional play about the nuns who run a residential school for Native Americans. Info: saas@embarqmail.com.

KITSAP OPERA: Will perform a dinner show, “An Evening Under Western Skies,” as an Aug. 8 fundraiser, at the Sons of Norway, Bremerton. Tickets are $35. Reservations are needed. Info: Call (360) 792-2265 or www.kitsapopera.org.

THE EDGE IMPROV: Presents its 2008-09 season finale at 7:30 Aug. 8 at Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave, Bainbridge. Nothing the troupe members do is scripted – they’re literally making it up as they go along. For more than fifteen years, their zany antics have inspired laughter, cheering, and rave reviews. Tickets: $15 for adults, and $10 for seniors, students, youth, military, and teachers. Info: (206) 842-8569 or www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org.

CALIFORNIA DESERT REGIONAL: Theater’s Americana Series features “Laundry & Bourbon/Lone Star,” “John Brown’s Body” and “Give ‘em Hell Harry,” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from Aug. 11-16 at Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. N, Bainbridge. Info: www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org.

KITSAP FOREST THEATER: Presents “High Button Shoes” at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through August. This musical is suitable for the entire family. The theater is located at 3000 Seabeck Highway, Bremerton. Tickets are $14/advance, $16/door for adults and $8/advance, $10/door for children 6-18. Admission is free for children younger than 6. Tickets/info: Call the Mountaineers at (206) 521-6000 or (800) 573-8484 or www.ForestTheater.com.