Whidbey Island

[bellringer]

Thanks everyone! And I do have a dog. Cats-I'll look at the map again, now that I know where to look. I thought it was going to be animated showing a cloud going over or something.

[allforcats]

Well if it's animation you want, here's the work of clouds as they come in from the Pacific Ocean -- just click on the small thingie for an enlarged view --
http://www.city-data.com/forum/3122556-post3.html

[bellringer]

Cool.

[Whidbey]

bellringer, What kind of music scene are you looking for? There are a number of bands on the island. In fact, it seems everybody's spouse plays guitar for somebody! But, can you ever have too many guitars? I think not.

If you want more info. re: rock type bands, let me know as I have several friends who routinely play around the area.

Do you want to listen to music or play it? We have Concerts on the Cove, with most during the summer months held outside on the stage at Town Park. But, they do invite different groups year-round, opera, jazz, choral, blues.

We have tons of festivals like Allforcats mentioned--and they usually have live music.

I'm sorry to say, I'm still partial to Coupeville for restaurants. We beat the other towns. Plus, we're centrally located so you can explore the island, drive 35 minutes to the ferry to Seattle, or walk on the ferry to Port Townsend and enjoy their restaurants and music scene (without being so darned stranded!). In fact, one of the restaurateurs was in Saveur and some other foodie magazines.

Re: dogs--how about miles of hiking trails and take your pick of which beach you want to walk while your dog runs around happy! We also have an "official" dog park south of town and one is north too! And during the farmer's markets, I'm not sure if the people or the dogs enjoy visiting more!

[elaineo]

Hi, just wondering, is there any live Celtic music on Whidbey?

[cindycat]

Be very sure - very, very sure - that you want to live in a small town. There are nothing but small towns on Whidbey Island. If you are used to the convenience of city life, you'll be sorely disappointed living where you have to drive many miles to a real city. It's nice to think you could run over to Port Townsend for restaurants but you're at the mercy of the ferry system. We lived in Silverdale and now live outside Port Ludlow. I wish we'd had sense enough to rent for awhile before we actually made the move from Oklahoma City. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city - like so many Californians - then it might be the place for you.

[Whidbey]

I'm not sure of a Celtic scene. I'm looking into that. We do have an annual Scottish Highlands Games at the Greenbank Farm.

RE: small towns; she's right. There are things to do, but it's very different. It's not for everybody. I'm very happy here, but I think if you enjoyed serious shopping, you wouldn't. If you love going to the mall each day, see many movies each week, and go dancing each night--well, you might not like it.

It is easier to get to a real mall-i.e. with Nordstrom's, Ann Taylor, etc., from the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry (a 35 minute drive to the ferry, 15 minute crossing, then another 10-15 minutes to Alderwood Mall). If you go on HWY 20 from Oak Harbor or Anacortes to the mall in Burlington (which has a Sears/JCPenney/Macy's), there's a lot of traffic and it takes about 40 irritating/annoying/traffic minutes.

What sorts of things do you enjoy?

[mmarrah]

Originally Posted by Whidbey

bellringer, What kind of music scene are you looking for? There are a number of bands on the island. In fact, it seems everybody's spouse plays guitar for somebody! But, can you ever have too many guitars? I think not.

If you want more info. re: rock type bands, let me know as I have several friends who routinely play around the area.

Do you want to listen to music or play it? We have Concerts on the Cove, with most during the summer months held outside on the stage at Town Park. But, they do invite different groups year-round, opera, jazz, choral, blues.

We have tons of festivals like Allforcats mentioned--and they usually have live music.

I'm sorry to say, I'm still partial to Coupeville for restaurants. We beat the other towns. Plus, we're centrally located so you can explore the island, drive 35 minutes to the ferry to Seattle, or walk on the ferry to Port Townsend and enjoy their restaurants and music scene (without being so darned stranded!). In fact, one of the restaurateurs was in Saveur and some other foodie magazines.

Re: dogs--how about miles of hiking trails and take your pick of which beach you want to walk while your dog runs around happy! We also have an "official" dog park south of town and one is north too! And during the farmer's markets, I'm not sure if the people or the dogs enjoy visiting more!

I am looking for an Irish band to play traditional Irish reels, etc. for our retirement/barnwarming party Saturday, August 15th, 2009. It will be a small affair, outside. We have electricity, and can provide shade. We are located near Langley, on the southern part of Whidbey.
Monkeyshine

[allforcats]

Originally Posted by mmarrah

I am looking for an Irish band to play traditional Irish reels, etc. for our retirement/barnwarming party Saturday, August 15th, 2009. It will be a small affair, outside. We have electricity, and can provide shade. We are located near Langley, on the southern part of Whidbey.
Monkeyshine

mmarrah, I have no specific suggestion, but if I were in your shoes I'd straightaway Google Irish pub Langley, and then Irish pub Clinton, Coupeville, Bellingham, Port Townsend, and so forth. I'd phone every one I could find and ask them if they know of an Irish pub musicians' group for hire. My first thought, of course, was Kell's in Seattle and Kell's Irish Restaurant and Pub might even be the fastest resource. Good luck!

[Whidbey]

I'm looking into this more.

Try FunkMason for a local group. They are an acoustic duo who routinely play at Irish Pubs in Seattle--so they have some traditional Irish music in their playlist. They played at Flyer's in Oak Harbor this year for St. Patty's Day, but usually go to Seattle--Molly McGuires??

No fiddle or anything. I've emailed them to find out if they have any recs, but they might be a good choice. They also played at the recent Penn Cove Mussel Festival.