Best Bets for July 13-15 | The Bainbridge Blab

Two big live shows headline the goings on this weekend, for those feeling theatrical — one inside and one outdoors.

Indoors: The upcoming revival of “The Pirates of Penzance” by Ovation! Performing Arts Northwest is the perfect production with which to bookend co-founder/director Ron Milton’s time at the helm. It is the third time the company has put on the show — the first being their actual initial show on Bainbridge 15 years ago.

Milton will step down as director after this show — having steered the company through nearly a thousand performances — citing health issues as the primary reason. His wife, co-founder Marijane Milton (who plays Ruth in “Pirates”) will stay on longer.

“Pirates” opens at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 13, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays, through Sunday, July 29 at the Bainbridge High School theater.

Tickets, $24 each ($22 for seniors and students and $19 for youth 12 and younger or military members, active or retired), are available at www.ovationmtb.com.

Outside: “Romeo and Juliet” is William Shakespeare’s “Free Bird.”

It’s the one everyone knows, the one everyone can quote — the popular personification of one of the greatest playwrights of all time.

But why?

Why do we like this story? It’s very sad.

Why we do we like these character? They are, at best, hopelessly angsty emo teens and, at worst, squabbling petty nobles.

Still, love it we do, for more than 400 years and an awesome array of revivals, adaptations and spin-offs, the latest of which sees the Bard’s classic back outdoors, where it was intended to be performed, at Bloedel Reserve courtesy of Bainbridge Performing Arts.

The all-ages “Romeo and Juliet” will run from Friday, July 13 to Sunday, July 29, with performances beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Tickets, $24 to $29 each, are available. Visit www.bain bridgeperformingarts.org to learn more and to purchase.

Picnics will be allowed in the meadow after 6 p.m., however beer and wine will neither be sold nor permitted at this year’s event per regulations under the Washington State Liquor & Cannabis Board.

For outdoor fare of a decidedly more demanding sort, consider Pickleball.

Bainbridge Island is known for a lot of things, not the least of which is the peculiarly named sport of pickleball.

Never heard of it?

From Wikipedia: “Pickleball is a paddle sport (similar to a racket sport) that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. Two or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, similar to a Wiffle Ball, over a net.

“The sport shares features of other racket sports, the dimensions and layout of a badminton court, and a net and rules somewhat similar to tennis, with several modifications.”

Whether you’re a pickleball pro or a would-be paddle-handler, three upcoming events on Bainbridge Island promise to scratch your pickleball itch.

First, a seminar and clinic, hosted by top pickleball pros Jennifer Lucore and Alex Hamner, will be presented by the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District Sunday, July 15.

From 1 to 2:15 p.m., in the Bainbridge High School lower gymnasium, Lucore and Hamner will give a seminar, touching on topics like equipment, positions and serving, among others. Players should wear casual clothing, tennis shoes and bring a paddle.

The cost to attend is $20 per person; visit www.biparks.org to register (Activity #413616-01) or call 206-842-2306, ext. 114.

Then, from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. the pair of pros will be at Battle Point Park for a pickleball clinic, which sold out quickly after opening for registration.

Finally, Lucore will stop by Eagle Harbor Book Company from 5 to 6 p.m. to discuss and sign copies of her new book: “History of Pickleball – More Than 50 Years of Fun!”

This event is free and open to the public; no registration is required.

Also happening this weekend, on Sunday, renowned trumpeter Yvonne McAllister will perform a special free concert at the Treehouse Café in Lynwood at 7 p.m.

McAllister has been playing the trumpet since she was 3 years old, when her mother, the first female trumpet player west of the Mississippi, put the instrument in her hands.

Originally from Ballard, McAllister has performed professionally all of her life, including at the Showbox in Seattle where she appeared with Sophie Tucker and other greats of that era.

She and her sister Jobyna worked together for many years in their band “The Sirens of Swing.” She also famously held court regularly at the former Whiskey Creek in Keyport, and her engagements since then have continued to earn her many fans, and the admiration of other professional musicians.

Joining her at the Treehouse will be some of the musicians she has formed friendships with through the years, including Helene Smart, whose own singing has brought longtime joy to islanders, Tom Svornich (on drums), Mick Nicholson (bass), Al Harris (keyboard), Jeff Winslow (sax and flute), Bill Rappaport (clarinet) and Dale Brown (violin and banjo).

The Bainbridge Blab is your one-stop spot to get the 411 on all things 98110. From South Beach to Agate Passage, Battle Point to Rolling Bay, we’ve got the straight skinny on Bainbridge Island: the latest chatter, babble and burble. News, too. Have a tip or a comment for the Blab? Email us at editor@bainbridgereview.com.