When the dairy barn is rockin…

WE HAD A BARN when I was a kid. In its previous life, it was the Belgian waffle house at Expo ‘74, and some flocked fleur-de-lis wallpaper was still stuck in chunks here and there. So that made for some pretty fancy digs for Missy, Major and the rest of the equine gang.

But it was nothing compared to the turn-of-the-(last) century dairy barn on the Olympic Peninsula that today houses the summer-long Olympic Music Festival.

From late June through September, more than 16,000 people make their way to a 55-acre farm to sit on hay bales or the lawn and take in what the Seattle Post-Intelligencer called, “some sort of idyllic dream, almost too perfect to be true.”

The festival debuted in 1984 with just three weekends’ worth of music. Founder Alan Iglitzin was one of several members of the Philadelphia String Quartet who moved to Seattle in 1966 to become the quartet-in-residence at the University of Washington. They originally intended it to be their summer home.

That group has since disbanded, but Iglitzin’s masterwork now attracts such artists as pianist Aglika Angelova and cellist Julian Hersh, first-prize winners at the 2002 Osaka International Chamber Music Competition.

Among the remaining weekend concerts are all six quartets Mozart dedicated to Haydn – over the course of two weekends, July 23, 24, 30 and 31 – and works by Shostakovich, Debussy and Mozart, on Aug. 20 and 21. The festival winds up on Sept. 10 and 11 with “The Titans of Piano Four Hands: Music by Schubert, Brahms and Mozart.”

Every performance starts at 2 p.m., and you’re welcome to come early for a picnic, a look around the grounds or a visit with the donkeys-in-residence.

You’ll find a complete concert schedule at www.olympicmusicfestival.org. Or call (206) 527-8839.

Trek over to Montana

Western Montana will have you know it’s more than just another pretty national park.

For example, on July 30 it’s also home to a yoga-kayak clinic.

Now I’ve done yoga. And I’ve kayaked. And never once have I thought to myself, “Why don’t we get those two kids together?”

I am not as imaginative, clearly, as the clever folks at Kalispell’s Silver Moon Kayak Company.

You’ll start the morning workshop with some warm-up poses and Paddling 101. Then load up and head to an island for an hour-long outdoor yoga session. After a “scrumptious” picnic lunch, paddle back ever mindful of your breath and body movements.

The whole experience will set you back $75, and you can sign up by calling (406) 752-3794. Silver Moon’s Web site is www.silvermoonkayak.com.

Those of you who like your water with a little less work might visit Whitefish Lake Lodge. The four-season resort arranges tours of the lake on board the 31-foot wooden boat classic, Lady of the Lake. You can choose a day or evening cruise.

Contact the lodge at www.whitefishlakelodge.com or (800) 735-8869. It offers one-, two- or three-bedroom condominiums, all with a lake view.

Back in Kalispell, the Museum at Central School would like your help solving a mystery. They’re currently displaying photos of the Flathead Valley from the early 20th century, and while the images came right out of the museum’s archives, they don’t know much about them.

But they’re hoping you do. Drop by and have a look, or call (406) 756-8381 for more information. The museum’s on the Web at www.yourmuseum.org.

Finally, Salmon Lake State Park invites you to join Vernon Carroll, park interpreter, and guest speakers for “Ancient Highways, Native Byways,” a Friday evening series about the history of the park’s old trails. The talks are at 8 p.m. through Aug. 12.

Call (406) 542-5533 if you have questions.

Dig into Seattle history

Should you find yourself in Seattle some Saturday this summer, suddenly struck with curiosity about, say, Aurora Avenue or the city’s role in World War II, you’re in luck.

The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) will answer all your burning questions with its series of historic walking tours. Explore Volunteer Park, a creation of the same Olmsteads who conceived New York’s Central Park and quite of few of the ones around here, too, on July 23. Or join local historians and guides from the Association of Professional Genealogists for a July 30 visit to Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery, the preferred last stop for some of Seattle’s movers and shakers.

Historian Brian Casserly takes a look at the city’s war-time activities on Aug. 13 and a trip down Aurora Avenue – by bus, since “walking tour” seems to be defined broadly – tells the story of what MOHAI calls the West Coast’s “Mother Road.”

The tours run $15 in advance for MOHAI members, $20 for nonmembers. There’s a $5 additional charge if you purchase your ticket the day of the trip.

Learn more at www.seattlehistory.org or (206) 324-1126.

Buffalo at Oregon Zoo

A few weeks ago, I gave you the rundown on the Oregon Zoo’s summer concert series. They’ve added a slew of Wednesday night shows since then, including Norton Buffalo and the Knockouts on July 27 and Karla Bonoff on Aug. 24. There’s a complete schedule at www.oregonzoo.com. You can also call (503) 226-1561.

Regional events

•17th Annual Nelson Artwalk, through Sept. 24, Nelson, B.C. A dozen venues host 40 artists of the Kootenays. Artwork changes monthly, with openings on Aug. 5 and Sept. 12. (www.nelson.kics.bc.ca/~artwalk; 250-352-2402)

•29th Annual Darrington Bluegrass Festival, July 15-17, Darrington, Wash. Georgia’s IIIrd Tyme Out, winner of seven consecutive Vocal Group of the Year awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association, and 11 regional bands perform at the festival’s 40-acre music park www.glacierview.net/bluegrass; 360-436-1179)

•The Event at Rebecca Farm, July 22-24, Whitefish, Montana. This three-day equestrian competition includes dressage, cross country and stadium jumping. (www.eventatrfarm.com; 406-253-4666)

•Hood River County Fair, July 27 – 30, Odell, Oregon. All the usual stuff – livestock, 4-H exhibits, carnivals rides, flowers, food and more – plus Juice Newton and stilt walker Heather Pearl. (www.hoodriverfair.com; 541-354-2865)