Sheepherder festival offers a mix of cultures and workshops

It may be short notice, but any opportunity to explore Scottish, Basque and Peruvian cultures all at once seems worth the trouble.

Let’s just hope the Scottish are in charge of drinks and dessert, and the others handle the rest of the food.

The ninth annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival next weekend in Ketchum and Hailey, Idaho, promises workshops on spinning and weaving, a chance to give sheepherding a try, and an evening with Montana writer and National Book Award finalist Ivan Doig,

It’s all a celebration of sheep ranching in Idaho, and the annual move from the summer pastures in the mountains through the Wood River Valley to winter desert grazing areas.

Sheepherders have been making this trek for almost 100 years, and 2005 will be no exception. On Sunday, as many as 1,700 of the animals will pass along Ketchum’s Main Street in a parade with Oinkari Basque dancers, the Boise Highlanders bagpipers and drummers, the Polish Highlanders of Chicago, and the Peruvian musicians, Latino X. The procession will be led by one of the area’s four remaining sheepherding families, and you’re welcome to help steer the critters on their way.

To prepare for the festival’s showcase event, you can attend the Cooking with Lamb class with local chef Scott Mason on Friday afternoon. Later, Doig speaks about his Scottish heritage and life on Montana’s sheep ranches.

Saturday’s Sheep Folklife Fair will be replete with kilt making, traditional Basque lamb barbecue, sheep shearing, and Scottish, Basque and Peruvian music and dancing. That evening, you’re welcome to bring your sheep photos and stories – you do have some, don’t you? – to the Sheep Tales Gathering at nexStage Theatre.

There’s more still, and you can find out all about it at www.trailingofthesheep.org or (800) 634-3347.

Through the looking glass

Four days and nights of glass-related activities!

That may sound like a real snoozer, but consider the host: Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Wash.

Renowned artist Dale Chihuly founded the school in 1971, and today it’s the largest such institution for glass artists. The annual Auction Tour runs Oct. 19 to 22, offering an “informational and inspirational exploration of the Pacific Northwest’s place in the American Studio Glass Movement.”

Didn’t know there was such a movement? A mere $1,750 will get you up to speed. And that includes meals, too.

The itinerary takes you to artists’ studios; the school’s 54-acre campus, where you’ll watch William Morris at work in the hot shop; exclusive tours of private collections; and aboard Chihuly’s boathouse studio on Lake Union.

If you’re not committed enough to the American Studio Glass Movement (and it must be important; it’s all capitalized) to shell out $1,750, the program includes a couple of a la carte events.

On Thursday, 250 artworks appear in a juried exhibition at the Seattle Westin. A number of artists will be on hand to talk about their work, which includes goblets, sculpture and monoprints made from glass plates. This is the only viewing for these creations before they disappear into private collections, and it’s free. Keep your elbows in close.

The next night, the 27th annual Glass Auction Gala gets underway, also at the Westin. Almost 350 pieces are up for sale to benefit the school, among them 100 signature centerpieces conceived by Swedish artist Ann Wåhlström. You can check out the centerpieces in advance in the windows of Seattle’s downtown Nordstrom.

The black-tie evening includes a salute to supporters Rebecca and Jack Benaroya and Sam and Gladys Rubinstein. Tickets start at $200 per person for a hosted bar, five-course meal, live music and glass, glass, glass.

Visit www.pilchuck.com or call (206) 621-8422 for more information.

Error of biblical proportions

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a tour to the Holy Land, complete with a visit to the road to Emmaus, the site of Paul’s conversion. Paul actually saw the light on the road to Damascus and something else entirely happened on that other road. My Bible class teachers are tearing their hair out right now. I take some pleasure in that.

Regional events

•Ellensburg Film Festival, Oct. 7-9, Ellensburg. Watch classic pictures for free on outdoor screens, or head indoors for art and independent films like “3 Feet Under,” the best documentary winner at the Thunderbird International Film Festival, and “Favela Rising,” an award-winner from the Tribeca International and New York Latino film festivals. There’s also a two-day Film Kids workshop. (www.ellensburgfilmfestival.com/509-962-6191)

•Art Festival, Oct. 10-16, Lincoln City, Ore. With 30 juried art booths, quick draw demonstration, senior art contest, live music and more. (800-452-2151)

•Christmas at the Mansion, Oct. 21-23, Kalispell, Mont. Get started on your shopping early at the Victorian holiday bazaar with food, music, period costumes and decorations, and a juried show of work from 50 artisans. (www.visitmt.com/406-755-2166)