It's Islewilde time

Attention! Vashon’s most unique festival is back again. Islewilde starts this Friday, August 3rd with an introductory meeting and campfire party at 7pm at the Meadow on Old Mill Road. Free public workshops begin the next day (Saturday, August 4th) and continue through August 16th. Islewilde’s 20th Free Community Performance Celebration will be held Friday August 17th and Saturday August 18th. The Friday night Lantern Walk (begins after dusk) is a magical participatory spectacle: you can bring your own lantern or use ours and we all create an incredible summer evening show in the Meadow. The Walk will be followed by a shadow puppet show and other illuminated performances. Saturday will be packed with performances starting at 1pm and continuing through the evening Late Night campfire show.

Islewilde is located at 21150 Old Mill Road on Vashon in a forested meadow, off-the-grid with few amenities. Please bring your own water and wear sturdy shoes. Flashlights for night time visits would be advised.

We have some very special and top secret plans for this 20th year momentous occasion. The show will be directed this year by our 13 year old art director and visionary, Sequin, and our Janitor, Islewilde veteran Adam Ende, who is back again full of triumph as a puppet show maker in Taiwan, Thailand and NYC. We don't want to reveal too much about our plans for Saturday, August 18--it's a surprise! Suffice it to say that when you come, you will be treated to an experimental immersive participatory theater experience like you have never experienced before, in which the audience and the participants will play games and engage in activities together. Enough said! Just follow the signs to "PRISON CAMP" for a wild ride in the deep deep jungle of Vashon.

Free public art workshops start Friday Aug 3 and continue until August 16th. The workshops will build the elements of the group performances that are the center piece of the celebration weekend- costuming, mask, movement, human obstacles, lanterns and much more. Focused kids’ arts activities will be taught by skilled artists. Check postings at Islewilde camp. Limited free camping is available is on-site.

If you would like to be involved in the creation and performance of this ground breaking event, and work with our artist mentors, we invite you to come to the field during our open workshop hours, daily at 3pm in the Meadow.

Since 1992 Islewilde has engaged the Vashon community with thought provoking performances. Originally founded by the performance troupe UMO, Islewilde was given to the Vashon community and is known run by a small group of volunteers. To become involved, please contact Douglas Skove at 206-795-4344 and/or see our website at www.islewilde.org. Everyone is welcome to join the fun. Islewilde is supported by a generous grant from King County’s 4Culture, Vashon True Value, East-West produce and many other local contributors.