ARTBEAT
JUNE 2026
WENATCHEE FIRST FRIDAYS MAP INSIDE
ARTBEAT
A monthly publication by the NCW Arts Alliance and The Comet
Publisher: Ron Evans
Contributors: Callie Baker, Meg Sanders, Jamie Howell
NCW Arts - Elevating the Arts in North Central Washington
NCW ARTS UPDATE
CALLIE BAKER
It’s June and there’s no shortage of things to do. The outdoors are glorious (well, mostly—we’ll not talk about the wind), gardens are clamoring for your attention and the morels are beckoning from last year’s wildfire burns. The spring anxiety that gets me every year and makes it difficult to sit still has set in. What am I missing? What could I be doing, if not for the thing I’m actively doing? I know I’m not alone in this, and I don’t think it’s just a me problem. Have you seen the event lineup? Everybody (and I mean both individuals and organizations) has either just had a big event or is planning one, and every nonprofit in the region—maybe the whole of the Northern Hemisphere—is in go-mode. NCW Arts Alliance is no exception. My calendar is stacked at best and I’ve got overlapping happenings enough to make me go cross-eyed.
You’ll find me on Friday, June 5th, hanging out with our Wenatchee First Fridays (WFF) partners—Visit Wenatchee and the Wenatchee Downtown Association—in the pedestrian zone on First Street next to the Wenatchee Convention Center. We’ll
have a pride-themed, family friendly activity and good company. Come see us!
If you caught last month’s ArtBeat or ArtByte you know we’re in the throes of planning our next Box event—look it up if you missed it—MusicBox is coming up Friday, August 7th. Tickets will go on sale later this month and we’ll start teasing the band lineup very soon. For now, you can look forward to seeing Umami Dearest, Deep Green Sea, and 23rd Street. Many more to come.
For those of you who keep tabs on our website ( ncwARTS.org ), you may have noticed our Events page is MIA. It was a bear to maintain and wasn’t getting enough traffic to justify its existence. We’ve moved from promoting partner and arts-related events there to utilizing our social channels, which reach a much larger audience. Do you have an event you’d like us to post? Send the info to arts@ncwarts.org; we’ll promote it if it’s in alignment with our mission and vision (in a nutshell, uplifting the arts—so the likelihood of alignment is pretty darn good).
In lieu of the Events page we’re moving to an Art Exhibitions page. We want you to know where to find
art beyond the borders of Wenatchee and the confines of a single First Friday night. Many WFF installations are up all month, and there are plenty of exhibitions that have nothing to do with WFF. Check out the Art Exhibitions page at ncwarts.org/exhibitions to see who, what, and where—all month long. Know about an exhibition that we don’t? Fill out the submission form and we’ll get it added. If you’ve started to worry about the Opportunities page, don’t—we are constantly looking for grants, workshops, calls for art, and other opportunities for artists to help them be the best and most successful that they can be. Help us keep this updated by submitting relevant items.
Back to our social channels—has anyone noticed the uptick in our posting cadence? NCW Arts is thrilled and so lucky to have an amazing intern who has wrangled our Instagram and FaceBook accounts into something worthwhile. Thank you, Joanna Bowman!
Big announcement: we’re launching a new initiative, Regional Art Partnerships, within the month. We’ve heard loud and clear that businesses want to integrate art into their environments and their output. Art makes
ON THE COVER: Music Theatre of Wenatchee brings The Shark Is Broken to Riverside Playhouse. Interview with director Cynthia Brown on pg. 3
any space more inviting, it moves the economy, and what about that lobby refresh or the logo update you’ve been considering? NCW Arts knows artists who can take care of you. We want to get to know your business and your needs, then do some matchmaking. Be on the lookout for an NCW Arts representative, snail mail, email, and social posts with all the info. And finally, a shout-out to the Icicle Fund for believing in us and backing that belief with a grant award in 2026. We’ll do big things.
To get involved with NCW Arts, go to ncwARTS.org and GET INVOLVED.
THE SHARK IS BROKEN DRIFTS INTO THE RIVERSIDE PLAYHOUSE
Music Theatre of Wenatchee is bringing something special to the Riverside Playhouse this June. “The Shark Is Broken,” written by Joseph Nixon and Ian Shaw (son of actor Robert Shaw, who starred in the film) depicts the last few weeks of on-location shooting for Steven Spielberg’s movie “Jaws.” The play follows the stars of the film — Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, and Roy Scheider — as they reach their breaking point while shooting on the open ocean aboard the too-small fishing boat, the Orca, waiting day after day for the most infamous movie prop in history, the mechanical shark “Bruce,” to be repaired again.
The ArtBeat reached out to director Cynthia Brown to find out more.
What made you decide on producing this play?
Many other theatre companies reported success with this show, which made me order the script. I loved it. It’s a perfect blend of comedy mixed with pathos and drama, with a running time of 90 minutes. It’s an actor’s script. There are incredible, thought-provoking monologues and character moments for each role.
Talk about your cast. The full cast is Peter Kappler as Robert
Shaw, Skyler Cuthill as Roy Scheider, and Adam Eagle as Richard Dreyfuss.
Kappler is an accomplished serious actor with a background in Shakespeare, just as Shaw was. Skyler Cuthill will look great in a Speedo and has the erudite intellectualism needed for Roy Scheider, and Adam Eagle is a pain in the ass, just as cocky and neurotic as Richard Dreyfuss ever was. This is a dream cast.
Talk about the casting process. We had 21 men turn out for auditions. It was an embarrassment of riches any director would dream of. I could have
easily cast the show three times over, so I had to look carefully at on-stage chemistry between the actors.
Is this a farce of sorts? Is it based in any kind of reality on the making of “Jaws”?
It is entirely based in reality. Ian Shaw visited the location shooting as a child in 1974. Much of the dialogue was pulled from actual filmed interviews of the actors themselves. Adam has found nearly every story and sentence Richard Dreyfuss says in the script in TV interviews he did.
The entire cast of The Shark Is Broken: Skyler Cuthill as Roy Scheider, Pete Kappler as Robert Shaw and Adam Eagle as Richard Dreyfuss. Photo by Cynthia Brown
Moon, artist. Handmade
3. Visit Wenatchee Tasting Room | 5-7 PM Collaborative Community Typography Artwork. Supplies provided. Local wines.
4. Two Rivers Art Gallery 5-8 PM Bette Botting, John Lane, Jan Therault, artists. Live music. Local wines.
5. Tumbleweed | 4-6:30 PM Shayla Winter, artist.
Open Studios! Tour local artist studios and enjoy specialty bean-to-bar chocolates from Curate by Dorrinda.
9. Art Alley @ Pybus | 5-7 PM “WVC Student Art Exhibition.” Dos Dudes, live music. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres by donation.
Horan Estates Winery 3-7 PM $2 off glass pours.
Crayelle Cellars 3-6 PM $2 off glass pours.
Visit Wenatchee Tasting Room 4-7 PM
Happy hour special: $5 flights cider or beer.
Stones Gastropub 3-9 PM $10 specialty cocktail.
Watermill Winery On The Ave 3-8 PM Wine specials.
2. Crayelle Cellars 3-6 PM $2 off glass pours.
3. Visit Wenatchee Tasting Room 4-7 PM Happy hour special: $5 flights of cider or beer.
6. Steam Panda 4-9 PM
Buy one noodle soup, get 2nd noodle soup $5 off when you mention First Fridays. Dine in only
4. Stones Gastropub 3-9 PM $10 specialty cocktail.
7. Cave Noire 4-10 PM Enjoy a complimentary glass after any wine tasting flight.
5. Watermill Winery On The Ave 3-8 PM Wine specials.
8. South @ Pybus 5-9 PM
Maria’s Dream cocktail special, inspired by the trailblazing Mexican artist Maria Izquierdo.
SHOP DOWNTOWN
EAT & DRINK
1. American Shoe Shop 5–7 PM Extended hours
1. Horan Estates Winery
American Shoe Shop
5–7 PM
Mercantile
$2 off glass pours.
Extended hours
All Day $10 day pass for First Fridays.
2. Mercantile All Day $10 day pass for First Fridays.
4. Woody’s Classic Man 3-8 PM
2. Crayelle Cellars | 3-6 PM $2 off glass pours.
3. Stones Gastropub
The Original Children’s Shop 3-5 PM 10% discount on all merch when you mention First Fridays.
7. Cave Noire 4-10 PM Enjoy a complimentary glass after any wine tasting flight.
8. South @ Pybus 5-9 PM Maria’s Dream cocktail special, inspired by the trailblazing Mexican artist Maria Izquierdo.
5. Steam Panda | 12-9 PM Dine in only, must mention First Friday.
Happy Hour pricing on all beers and ciders. Extended hours.
6. Cave Noire | 4-10 PM
3. The Original Children’s Shop 3-5 PM 10% discount on all merch when you mention First Fridays.
5. Time Capsule 3-7 PM
5. Time Capsule 3-7 PM Roll a D20 and get up to 20% off your entire purchase. 30% off Funko Pop figures. $2
$10 specialty cocktail.
4. Watermill Winery on the Ave 5-8 PM Wine specials.
FIRST FRIDAYS FEATURED EVENT
4. Woody’s Classic Man 3-8 PM Happy Hour pricing on all beers and ciders. Extended hours.
Enjoy a complimentary glass after any wine tasting flight.
Roll a D20 and get up to 20% off your entire purchase. 30% off Funko Pop figures.
7. South @ Pybus 11 AM-9 PM Cocktail special: The Ontological Formula, inspired by the work of Gabriel Rico and his exploration of connection and contrast.
WENATCHEEFIRSTFRIDAYS.COM
SHOP DOWNTOWN
1. American Shoe Shop 5-7 PM
Extended hours.
2. Mercantile | All-day $10 day pass for First Fridays.
3. The Original Children’s Shop | 10 AM-5 PM 10% discount on all merch when you mention First Fridays.
4. Woody’s Classic Man 10 AM-8 PM
Happy Hour pricing on all beers and ciders-$3 and $5. Buy 1 pair of pants and save 50% on a second pair. Extended hours.
5. The Time Capsule 11 AM-7 PM
Roll a D20 and get up to 20% off your entire purchase. 30% off Funko Pop figures.
PYBUS ART ALLEY: 2026 WVC Student Artists Exhibition
F or the month of June, the Pybus Art Alley is showing work by students from the Wenatchee Valley College Art Department.
The pieces on display come from a variety of classes taught at the Music and Art Center (MAC), including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, graphic design, illustration, and digital media.
The students represented here have different goals and backgrounds. Some are re-
cent high school graduates. Some are working toward art degrees. Others are taking classes to improve their skills or explore a new medium. Many are balancing school with jobs, families, and other commitments.
This exhibit is simply a chance to see some of the work being made in WVC art classes right now.
See more featured events at wenatcheefirstfridays.com .
continued from page 3
Note that Richard Dreyfuss himself did not enjoy the way the play depicts him, as he does not recall more than mild conflict between himself and Shaw. All three actors have done a ton of research on the actors and the movie and know far more than I do about it. They are aware they are portraying real people and will do their best to show the human heart of the characters without falling into soulless mimicry or impersonation.
Are you the kind of director/producer who wants to see other versions of the production you are working on?
I have seen the Broadway production, but usually I try not to. We have our own strengths and limitations to consider. We did watch the movie together recently, and it gave me more work to do to add a few Easter eggs into our set decoration for fans of the film.
How many times have you had to tell Adam Eagle to put his pants back on?
Once, so far. There have been other close calls. Our marketing photographer was traumatized.
Any updates or news from MTOW?
We are looking for new proposals from
directors for our 2027–2028 season.
We have a full season slated right now through summer of 2027: “Urinetown” in the fall, “It’s a Wonderful Life” for Christmas, “Savannah Sipping Society” in January, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” in March, “Anastasia” in May, and “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” in June, as well as Short Shakespereans each August.
What’s coming up next for you, project-wise?
Ah! Mini Quest Tavern is back at the Numerica PAC for our big fully staged show in August: “The Feywylde Massacre-ade Show.” Our audience surveys wanted a murder mystery and they wanted fairies — well, be careful what you wish for.
Any more info we should know?
Our show set is a boat — the Orca — so we had to remove about a third of the available seating because of sightline issues. This means tickets really are limited, and if you want the best ones, you should buy early. We only have seven performances: June 18–20 and 25–27.
Tickets are only available at mtow. org or numericapac.org. Our most expensive ticket is $25.50, so it’s a cheap night out.
The Beauty in Fatalism and Determinism by Shayla Winter FEATURED FIRST FRIDAYS EVENT
FROM THE ARTIST: We may all be heading to the same fixed point that every living person is bound for, but there is a beauty in knowing where it all eventually ends. Knowing that you only have one chance to make a lasting impact around you, and continually choosing empathy, love, and acceptance in the face of hatred… it is an act of bravery and liberation.
Creation is an act of rebellion when you feel the press of fatalism and doom surrounding you. While the end is inevitable, we choose to find beauty in our surroundings.
Type of medium: acrylics on canvas, sealed with spray adhesive.
My intent with my art is to fill the void of loneliness. A lot of people feel alone and are hurting right now. I want our community to know they are not alone and even though our feelings can be incredibly overwhelming sometimes: existing in this world right now is a form of resistance. Keep going. Don’t let the bastards grind you down.
General vibe: creepy cute and haunting.
Tumbleweed 4-6:30 PM
POEM OF THE MONTH
Calliope: Along the Wenatchee
By Jack Johnson
The pines and river shake, on down the tracks. Behind me, the world
She zips by my ear, flashes green blur across the bush, then gone, a little being hovering fifty feet above my head, there against the spring sky. This flying emerald I recognize as Calliope, hazel-eyed muse of epics— far-flung arrows and spears, torn homes, battle-roars, homeward journeys over currents of Cyclops, witches, sheepskin bags full of Wind. Her fierce dives turn my day into a carnival— the steam whistle shrieks on cue— a freight train’s horn blaring. The pines and river shake, everything lost in the rush and roar. I leave, saunter along the river bank on smooth rocks, the noise rolling on down the tracks. Behind me, the hummingbird begins again to build the world fresh.
Jack Johnson teaches English and Philosophy at Wenatchee Valley College and lives with his lovely wife Devera in Peshastin, Washington.
