The thing about this island, the Cuban pianist-composer says, is that when difficulties come up — as they always do — people meet the problem with their Cuban senses of humor.
So begins Aldo López-Gavilán, at the top of “Los Hermanos/The Brothers.”
Along with his violinist sibling Ilmar, who works in New York City, Aldo is the subject of the Port Townsend Film Festival’s virtual wrap party Sunday night. Starting at 6 p.m., “Hermanos” directors Marcia Jarmel and Ken Schneider will host a question-and-answer discussion on Zoom, free to anyone who signs up at PTfilmfest.com.
Ilmar will provide a performance during the event, which will cap the 80-film fest that began Sept. 23.
It is not too late to purchase tickets to watch the dramas, comedies, documentaries and shorts in the virtual lineup.
“Los Hermanos,” is one of a handful of festival films set in Cuba and the United States. “Havana Libre” is a documentary about surfers who contend with the Cuban government’s prohibition of their sport. “Soy Cubana” follows the Vocal Vidas, four women who make transcendent music with their voices — on and off the island.
Like many of the films in this 22nd annual festival, these Cuban pictures are about people reaching down into themselves, and then rising above their circumstances.
And, as in “Los Hermanos,” there’s no shortage of humor.
The PTfilmfest.com website has trailers, synopses and links to tickets; the office can be reached at 360-379-1333 and info@ptfilmfest.com.
Here’s a cross-section of other activities on the North Olympic Peninsula. As always, it’s a good idea to call ahead and check organizers’ websites and social media pages before setting out in order to make sure events are still on.
• The North Olympic Fiber Arts Festival opens today and continues throughout the weekend at the Sequim Museum & Arts, 544 N. Sequim Ave. This free fest includes an opening reception today from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the “Bumblebunching — Warped, Twisted and Imperfect” fiber art show, and the Fiber Arts Extravaganza — a day full of hands-on activities and artist talks — from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The “Bumblebunching” show stays on display through Nov. 27; details can be found at FiberArtsFestival.org.
• The Sequim Art Walk is a free, self-guided tour of galleries and other art venues around downtown Sequim tonight from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. A free map can be found at SequimArtWalk.com.
• “The Savannah Sipping Society” is on at the Port Angeles Community Playhouse, live and in person. This comedy about women and refreshment takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Tuesdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 10. The venue, 1235 E. Lauridsen Blvd. in Port Angeles, practices safety precautions, including the checking of vaccination cards at the door. See pacommunityplayers.org.
• A free walking tour of downtown Port Townsend is set for 1 p.m. Saturday. Key City Public Theatre’s Bry Kifolo leads the way, focusing on the Hidden History panels on and around Water Street. To sign up for the tour, offered every first and third Saturday of the month, visit PTMainstreet.org.
• The West Valley Boys, Chris Granstrom and Norm Coyer, will bring live music to the Keg & I, 1291 Chimacum Road, Chimacum, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The gig has no cover charge. Proof of full vaccination is required.
• Live music will fill the Cider Garden at Finnriver Farm, 124 Center Road in Chimacum, all weekend. Tonight, George Rezendes & the Genre Jumpers play American roots, rock, early jazz and blues from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday evening, Jack Dwyer and Bobby Winstead will blend voices and strings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. And Ollella, aka folk singer and cellist Ellie Barber, will play Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The cover charge for any of these nights is $5. Proof of full vaccination is required for patrons 12 and older. See Finnriver.com and the Farm Events link for details.
________
Jefferson County senior reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz@peninsuladaily news.com.
