Jazz at the Labs — Fundraiser for the Friday Harbor Labs K-12 Science Outreach Program (FHLSOP)
By Rachel Anderson and Jenny Roberts
On June 1st, the UW Friday Harbor Labs was alive with world-class Jazz! Besides offering local music fans and FHL researchers and students a fabulous evening of music in the historic FHL Dining Hall — we had an important goal — to raise funds for the Friday Harbor Labs K-12 Science Outreach Program. This was the 13th annual Jazz at the Labs. The evening included dinner, music and a silent auction.
The evening began with the San Juan Jazz Quintet — including former FHL Director, Dennis Willows on drums. The San Juan Jazz Quintet (SJJQ) performed to the great enjoyment of the crowd and included guest performers – Hawk Arps (vibraphone) and Jill Urbach (vocals). Band members included: Rich Barker, Doug DeMeerleer (sitting in for SJJQ band member Thor Hanson), Jonathan Piff, Rob Simpson and Dennis Willows.
Following SJJQ, Seattle’s finest jazz musicians came together as Jazz Coalescence. The very talented lineup included Chris Amemiya, Jay Thomas, John Hansen, Travis Ranney, Jon Hamar and Steve Korn. They were amazing!
Dick Stein, of KPLU (National Public Radio) fame joined us once again as emcee and local auctioneer, Farhad Ghatan, helped with our fundraising efforts.
The night was a great success and we would like to extend a special thank you to sponsors, donors, attendees, community supporters, and the UW Friday Harbor Labs staff who all played an important role in the 13th annual Jazz at the Labs (JATL) fundraiser event.
All proceeds collected from this event benefit the Friday Harbor Labs (K-12) Science Outreach Program (FHLSOP)— a partnership between UW Friday Harbor Labs, the San Juan Island School District (SJISD) and the Spring Street International School (SSIS). This exciting hands-on science program engages all kindergarten through high school students in the process of science. FHLSOP is one of the reasons the students on San Juan Island have become leaders in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers.
The Friday Harbor Labs Science Outreach Program’s success in the schools is due to the incredible commitment and enthusiasm for the program’s projects particularly on the part of local K-12 teachers, administration and students. In addition, we receive generous support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, Dr. Carolyn Haugen, San Juan Public Schools Foundation, San Juan Island Community Foundation, Port of Friday Harbor and Friday Harbor Elementary School PTA.
We look forward to the 14th Annual Jazz at the Labs in June 2014 and extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in supporting this important outreach program.
To learn more about the UW Friday Harbor Labs K-12 Science Outreach Program, please visit
http://depts.washington.edu/fhlk12We thank our generous 2013 Jazz at the Labs Sponsors:
Cask and Schooner Restaurant
Friday Harbor Drug
Island Petroleum Services
Islanders Insurance
Luxel Corporation
George and Pauline Mulligan
Olshefsky Family
Roche Harbor Resort
San Juan Propane
San Juan Vineyards
Wells Fargo Bank
Wilson Motors of Bellingham
