The Week Ahead
May 20, 2024
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This week there are many opportunities to indulge in the rich culture of Bainbridge Island's history along with taking the family out getting involved in retro arcade gaming. The documentary screening of "Honor Thy Mother" sheds light on the untold story of 36 aboriginal women from Canada and Native women from tribes in Washington and Alaska who migrated to Bainbridge Island in the 1940s. Traditionally belonging to the Suquamish tribe, these women were survivors of Indian Residential Schools, where native American children were subjected to forced assimilation into Western culture, including the conversion of indigenous beliefs to Christianity and manual labor. Following the screening, a short speech will be given, followed by a Q&A session. Stephanie Reese will perform at the opening and closing of the film.
Additionally, attendees can enjoy the Bainbridge Pinball tournament, held at the Bainbridge Brewing Taproom every Wednesday, where participants of all ages can compete for a prize. Bainbridge Pinball, formerly known as Stranger In The Alps Amusement, has evolved its business model during the pandemic, now offering pinball machine rentals for home use. Pinball, dating back to the 18th century, has undergone numerous transformations, from being played as croquet and golf to becoming a popular indoor game during the Great Depression. Despite challenges from other forms of entertainment, pinball remains a beloved pastime, with companies like Bainbridge Pinball providing opportunities for enthusiasts to enjoy the game in their own homes.
Lastly, During World War II, Bainbridge Island's strawberry farming faced upheaval as Japanese American farmers, integral to the industry, were forcibly relocated to incarceration camps. This left a void in labor and expertise, challenging the remaining farmers, predominantly Filipino and native, to maintain operations. Despite these obstacles, resilience prevailed, with some Japanese American families returning to reclaim their land post-war. Their determination revitalized the industry, restoring the once-thriving strawberry fields. Today, Bainbridge Island's strawberry farming community thrives, a testament to the enduring legacy of hope and perseverance. Join us at the strawberry festival to celebrate this resilience with food, music, and community cohesion.
Featured Events:
May 21: Filipino/Indipino Heritage Night
May 25: Fil-Am Strawberry Festival
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Filipino/Indipino Heritage Night
“Honor Thy Mother” is the untold story of 36 Aboriginal women from Canada and Native women from tribes in Washington and Alaska who migrated in the 1940s to Bainbridge Island, the traditional territory of the Suquamish people. As survivors of Indian Residential Schools, they came, some still in their teens, to pick berries for Japanese American farmers, fell in love and married Filipino immigrants. They settled on the Island to raise their mixed-heritage, (Indigenous mother and Filipino father) Indipino children. The voices of the Indipino children, now elders, are integral in the storytelling of their mother’s courage and resilience marrying Asian men and risking disenfranchisement from their 19 different tribes.
Following the film, Colleen Almojuela, Squamish/Ilocano, Gina Corpuz, Squamish/Ilocano, and Tina Salanga Coulson, Skwah Band/Ilocano, will speak briefly then open the floor to questions. The evening will also include opening and closing performances by international singer and actress Stephanie Reese. Please be sure to bring your email confirmation to the event. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
Cost, tickets and logistics:
Tuesday, May 21st, 7-9pm
Bainbridge Performing Arts 200 Madison Ave N, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Full details here
Tickets cost $20 per person and are available here.
Know before you go:
Bainbridge performing arts takes place in Bainbridge city hall. Parking is located along the left of Hensaw Way NE and to the right of Madrone LN N. Restrooms are available inside the building.
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Bainbridge Pinball Tournament
Bainbridge Pinball formerly known as Stranger In The Alps Amusement went through rebranding to better encompass a more expansive nature for the amusement business. Rob Frease, better known as the owner of Bainbridge Brewing, founded Bainbridge pinball in 2017 opening its first pinball machine. During the pandemic the company discovered the love bainbridge residents carried for pinball and retro arcade games. Since 2020 the company has begun renting pinball machines out to the public, delivering them to their own homes to clients of all ages. The machines are available for rentals as short as one day to as long as a few years. The company has the ability to rent the games out on a one time basis, however they have also extended their services to subscribing for a rental rotation.
Bainbridge Pinball has created pinball tournaments every Wednesday at the Bainbridge Brewing Taproom for weekly matches amongst the public. The five dollar entry fee is utilized as the prize for winning the tournament. Participating requires no previous experience and can be a fun event for the whole family.
Pinball dates back to the 18th century formerly played in the form of croquet, golf and bagatelle. It wasn’t until the 20th century when pinball appeared like more modern machines. Pinball was the more compact version of these games that you could play indoors. The machines became popular in households during the Great Depression as a form of cheap home entertainment. Pinball was not always the name of this popular game, formally it was known as ‘Pin-Games’ or ‘Marble-Games’. Eventually coin operations were introduced into these games in turn pinball machines appeared in casinos. Promptly corporations began getting involved in the growing pinball machine business and the machines became electrified. Competition became so intense that in 1932 there were over 150 companies and 8 years later there were only fourteen remaining. During World War 2 the machines became banned in some states due to concerns about gambling, however the ban did not last long after california supreme court ruled that pinball was a game of skill and not a game of chance. When computer chips were introduced and use of video game consoles began to rise, the use of arcades began to plummet. Once pinball companies applied popular movie titles and themes to the pinball games the use of the machines began to rise once again. In the 1990’s the usage of Pinball machines were at their peak with the best selling machine being themed after ‘The Adams Family”. After the pinball golden era in the 90’s the use of pinball machines started to decline. After the pandemic less people have been inclined to stay home and utilize virtual reality and gaming consoles. Fortunately business like Bainbridge pinball allow an opportunity for gamers to expand their gaming expertise.
Cost, tickets and logistics:
Wednesday, May 22nd, <6:15pm - 9:30pm>
Bainbridge Brewing Taproom 9415 Coppertop Loop NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Full details here
Know before you go:
There is a $5 entry fee per person. Parking is available in the coppertop compound. Bathrooms are located inside the Bainbridge taproom.
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Fil-Am Strawberry Festival
During World War II, strawberry farming on Bainbridge Island faced significant challenges and changes as the nation grappled with the impacts of war. Situated in the Puget Sound of Washington State, Bainbridge Island had long been known for its lush landscapes and thriving agricultural industry, particularly its renowned strawberry fields. However, the outbreak of war in the Pacific had profound effects on the island's farming community, reshaping both the landscape and the lives of those who depended on it.Prior to the war, Bainbridge Island was home to numerous Japanese American farmers who had established themselves as integral members of the agricultural community. Many of these farmers specialized in strawberry cultivation, utilizing innovative techniques and a deep understanding of the land to produce some of the finest berries in the region. Their contributions were not only economic but also cultural, enriching the island with their traditions and expertise.However, following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the United States entered World War II, and anti-Japanese sentiment reached a fever pitch. In February 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans living on the West Coast. Bainbridge Island's Japanese American community, despite their contributions and ties to the land, was among those targeted by this unjust policy.
The impact on strawberry farming on Bainbridge Island was profound. Overnight, Japanese American farmers were uprooted from their homes and businesses, forced to leave behind their land, crops, and livelihoods. The once-thriving strawberry fields lay fallow as families were forcibly removed to incarceration camps, their futures uncertain and their spirits tested.
In the absence of the Japanese American farmers, the island's strawberry industry faced a crisis. With many of the experienced growers gone, there was a shortage of labor and expertise needed to tend to the crops. The remaining farmers, predominantly Filipino and native, faced the daunting task of trying to maintain operations in the midst of wartime challenges and labor shortages.Despite these challenges, the spirit of resilience prevailed on Bainbridge Island. In the years following the internment, some Japanese American families returned to reclaim their land and rebuild their lives. Though the scars of injustice lingered, they were determined to once again cultivate the land they loved and revive the strawberry farming tradition that had been temporarily interrupted by war. With the return of Japanese American farmers, Bainbridge Island's strawberry industry experienced a resurgence. Families worked tirelessly to rehabilitate their fields, replant crops, and restore their businesses. Their perseverance and dedication ensured that the legacy of strawberry farming on Bainbridge Island endured, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. In the decades since World War II, Bainbridge Island's strawberry farming community has continued to thrive, guided by the lessons learned from the past. The contributions of Japanese American farmers, both before and after the war, remain an integral part of the island's agricultural heritage, reminding us of the enduring power of hope, perseverance, and the bonds of community in the face of adversity.
Come join us for the strawberry festival where there will be food, music and a court coronation!
Cost, tickets and logistics:
Saturday, May 25th, <12:00pm - 3:00pm>
Filipino-American Hall 7566 High School Rd NE Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 United States
Full details here
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