about

The mission of Sunday Afternoon Live is to welcome everyone in the Willapa community and beyond to experience the transformative power of live music by hosting affordable, high-quality performances. Sunday Afternoon Live’s history of over 20 years celebrates the richness of different cultures, backgrounds, and identities.

Established in 2002, Sunday Afternoon Live (SAL) was originally founded to give Willapa Harbor’s senior residents a venue offering quality musical entertainment on Sunday afternoons during the fall and winter. Initially, concerts were held in local churches, but before long that vision grew and the historic Raymond Theatre became Sunday Afternoon Live’s home base.

SAL’s reputation grew as enthusiastic audiences of all ages packed the theater. No longer aimed at only seniors, musical performances appeal to children and adults alike. In 2004, a five-concert series was inaugurated, beginning in November and ending with a Mother’s Day performance in May. Sunday Afternoon Live attracts both local residents and tourists from the Long Beach Peninsula, Grays Harbor area, Astoria and Lewis County.

The ambience of the Raymond Theatre provides concert-goers with great acoustics, comfortable seats-and tasty popcorn!

MEET THE BOARD

Virginia Carlson, President

A retired educator who finds fulfillment in volunteering. Virginia says, “I’m passionate to help provide pleasant times and memories for the local population, especially the seniors who find it difficult to leave the community to find social interaction and attend quality live entertainment. It has been a pleasure to share a common goal with a strongly motivated group as together we develop food for the soul of our community, and I’m very grateful to everyone who has helped make the dream of Sunday Afternoon Live become a reality.”

Sherry Aust, Vice President

Sherry Aust was a Sunday Afternoon Live audience member early on, became a volunteer over time, and in 2020 joined the SAL board of directors. It has been “love at first sound” from her very first concert. “I was addicted,” she said. “I really enjoy everything about SAL, and I think it’s wonderful they take some performances to the schools.” She attended her first Arts Northwest event in Boise, Idaho, and had a simple response: “WOW! I’m a farm girl, and I had no idea there were so many different types of music. If I could have, I would have hired every single one!” Also impressive was the respect shown to Sunday Afternoon Live by the performers and other arts organizations.

Tony Nordin, Member

I am thankful for the opportunity to join with all the members of “SAL” in making Sunday Afternoon Live a continuing contributor to all of us who enjoy fine arts. I am proud to say the selected artists performing at the Raymond Theatre (our acoustic marvel) have been and are hand picked by members of this board. I hope to compliment their talents in knowing what their patrons appreciate.

Candy Nichols, Member

My favorite quote is “All of life is learning.” It is what has governed my life. I began learning at Wenatchee Valley College where I received a sound basis for my artistic pursuits. It continued at Central Washington University, with graduate work at Western Washington University. I taught art for 39 years in the South Bend School District. I am now retired and teach occasional workshops.

Rebecca Chaffee, Secretary

Brianne Probasco, Member

Brianne was raised in Menlo (just outside of Raymond) and lived for a time in Ellensburg and Olympia before returning to Raymond. Brianne is passionate about supporting art and entertainment in our community. “Sunday Afternoon Live provides an opportunity to gather together and enjoy amazing, high-quality artists. SAL keeps our community vibrant and inspired,” says Brianne. Brianne and her husband live in Raymond with their two children. Brianne works as a community health professional and loves to sew.

Paul Delau & Barbara Hannah, Members

Paul and Barbara moved to Raymond from Minnesota in 2015. They have enjoyed a life-long love of live theatre. Even before arriving in Raymond, they knew about the Raymond Theatre and Sunday Afternoon Live. Mere moments after arriving in Raymond, with their season tickets in hand, Paul & Barbara met Virginia & Andy Carlson & Cecelia Seaman. Soon, they joined with several interested folks to establish a 501c(3) organization called “Friends of the Raymond Theatre”. A few years later they were honored to accept positions on SAL’s board of directors. They hope to learn from Virginia how to keep doing what she started doing 18 years ago and keep doing it for a long, long time.

Carolanne Watness, Member

PERFORMANCE CANCELLATION POLICY

If circumstances beyond the control of Sunday Afternoon Live should occur that require the cancellation of a regularly scheduled performance, the information listed below will serve as a guideline if weather or other conditions create doubt: Be advised that the price of tickets will not be refunded if the performer is present and ready to perform.

Should a performance have to be cancelled, HOLD ON TO YOUR TICKETS!

Every effort will be made to reschedule although a rescheduled performance may of necessity feature a different performer. Check this website and/or your email inbox if you are uncertain. If at all possible, information about canceled performances will appear in one or both places.

SAL will attempt to make phone contact with audience members if a cancellation has to be made as late as the Saturday before a performance. However, if you are in doubt as to how to proceed, check the sources listed above.

If you are still uncertain and all else fails, call (360) 875-5123.

In the tradition of “the show must go on,” it is rare that performance cancellations ever are made. If that does happen, however, your patience and understanding will be greatly appreciated.