Local toy store Inland Octopus may be marketed for kids, but an upcoming three-month entertainment series hopes to change this by showcasing the talents of local performers from both Whitman College and the Walla Walla community.

“Basically, when people come into the store, it’s an entertainment experience,” said Bob Castiff, owner of Inland Octopus.

Castiff seeks to enhance that experience with live entertainment. Every Sunday starting on Feb.13 and running through May 8, Whitman and Walla Walla performers, musicians and storytellers will entertain customers with a free show. To do this, Castiff is teaming up a wide variety of local artists.

Many of the performers are affiliated with Whitman College. Guitar instructor Phil Lynch is slated to play at Inland Octopus later this month, as well as Senior Lecturer of Music Pete Crawford. Stuart Coordinator of Religious and Spiritual Life Adam Kirtley will perform traditional Irish folk dance and music in March on St. Patrick’s Day. Castiff has also sent e-mails to Whitman’s drama and other student listservs and encourages any and all students to sign up and perform.

Previously, Castiff has hosted performances from the Sirens of Swank and the Whitman theatre department. He hopes to continue hosting Whitman performers.

“We’re just trying to fit everything we can in here for one hour on Sunday every Sunday,” said Castiff.

Not all of the performances are affiliated with Whitman, however. Mr. Magic, who performs magic tricks and ties animal balloons, is slated to come this Sunday, Feb. 13. Local folk musicians Rick and Nancy Montecelli will perform sing-along songs, and Castiff also expects a local high school student who is very talented with a yo-yo and a storyteller from Tamastslikt, the interpretive center on the Pendleton reservation, to appear on Sunday’s bill.

Although Castiff is paying for many of the performances, customers do not need to pay an entrance fee. Castiff believes firmly in providing free entertainment to the community. Walla Walla residents frequently use Inland Octopus to celebrate children’s birthdays, and Castiff also hosts large Christmas parties. Toys and entertainment, in his eyes, are linked together.

Do these public events bring more business to Inland Octopus? Not necessarily.

“That day I do more business,” said Castiff. “I do a lot of small transactions, which are kind of labor intensive, but I think in the long run I’m seen as someone who is here for the long haul.”

The events serve to establish the store in the community and confirm Castiff’s position as a member. At Inland Octopus’s old location, a massive cardboard castle hung over the stage, and Whitman theatre students would perform and stage puppet shows under it. The stage now is much more modest. Castiff   plans to decorate and improve other aesthetic aspects of the store soon, which includes the installation of halogen lamps to project the sky onto the ceiling. This measure will save energy and beautify the store.

Those interested in performing can contact Castiff by calling Inland Octopus at 509-526-0115.