The Backbone Campaign will serve up barbecued salmon, giant puppets, a lively auction and homegrown entertainment in a fundraiser scheduled for 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at “O.”

The event is being held to replenish the coffers of the nonprofit, which works for progressive political change on Vashon and beyond.

The benefit, which Backbone’s executive director Bill Moyer described as a lighthearted way to support serious work, will kick off with “Preserve the Reserve” — a dinner prepared by Island caterer Emily Vogt, barbecue aficionado Joseph Bogaard and baker Bill Freese. The meal will be augmented by performances including an aria sung by opera diva Jennifer Krikawa and an aerial performance by Esther Edelman.

Seattle’s Yellow Hat Band will provide the soundtrack to the dinner, which will conclude with an auction emceed by Steffon Moody. Auctioneer Kevin Joyce will offer up items including a house concert by Ian Moore, a “staycation” Vashon retreat package, a Pan-Asian picnic for eight by Paul Motoyoshi at David Smith’s estate, a giant personalized puppet by Bill Jarcho and more.

The dinner portion of the fundraiser will be followed by “Jam for Justice” — three hours of music by more than 20 Vashon music acts, all playing songs made famous by musicians whose first names begin with the letter J.

Revelers will hear Kat Eggleston performing selections from Joan Baez, Bob Krinksy covering Jimmy Cliff and Mark Wells celebrating the songwriting of John Prine.

Other acts will include Tom Bean performing the music of Jimi Hendrix, Andrea Brooks covering Jimmy Page and John Browne exploring the archives of John Lomax.

Moyer hopes to raise $20,000 at the event, which will be used to support Backbone Campaign’s effort to fight the expansion of Glacier Northwest’s mining operations.

The funds raised will also support Backbone’s “Localize This! Action Camp — Creative Tactics for Land & Sea,” to be held on Vashon July 13 to 18.

The camp will teach arts and nonviolent direct action skills.

“King 5 TV called us the ‘poster child for saving Puget Sound,’” said Moyer. “This summer is the time for people to come off the sidelines and take this to the goal line.”

Benefit details

”Preserve the Reserve,” a dinner with entertainment and an auction, will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at “O,” located at 18870 103rd Ave. S.W.

Tickets are $40 per person, with tables for eight sold at the discounted price of $280. The price includes admission to “Jam for Justice,” from 8 to 11 p.m.

Islanders who only wish to attend “Jam for Justice” can buy tickets to that event for $15.

Tickets are available at Books by the Way, Vashon Bookshop, www.brownpapertickets.com and at the door.

Contact Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber Arts Editor Elizabeth Shepherd at arts@vashonbeachcomber.com or 206-463-9195.

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