Portland singer-songwriter John Craigie will return to the Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie at 8 p.m. Friday. Presented by Debra Heesch, the show will include Craigie and acoustic sets from Loren Sinner and Emmett Sherman.
Known for his passion of connecting with people through his music and stories, Craigie is a troubadour who travels the country and Europe. He plays solo and with Todd Snider, the Shook Twins, Nicki Bluhm and ALO.
“If John Prine and Mitch Hedberg had a baby, it would resemble something very close to John Craigie,” Heesch said. “Musically comparable to Prine, with the humor and wit of Hedberg, the humble, gracious and hilarious Craigie is one of the best storytellers of our time. It’s no wonder Chuck Norris sends him fan mail, and Todd Snider brings him gifts on stage.”
Tickets are $15 and sold at Vashon Bookshop or at brownpapertickets.com. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to Voice of Vashon.
The S Curves — Arlette Moody, Elaine Ott and Stephanie Murray — backed by acoustic combo The Straightaways, will play a show at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Red Bike.
The S Curves joined forces in the summer of 2013, after performing together at the fun and funky “Swamp Bottom Jamboree,” where the trio performed wearing cocktail dresses and hip waders, and were accompanied by a boisterous bullfrog.
Now, the group is backed by The Straightaways, comprised of Steve Meyer on upright bass, Marshall Murray on drum kit, Andre Sapp on mandolin, ukulele and guitar, Christopher Overstreet playing a mix of classical and avant-garde piano and Gary Milligan on horn.
Adding to the mix, island performance artist Steffon Moody, on guitar, will play a selection of music accumulated from 28 years of songwriting on Vashon.
The free show is open to all ages until 11 p.m., then ages 21 and older only after that.
The international, genre-breaking spectacular, MarchFourth, will bring its self-proclaimed “celebratory frenzy” to the Open Space for Arts &Community at 5 p.m. Sunday.
With 20 musicians plus dancers and acrobats, MarchFourth combines jazz, funk, rock, samba, Afro-beat, Gypsy brass and big band sound with a visual kaleidoscope of acrobats, unicyclists, life-size marionettes and Vaudeville-style performers.
The all-ages show is hosted by Open Space and the Vashon Seals Swim Team as a benefit to raise money for needed improvements to Vashon’s outdoor pool. The Vashon Park District has received a $75,000 grant from King County and both the district and the Seals have pledged to provide matching funds. The fundraiser will help the Seals reach their $9,375 goal.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. with deejay Arturo spinning tunes. The main event begins at 6 p.m. The Orca Eats food truck will sell food. Tickets are $18 in advance and $21 at the door. Reserved seats are $30. Tickets are at brownpapertickets.com and Vashon Bookshop.
