Drummers come to VHS

The six-member Ghanaian drumming group “Akoma,” with lead master drummer Yaw Amponsah, will perform at Vashon High School for students in a special assembly on Thursday morning, May 15. The performance will include Zimbabwean dancer Lora Chiorah-Dye.

Amponsah, who has led the group for six years, is a versatile drummer, influential in the African drumming scene in Seattle. He travels to Vashon each summer to teach a drum camp with Islander Todd Zimburg.

Akoma’s visit is another installment in the Vashon Artists in Schools Ethnic Artist Series, which provides opportunities for Island students to experience music and dance forms from faraway places. Vashon PTSA provided funding for the event.

Collector’s choice art sale

Blue Heron Gallery’s “collector’s choice” art sale — reminiscent of last year’s Archives Art Sale — will feature a vibrant array of works from the collections of Island art lovers.

The sale will take place at Blue Heron Gallery May 30 and 31 and June 1. Some of the Island’s most discriminating art collectors (and a few off-Island ones, too) have contributed an abundance of art for sale to VAA members and friends.

Some art is created by Island artists, but much is from artists around the country and the world. Many are special finds not otherwise available.

The art sale is an open gallery event where patrons walk in, find pieces, buy them and take them home. There will be paintings, prints, photographs, posters, textiles, sculpture, pottery and more.

The event begins 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 30, from for Vashon Allied Arts members only. For those not members, it is possible to join on the spot. Doors open for the general public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 31, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 1. For more information, call Janice Mallman at 463-5131 ext. 224 or Susan Sullivan at 463-4164.

Big Hands at Café Luna

The Big Hands Colvin Band’s new CD “Rainy Days” is both fresh and familiar. With Jesse Savage on guitar, Tyrone Hall on stand-up bass and Randall Ireland on percussion, Big Hands takes on standards like “The Beat Goes On,” shares regrets on tracks like “I Didn’t Know” and takes us on a trip back in time with the poignant “This Town.” Influences range from country to jazz, but every song is unmistakably Big Hands.

Big Hands Colvin’s music is available at CD Baby, iTunes, Sony Connect, MSN Music and all fine music distributors.

The band will play at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 16. There is no cover charge.

Vicci Martinez at Red Bicycle