Mark your calendar: September is packed with arts events
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, August 22, 2017
First Friday Gallery Walk
Galleries and art spots around town will open their doors from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, to show new work by island and regional artists.
Doors concert recreated
The American Night, a touring Doors tribute act from Seattle, will recreate a Doors concert — complete with authentic instruments, costumes and psychedelic lighting — at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, at the Red Bike.
Inspiration for dark times
“Making a Difference: An Evening of Music, Film and Inspiration” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at the Vashon High School theater. The evening will be a fundraiser for the Journeymen Institute, a young island nonprofit dedicated to making positive changes in society by mentoring young men. The event will feature musician and activist Jacob Bain and a screening of Peter Serko’s documentary film “Footnote,” which tells the back story of his solo play, “My Brother Kissed Mark Zuckerberg.” Tickets are sold at the door and at jouneymen.us.
Jazz singer with Vashon roots
Legendary jazz singer Diane Schuur will kick off Vashon Center for the Arts’ Women in Jazz series at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Kay White Hall. Schuur is an internationally recognized two-time Grammy winner and Washington’s Queen of Jazz. Early in her career, she recorded her first album on Vashon between October 1981 and November 1982 at island resident Bob Krinsky’s Vashon production studio. The evening will be a homecoming for Schuur — to the place that helped launch her career.
Opera opens season nine
Vashon Opera is calling its ninth season “From Madness to Magic” and will open with Gaetano Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at the Kay White Hall. The madness will turn to magic with the production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” in May of 2018. Tickets are available at vashonopera.org.
Van Redeker band at Red Bike
Well-known and well-loved, the Van Redeker band — with Daryl Redeker, Sara and Sam Van Fleet and Dodd Johnson — will play a free show at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, at the Red Bike. The Van Redeker Band formed three years ago, with Redeker on lead guitar and vocals, Sara on bass and vocals, Sam on guitar, harmonica and vocals and Johnson on drums. Since then, the band has played at a variety of venues around the island — including the Blue Heron, Strawberry Festival and Voice of Vashon.
Bill Fisher book tribute
Islander Laurie Stewart will read from her new book about Bill Fisher, “On Fisher Pond: Memories of Bill Fisher and his Gift to Vashon Island,” published by Endicott and Hugh Books, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, at Vashon Bookshop. The book is a tribute to a remarkable islander who gave a generous and important gift of land to Vashon. Stewart paints a portrait of Fisher and his critical stewardship ethic from shared memories by friends and neighbors. Photographs by several island photographers accompany the narrative.
Swing into VCA Art Auction
The Vashon Center for the Arts’ annual art auction will be held at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22 and 23, in the center and adjacent tent. This year’s theme is the swing era, and the two evenings will offer an array of the island’s fine art and numerous adventures and experiences. Islanders can see what art will be auctioned during the preview party, artist reception and Taste of Vashon event from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1.
Folk music era concert
Folk singer Bob Haworth, with John Hollis on guitar and harmony, will play a show at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, at the Vashon Theatre. Haworth spent 20 years performing with The Kingston Trio and The Brothers Four before that. Now semi-retired, Haworth will present “Tales and Tunes from the Folk Music Era,” beginning with the rise of the genre’s popularity with Woody Guthrie and The Weavers in the 1940s and 50s. His show includes interesting and often humorous behind-the-scenes anecdotes about his life on the road and encounters with other stars of the era. Tickets are available at the theater box office and vashontheatre.com.
New poetry book reading
Island poet Hunter Davis will read from her new book of poetry, “The A Poems,” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Vashon Bookshop.
Hits of the 80s
Vashon Events will present hits of the 1980s at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at the Red Bike. The evening is a fundraiser for Vashon Events, with an $8 cover charge. Dressing in 80s fashion is encouraged.
Ike Harmon CD release party
Islander and singer-songwriter Ike Harmon (aka Harmon Arroyo) will release his new CD, “These Mansions Made of Sky,” from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at Vashon Theatre. The album includes 12 songs that explore “the depths of loss, regret and uncertainty and the heights of love, hope and transcendence” and features numerous island musicians. Tickets are $25 at the door and include a free CD and popcorn. Children under age 10 will be admitted for free.
