Island stars to shine on stage at iconic rock venue
Published 1:30 am Thursday, December 15, 2022
Several Vashon musicians will share their talents at the famed Crocodile music club in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood next week.
Familiar to many islanders, the musicians all performed on Vashon in Sharing the Stage (STS) performances over the years.
STS — still presenting eclectic concerts and mentorship projects many years after its founding — is the brainchild of islanders Rob Bordner, Harris Levinson and Fred Strong, who created the concert series to pair headlining professional musicians with student bands or performers, as openers.
The first band to play with students, on Vashon, was Visqueen in 2010, followed by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis in 2011.
Other headliners have included Blue Scholars, Tangerine and Brothers From Another, among others. The series added Seattle shows in 2015.
Along the way, said the founders, student openers have had amazing opportunities to open for bands that they love — while headlining acts have been able to reflect back on their own lives when they were aspiring musicians, finding their way and their voices.
As Macklemore tweeted after headlining Sharing the Stage in 2011, “Reminded me where I came from as an artist. In a very humane way. Much love.”
Many STS alumni are still making music, and several will be home during this winter season, giving the show at the Crocodile its “Home for the Holidays” name.
In this show, there will be no separate headliners — the alumni themselves will be the stars.
Nine different acts will perform, including three bands and six soloists.
Island performers will include Skyler Ford, who played in four previous Sharing the Stage shows — two as a high school opener, and two as the headlining band, Snuff Redux, eight years later.
Jasper Hanowell, also on the bill, played in three previous shows and opened for Visqueen and Macklemore on Vashon.
Kate Atwell, also appearing in the concert, played in five previous STS shows, opening for The Physics, BFA and Chastity Belt.
Maijah, who grew up on Vashon as Maijah Sanson-Frey and is now a Portland pop sensation, played in three shows, including openings for BFA and Tacocat.
The band, Basement Tuesdays, is also on the bill. As students, they played in four STS shows, including opening for Tacocat and Snuff Redux.
Seattle musicians joining the event are members of the band, Mr. Dinkles, and another band, Delphine Elliott. Solo artists include Nat Rezek and Savannah Cheyenne.
The show will take place from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21. Tickets are $15 for students, $22 for adults, and $25 on the day of the show. Purchase tickets at sharingthestage.com or at the Crocodile/Madame Lou’s website.
