Virtuoso acts booked back-to-back at Open Space

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Two back-to-back concerts at Open Space for Arts & Community are coming up featuring nationally known artists — each bringing a different kind of musical fire to the stage.

Taimane

Born and raised in Hawaii and now known across the world for virtuoso ukulele playing, Taimane will make her Vashon debut, playing with her band at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Open Space.

Taimane, hapa Samoan (part Indigenous Samoan and part Caucasian) takes listeners on a mystical journey amidst a Polynesian sonic landscape that incorporates Bach to rock, flamenco infernos to tribal hymns.

“Within the first moments of Taimane’s stunning set, we hear her play fiery flamenco, a famous phrase from the opera Carmen, a touch of Bach, and more than a nod to her Hawaiian homeland, all on her ukulele,” said Bob Boilen, host of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series, which featured Taimane in concert.

Chris Duarte

Chris Duarte — who emerged in the 1990s in the Austin, Texas music scene as a ferocious successor to famed guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan — will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Open Space.

Known for his own brand of rockin’ and punk blues, Duarte has headlined major festivals and clubs throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and is known for channeling the spirits and sounds of great musicians of the past while also remaining completely recognizable in his own sound.

Purchase tickets to the Taimane and Chris Duarte concerts at openspacevashon.com.