Arts Briefs | Sept. 25 edition

Published 3:21 pm Thursday, September 25, 2025

Art Talk

“Ignited by Vashon,” now on view at Vashon Center for the Arts, is a showcase of artwork by 31 Vashon Artist Residency alumni, featuring more than 40 works across diverse media.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, join participating artists Lauren Boilini, Samantha Kasprowicz, Cathy McClure, and Juliet Shen for a free conversation about their art, their process, and the role that Vashon Artist Residency played in the creation of their work.

For more information, visit vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Be “The Voice” of Vashon

Voice of Vashon is calling all singers for its 2025 “The Voice” competition. There will be prizes, performance opportunities and multiple chances to win in adult and youth categories.

Enter by Tuesday, Sept. 30 at tinyurl.com/388kuep8 by Tuesday, September 30.

Broadway Nation

Join acclaimed director, producer, educator and historian David Armstrong for a lively launch of his debut book, “Broadway Nation — How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer, and Black Artists Invented the Broadway Musical,” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

Armstrong will be interviewed by composer and dramaturg Albert Evans, and there will also be a special performance by award-winning Seattle musical theater artist Sarah Rudinoff. Attendees will get the inside story behind the creation of the book, enjoy an audience Q&A, and test their Broadway knowledge in a musical theater trivia contest, with the chance to win a copy of the book.

Broadway Nation offers a sweeping history of America’s signature art form, spotlighting the powerful, yet often overlooked, contributions of immigrant, Jewish, queer, and Black artists who shaped its evolution. Inspired by Armstrong’s popular large lecture course at the University of Washington School of Drama and his hit Broadway Nation podcast, the book celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship of legendary figures from George M. Cohan to Stephen Sondheim to Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Released by Methuen Drama/Bloomsbury on July 24, the book is on sale at the publisher’s website, Amazon and booksellers nationwide.

Lowland Games

The Vashon Lowland Games, a family-friendly Scottish festival celebrating Celtic culture, Highland athletics, music, dancing, food and community connection, will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, on a rolling, nine-acre private property located at 18876 Vashon Hwy SW.

The event is a fundraiser to help bring a full-scale Highland Games to Vashon in 2026. It will include a chance to learn the caber toss with islander Jeff Thornton, a world champion Highland Games athlete and current world record holder in the weight-for-distance throw. Thornton is also one of the event’s organizers, along with Christine Patterson, Amanda Kelly and Dan Housholder.

Find out more at vashonhighlandgames.com and purchase tickets at tinyurl.com/y6bm2pe2.

Claudia Schmidt

Vashon singer and songwriter Kat Eggleston will present an artist she calls one of her favorite musicians in the world, Claudia Schmidt, in concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the Vashon Havurah, at 15401 Westside Hwy SW.

Schmidt has recorded 22 albums in her storied career as a traveling troubadour, songwriter, recording artist and muse to other musicians. Her Vashon show has a $25 donation at the door. RSVP to kat@kateggleston.com.

Loudon Wainwright III

World renowned folk legend Loudon Wainwright III will take the stage at Vashon Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, joined by special guest, Nashville-based singer/songwriter, Kyshona.

Wainwright began 2025 with the January release of the new album “Loudon Live in London” which was recorded during a three-night residency at Nell’s Jazz and Blues club in 2024.

Born in Chapel Hill, N.C. in 1946, Wainwright came to fame when “Dead Skunk” became a Top 20 hit in 1972.

Get tickets and find out more at openspacevashon.com.

Shawn Colvin

Shawn Colvin, a three-time Grammy winner who has has established herself over decades as a captivating performer and a revered storyteller, will play a concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

She has released thirteen albums, is an inductee of the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame, recipient of Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Trailblazer Award, written a critically acclaimed memoir, and maintained a non-stop national and international touring schedule which now bring her to Vashon for a special evening of song and stories.

Get tickets and find out more at vashoncenterforthearts.org

Alejandro Escovedo

For more than four decades, Alejandro Escovedo has been redefining what it means to be a rock troubadour — blending punk roots, heartfelt storytelling, and a sound that’s all his own. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, he brings his acclaimed voice to Vashon Center for the Arts for first time.

Born in San Antonio and long based in Austin, Escovedo first galvanized audiences with pioneering punk outfit The Nuns, roots-rock heroes Rank & File, and cult favorites True Believers before embarking on a journey Rolling Stone hails as “one of the most compelling in modern music.” His newest collection, “Echo Dancing” (Yep Roc, 2024), reimagines gems from his songbook, underscoring why NPR dubbed him “a rock-and-roll shaman.”

Find out more and get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Nomadic Dance Classes

No dance partners are necessary for the following upcoming dance classes presented by Nomadic Dance.

Choreo: Thriller, will take place from 6-6:50 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 30-Oct. 28. Learn the infamous Zombie dance by Michael Jackson and company in this five-week series for all levels of students. The class has a sliding scale $10-$20, and is for ages 14- adult.

Argentine Tango classes will be held from 6-6:50 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 1-29. This beginner class costs $25 per person.

Salsa II, an intermediate class, takes place from 7-7:50 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 1-December 10, and costs $25 per person.

Social Dancing 1010 will take place from 6-:6:50 p.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 5-Dec. 10. This beginner class takes cost $25 per person.

Register and find out more, including locations for classes, at nomadicdance.com.