Arts Briefs | Dec. 11 edition
Published 4:30 pm Monday, December 8, 2025
Vashon Island Chorale
Vashon Island Chorale’s holiday concert, “Night of Silence,” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Vashon Center for the Arts.
Gary D. Cannon, now in his 18th season as the Chorale’s conductor and artistic director, has named the concert after Oregon composer Naomi LaViolette’s “Night of Silence.” In its call to find solace by reaching out to others, “Night of Silence” also reflects the Chorale’s own welcoming and inclusive spirit, Cannon said.
In its 36-year history, the Chorale’s membership has grown to more than 150 singers who participate as their schedules allow. The 70 singers for this concert range in age from teenagers to nonagenarians.
In addition to LaViolette’s “Night of Silence,” the work of two other Northwest composers will be represented in the concert, as well as major American voices such as Eric Whitacre and Stephen Paulus, whose “Hymn to America,” said Cannon, “expresses our love of country.” Other works will celebrate the wider world by incorporating South Asian elements: one, a Tibetan prayer; another, an Indian raga.
There will also be seasonal works by major British composers including Sally Beamish and James MacMillan, and arrangements of popular carols by Bob Chilcott and Sir John Rutter. Audience members will have the chance to join in two sing-along segments during the concert.
Soloists include Richard Person, John de Groen and Marcella Seager. Linda Lee, the group’s accompanist since 2011, will be onstage at the piano.
Get tickets (free for those 18 and younger) and find out more at vashoncenterforthearts.org. Read The Beachcomber’s article about the concert at tinyurl.com/49fd4efd.
Holiday Studio Tour
Don’t miss the second weekend of Vashon Island Visual Artists’ annual Holiday Studio Tour, featuring 40 studios and galleries representing more than 150 artists on the tour. Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14.
The tour is a chance to see Vashon’s vibrant community of artists in the places where they create their art and to shop for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. Pick up a brochure with a map of the tour at local businesses, or visit vivartists.com for an online map and more information.
The VIVA Tour Info Center & Gallery, located in the town center at 17816 Vashon Hwy SW, is also a great place to start the tour.
UMO Aerial Showcase
See a showcase of work by Aerial 3 students at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13, at Open Space for Arts & Community. Find out more about the Alice in Wonderland-themed performances and get tickets at openspacevashon.com.
Festive Queens
Debra Heesch will present a holiday drag show at Snapdragon on Saturday, Dec. 13, bringing a glitter-filled evening of festive cheer and glamorous performances to the island. The night kicks off with a social hour at 5 p.m. — sip, mingle and ease into the holiday spirit before the spotlight turns to the main event.
The drag show begins at 6 p.m., featuring queens Sativa, Athena, and Brandi Marxxx, each bringing their own inimitable brand of show-stopping talent to the stage. Their show will feature plenty of laughter and memorable moments to brighten the season. Buy tickets, $20, at HolidayDragShow.BrownPaperTickets.com.
Portage Fill
Portage Fill, Vashon’s venerable big band, will perform its annual holiday concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Vashon Theatre. The show will include seasonal songs and other music from the swing era, played with skill and sung with soul by some of Vashon’s finest musicians. The event is a benefit for Vashon Food Bank, with donations of money and non-perishable food accepted.
Take 3 Christmas
This holiday concert, featuring the trio TAKE3, will feature piano, cello and violin in a distinctive blend of pop, rock and classical music. The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at Vashon Center for the Arts. Get tickets and find out more at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
It’s a Wonderful Life
See Vashon Theatre’s annual free screening of the 1946 classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” starring Jimmy Stewart, at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21.
Sharing the Stage honors Harris Levinson
This annual showcase of alumni of the long-running Sharing the Stage music performance and mentorship program, “Home for the Holidays,” will take place at 3 p.m Sunday, Dec. 21, at Open Space for Arts & Community. The concert is a tribute to Harris Levinson, the late island educator who co-founded the program in 2010. Performers will include Ten Center Time Machine (Quinn McTight, Kai Scheer, Graham Hazard and Payton Lieske), Skyler Ford, Jasper Hanowell, Kate Atwell, Maijah Sanson-Frey, Dimitrius Brown, Wyatt Bates and others. Find out more at sharingthestage.com and get tickets at openspacevashon.org.
Vashon-Maury Chamber Orchestra
VMCO will present, “Winter 2025,” at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at Vashon Center for the Arts. Led by violinist Danielle McCutcheon and guest conductor Gary D. Cannon, the orchestra will play a festive program of string masterpieces. Get tickets (free for ages 18 and younger) at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
