Arts Briefs | June 18 edition
Published 1:00 pm Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Vashon Film Institute screenings
The Vashon Film Institute will host screenings of new and notable films at the Vashon Theatre through the month of June.
At 1 p.m. on June 21, the theatre will screen “Field of Dreams,” starring Kevin Costner. The story follows an Iowa farmer who hears a mysterious voice encouraging him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield.
For more information about the Vashon Film Institute, visit vashonfilminstitute.com.
The Concert Truck on Vashon
Mobile music venue, The Concert Truck, will make a stop on Vashon at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 19 at Ober Park. Created from a converted box truck, The Concert Truck brings classical music directly to communities for free — making live chamber music accessible to everyone.
With dozens of stops between June 18 and July 6, the truck will host Seattle Chamber Music Society musicians, as well as concert truck founder, Susan Zhang, performing engaging hour-long programs across the Seattle-area. Fore more information, visit tinyurl.com/4ua9ab8y.
Cheap Scenery
Vashon-based band Cheap Scenery will celebrate the release of their debut EP “Rude Awakening” at 7:30 p.m. on June 19 at the Vashon Sugar Shack. Released on May 30, the EP was bought to life by acclaimed producer Martin Feveyear, and features two original songs, as well as three covers from the iconic early punk-rock era. Seattle all female post-punk band Rotten Apples will open the show. For more information visit vashonevents.org.
Vashon Dance Academy
Vashon Dance Academy will showcase their performance of, “The Wizard of Oz,” between June 19-21 at the Vashon High School theatre, with four showtimes to choose from. Produced by non-profit organization Dance! Vashon, the show will feature dance across various styles, from classical ballet to hip hop.
To purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/fjcpkc4j.
Weird Music Night
Experience an evening of experimental, boundary pushing music at “Weird Music Night,” between 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 at Black Cat Cabaret. The free, all-ages community event will feature a diverse array of performers pushing the bounds of what music can sound like with instruments inluding guitar, bass and keyboard as well as homemade ones built by artists themselves.
“Weird Music Night” is a celebration of the Pacific Northwests’ tradition of adventurous music in a welcoming, family-friendly setting. Admission is free with a suggested $5 donation at the door. For more information contact vashon.weird.music.night@gmail.com.
VCA birthday bash
Celebrate 60 years of Vashon Center for the Arts with a joyful, all-ages birthday bash from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, at VCA.
The festive, free event will take place both indoors and out, filled with music, movement, memories and plenty of surprises. Enjoy performances by Vashon’s own Portage Fill Harmonic and Riverbend, jump into some line dancing and explore hands-on arts and crafts for all ages.
Come hungry — food vendors will include Iyad Syrian Food and Dre Neely’s Gravy. The event will include door prizes, a treasure hunt and the official announcement of VCA’s 61st season, with most shows being offered free to those 18 and younger. The Birthday Bash will also feature the official unveiling of an installation honoring Singer the whale — a restoration project completed in partnership with Vashon Nature Center and local artist Ela Lamblin that will hoist Singer’s bones aloft in a stunning new display in VCA’s atrium.
Have a favorite VCA memory? Send scanned images and a short description to info@vashoncenterforthearts.org for inclusion in a community slideshow inside the Blue Heron Education Center during the event.
Shifting ground: the art of decline
Longtime islanders Joan Hanna and Karen Nelson will host a full-day of movement and conversation between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 at the Hanna Barn studio. The day will begin with partner exercises based in Tai Chi movement led by Joan Hanna, as well as a session on simple movements with Karen Nelson. A light lunch will be provided, followed by a discussion on aging and mortality.
Through movement and conversation, facilitators hope to promote conversations around aging and death, and honor these transitions as sacred.
For more information about the event and how to register, visit vashonevents.org.
What trans joy sounds like
Celebrate Pride month with the Seattle Trans and Non binary Chorus Ensemble (STANCE), who will perform their Spring 2026 concert, “What Trans Joy Sounds Like,” at 7:30 p.m on Thursday, June 25 at Vashon Center for the Arts. The performance blends contemporary choral works with pop and Broadway pieces, honoring identity, connection and the beauty of togetherness through song.
STANCE is Seattle’s first and only all-trans and non binary choir whose mission is to create a vocal community by and for transgender and non binary singers, free from gendered expectations.
For more information about the concert and to purchase tickets visit vashoncenterforthearts.org.
One thing after another
Vashon-based theatre company, “Ghost Boat Theatre,” will run it’s inaugural show, “One Thing After Another,” between June 26-28 at Open Space for Arts & Community. The production is a one-act ensemble comedy based on Homer’s “The Odyssey” — bringing a fast-paced, absurd twist to the iconic tale. The show will include a live band, inventive sets, puppets and props, taking audiences on a journey through stormy seas from Mount Olympus to several mysterious islands.
For more details and to purchase tickets visit openspacevashon.com.
XO, Edie
Professionally trained ballet dancer turned drag artist, EDIE, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 27 at Vashon Center for the Arts. Best known as the “mistress of sensuality,” and called “dazzling,” by Time Out New York, EDIE emceed Cirque du Soleil’s hit show ZUMANITY in Las Vegas for 13 years. EDIE has performed on Broadway, at the iconic drag festival Wigstock, the MTV Video Music Awards and has appeared on “Sex and the City.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit vashoncenterforthearts.org.
PianoFête
PianoFête 2026, featuring internationally acclaimed artists Vyacheslav Gryaznov, Daria Kiseleva, Rexa Han and Konstantin Soukhovetski, will take place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, July 8 to 11, at Vashon Center for the Arts.
PianoFête, now in its fifth year as a signature event for VCA, is a beloved and rare festival devoted to two-piano repertoire.
Transforming Vashon Island into a high-summer celebration of the piano, PianoFête boasts two Steinway concert grands played by four virtuoso artists in thrilling combinations over the course of four nights. The week culminates in an expanded final-night concert with both live and virtual orchestras bringing the festival to a close.
PianoFête 2026, as curated by award-winning pianist, transcriber and composer Vyacheslav Gryaznov, will showcase a repertoire that travels from Old World legend to American celebration — all revealing the power and versatility of the piano as a musical instrument. For more information and tickets to single concerts ($42 for adults and free for youth), visit vashoncenterforthearts.org. All-access passes (free for youth and $125 for adults) can also be purchased at the VCA box office (open 12 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday) or by calling 206-259-3007.
VIVA member show
Vashon Island Visual Artist’s (VIVA) 9th annual member show — which will take place between September 4-27 — is calling for artists to submit entries by July 17. The show, “Best of Vashon,” will celebrate the variety and quality of visual artists on the island, inviting artists to submit their best creations. The show is open to all current VIVA members, and those interested in submitting work can join or renew their membership before the deadline to participate. For more information and to fill out an entry form, visit VIVArtists.com.
Drink the Sea
Tickets for “Drink the Sea,” an evening of music at Vashon Center for the arts featuring acclaimed musicians Peter Buck, Rich Robinson, Barrett Martin and Joseph Arthur are now on sale at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
The night of immersive music is set for 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, where the lineup of artists will perform a layered and unpredictable set of music made possible by each artist’ decades of experience perfecting their craft.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit vashoncenterforthearts.org.
