Celebrate with Vashon Heritage Museum

The Vashon Heritage Museum will present “Celebrating Our Heritage,” a gala evening of interactive history, art and entertainment, on the evening of April 22, at Open Space For Arts and Community.

Entertainment will include a live performance, by Jeff Hoyt and friends, of a historical radio broadcast from 1926, created by P. Monroe Smock to promote Vashon Island. There will also be music by The Dusty 45s, a rollicking America band, and delectable eats by Chef Chantel Jackson. A speakeasy-inspired bar will feature top-selling cocktails of the Prohibition era, wines by Andrew Will and beer from Camp Colvos Brewery.

To find out more and purchase tickets to the gala, visit vashonheritagemuseum.org.

Jam in the Atrium

The Jam In The Atrium free jazz concert series continues from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 22, with a duet performance of two of Seattle’s true jazz treasures, first-call bass wizard Paul Gabrielson and the masterful pianist Tim Kennedy.

Kennedy plays electric keys in the modern jazz trio Gravity, classic rock in the groups Hot Rod and Big Tooth, and does solo gigs as pianist, guitarist and/or singer. He can also be found on electric keys alongside organist Joe Doria in one of Seattle’s hottest young groups, The Happy Orchestra.

Gabrielson has been a force in Seattle jazz and for several years, and recently, a fixture in New York City’s jazz rooms. He’s worked with a long list of jazz luminaries and also traveled the world for 34 years with the iconic folk group, The Kingston Trio. Through his work with The Kingston Trio, Paul also had the opportunity to perform with songwriter Tom Paxton, The Limelighters, and rock icons Steve Miller, The Tubes and Maria Muldaur.

Saturday’s performance will be hosted by Chris O’Brien. The series is sponsored by JR Crawford, of Windermere. Find out more about Crawford at vashon.com. To find out more about the jazz series, visit online.

Talk on Israel

A free public discussion, “Understanding Israel,” with Nancy Koppelman, will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at Vashon Havurah, located at 15401 Westside Highway.

The talk, part of the Havurah’s Phil Cushman Memorial Speaker Series, aims to provide the history and context of this complex nation. Koppelman will explore the 12 features of Israel’s history, diverse ethnic and religious ways of life, governance and justice structures, and educational system. Koppelman is a professor at The Evergreen State College, where she teaches interdisciplinary programs that combine history, literature, philosophy, and other fields.

Acclaimed pianist to perform

Belgian pianist Florian Noack will play his first-ever Vashon concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

Crescendo Magazine says this about Noack’s playing: “Packed with timbres, shades, and effects: Noack gathers the orchestral glory in his grand piano and lets every nuance be heard. Virtuosity as a means to an end; an ability that is completely at the service of sensual interpretation.”

Find out more about the concert and purchase tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org. Tickets are free for ages 18 and younger.

FurBall tickets now on sale

Vashon Island Pet Protectors will hold its beloved FurBall Auction on May 13, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

After a long pandemic pause, the event will be held live, with the theme of “High School Promiest Furball Ever.”

The FurBall will feature a live auction, two silent sections, heavy appetizers and a self-serve spread from Herban Feast. In addition, wines from Palouse Winery and beer from Camp Colvos, a Ruby Brink Punch and other surprises will be in store. Master of ceremonies, Geoff Fletcher, and fundraising auctioneer, Laura Michalek, will offer up such items as trips to Italy, Paris, Hood River, Oregon, and Lopez Island, Alaska Air tickets, local private dinners and tickets to concerts.

The event provides 40% of VIPP’s operating budget for the year. For more information or to buy tickets, visit vipp.org.