Arts Briefs | July 31, 2025 | Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Concerts in the Park

Object Heavy, a powerhouse band from Humboldt County, California, will kick off this year’s series of free Concerts in the Park, from 7-9 p.m Thursday, July 31, in Ober Park.

The concert series, running on Thursday nights throughout Aug. 28, is presented by Vashon Park District and curated by Vashon Events.

Known for infectious grooves, rich harmony and explosive musicianship, Object Heavy blends classic soul with dance-able rhythms, led by the dynamic vocals of Richard Love. Opening the evening will be Vashon’s own singer/songwriter/sailor Madeleine Wolczko.

Up next in the concert series, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, will be Wild Rumours, a popular Seattle-based Fleetwood Mac tribute band. An 18-year-old jazz pianist and percussionist, Rowan McBennett, will open the show.

To find out more, visit vashonevents.org.

Jam in the Atrium

Two-time Grammy Award winner vocalist, composer, orchestrator and multi-instrumentalist Johnaye Kendrick will perform in August’s free Jam In the Atrium, from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

Kendrick — offering up stunning interpretations of standards and beautiful original songs — will be joined by acclaimed and well-traveled Northwest pianist John Hansen, who has performed in previous Jams.

Jam in the Atrium’s host, island bassist Bruce Phares, said that Kendrick’s appearance in the local concert series is the fruit of his two-year quest to bring her to the island. “She is, in one word, amazing,” Phares said.

Ocie Elliot concert

Ocie Elliot, a duo made up of Jon Middleton and Sierra Lundy that have gained millions of streams and widespread acclaim for their 2023 EP, “Know The Night,” will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

Their songwriting and performances are described in advance publicity for the concert as a “living and breathing vision for 21st century folk amplified by alternative nuance and unassuming pop appeal.”

Get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org. There is free admission for audience members 18 and younger, with a reservation.

Shakespeare in the Park

The Vashon Park District will launch a new summer play series, “Once About A Time,” at 5 p.m. Sunday, August 3, with a free performance of ”Much Ado About Nothing” performed by Seattle’s acclaimed GreenStage. Bring a blanket, a picnic, and enjoy the wit, romance and comedy of Shakespeare under the open sky at Ober Park.

CatVideoFest 2025

CatVideoFest 2025 — a nationally-touring, family-friendly program of hilarious and adorable cat mini-movies culled from home and music videos, animations and the internet, will play at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at Vashon Theatre.

Each year, across the country, local theaters partner with local animal welfare groups in presenting the program. On Vashon, 10% of tickets sales will be donated to Vashon Island Pet Protectors.

Find out more and get advance tickets at vashontheatre.com. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

Vashon Island Film Festival

Vashon Film Institute will unspool its 4th annual Vashon Island Film Festival — a feast of award-winning independent filmmaking — from August 7-10, at Vashon Theatre.

See the lineup and purchase tickets and passes at vashonislandfilmfestival.com. Film Institute membership, at $79.99 per years, includes an all-access festival pass and other benefits.

First Nations Stories

Vashon Island Unitarian Universalists’ Social and Environmental Justice Committee will conclude its summer series of free films focused on First Nations voices at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, at Lewis Hall, located on the hill behind Burton Community Church.

The Aug. 10 film is “Promised Land,” a documentary that follows Duwamish and Chinook tribal members as they fight for the restoration of treaty rights they have long been denied.

Blessing Chimanga

Discover the music of Blessing Chimanga, an internationally acclaimed Zimbabwean musician, in a special Vashon appearance at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, at Wine Shop Vashon.

Islander Debra Heesch is presenting the afternoon concert.

Chimanga is a marimba maestro, singer, songwriter, percussionist and cultural ambassador who has performed worldwide with collaborators from his own country, Gambia, South Africa and Kenya.

Find out more about his music and life at blessingchimanga.com.

Sister Act

Tickets are now on sale for Drama Dock’s production of the hit musical, “Sister Act,” which will feature an all-star cast of local performers. Find out more and get tickets to the show, running Aug. 21-24 at Vashon Center for the Arts, at dramadock.org.

Intergenerational exhibit

In the first exhibit of a new series of prints at Seattle’s Café Zingaro, Vashon artists Olivia Mangione and Donna Caulton, granddaughter and grandmother, will share a vision of life cycles.

Olivia grew up on Vashon where, as a child, she jumped full steam ahead into art making. After studying graphic illustration in college, she is now creative director of Seattle Children’s Theater. Her work has been strongly influenced by the work of her grandmother, Donna, a painter for 40 years who is now a member of Vashon Island Visual Artists.

Donna’s work employs symbols that represent the cycles of life: moon phases, circles, and more. In this show, Olivia has created companion pieces for her grandmother’s work.

The exhibit runs through August. Café Zingaro, located in 127 Mercer Street in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood, is open seven days a week, with evening hours on Saturday and Sunday.

Artworks by the grandmother-granddaughter duo of Donna Caulton (left) and Olivia Mangione (right) will exhibited in August at Seattle’s Café Zingaro. (Courtesy photos)

Object Heavy, a powerhouse band that blends classic soul with danceable rhythms, will kick off this year’s series of free Concerts in the Park. (Courtesy photo)