Kissing the Joy as it Flies

Vashon Repertory Theatre will present “Kissing the Joy as it Flies,” Mike and Gerry Feinstein’s collection of revered author Brian Doyle’s sometimes comical, often moving observations and stories that celebrate being human, even in dark times.

The production is an encore presentation of the show, first performed in 2019, with new material. It is directed by Charlotte Tiencken and features members of the original cast — Cate O’Kane, Jeanne Dougherty, David Mielke, and Paul Shapiro, with musical interludes by Kat Eggleston.

The late Brian Doyle published more than 30 books of essays, fiction, and poetry and received many awards including the coveted Pushcart Prize before he died at the age of 60 in 2017. “Kissing the Joy as It Flies” is a celebration of his life and work.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 22; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23; and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 24. Find out more and get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Haydn Trio

The music and magic of Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) will be celebrated in the fourth program of the 2024 Salish Sea Early Music Festival, to be performed at 12 p.m. on Monday, March 25, at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 15420 Vashon Hwy SW.

Performers will include Jeffrey Cohan, on 8-keyed flute; Lindsay Strand-Polyak, on baroque violin, and Martin Bonham, on baroque cello.

Haydn was Mozart’s mentor and friend as well as Beethoven’s tutor. The concert will include three trios for flute, violin and cello by Haydn, selections from a 1795 arrangement for these instruments of Mozart’s opera “The Magic Flute,” and a trio by Franz Anton Hoffmeister.

There is a suggested donation of $20-$30, or pay as you wish. Find out more here.

Call for Artists

Vashon Island Visual Artists will present its 7th annual VIVA Member Show, at Vashon Center for the Arts. The show is open to all VIVA members working in 2D or 3D media. Island artists are encouraged to join VIVA and submit pieces during the application period, March 21-April 4. Each year, this exhibition has featured more than 100 pieces of art in a wide range of media. Each VIVA artist is represented with one juried piece. For more information about submitting work, visit vivartists.com.

Social Dance Party

A “last Saturday of the month” social dance party will take place from 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at Snapdragon’s Black Cat Cabaret.

Solo dancers and couples are welcome for this evening of dancing salsa, tango, swing, blues, fusion, freestyle and more, with short lessons throughout the evening by performer and teaching artist, Sarah Elizabeth Howard, host and owner of Nomadic Dance. There is a $10 suggested donation and a one-drink minimum, with food and drink available for sale.

Find out more, including information about Nomadic Dance classes held at Open Space for Arts & Community, here. To register and ask questions, email sarah@nomadicdance.com.

Flamenco

A performance by flamenco dancer Savannah Fuentes and singer/multi-instrumentalist, Diego Amador Jr., announced in the March 14 “Arts Briefs” as scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 25, at the Vashon Grange Hall, has been postponed and will be rescheduled. Find out more at savannahf.com.

CHRCH at Open Space

Vashon’s favorite variety show, CHRCH, filled with sketch comedy, music and special guests, will serve up two performances at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, at Open Space for Arts & Community. The theme for the show is “Keep Vashon Weird.”

Get advance tickets here, and find out more about the Vashon-centric variety show at chrchatopenspace.com.

Iris DeMent

Tickets are now on sale for a concert by Iris DeMent, at Vashon Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18.

DeMent is an acclaimed and beloved singer and songwriter whose work is rooted in hymns, gospel and old-time country music — genres that suit her indelible expression of tender emotions, deep spiritual longing, and fierce advocacy for human rights. Merle Haggard called her “the best singer I’ve ever heard.”

Her debut record, “Infamous Angel” (1992), was named one of the “greatest country albums of all time” by Rolling Stone Magazine, and the two albums that followed, “My Life” and “The Way I Should,” were nominated for Grammys.

DeMent’s songs have also been featured in films and television shows including “True Grit” and “The Leftovers” and recorded by numerous artists. She received the Americana Music Trailblazer Award in 2017.

Get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.