Arts Briefs | Oct. 30 edition | Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Red Tiger Tales

UMO Ensemble will present a free performance of “Red Tiger Tales,” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Open Space for Arts & Community.

The performance is a “thank you” to islanders for supporting the troupe’s upcoming trip to China to present the show at an international theater festival.

In the original work, UMO’s red-nosed clowns present a series of parables inspired by various spiritual traditions, all offered up with the troupe’s signature humor and dynamic physicality. Find out more and reserve seats at openspacevashon.com.

“Balkan Echoes” gallery walk

Join photographer and ethnographer Martin Koenig for an intimate walk-through and last look at his exhibition, “Balkan Echoes: A Love Letter to a Vanishing World,” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Vashon Center for the Arts. Koenig will share stories, insights and personal reflections behind his evocative photographs documenting traditional Balkan life. All are welcome to this free event. Find out more at www.vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Author talk

Dr. Joe-Joe McManus, award-winning author of “A Brother’s Insight: Guidance on Defeating Racism and Advancing Freedom,” will speak from 4-6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at Vashon Center for the Arts. The talk, presented in partnership with Indivisible Vashon, Backbone Campaign, Mukai Farm & Garden and Vashon SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice), will provide practical insights on how all individuals can contribute to ending racism and challenging oppression in their own distinctive and powerful ways. McManus brings more than 35 years of activism, advocacy, and professional experience as an anti-racist and inclusive excellence leader.

Find out more at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Steffon Moody show

Join singer-songwriter Steffon Moody for songs, stories and surprises at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

In the concert, “From the Ashes, We Will Rise,” Moody will weave together three decades of self-forged folk Americana music into a single rousing evening of song, story and surprise. Sharing the stage with island stalwarts Andre Sapp (mandolin, guitar) and Bill Moyer (tablas, trap set) plus Northwest legend Mark Graham (harmonica, clarinet), Moody will reimagine songs first birthed in bands including Good Dog, Rumpus, United Sheep, The Nilbillies and Dark Carny.

The concert, he promises, will be “a night of rousing redemption, raucous irreverence and soulful melody.”

Find out more and get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Open call for theater-makers

Sign up now for an open call to participate next year with six island theater companies, to be held from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 22 and 23. Slots for this annual event fill up fast, said organizers.

At the event, theater-makers with all levels of experience — including actors, musicians, designers, stage managers, costumers, lighting and sound technicians — can meet representatives of UMO Ensemble, Drama Dock, Vashon Repertory Theatre, Ghost Boat Theater, 14/48 Vashon and VHS Theater productions.

Headshots and resumes are welcome but not required. Actors and singers may also perform monologues, song snippets or stories.

Visit vashonrepertorytheatre.org or ghostboattheater.org to find out more and sign up.

Improv workshop

Sign up for comedy improv workshop taking place from 6:45-8:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays Nov. 3-19, at Open Space for Arts & Community.

Have some fun, connect with others and learn skills that apply to every human interaction. No prior performance experience required or expected, and all islanders 16 and older are welcome. Find out more and sign up at openspacevashon.com.

Stephanie Anne Johnson concert

Powerhouse R&B artist and Vashon favorite Stephanie Anne Johnson will return to the island to celebrate the release of her new album, “Sing, Baby!” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Open Space for Arts & Community.

Find out more and get tickets at openspacevashon.com.

Uptown returns to Vashon

Back by popular demand, Uptown, a nationally-touring soul act, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at Vashon Center for the Arts. The group — all powerhouse soloists and incredible dancers — brings the soul of Motown and the hits of today together in their show. Expect hits from Stevie Wonder to Bruno Mars, and the urge to get up and dance. Find out more and get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Call to honor Harris Levinson

Sharing the Stage, a nonprofit organization that has long paired student musicians and bands with mainstage headline acts, will honor the memory of its beloved co-founder, the late educator and performer Harris Levinson, in a special “Home for the Holidays” celebration concert on Dec. 21 at Open Space for Arts & Community. Organizers are seeking to include as many past Sharing the Stage performers as possible who have appeared as opening acts to main stage headliners in this tribute to Levinson in the Dec. 21 concert. Please contact vashonhomefortheholidays@gmail.com by Oct. 31 to find out more.

Poetry reading

Come out for a Saturday afternoon poetry reading from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Vashon Coffee Roasterie.

The event will feature two Vashon poets, Ann Spiers and Katy E. Ellis, along with one off-island poet Susan Landgraf. All three poets have had poetry collections published in 2025 and will read their new work. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Ann Spiers was Vashon Island’s inaugural Poet Laureate and stewards the Poetry Pole in Vashon’s Town Square. Her writing includes poetry, prose, and essay. Her most recent book is “Wild Cucumber” (Empty Bowl Press).

Katy E. Ellis is the author of “Forty Bouts in the Wilderness,” first runner-up for the 2024 MoonPath Press Sally Albiso Award. Her other books include the prose-poetry-novel “Home Water, Home Land” (Tolsun Books) and the chapbook “Night Watch: (Floating Bridge Press). Learn more at KatyEEllis.com.

Susan Landgraf’s “Out of a Land of Alkali and Chromate” was published this spring by MoonPath Press. She’s published more than 400 poems in Nimrod, Prairie Schooner, Rattle, Poet Lore and others. She served as Poet Laureate of Auburn, Washington, from 2018 to 2020.

Ukulele Jam

Chase away the dark days at upcoming ukulele jams for ages 9 and older. Jams are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Nov. 23 and Dec. 28, at Vashon Library. Both seasoned players and beginners are welcome to connect with others and learn new songs. Bring an instrument or check one out from the Vashon Music Instrument Library. A limited amount of instruments will be available for checkout at the jams. Space is limited, so register at 1.kcls.org/VashonLibraryEvents.