Arts Briefs | Oct. 9 edition | Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Alejandro Escovedo

Acclaimed rock troubadour Alejandro Escovedo, whose music blends punk roots, heartfelt storytelling and a sound that’s all his own, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

Born in San Antonio and long based in Austin, Escovedo galvanized audiences with pioneering punk outfit The Nuns, roots-rock heroes Rank & File, and cult favorite, True Believers, before embarking on a journey Rolling Stone hails as “one of the most compelling in modern music.” His newest collection, “Echo Dancing” (Yep Roc, 2024), reimagines gems from his songbook, underscoring why NPR dubbed him “a rock-and-roll shaman.”

To find out more about Escovedo, read islander Ian Moore’s recommendation of the show at tinyurl.com/unwxe7js. Get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Pete Droge

Acclaimed island singer/songwriter Pete Droge will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Seattle’s Triple Door, at 216 Union Street.

The evening will celebrate the double vinyl deluxe reissue of Droge’s debut album, “Necktie Second,” and also include material from his new and largely autobiographical studio album, “Fade Away Blue.” Find out more and get tickets at tripledoor.net.

Irish Music

Master accordion player John Whelan will play a concert with acclaimed fiddle champion Brian Conway as part of the Masters of Irish Music series, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Vashon Havurah, 15401 Westside Hwy SW. There is a suggested donation of $25 at the door. For reservations to the concert, contact Jan Strolle at 206-228-0730 or janstrolle@comcast.net.

Skeleton Crew

Rob Barraco (Dark Star Orchestra), Barry Sless (Bob Weir and Wolf Bros), and Stephen Inglis (Fragile Thunder) make up Skeleton Crew, a trio of jam-band virtuosos who will play a show at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Open Space for Arts & Community. Find out more and get tickets at openspacevashon.com.

Balkan dance and artist talk

Islander Martin Koenig’s exhibition, “Balkan Echoes: Portraits of Southeast Europe (1962-1987),” now on display at Vashon Center for the Arts, will be augmented by two special events this weekend.

“Balkan Night: Dance & Music Celebration” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at VCA. The evening of dance, curated by Koenig, will include performances by Koleda Ritual Dancers, Radost Folk Ensemble, Seattle Cheta, Tamburaški Orkestar Kišobran, Dunava, Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble, and more — offering a night of folk dancing that will burst with rhythm, traditional costumes and joy.

And at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, Koenig will sit down for a free talk with musical and cultural advocate Benjamin Hunter to discuss the stories behind the powerful images on view in the exhibit. Hunter, an islander, is a noted musician and the artistic director of Northwest Folklife.

Find out more at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Book launch

Author Jane Howard will launch her new book of essays, “Hey Nature Lady,” from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at Minglement, 19529 Vashon Hwy SW. Local artist and author Sally Fox will introduce Howard at the event.

Howard is a teacher, naturalist guide, artist, mother, entrepreneur and adventurer known for gravitating to and living on islands, including Vashon. In her book, she shares 13 vivid life stories to inspire readers of all ages to overcome obstacles, live a creative life, and connect with the natural world. Whether the tales involve tracking alligator nests in the Okefenokee Swamp, uncovering unexpected lessons in a graffiti-scarred forest, or witnessing the raw power of a Hawaiian lava flow, each essay provides lessons in resilience, curiosity and awe for the earth.

Find out more about the author and book at islandjanejourneys.com.

CHRCH

Vashon’s longtime and favorite variety show, “CHRCH” (pronounced “church,” loudly) will bow with its latest edition at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, at Open Space for Arts & Community.

Join the group’s ensemble of local sketch comedy artists, music-makers and other sharp wits for a hilarious and hyper-local look at what it means to live on Vashon-Maury Island.

Bright lights of the local theater and music scene in the emsemble include Lou Mangione; Jeanne Dougherty; Mik Kuhlman; Lyn McManus; Janet McAlpin; David Godsey; Danny Powers; Karen Du Four Des Champs and Dianne Krouse, plus special guests Rob Hotchkiss and Martin Feveyear.

Get ticket at openspacevashon.com.

Debbie Dimitre as Eleanor Roosevelt

Talented Northwest storyteller Debbie Dimitre will present an afternoon show at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Vashon Presbyterian Church.

In this fundraiser for a local chapter of the philanthropic organization, P.E.O., supporting scholarships for girls on Vashon among other causes, Dimitre will portray First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the first delegates to the United Nations in 1945 and a peaceful warrior for human rights.

Tickets are $20 at the door and can also be purchased from P.E.O. members.

Bad Bad Hats

Local producer Tyrel Stendahl will bring house show vibes to uptown Vashon with a show by the Minnesota duo, Bad Bad Hats, at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at PopPop Bottle Shop. It’s a return to Vashon for the duo, whose music is highly recommended by Stendahl. Get tickets and find out more at tinyurl.com/mrxamnt2.

Rocky Horror on stage

Vashon Repertory Theatre will present Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show” on Oct. 24, 25, 26, 30, 31 and Nov. 1, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

The raucous tribute to horror and sci-fi B movies has become a cult classic, telling the story of a newly engaged couple getting caught in a storm and arriving at the home of a mad scientist, Dr Frank-N-Furter, who unveils his creation, Rocky — a Frankenstein-style monster in the form of a fully grown, physically perfect muscle man.

Find out more about the production and get tickets only at vashoncenterforthearts.org or in person at VCA — the producers have warned that scam sites are also selling overpriced and possibly invalid tickets to the show online.

Lou’s Home Cookin’

Vashon consummate crooner and longtime vocalist for the Portage Fill, Lou Mangione (yes, he’s related to Chuck) will perform a menu of songs spanning decades and genres including jazz, swing and Broadway with a band of accomplished local musicians at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Snapdragon’s Black Cat Cabaret.

Mangione’s backing band for the show, named Lou’s Home Cookin,’ includes John Stanton, Gordy Ryan, Van Crozier, Richard Person and Tom Wilkins.

Tickets are $20 at the door, or pay what you can.

Nomadic Dance Classes

No dance partners are necessary for the following dance classes presented by Nomadic Dance.

Choreography for “Thriller” takes place from 6-6:50 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 30-Oct. 28. Learn the infamous Zombie dance by Michael Jackson and company in this five-week series for all levels of students. The class has a sliding scale $10-$20, and is for ages 14- adult.

Argentine tango classes will be held from 6-6:50 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 1-29. This beginner class costs $25 per person.

Salsa II, an intermediate class, takes place from 7-7:50 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 1-December 10, and costs $25 per person. Social Dancing 1010 will take place from 6-:6:50 p.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 5-Dec. 10. This beginner class takes cost $25 per person.