Thomas Dambo talk
A rare artist talk and book signing by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, the creator of the “Way of the Bird King” series of monumental wooden troll sculptures popping up this summer across the Pacific Northwest, will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, at Vashon Center for the Arts.
Presented by Vashon Chamber, tickets for the talk, $35, are now on sale at vashoncenterforthearts.org, with sales supporting the fundraising for the Vashon Troll Project. No VCA coupons, discounts, refunds or exchanges will be permitted.
Dambo’s talk will be his only public appearance on Vashon prior to the unveiling of his Vashon troll, to be placed on the upper grounds of Point Robinson Park, near the trailhead to the park’s lighthouse and beach.
The official opening festivities for the troll, from 12-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, will include an open house hosted by the Vashon Chamber, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m., at Point Robinson Park.
Island author gathering
Island authors will appear at a special book signing and conversation held from 1-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at Vashon Heritage Museum. Bring in your own copy of their books, or buy one at the Museum or from Vashon Bookshop. The authors will be ready with pen in hand. Get a jump start on holiday shopping, or buy some fall reading for yourself.
Books and authors at the event will include:
“Heart of Vashon,” by Barbara Gustafson and Laurie Stewart; “It’s Always Uphill from the Dock,” by Ann Irish; “Mosquito Fleet of South Puget Sound,” by Jean Cammon Findlay; “A Field Guide to the Mammals of Vashon Island,” by Ellen Kritzman; “Vashon-Maury Island: Images of America,” by Bruce Haulman and Jean Findlay; “A Brief History of Vashon,” by Bruce Haulman; “On Fisher Pond,” by Laurie Stewart; and “4th of July Hydros and Vashon Town,” by Brian Brenno.
Weird Music Night
Visit Snapdragon at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8 for performances from “six of the weirdest music acts on Vashon,” according to event organizers.
This is an annual event. This year, the acts Walrus Machine; Caroline Robin; ellefläädt; Doug Sharp; Gloomgazer; and The Galactic Jam Band, featuring the AI vocalist and robot chanteuse Desdemona Robot.
Whim W’Him Contemporary Dance
Whim W’Him dancers perform at the Vashon Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, in the company’s opening production, “Fall ‘23,” featuring new works by choreographers Hannah Garner, Dava Huesca, and Ana Maria Lucaciu.
Every year, the Whim W’Him dancers select three choreographers from hundreds of applicants. Breaking away from convention, these extraordinary artists have embraced the power of collaboration and self-expression, resulting in a program with three exciting new choreographic voices presenting in Seattle for the first time. Get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
Pop and jazz with The Manhattan Transfer
Join Grammy-winning group The Manhattan Transfer at the VCA at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21 for an evening of melodic and dynamic jazz and pop. The group cut their teeth at clubs in New York and have released 29 albums over their storied career. Get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
Alex Jordan Concert
Alex Jordan, a singer and multi-instrumentalist who plays “power alt-country” and other genre-bending music, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Open Space for Arts & Community.
Jordan has shared the stage with legends such as Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Peter Rowan, and many others. His debut solo record, “The Subtle Exhibitionist,” was released in May 2020.
Notably, during the pandemic, Jordan unleashed a powerful rendition of the alt-country classic “Blue,” by the Jayhawks, giving it a fresh and distinctive sound. The track, produced by the legendary Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) and mixed by Jim Scott (Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tedeschi Trucks Band), featured Jordan on Hammond B3 and lead vocals.
Get tickets and find out more at openspacevashon.com.
Movement Workshop
A movement workshop, “Playing in the Shallows and the Deep,” will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, in a yurt on a private residence on Vashon.
The workshop, led by movement mavens and well-known teachers and performers Arlette Moody and Lynnette Sjoberg, will incorporate many movement disciplines, rhythm games, vocalizing, authentic movement, pilates, meditation, journaling and ecstatic dance.
Hot tea and nutritious snacks will be provided. Participants should bring their own lunch, along with layers of clothes appropriate for movement, water, journal or paper for writing/drawing and anything else they might need.
The full-day workshop costs $125, email arlettekehenquet@gmail.com to sign up. Space is limited.
