Arts Briefs | Sept. 8 edition

Whim W’him Dance, Havurah bash, Shawn Mullins, Japan Fest, July Child Operetta, Classes with master carver Odin Lonning

September 7, 2022 1:30 am
Courtesy Photo Mukai Farm & Garden’s Japan Fest will feature performances, dancing, a Children’s Village, food, a “nominoichi” market of Asian collectibles, presentations by vendors and nonprofit organizations, Taiko drumming, and more.
Courtesy Photo Mukai Farm & Garden’s Japan Fest will feature performances, dancing, a Children’s Village, food, a “nominoichi” market of Asian collectibles, presentations by vendors and nonprofit organizations, Taiko drumming, and more.

Shawn Mullins

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at Vashon Center for the Arts (VCA), in a co-presentation between VCA and Debra Heesch.

Mullins has penned multiple hits, including the Grammy-nominated songs, “Lullaby” and ”Beautiful Wreck,” from his 1998 album, Soul’s Core. Many know him from the supergroup The Thorns, which he formed in 2002 with Matthew Sweet and Pete Droge.

Get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Japan Fest

Vashon’s 5th annual Japan Fest will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Mukai Farm & Garden, located at 18017 107th Ave. SW.

This free, all-ages event will include dancing, a children’s village, food, a “nominoichi” market of Asian collectibles, presentations by vendors and nonprofit organizations, Taiko drumming, and more.

Also included will be the world premiere of the play, “Kichi in the Woods of Present Memory,” written by Bryan Willis, directed by Charlotte Tiencken for Vashon Repertory Theater, and performed by the AIE Taiko Drummers.

The day’s headline performer will be legendary keyboardist Philip Woo, a Garfield/Franklin High School graduate who is now a highly in-demand artist residing in Tokyo.

Vashon Reads’ red bookmobile will host a free book giveaway featuring stories from Japanese American and Asian authors.

Japan Fest will close with a walk through a Lantern Labyrinth, and then a free 8 p.m. showing of Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved film, “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” at Vashon Theatre.

For more information, visit mukaifarmandgarden.org/japanfest2022.

Havurah Bash

Vashon Havurah will hold its annual community bash and fundraiser from 4 to 7 p.m. on the Havurah grounds at 14401 Westside Hwy. SW. Croaker, a bluegrass and Klezmer band, will perform; there will also be lawn games, a sprinkler for the kids, a local food truck, other nibbles and a no-host bar. All are welcome.

Tickets, on sale at tinyurl.com/ycy25ka7, are $12 in advance or $15 at the event. Children 12 and younger are free. All attending are asked to donate to a silent auction — a table will be set up to process donations at the party.

The event is dedicated to the Havurah’s beloved late member, Philip Cushman.

Whim W’Him Dance Concert

“Fall ‘22” a dance concert featuring work by three choreographers who were selected by Whim W’Him – Seattle Contemporary Dance as part of its 8th Choreographic Shindig, will take place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

Keerati Jinakunwiphat, a dancer with Kyle Abraham/A.I.M., was featured on the cover of Dance Magazine in 2021 as one of the magazine’s “25 to Watch.” Dolly Sfeir, a Lebanese choreographer based in New York City, was awarded the 2019 Grand Prize at the Palm Desert Choreography Competition. Completing the program is Nicole von Arx, a Swiss choreographer who was a 2020 Jacob’s Pillow Choreography Fellow.

Buy tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Bon Appetit! the Julia Child Operetta

Tuck into an evening with noted Seattle performers as they share memories of Julia Child, while they bake a chocolate cake on stage and sing opera at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

This event features host Julia Prud’homme dishing up remembrances of her great aunt, and Anne Allgood performing Lee Hoiby’s operetta, “Bon Appétit!” The pair will be joined by accompanist Mark Anders.

Following the performance, the audience will be invited to join the performers for a slice of chocolate cake.

Buy tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Master carver at Dig Deep

Tlingit artist and educator Odin Lonning will teach classes at Dig Deep Gardens, 19028 Vashon Hwy SW.

Lonning attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a master carver with 40 years of experience designing in Coastal Formline and other tribal styles, painting, wood carving, creating regalia, and sharing his culture. An introductory session to “The Language of Indigenous Design: Graphic Art Techniques” will take place from 5:30 to 7:3o p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28.

For more information, visit digdeepgardens.com or email info@digdeepgardens.com.