Free Murgatroyd show
Murgatroyd, an Island band, will play a free show at 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 29, at the Red Bike. Bring earplugs — the band is unapologetically loud, with a repertoire built on the hits of Black Sabbath and other seminal rock and roll acts. The show is for all ages until 11 p.m. and 21 and older after that.
Audience participation act
Café Luna has a concert and open mic night on tap this weekend. Herky Cutler, a Canadian musician and songwriter who plays folk, blues and country, will have a free concert at 7 p.m. Friday, July 29, at the café. Cutler has played in countless clubs and venues on both sides of the Canadian border since 1992. He’s known for bringing along percussion instruments and handing them out to audience members.
On Saturday, July 30, the café will be the scene of an open mic hosted by Richard Waits, David Ray and Joe Allison. Songs, poetry and more are welcome — sign up starts at 7 p.m.
Personal migration workshops
VALISE Gallery will host two free activities on Saturday, July 30. At 2:30 p.m., a workshop for children and others who are young at heart will offer an opportunity to construct bird or insect puppets and then assist their migration home following maps or navigational charts. All materials will be provided by VALISE. At 4 p.m. Sana Krusoe, a University of Oregon art professor, whose luminous porcelain forms are now on display at VALISE, will speak about her recent trip to the Arctic and its influence on her life. She will bring ceramic forms, on which children or adults may create personal maps. Organizers bill the talk as an opportunity to gain greater insight into Krusoe’s take on migration, navigation, desire and home. For additional information, contact Brian Van Buren at 227-0061.
Musician with an inspiring story
Renowned Windham Hill recording artist Scott Cossu and his four-person band will play a show at Vashon Winery at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 30. Tickets are $20 for adults and include a free CD. The show is free for anyone younger than 16.
Cossu, who has played on Vashon several times, has traveled the world playing his piano compositions. But at the peak of his career, he was hit by a car in Los Angeles and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Over the course of several years, Cossu fought his way back to his career — amazing his neurologist and inspiring his fans all over the world.
Joining Cossu will be Jessica Blinn on violin and vocals, Steve Banks on drums and long-time guitarist Van Manakas. Together they will play cuts from Cossu’s newly released album, “Boogie, Jazz and Delta Blues.”
World music and folk dancing
Alchymeia, a music ensemble that plays music described as “Celtic East European fusion with a touch of French cabaret,” will bring a world beat to Vashon for a free outdoor concert at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, at Ober Park. The concert, presented by Vashon Park District and Vashon Folkdancers, is part of a summer-long series curated by Islander Martin Koenig. The concert will begin with free folk dance instruction — no partners or experience are necessary. The group’s instrumentation includes accordion, guitar, fiddle and cello.
