A who’s who of island music talent will take the stage at “Vashon Calling,” an album release party and music showcase that will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at Open Space for Arts & Community.
It’s a chance to celebrate Vashon’s music scene and get a sneak preview of many songs included on the new album, also called “Vashon Calling, which is produced and distributed by the nonprofit organization, Vashon Events. Copies of the CD will be for sale at the event.
Performers on the all-island showcase will include Pete Droge and Elaine Summers, two indie darlings who rarely perform on the island. They’ll be joined by well-known guitar god and singer-songwriter, Ian Moore, as well as Rusty Willoughby and Jennifer Potter, who have been known on the Seattle music scene for decades.
Chris Ballew, who fronted the 1990s grunge band The President of the United States of America and is now well-known in his persona as “kindie” rock star Caspar Babypants, will also perform, as will Martin Feveyear, Jeff Kanzler, Chuck Keller, JD Hobson and Danny Newcomb.
Other performers at the showcase will include Vashon singer-songwriters Allison Shirk (who will also emcee the show), Sarah Christine, Kat Eggelston and Madeleine Wolczko. Rounding out the cast will be St. Ophelia, an island band fronted by singer and songwriter Joseph Panzetta and singer Rebekah Kuzma.
The album also includes tracks by Rachel Harrington and the band Publish the Quest, who won’t perform at the show.
There will also be a silent auction that night to support the work of Vashon Events. The nonprofit organization publishes an up-to-date website promoting arts and cultural events on the island, maintains directories of musicians and music educators on the island, and books island talent for both large events, including Strawberry Festival, and more intimate shows at local music spots.
According to Pete Welch, who co-founded Vashon Events with Shirk, the “Vashon Calling” showcase will have a cozy vibe, with pub tables and chairs, and a bar stocked with beverages available for purchase.
