Songwriters celebrated in concert at Havurah

The local group Tip the Scales will shine a spotlight on beloved fixtures in Vashon’s music community

Two upcoming concerts produced by the local group Tip the Scales will shine a spotlight on beloved fixtures in Vashon’s music community.

First up will be Vashon’s celebrated singer-songwriter Carter Castle, who will appear with Pacific Northwest stalwart folkster Bill Davie, in a concert slated for 7 p.m. Sunday, March 31, at the Vashon Havurah.

Castle, who has opened for the likes of Iris Dement and played venues including Seattle’s Tractor Tavern, got his start playing in New York’s Greenwich Village acoustic scene, and composes and plays music that blends American roots influences including Steve Earle, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan and John Prine.

Davie — a close personal friend of Tip the Scales organizer Kat Eggleston — began writing songs at the age of 11, and has produced six recordings of his original songs, published five books of poetry and performed at clubs, coffee houses, concert halls and festivals throughout the region and beyond. Music writer Chris Lunn has called Davie “one of the finest writers, and one of the clearest, cleanest vocalists in the business.”

A week later, at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 7, Tip the Scales will present a house concert with the Maggie Laird Trio, featuring Todd Zimberg and Dennis Staskowski. The concert’s location will be revealed to audience members when they make reservations for the show.

Laird, a vocalist, pianist and songwriter, performs originals, jazz standards and a range of multi-genre favorites. According to Scott Yanow, author of The Jazz Singers, “Her music can be thought of as jazz with a pop sensibility, displaying her roots in rock, pop, cabaret and the theatre while always having the spirit of jazz.”

Zimberg has worked in the Puget Sound region as a drummer, percussionist and educator for more than 20 years. He has performed locally with Isaac Scott, Duffy Bishop, Jambalassy and for 10 years with Northwest blues legend Tom McFarland. He has appeared regularly with national acts, including The Coats, The Amazing Platters, Sam Andrew, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Bo Diddley and the late Fenton Robinson, among others.

To buy tickets and make a reservation for both concerts, contact keggleston@kateggleston.com.