Vashon Center for the Arts will celebrate Pride Month with three blockbuster performance in its Kay White Hall and a hands-on workshop for all ages at the Blue Heron Education Center.
Harlem Gospel Travelers
First, the Harlem Gospel Travelers, an acclaimed quartet whose album “Rhapsody” was nominated for a 2025 Grammy Award for Best Roots Gospel Album, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 30, at Vashon Center for the Arts.
The Grammy nod was historic: the group was the first openly queer group to be nominated in that category.
The group’s music draws on the gospel quartet tradition of the 1950s and 60s, but also has a distinctly modern edge — reflecting the tumultuous years of pandemic anxiety, political chaos and social unrest. The songs carry a message of resilience and facing down doubt and despair with faith and perseverance.
According to Idefayo Gatling, one of the quartet’s members, the concert is meant to “move you, lift you up, free you from your burdens, and to take you someplace higher.”
Reflecting on the group’s decision to be out and proud, Gatling told Grammy.com: “That leap of faith has led us to be Grammy nominees…but also to be beacons of light and representation for so many other people. To show them that they can have their dreams come true is beyond anything that we could have ever imagined. Now queer people get to see us, young Black people get to see us, Christians get to see us. And that’s busting down doors and breaking glass ceilings.”
Loud and Proud workshop
This crafting and art workshop, for ages 7 to adult (those under 10 need to attend with an adult), led by instructor Sarah Parker, will take place from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Blue Heron Education Center.
Designed for families and friends, the workshop will lead participants in creating jewelry, buttons, key chains, bandanas and more. Materials for all types of Pride flags will be available. Learn more and enroll at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
Scot Zeller
Next up will be a one-night only presentation of the critically acclaimed one-man show by Scot Zeller, “H@PPY F@GGxT — A Queer Love Letter from a Member of Generation X,” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at VCA.
The show, said Zeller, “is about my personal journey, but even more so, it’s a love letter to my generation (the X one), a desire for more communication and conversation between generations, and a big thank you to everyone in the LGBTQIA2S+ community who came before me and on whose shoulders I gratefully and proudly stand.”
Critics in cities where Zeller has performed the show have raved about his talent.
“Watching Zeller is like spending an evening with your most captivating, fall-down funny best friend, telling stories through cocktails and tears,” said Alisa Hayashida, in The South Pasadenan.
STANCE
Another Pride event at VCA, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 13, will feature the Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble (STANCE) performing their spring concert, “Forever Here, Forever Queer.” This concert will joyously feature the works of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC composers, highlighting the history of queer music and resistance from across the musical ages.
“STANCE is a one-of-a-kind choir,” said Parker Dean, of The Evergreen Echo, “certain to leave you moved and empowered to keep fighting for trans joy every day.”
Get tickets for all the events and find out more at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
