What’s Happening April 25 – May 2

A photography show, funky tunes, an art studio tour, Oompa Loompas take the stage, and more.

April 24, 2019 1:30 am
Courtesy Photo Oompa Loompas Lena Baldwin-Snell, Sophie Dempster-Guillino, Utisah Durahim, Sonya Guadagno, and Shelby Schonbok join Gabriel Dawson, cast as Willy Wonka, in Vashon Center for the Arts’ upcoming production of “Willy Wonka, Jr.” Durahim and Cooper Tantau (not pictured) are double-cast as Charlie Bucket.
Courtesy Photo Oompa Loompas Lena Baldwin-Snell, Sophie Dempster-Guillino, Utisah Durahim, Sonya Guadagno, and Shelby Schonbok join Gabriel Dawson, cast as Willy Wonka, in Vashon Center for the Arts’ upcoming production of “Willy Wonka, Jr.” Durahim and Cooper Tantau (not pictured) are double-cast as Charlie Bucket.

Poetry and photography show talk

A free poetry reading and artists’ talk by participants of “Lexicon of Light,” a photography exhibit currently up at Vashon Center for the Arts, will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at VCA. For the show, 16 photographers took inspiration from the work of island poets to create new works. The show was curated by photographer Michael Elenko.

Blue Monster brings the funk

Blue Monster, an instrumental funk band, will play at a free show at 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, at Red Bicycle Bistro & Sushi. The band includes Ken Jacobsen on guitar, Nigel Browne on drums, Tony Mann on keyboards and J.P. Ouellette on bass. The group, around since 2005, prides itself for its heavy grooves, psychedelic improvisation, tight beats, intricate bass lines and deep pocket drumming. The show is for all ages until 11 p.m. and 21 and older after that.

A kimono pop-up at Judd Creek Ranch

Choko N. Oshima, a collector of vintage and ceremonial Japanese kimonos, will join artists who refashion kimonos in a special “pop up” presentation from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Judd Creek Ranch Gallery. Sally Shivers, Roxy Hathaway, Nancy Cott Wienker and Pamela Burkland will show their works alongside treasures from Oshima’s collection. Visit juddcreekranchgallery.com for more information.

Spring studio tour blossoms soon

Vashon Island Visual Artists will offer its spring art studio tour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, May 4, 5, 11 and 12, at more than 33 locations island-wide. A record-setting 60 artists are participating this year. Sculpture, paintings, clothing, garden art, ceramics, jewelry, mosaics and more will be on display. Tour brochures with maps are available at island businesses. For more information, visit vivartists.com.

Burlesque stars shine at Open Space

Burlesco Notturno will unveil “Flights of Fancy” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Open Space for Arts & Community. The show will include the option of a VIP ticket including hors d’oeuvres and dinner, prepared by Chef Lia Lira of Bramble House. Performers will include top burlesque talent from Seattle and beyond. Hosting the show will be Open Space founders Janet McAlpin and David Godsey, as Mme. X and her silent lawyer. Live music will be played by The Love Markets, a band inspired by the decadence of 1920s Berlin. For more information and to buy tickets ($30 to $75), visit openspacevashon.org. VIP tickets sales (which include dinner) close on April 29.

Get your golden ticket

“Willy Wonka, Jr.” will be performed by youth in Vashon Center for the Arts’ musical theater program, at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 2 (open dress rehearsal), 7 p.m. Friday, May 3, and 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the arts center. The musical follows the beloved story about Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory and includes both new songs and favorites from the 1971 film. Tickets range from a suggested donation of $5 for the open dress rehearsal to $14; buy them in advance at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Vashon Center for Dance will host a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5, with performances from Vashon’s Baile Folklorico dance group and festive music from the Mariachi de Guadalajara band. After the performance in the Kay White Hall, the fiesta will continue in VCA’s atrium at 3 p.m. with more music, dancing and food. Tickets, $5, are available at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Vashon Opera presents ‘Streetcar’

Tickets are now on sale for Vashon Opera’s production of André Previn’s “A Streetcar Named Desire,” a jazz-inspired opera based on Tennessee Williams’ play. A cast of regional and national opera stars will perform the indelible roles of Blanche, Stanley, Stella and Mitch. Performances are slated for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 17, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at Vashon Center for the Arts. A free lecture about the opera will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Vashon Library. For information and tickets, visit vashonopera.org.