This year’s annual fundraiser for Vashon HouseHold (VH), the island’s nonprofit devoted to developing and stewarding affordable housing for low- and moderate-income island residents, will be a boisterous affair: a Battle of Bands, held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at Dig Deep Gardens, at 19028 Vashon Hwy. SW.
The evening, sponsored by John L. Scott, is free to attend — but all will be encouraged to participate in the contest between bands.
In time-honored Vashon tradition, islanders will vote for their favorite bands with their pocketbooks, with the musical acts which garner the most donations to VH proceeding to a final round overseen by a panel of judges.
The grand prize winner will receive two five-hour studio recording sessions with Martin Feveyear, who is a Vashon-based record producer, mixer, songwriter, and performer. His credits include Brandi Carlile, Presidents of the USA, Mark Lanegan, REM, Queens of the Stoneage, Pete Droge, Deathcab for Cutie, and members of Guns n’ Roses.
Bands and musicians already lined up to play include such island favorites as the surf rock band Secret Agents, Scotty Hayes and John van Amerongen, among others.
At press time, the roster of participating musicians is still taking shape — with a last-minute chance for more acts to still sign up by emailing vhh@vashonhousehold.org with their artist or band name, a song sample, and a fun fact about themselves.
The evening — a chance to directly support VH’s increasingly difficult and crucial work — will also include a silent auction and raise-the-paddle event.
Items up for bid include Sounders tickets and a Vashon Adventures gift certificate. Aeggy’s will provide tasty food for sale throughout the evening.
The night is also a chance to find out more about the nonprofit’s work.
“Vashon Household’s efforts to create and preserve affordable housing on Vashon is only possible with community support,” said its executive director, Jason Johnson. “This event is an opportunity for neighbors and visitors of the island to come together, celebrate what we have done to date, learn more about the issue of affordable housing, contribute to our future work, and have a really good time in the process.”
A new program, recently launched by VH, is a home-sharing program to help address the lack of affordable housing available to workers and seniors on the island.
Home sharing, Johnson explained, is a simple concept that matches home providers — both renters and owners — with people who need housing. This not only helps to offer additional income for home providers and affordable rent to home seekers, but can also be helpful in providing assistance with household chores and offering social, connective support to people living alone.
VH’s existing housing portfolio supports more than 200 island residents, with 40 more units in development. But housing affordability and access are limited on Vashon, Johnson said.
“We cannot only build affordable housing to meet the current need,” he said. “We have to be creative, look to regional models that are seeing success, and listen to the Vashon community about what else might work here on the island.”
Find out more about the organization and fundraising event at vashonhousehold.org, or email vhh@vashonhousehold.org.
