Weekend festival supports young musicians

By Susan Riemer • August 1, 2017 1:30 am
The long line up of musicians this weekend will include Seattle’s Thunderpussy, top, which Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready recently called his new favorite band, as well as much-loved island musicians Ian Moore, bottom left, and Kat Eggleston, bottom right. (Courtesy Photos)
The long line up of musicians this weekend will include Seattle’s Thunderpussy, top, which Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready recently called his new favorite band, as well as much-loved island musicians Ian Moore, bottom left, and Kat Eggleston, bottom right. (Courtesy Photos)

A two-day music festival this weekend, featuring more than 20 acts, will raise money to support music programs at the island’s public elementary and middle schools.

The event, called the Chautauqua Music Festival, will combine local musicians — both youth and adult — with established Northwest performers, according to organizer and islander Mike Dumovich. Music will range from folk and hip hop to punk and rock ‘n’ roll, with classical and what he referred to as “countryish” mixed in as well.

“It really covers the gamut,” he said.

Proceeds from the event, now in its third season and held at the Eagles, will go to the schools to help build a library of quality musical instruments for students who might not otherwise be able to rent them. In its first two years, the event brought in more than $14,000 for the cause, with some 500 people attending the first year and 650 people the second. This year, Dumovich said, he is hoping for 1,000.

“The main goal is to set it up and raise as much money beforehand for expenses and open it up and see how much we can make,” he said.

At the Vashon Island School District, Superintendent Michael Soltman expressed gratitude for the money, saying music and arts are at the core of the schools and the community.

“The festival allows every student to follow his or her passion without regard to family resources,” he added.

Soltman noted that Vashon High School Band Director Dan Baker is trying to increase participation by making band available to any student regardless of family income and to fill out the band with instruments that are usually too costly for students to purchase. Tubas, for example, cost some $3,000, Soltman said, and proceeds from the event put such instruments within reach.

The event is for all ages, with quieter, family-oriented music earlier in the day and and “more rocking” music later on.

The latest weather forecast is for Friday to be hot, and Dumovich said there will be sprinklers to help people cool off, ample free water and tents for shade. While all ages are welcome, people under the age of 21 will not be allowed in the Eagles building.

“We have no tolerance for underage drinking,” Dumovich said.

In addition to abundant music, there will be food from Gravy as well as from Via Tribunali and Caffe Vita, both owned by islander Mike McConnell, who helped Dumovich get some of the larger bands to perform. There will also be a used book stand and shirts and hats for sale.

Camping is available at both the Eagles and at the AYH Ranch Campground, formerly the hostel, with a shuttle from the ferry to the campgrounds and the event.

In addition to those mentioned, Dumovich thanked other businesses, groups and individuals for their support for the event, including John L. Scott, Brown Paper Tickets, The Hardware Store Restaurant, Rotary and Charlotte Tiencken.

Dumovich grew up on Vashon and is a big believer in the arts — and a believer, he said, in changing the world with community-based action.

“This is my hometown, It feels good to make an impact where you are from,” he said. “I think it is a great cause.”

The event will run from 5:30 p.m. to midnight Friday and from 1:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the Vashon Eagles, 18134 Vashon Hwy.

Tickets are $20 per day or $35 for a two-day pass and can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets or at Vashon Bookshop and the Vashon Eagles. To donate or for more information, email Mike Dumovich at nadircamper@gmail.com.

See also Chautaqua Music Festival on Facebook.

Chautauqua Music Festival schedule

Friday Aug. 4

5-5:30 p.m. JD Hobson

5:40-6:05 p.m. Ralph

6:15-6:45 p.m. Sweet Jesus

6:55-7:25 p.m. Sloucher

7:35-8:05 p.m. Hula Bees

8:15-8:50 p.m. Low Hums

9-9:35 p.m. Pete Droge

9:45-10:20 p.m. Griz Mighty

10:30-11:05 p.m. Iska Dhaaf

11:15 p.m.-midnight. El Steiner

Saturday, Aug. 5

2-2:30 p.m. Colin Loch

2:40-3:10 p.m. I Solisti

3:20-3:50 p.m. Max Moore

4-4:30 p.m. 20 Eyes

4:40-5:20 p.m. Gabe Mintz

6:05-6:35 p.m. Bill Patton

6:45-7:15 p.m. Kat Eggleston

7:25-8:00 p.m. Chris Ballew

8:10-8:45 p.m. Great Spiders

8:55-9:30 p.m. Acapulco Lips

9:40-10:15 p.m. Ian Moore

10:25-11:00 p.m. Tilson XOXO

11:10 p.m.-midnight Thunderpussy