Islanders can join in the music at “Sing 4 the Market,” an outdoor benefit concert for Vashon Island Growers Association (VIGA) at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Village Green.
Islander Rich Osborne, who last year organized “Home 2 Vashon,” another multi-act benefit concert on Vashon, is spearheading “Sing 4 the Market.”
The evening will kick off with a 6 p.m. performance by Vashon’s Free Range Folk Choir, followed by a 7 p.m. appearance by the Vashon Chamber Chorale. At 8 p.m., there will be a community singalong with The Island Rockers.
Osborne is a member of the latter group — a revolving group of pick-up players who lead weekly singalongs at Vashon Community Care, as part of Vashon Rotary’s program, Music Mends Minds. The program aims to reach seniors and those with dementia with the lively power of memorable music.
Osborne said the group’s 100-song repertoire, ranging from Broadway tunes to Beatles hits, is sure to also get the crowd to raise their voices at the VIGA benefit. Local musicians should also feel free to bring their instruments and join in with the band, he said. Food vendors and a beer garden will keep the crowd well-fed and lubricated, he added.
“Sing 4 the Market” is part of Osborne’s effort to raise money to support year-round staffing for VIGA. Admission to the Aug. 10 concert is free, but donations will be accepted throughout the course of the evening.