A birthday bash for Garth Reeves
Garth Reeves, a Seattle singer and guitarist with strong ties to Vashon, will return to the Rock Saturday for a one-night concert and birthday celebration (his) at the Red Bicycle Bistro.
Reeves, who’s been playing professionally for more than 18 years, has performed and collaborated with some of Vashon’s leading lights, including Jason Staczek, Pete Droge and Ian Moore. For years, he played with Goodness, a popular Seattle rock band. He’s also been in Dangermouse, Nubbin and Blue Spark.
Reeves’ first solo album, “Nothing but Time,” released in 2005, was made using analog tape, an old Trident board and a tight-knit group of Seattle and Vashon musicians, including Staczek, Droge, Danny Newcomb, Rob Brill and Jeff Fieldler.
Newcomb will open for Reeves at Saturday’s concert, and singer Jennifer Sutherland will make an appearance.
“We’re hoping there will be some other surprise guests, too,” said Pete Welch, the Bike’s music promoter.
The show begins at 8:30 p.m. It’s a free-cover show open to all-ages until 11 p.m. — and then 21 and over.
Acclaimed musicians play for Ref. 74
Jesse Sykes and Phil Wandscher will perform their original songs at a benefit to support Referendum 74 at 7 p.m. Friday at the Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie. Island singer/songwriter Mike Dumovich will open the show.
Sykes and Wandscher are highly acclaimed for their work in Sykes’ band The Sweet Hereafter, which has released four recordings and toured throughout the United States. NPR, in a review of the band’s newest album, “Marble Son,” noted Wandsher’s “epic guitar solos” and Sykes’ “warm and welcoming voice.”
Tickets to the event are $20 and can be purchased in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com.
Vashon’s chamber orchestra performs
Music by Mozart, Respighi and Finzi are on the program for Vashon-Maury Chamber Orchestra’s fall concerts on Saturday at the Methodist Church.
Two concerts are planned for the day — an abbreviated one for children at 11 a.m. and a full program at 7:30 p.m.
Guest artists will include Island pianist Evan Stults, horn player Becky Miller and Vashon High School senior Lena de Guzman, a violinist.
Stults has had an extensive career as a pianist and vocal accompanist, working with such diverse artists and groups as Renee Fleming, Megan Mullally, Seattle Men’s Chorus and Vashon Opera. On Saturday, he’ll play “Eclogue,” by British composer Gerald Finzi.
An all-Mozart first half includes the composer’s overture to Apollo et Hyacinthus, a movement of his fifth violin concerto with de Guzman and his second horn concerto with soloist Miller.
Miller, a member of the Mosaic Brass Quintet, performs throughout the region with the quintet as well as with many other performing arts groups.
Vashon-Maury Chamber Orchestra, led by violinist Karin Choo, welcomes Island musicians of varying skill levels. Tickets to the early concert are by donation, and admission to the evening show is $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. All tickets will be sold at the door.
