PianoFête features virtuoso pianists

This week, Vashon Center for the Arts (VCA) presents a new classical summer series, “PianoFête” — four different concerts featuring acclaimed pianists Vyacheslav Gryaznov, Katya Kramer-Lapin, and Konstantin Soukhovetski, along with accompanying musicians from Vashon Maury Chamber Orchestra.

Conceived and curated by artist-in-residence Gryaznov, this series will be the first time VCA’s Katherine L. White Hall will host two concert grand pianos on stage to accommodate the mastery of duo and four-hand playing compositions, ranging from Rachmaninoff to Ravel.

The series began on Wednesday, July 6, with Katya Kramer-Lapin and Gryaznov performing works by Medtner, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Faure, and Ravel.

On Thursday, July 7, Soukhovetski will take the stage with Gryaznov, performing works by Rachmaninoff and Soukhovetski. On Friday, July 8, the pair will appear again, performing works by Rameau, Mozart, Liszt and Rachmaninoff.

On Saturday, July 9, all three pianists will perform a surprise concert with Vashon Maury Chamber Orchestra members. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.

For tickets and more information, visit vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Concert for Universal Healthcare

The Confessions, a band fronted by Vashon’s own Camille Reeves, will perform a special concert at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23, at Vashon Brewery, to benefit the Yes on I-1471 campaign for Universal Healthcare for Washington State.

Iyad’s Syrian Grill food truck will be on-site, at 17206 Vashon Hwy. SW., to provide dinner to concert-goers.

The concert is being organized by islander Roxanne Thayer, who is active in Whole Washington Health Care, a grassroots coalition of healthcare professionals and volunteers who endorse both state and national efforts and supports organizations and candidates working to make universal healthcare a reality.

To find out more about the cause, visit wholewashington.org.