Concerts in the Park
Ian Moore, an acclaimed singer, songwriter, and guitarist, will bring his band to the stage of Vashon Park District’s free Concerts in the Park series, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at Ober Park.
Moore, who tours widely and has released 14 albums, plays rock music with wide and ecumenical influences gleaned from a lineage of great Texas songwriters and guitarists.
Local songwriter Alex Davis will open Moore’s show at 7 p.m.
On Aug 17, Locarno, a band that plays groove-heavy Mexican folk music, will perform in the free concert series, with islander Ian Olney, also known as Sunbeam, opening the show at 7 p.m.
Film Festival Bows
The second annual Vashon Island Film Festival (VIFF) boasting 12 feature films, appearances and talks by directors and an array of other events, is set to unspool on Aug. 10-13, at Vashon Theatre and in its new outdoor event pavilion, the Backlot.
The festival boasts a lineup of 12 award-winning films and 10 shorts now traveling the festival circuit.
Find out more and purchase tickets at vashonislandfilmfestival.com.
Summer Arts Fest
The third and final round of the Vashon Summer Arts Fest will open from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at Vashon Center for the Arts. This collection of work by Vashon artists includes photography, prints, paper cut art, digital media, paintings and encaustic art. Artists include Michelle Bates, Teanna DelMarter, Stevee Duber, Brian Fisher and Danny Kopsak, Gretchen Hancock, Kassan Holden, Bob Horsley, Kris Pedrin, Jenn Reidel, and Brad Strain. The show runs through August 27.
Jam in the Atrium
The Jam in the Atrium concert series, presented by island bassist Bruce Phares, will return at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, with special guest Ben O’Connor.
O’Connor, a Vashon resident, is an accomplished pianist who has performed at Interlochen, the Royal Room and the Port Townsend Jazz Festival. He has been accepted into the prestigious Thornton School of Music at USC, where he will continue his musical studies this fall.
During the free concert, Ben and Bruce will play a variety of jazz favorites. Stop by to hear some great music, and wish Ben well in his next musical endeavor.
My Neighbor Totoro
Don’t miss one of the most beloved animated films of all time, “My Neighbor Totoro,” to be presented at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, at Vashon Theatre. The screening is part of Mukai Farm & Garden’s Ghiblifest, celebrating the films of Hayao Miyazaki. The screening is free and open to the public with a $5 suggested donation. Arrive early to get a good seat and be first in line for concessions.
Comedian Josh Blue
Josh Blue, an acclaimed headliner at comedy venues worldwide, will bring his “Freak Accident Tour” to Vashon Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16. Blue — who also represented the United States in eight countries as a member of the US Paralympic Soccer team — now performs more than 200 shows per year, spreading laughter and breaking down stereotypes of people with disabilities. Find out more and get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
Seussical
Join Vashon Center for the Arts musical theater students for “Seussical,” a journey into a world of loveable characters created by Dr. Seuss. Shows take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. Get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
String and Shadow
String and Shadow, a troupe of performance artists from Olympia that presents giant puppet shows, will perform at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, at Open Space for Arts & Community. Expect magical realism, science fiction, and folk tales, and other feats of storytelling at the performance.
The show is open to all, with admission by donation. Find out more at openspacevashon.com and stringandshadow.com.
Correction: The print edition of the Aug. 10 Beachcomber, and an earlier online edition of this article, gave the wrong date for the Jam in the Atrium Concert. The concert is on Saturday, Aug. 12, not Sunday, Aug. 13. We regret the error very much.
