Whitmore performs at Snapdragon
Michael Whitmore, nylon string guitarist, occasional vocalist and the leader/composer of Vashon’s jazz ensemble Some’tet, will perform solo at the Snapdragon Cafe/Black Cat Cabaret from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan 27.
Previously, Some’tet was a regular fixture at the Snapdragon Cafe, playing there almost every Sunday evening for eight years. Whitmore has performed on several dozen albums and soundtracks as a leader, sideman or collaborator. His career highlights include receiving an NEA Composers Grant and composing music for Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Franz Wright.
Afternoon Jazz
Free afternoon jazz returns this Saturday to the VCA atrium when world-renowned vibraphonist Susan Pascal will join island jazz bassist Bruce Phares for the opening performance of this year’s “Jam In The Atrium” series.
Pascal is lauded for her superb four-mallet musicality and masterful improvisational skills.
“The amazing sound of her beautiful instrument reverberating in the amazing atrium space’s acoustics is simply sublime — a heart-warming and ethereal sound of joy and euphoria,” Phares said.
Find out more about the free jazz series at facebook.com/groups/jamintheatrium.
Comedy at Vashon Theatre
The Vashon Theatre will host the Best of Seattle International Comedy Competition at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28.
Kermet Apio, winner of the 2009 Great American Comedy Festival, will perform. He has showcased at comedy festivals in Aspen, Las Vegas, and Vancouver and has performed in 47 states and three Canadian provinces. He is a past winner of the Seattle Comedy Competition and was a semi-finalist in the San Francisco Comedy Competition.
Purchase tickets at vashontheatre.com.
Sweeney Todd pop-up: music and haircuts
The cast of “Sweeney Todd” will sing the songs of the renowned show, while islanders can get their hair cut by C’Mon Barber at the same time, and receive 10% off their tickets to see the show. Stop by from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, in the Snapdragon parking lot. Find out more about “Sweeney Todd,” to run on Vashon from Feb. 16-26, at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
Gansango performs West African dance
Gansango Music & Dance will perform contemporary and traditional West African dance and drumming at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at Vashon Center for the Arts.
Gansango’s shows draw particularly from the dance and music traditions of Benin, Ghana and Togo. Live drums and percussion accompany modern dance arrangements based on traditional movement, and colorful costumes provide cultural context for the company’s performances.
Purchase tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
Open Space hosts “Fancifool!”
This 12-character solo show features dancing, singing, mime, clowning, HD film and social commentary.
In this time of ever-evolving technology, the show explores how human beings can preserve sweet and sentimental things that give life its magic – love, poetry, humor, and the beauty and grace of the natural world.
The shows are at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 and 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb 5.
Purchase tickets at openspacevashon.com.
Talk on balancing values
In her presentation, “How Neuroscience Is Catching Up to Indigenous Values,” Betty Peralta will introduce a neuroscientific way of seeing stress and how balancing our values can relieve stress in our work, home, and communities.
Peralta is a consultant for Parents, Educators, and Family Service Providers at Alta (Alternative Learning and Therapeutic Avenues).
The talk will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Vashon Center for the Arts. Find out more and purchase tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org. Youths under 18 will be admitted for free.
Concert to fill coffers of scholarship fund
A group of revered island musicians will perform a benefit concert for the Paul Colwell Music Scholarship Fund from 2 to 5 pm. Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Vashon High School Theater. The concert will honor Colwell’s contributions to music and education on Vashon and around the world.
Performers will be Mark Graham and Orville Johnson, Susan Lewis, Chris Andersen, Kat Eggleston, Camille Reeves, Steve Amsden, Mark Wells, Carter Castle, Rick Doussett, Jennifer Stills, David Hawkins, Kate Atwell, Mindy Little, Chuck Roehm, and Paul and Steve Colwell.
Funds raised will go toward scholarships for graduating seniors who intend to continue with music in their higher education. The Colwell scholarship is part of the Vashon Community Scholarship Foundation. A $10 donation at the door is suggested for the concert. Donations can also be made online at vashonscholarshipfoundation.org; please specify your donation is “for the Paul Colwell Music Scholarship.”
