Arts Briefs | October 31 edition | Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Night at Sporty’s

The band Bluemeadows, which plays reggae, hip hop, ska, Hendrix, and classic rhythm and blues, will play a show at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Sporty’s.

Jam in the Atrium

This year’s final Jam in the Atrium performance will take place from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

The free afternoon of jazz will feature pianist Josh Rawlings, who first guested in the series a few months ago, causing host Bruce Phares to immediately invite him back for this final show of the year. Joining Rawlings will be drummer Adam Kessler.

Rawlings is a Grammy-nominated recording artist and composer who has toured with Macklemore and soul sensation Allen Stone, and performed locally for many years with his two jazz ensembles, Industrial Revelation and The Teaching.

He has opened for legendary soul singer Al Green and played such stages including Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, Ryan Auditorium in Nashville, the Bonnaroo Music Festival, Benaroya Hall, and many other vaulted venues.

Kessler is a drummer and percussionist who regularly performs in Seattle with The New Triumph, a six-piece Afro-Latin funk band, The Phinney 5, and the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra.

Jam in the Atrium’s host, bassist Bruce Phares, will be taking a break in December and January, and starting his beloved series back up in February with another stellar lineup of Northwest regional jazz all-stars.

Multi-guitarist Luca Stricagnoli

With music videos exceeding 100 million views, Luca Stricagnoli is an acoustic guitarist with a truly distinctive style which includes experimenting with the musical form by using up to five guitars in the same piece. His latest invention, a custom triple-neck guitar, has been used in performances featured in magazines, and Luca has played in more than 20 countries for audiences of up to 12,000 people.

He’ll play at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, at Vashon Center for the Arts. Find out more and get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Nobuntu

Nobuntu, an all-female a cappella quartet from Zimbabwe, has drawn international acclaim for its inventive performances that range from traditional Zimbabwean songs to Afro Jazz to Gospel. The ensemble’s vocal concerts are augmented by minimalistic percussion, traditional instruments such as the Mbira (thumb piano) and organic, authentic dance movements.

Nobuntu will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, at Vashon Center for the Arts. Find out more and get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Open Call for theater artists

Calling all theater practitioners: get on “The Most Wanted” list for five island theater companies. Come to an open call for talent and meet principals from Vashon Rep, Drama Dock, UMO and 14/48. Find out more and sign up to attend on Nov. 9, 10, or 16 at tinyurl.com/2hbd2ht4.

Kristen Grainger and True North

American Roots singer-songwriter Kristen Grainger and her band, True North, perform at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Open Space for Arts & Community.

True North brings together guitarist, mandolinist and banjo player Dan Wetzel; mandolinist and fiddler Martin Stevens; and upright bassist Josh Adkins, three standout Pacific Northwest bluegrass multi-instrumentalists.

Grainger has won honors at MerleFest, Wildflower, Kerrville New Folk and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and she won the USA Songwriting Contest in 2020. She was named, alongside Dolly Parton and Brandi Carlile, as one of the “Women Who Wrote Our 2020 Soundtrack” by The Bluegrass Situation.

For tickets and more information, visit openspacevashon.com.

“I Sing the Salmon Home”

“I Sing the Salmon Home” an evening of poetry and prose headlined by Empty Bowl Press and 2021-2023 Washington State Poet Laureate and Lummi tribal member Rena Priest, will take place from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Land Trust Building.

The free event — featuring readings by Priest and other poets from the 2023 award-winning poetry anthology, “I Sing the Salmon Home,” edited by Priest and published by Empty Bowl Press — is being organized by islanders Joseph Bogaard, the executive director of Save Our wild Salmon, and Ann Spiers, Vashon’s inaugural Poet Laureate.

Co-sponsors and supporters of the event include numerous island environmental organizations.

“I Sing the Salmon Home” is a collection of poems celebrating salmon, gathered by Priest from more than 150 Washington poets ranging from first graders to tribal elders, all inspired by the Northwest’s beloved, iconic salmon. In addition to poets, attendees will hear from salmon advocates how to get involved in protecting the cherished and imperiled species.

Readings from two books will take place: “I Sing the Wild Salmon,” and “A Watershed Runs Through You,” by Freeman House. Island poets and writers participating in the event include islanders Seth Zuckerman, Katy E. Ellis, Kathryn True, Ann Spiers, and Puyallup Tribe member and youth poet, Audrey Sterud Miller.

Space is limited, reserve tickets and find out more at tinyurl.com/muvnxnre.