Vashon Opera
Vashon Opera will present “Ariadne auf Naxos,” on Friday, Sept. 2, and Sunday, Sept. 4, at Vashon Center for the Arts, launching its 2022-23 season with its first foray into the beautiful and complex repertoire of Richard Strauss.
Cast members include Marie Masters Webb — a singer The New York Times has called “immensely likable,” with a “warm, fresh soprano.” Mezzo-soprano Grace Skinner is the 2021 recipient of first place prize in the Seattle Opera Guild Singers’ Development Competition.
Tenor Errin Brooks is quickly gaining momentum as a tenor from Detroit, Michigan. Tony Webb has been praised by Opera News for his “fine comic flair and well-schooled voice.” Baritone José Rubio has recently had engagements that included debuts at the Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and Berlin Staatsoper. Hallie Schmidt has performed with Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Landlocked Opera, Painted Sky Opera, and Heartland Opera Theatre.
Get tickets to see this remarkable ensemble of artists, directed by Vashon Opera stalwart James Brown, in “Ariadne auf Naxos,” at vashonopera.org.
Debra Heesch and VCA Present Shawn Mullins
Don’t miss a show that promises a night of great music at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8.
Shawn Mullins is the prolific and talented singer-songwriter who penned multiple hits, including Grammy-nominated “Lullaby” and ”Beautiful Wreck” (from his 1998 album, Soul’s Core). He brought his fans songs like “Shimmer” (picked up as part of the Dawson’s Creek soundtrack) and “All in my Head” (used for the opening of “Scrubs”). He also wrote the Zac Brown Band’s No. 1 country tune, “Toes.” Many know Shawn Mullins from the supergroup The Thorns, which he formed in 2002 with Matthew Sweet and Pete Droge.
A Vashon favorite, Shawn’s fans have waited since 2019 to once again hear the voice that one reviewer compared to “Crème Brûlée; dark and sugar-coated, yet warm and silky.”
GildeMagazine.com raved that Shawn’s performance is “like magic; that voice encircling the room like a warm blanket, completely mesmerizing… and the songs are still encircling you days later.”
Get tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
Whim W’Him – Seattle Contemporary Dance
“Fall ‘22” features choreographers selected by the dancers of Whim W’Him as part of the 8th Choreographic Shindig, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, at Vashon Center for the Arts.
After reviewing over 200 applications, the dancers work in collaboration to curate this evening. Keerati Jinakunwiphat, a dancer with Kyle Abraham/A.I.M., was featured on the cover of Dance Magazine in 2021 as one of their “25 to Watch.”
Dolly Sfeir, a Lebanese choreographer based in NYC, was awarded the 2019 Grand Prize at the Palm Desert Choreography Competition at the McCallum Theater in Palm Springs. Completing the program is Nicole von Arx, a Swiss choreographer who was a 2020 Jacob’s Pillow Choreography Fellow.
Buy tickets at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
Bon Appetit! the Julia Child Operetta
Spend an evening with noted Seattle performers as they share memories of Julia Child, while they bake a chocolate cake on stage and sing opera at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at Vashon Center for the Arts.
Directed by Jane Kaplan, this event features host Julia Prud’homme dishing up remembrances of her great aunt, and Anne Allgood performing Lee Hoiby’s operetta, “Bon Appétit!” The pair of performers will be joined by accompanist, Mark Anders.
Following the performance, the audience can join the performers for a slice of chocolate cake, lovingly created from Julia Child’s original recipe by Vashon Baking Company.
Tickets are available at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
