Duo brings ballads and more to the Roasterie
The duo of Jennifer Sutherland and Kevin Joyce will perform a free concert, “Love and Other Demons,” at 7 p.m. Friday at the Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie. Both performers are well known on Vashon. Sutherland currently serves as one of the town’s unofficial mayors in her role as a founder of the Washington State Fairies Singing Telegram Co. She frequently appears at public functions with her fairy cohort, Tami Brockway Joyce. She is also a talented chanteuse who has appeared as the front woman of various Seattle bands, including the well-loved Evangeline.
Joyce, a performer who moved to the Island more than 20 years ago to help found UMO Ensemble, is a musician, comedian and impresario who frequently works as an auctioneer and host at gala events on and off the Island. With his wife Martha Enson, he runs EnJoy Productions, a company that provides entertainment, training and event coordination to corporate clients. His album “Say It” is a showcase for his skills as a singer and songwriter.
For their show at the Roasterie, Sutherland and Joyce will sing originals and covers of tunes by Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Pattie Griffin and John Prine. Since most of the songs are heart-wrenching love songs, they’ll also try and work in a few happy tunes as well, Joyce said.
The evening will also include a wine tasting with Vashon Winery owner Ron Irvine, starting at 6:30 p.m. Four wines can be tasted for $10. To find out more and to get a discount, visit www.vashonwineclub.org.
Head out for a night of West Coast sound
A touring band from Southern California, 200 West, will bring its hybrid acoustic, rap, pop and rock sound to Vashon for a show at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Red Bicycle Bistro. The band has recorded both a five-track EP, “Let’s See Where This Takes Us,” and a full-length album, “The Season.” Get out and dance to their beat at their free show at the Bike — it is for all ages until 11 p.m. and 21 and older after that. Check out the music at www.200westmusic.com.
Improvising artists offer music and dance
“Attuning: An Evening of Listening and Music” by improvising pianist Lee Pui Ming will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 30, at the gardens and barn of Hanna Studios, 7712 S.W. Point Robinson Rd. Tickets are $20.
At 2 p.m. Sunday, July 1, a workshop, “Mandala: Journeying Through Music and Music,” will be co-facilitated by Ming and movement artist/craniosacral therapist Mary Ganzon. The workshop will explore personal journeys through contemplative dance practices and the use of wisdom cards. There is a $20 fee, with a sliding scale, for the workshop. Call 463-3530 to reserve a spot for either the concert or workshop.
Classically trained, Ming is now an admired practitioner of evocative improvisational music. Her sixth and most recent CD, “she comes to shore,” features solo improvisations and a concerto for improvised piano and symphony orchestra. Canadian music critic Harry Currie called her “the most unique genius to touch a keyboard in Canada since Glenn Gould.” Mary Ganzon is a dancer, performer and teacher who has performed duo improvisation with Ming at other venues.
Island Jazz Quintet tunes up for a show
Island Jazz Quintet will play a outdoor concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 7, at Vashon Winery, 10317 S.W. 156th St. Members of the ensemble are Maggie Laird, Richard Person, Todd Zimberg, Michael Gotz and Todd Gowers.
The quintet was formed in 1999 and rehearsed in a cabin in the woods on Vashon Island. Since then, the ensemble has recorded three albums and played countless shows in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Their concert is the first of three summer shows at Vashon Winery, followed by Danny O’Keefe on Aug. 4 and “Uncorked and Unplugged,” Vashon Winery’s music festival, on Aug. 18. The $12 admission to the jazz quintet’s show also includes one of the quintet’s CD and reduced wine prices. Student admission is free.
