Second annual festival will raise money to fund school music education programs

After a successful event last year that netted more than $5,000 to fund music programs for underprivileged students at island schools, the Chautauqua Music Festival is happening again this weekend.

After a successful event last year that netted more than $5,000 to fund music programs for underprivileged students at island schools, the Chautauqua Music Festival is happening again this weekend.

Featuring a combination of both youth and adult music acts from the island and Seattle, the event is an all-day music festival complete with outdoor food and camping at Vashon’s Eagles Aerie 3144.

“(It is) all to help schools make sure every young, promising musician has the ability to thrive in the highest levels of their art,” organizer Mike Dumovich said in a statement.

All proceeds will be given to Chautauqua Elementary School and McMurray Middle School to set up scholarships to help pay for extra-curricular trips and events, as well as an instrument library that children who cannot afford their own instruments can access.

The event is not organized by the school district, but by community volunteers and the Vashon Eagles.

Some of the eclectic acts featured are Seattle glam/hip-hop duo Fresh Espresso, proto-punk band Heavy Nettle, genre-bending Iska Dhaaf and singer-songwriter Shawn Smith, to name a few. Island talent including Colin Loch, Ralph Reign, Sometet and Thalia Goering will represent Vashon in the festival.

“It’s kind of a mix of both local talent and that over in town,” Dumovich said. “It’s great music and good food all day long.”

Featured food at the event will include Seattle’s Monica Dimas, owner of Milkwood & Co., a company that has opened three eateries in Seattle ranging from Mexican food to fried chicken. Bourbon and Bones will provide items from its barbecue menu. There will also be a full bar, art corner with artists doing live paintings and games such as corn hole.

A raffle will award attendees prizes from local distilleries, wineries and restaurants.

Indeed an all-day event, music begins at 1 p.m. Saturday and goes until 2 a.m. Sunday morning.

The event drew 400 people last year. This year, Dumovich said the goal is 600.