A cowboy Christmas at the Q
The popular Island band RiverBend will play their fifth annual “Cowboy Country Christmas” concert from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Quartermaster Inn.
The show will include a variety of Christmas songs played with a Western swing twist. Band members are Chuck Roehm, Paul Colwell, Peter Larsen, Shelly Frankel, Randy Bruce and Dave Lang. The group’s instruments include guitars, banjos, mandolins, fiddles, accordion, harmonica, autoharp and upright bass.
The band will donate their proceeds from a tip jar to a fund to help pay for John Browne’s medical expenses. Browne is an Island musician and nurseryman who was injured in an accident on Nov. 22.
“We usually make $300 or $400 at the event, but this year, we want to donate it all to John,” Roehm said, who added that he was looking forward to the event.
“I save my red and white checkered cowboy shirt all year long for this,” he said.
Book-It brings a show to town
A free, one-man production of Book-It Repertory Theatre’s popular holiday show “Owen Meany’s Christmas Pageant” will take place at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at Vashon Community Care. Seattle actor Stephen Hando will bring to life the character of Owen Meany, a tiny, take-charge kid with a bit of a Messiah complex who is determined to play the baby Jesus in the church Christmas pageant. The play is an adaptation of “A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving.
Celebrate the Winter Solstice
“A Midwinter Night’s Dream,” a community feast and solstice celebration, will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, at Vashon Sportmen’s Club, at 19720 Singer Rd. The event, organized by Martha Enson, Kevin Joyce, Beth Bordner and Kebbie and Duane Bedard, will celebrate the longest night of the year with rituals, performances, songs, dancing and feasting.
“We hope this will be the first of a new Island tradition of a community gathering to celebrate the season,” Duane Bedard said, who added the evening is expected to be warm and welcoming.
“A Midwinter’s Night’s Dream” will begin with a ritual that includes costumed fairies and other characters, from the moon and a fire keeper to a lord and lady of the feast. An outdoor bonfire will add to the ambiance. At the conclusion of the ritual, there will be a meal of hearty winter stew, salad, fresh baked bread and dessert, followed by live music and dancing.
Tickets, $20 for adults, $35 for couples, $10 for kids 8 to 18, and free for children 7 and younger, are on sale at Island book stores, and must be purchased in advance. For more information, visit www.vashonsolstice.org.
See ‘Red Ranger’ in Seattle
“Red Ranger Came Calling,” a 2003 play by Berkeley Breathed that is set on Vashon Island, is having a run at the Eve Alvord Theatre at Seattle Children’s Theatre through Dec. 23. The show’s cast includes Islander Adam Westerman.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 216-0833.
