arts briefs

Soul in Ober

Hear the urban soul of Seattle group the Darrius Willrich Project at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at Ober Park.

Seattle keyboardist Darrius Willrich will be joined by Donyea Goodman on drums and vocals, Gerald Turner on bass and Thaddeus Turner on guitar.

The free summer concert will feature mostly original “soul” tunes with a healthy dose of R&B. Bring a picnic and the family and enjoy. Summer Concerts in the Park is made possible by Vashon Park District, Vashon Allied Arts and Windermere.

Poetry slam at Café Luna

On the first Thursday evening of every month, including at 7 p.m. tomorrow, Aug. 7, Café Luna hosts the Vashon Poetry Slam.

“Rambunctious poetry” will fill the laid-back and fun venue, according to organizers. Interested poetry slammers can sign up when they walk in the door.

The event is organized by Julian Park.

Outdoor films at Ober Park

Two films will be shown at Ober Park as part of a new outdoor film festival in August, thanks to the efforts of Islander Matt Lawrence and funding from the Vashon Park District.

The first film, “Sherlock Jr.,” a 44-minute silent film starring Buster Keaton, will be shown at 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16.

The second film, “Modern Times,” starring Charlie Chaplin, will be shown at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23.

Both movies will be accompanied by “live, intermittent music,” played by the band Ensemble Anomoly, featuring, among others, Lyle O’Brien on the violin, Lawrence said.

Both movies are free; and free popcorn will be available, he said.

Lawrence, who watched outdoor movies growing up in Chicago, applied for a park district grant last year because he wanted to bring an outdoor film series to Vashon. Such events, he said, “are friendly, convivial ways to watch films and connect with others in the community.”

Inspirational film at Heron

“The Difference,” a movie documenting the lives of Swedish youths as they undergo a nine-day journey of transformation, will be shown free at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, at The Blue Heron.

The 45-minute film follows the lives of 50 young people in Sweden as they take part in the “Youth on Purpose” project, a program designed by Sandy Levey-Lunden, a workshop leader and success coach from Bellingham.

“Youth on Purpose,” held twice in Sweden and five times in Canada, is designed “to empower youth, heal self-destructive attitudes and transform lives,” organizers say. The nine-day program will debut in the United States Aug. 24 to Sept. 1 at Camp Lutherwood in Bellingham.