Vashon Island Events: Backbone Campaign “Preserve the Reserve Gala” ~ Vashon Island Real Estate
May 28, 2009 at 1:44 am Leave a comment
Backbone Campaign’s much-anticipated Gala Spring Ball will kick off on Saturday, May 30th, at the “O” Open Space Grand Hall located at 18870 103d Avenue SW. The event begins at 5:00 PM and is packed with sumptuous food, entertainment and cheer until 11 PM. Reservations for dinner are highly recommended, with tickets set at $40 a person., Tables of 8 are available for $280, but there is limited seating.
Tickets are available at Books by the Way, the Vashon Bookshop, and Brown Paper Tickets, as well as at the door.
The theme for this year’s extravaganza is “Preserve the Reserve,” as Backbone raises money to support its “Localize This!” Summer Action Camp and to fund it continuing efforts to protect the Maury Island Aquatic Reserve, Puget Sound, and our Island’s aquifer from Glacier gravel mine operations, which are scheduled to recommence in August. Executive Director Bill Moyer emphasizes that “Vashon and Maury Islands only have one chance to put an end to the environmental insult proposed by Glacier, and that it is time for all of us on Vashon to own this fight.”
The first portion of the evening consists of a delicious salmon BBQ, cocktail party and performances by an array of aerial and operatic artists.
A highlight of the dinner is the “Love Your Island Auction.” Says Moyer, “donated goods and services all contribute to the improvement of our wonderful community.” “Each auction item was selected with an intent to allow bidders to contribute directly and creatively to the welfare of our home and neighbors. We decided that our progressive organization should make every attempt to implement a new paradigm in responsible fund raising.”
Among this year’s auction items available for bid are:
An Island Bike Share Program: 5 donated bicycles will parked at bike racks around town and will receive service from Jeff ______ at the Vashon Bike Shop. The bikes will be available to anyone who needs a ride and will help to reduce the carbon footprint of our community.
A Backbone Spectacular Puppet Display: Bidders can have Backbone’s famous puppets, including Lady Liberty, Snowflake, The Globe, The Constitution, and more, appear in a rollicking parade at an event of their choice.
Amazing House Concerts: Kat Eggelston, Robyn Landis and Ian Moore have all contributed a house concert for the auction. Bidders provide food and friends and the venue for an amazing intimate evening with Vashon’s favorite musicians.
The Great Tamale Experience: Bidders will be able to support a tamale teach-in, with a total of 500 mouth-watering tamales constructed and served at the Vashon Harvest Festival. This is a terrific item for kids to participate and there will be 10 spots available.
Island artist Bill Jarcho has donated an opportunity to construct a Backbone-like Giant Puppet Head in the image of your choice. In fact, you can even have a Giant Puppet Head sculpted to look like you!
Island resident David Smith has offered a splendid Pan-Asian picnic at the beautiful Javanese Head Man’s House which he has imported to his estate. The fare will include wine matched to each course of this special meal.
The second half of the evening is a rockin’ music show titled the “Jam for Justice.” The crème de la crème of Island musicians will perform for listeners and dancers from 8 PM until 11 PM. Admission for the music portion of the Gala is $15, The show, produced by Pete Welch, includes a smattering of repertoire from the Big “Js” of the music world. The show includes a beer garden, a raffle and more.
Revelers will hear Kat Eggleston performing selections from Joan Baez; Bob Krinksy lets down his dreadlocks to Jimmy Cliff; Mark Wells dusts off the fabulous songwriting of John Prine; Tom Bean does a few psychedelic numbers from Seattle’s #1 son Jimi Hendrix; Andrea Brooks ascends the Stairway to Heaven with Jimmy Page; and John Brown delves into the archives of John Lomax. Numerous other Island favorites will rise to the challenge of the night of musical “Js.”
While the “Preserve the Reserve” event is a celebration for Backbone, and an important funding source for the organization as it adjusts to its new financial imperatives, Bill Moyer emphasizes that, above all, “this is an opportunity for the Vashon-Maury Community to “step up to the plate and participate in shutting down the intentions of Glacier to steamroll the aquatic reserve. We have had outstanding turnouts to protest the project prior to their spring break from operations. Now they intend to start up again and our community needs to mobilize and oppose this callous enterprise. We cannot allow Glacier to prevail due to the laziness of our neighbors or the cowardice of our elected officials.
Washington State Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark is due to make a decision on June 21 whether to revoke the mining permit which was issued behind closed doors last December. We must demonstrate through our community involvement where we stand on the issue. Otherwise, once the aquatic reserve is gone, it is gone for good.”
Entry filed under: • Community, • Vashon Events, Enrichment, Music. Tags: Backbone Campaign, Preserve the Reserve, vashon island events.
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