The Onlies Play Vashon

Seattle band The Onlies, who play original and traditional fiddle-driven music, will give a benefit concert for Rock Island String Kollective (RISK) on Sunday, May 31st from 4:00—6:00at the Havurat Ee Shalom (15401 Westside Hwy. SW). Riley Calcagno, Sami Braman, and Leo Shannon are Garfield High School juniors who have played together since they were two years old. All talented and versatile musicians, they switch off singing and playing fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and banjo. The Onlies recently released their third album at Seattle’s Town Hall to a crowd of over 700. The Onlies concert will not be only be inspiring for musicians of all ages, but it will also be a lot of fiddle-stomping fun! Suggested donations are $10 for youth and $15 for adults, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Advance tickets are available at the Vashon Book Shop.

RISK was started six years ago with the goal of preventing teens from quitting their instruments, but it has morphed into something much more than that. The group welcomes a range of instruments including violin, viola, cello, guitar, ukulele, mandolin, banjo, and harp. RISK provides a fun, light-hearted environment for musicians of all ages and stages to join together and learn.

During the past two years, a new, elementary-aged group associated with RISK was started. RISK Jr., taught by Kim Thal and Sarah Perlman, is geared toward 3rd through 5th graders, and is taught at Chautauqua Elementary School, although it is not affiliated with the school.

RISK and RISK Jr. provide low-cost group music lessons for Vashonites who might not have the opportunity or funds for private lessons. They are open to anyone with the inclination to join.