Thollem Mcdonas, world pianist, composer and improviser, will play a special concert at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. The Mercer Island community is invited to attend.

Mcdonas has performed piano concertos with symphonies, played in West African drumming troupes, Javanese gamelan ensembles, an afro-punk band, with hundreds of free improvisational groups, and as an accompanist and a composer for opera and modern dance.

“This is not ‘religious music,’ per se, but it seems to me that all music offers access to the Divine,” said Rev. Hunt Priest, rector of the parish. “We’re excited about this opportunity to be with Thollem in our sacred space and hope lots of others will join us. Intimate space like ours should help break down the barrier between the musician and the audience,” he added.

Emmanuel Church is located at 4400 86th Ave. S.E., a block east of Island Crest Way. More information about Thollem Mcdonas is available on his Web site: www.thollem.com.