Artfully Edmonds: Art classes for kids! Make plans for this week’s ‘No School Friday ART Day Camp”

ARTspot color splashARTspot Art Supply ~ 408 Main St.

Inspired by Picasso’s observation “To become an artist, one must go back to being a child,” Tracy Felix Fraker and ARTspot co-owner Denise Cole established two programs intended to appeal to children interested in color, multi-media, and textures.

Their No School Friday ART Day Camp scheduled to coincide with the Edmonds School District’s no-school days, provides a three-hour children’s art day camp for Edmonds-area children. There is still time to enroll your child (and their buddies) in the Friday’s Jan. 24 class. Additional dates for the No School Friday ART Day Camp include: Feb. 7, March 21, April 25, and May 16, 2014. Tuition is $40, supplies included.

Mom Son cropped
Gina Speer with her son Noah, who was a recent participant in No-School Friday Day Camp. (Photo by Emily Hill)
Noah displays his Autumn Colors Turkey and his abstract multimedia piece, The Turkey.
Noah displays his Autumn Colors Turkey and his abstract multimedia piece, The Turkey.

Gina Speer enrolled her son, Noah in a recent ART Day Camp session where the young art enthusiast completed two projects under the guidance of instructor Mona Fairbanks. Noah has plans to enroll in the JuJu Dog clay class soon, saying that he likes ARTspot and that the No School Friday day camp was “super fun!”

The art day camp is designed for children between the ages of 7 to 12 who are interested in art projects, colors, textures, and more. Mona Fairbanks teaches the three-hour day camp. You can view Mona’s ARTspot page here.

JuJu Dog Clay-Classes: Winter Whimsical! You’ve seen the whimsical little clay dogs in the glass case displays at ARTspot; but did you know that you and your children can learn to make them?

Resident artist, Julie Perrine teaches this class for ages 7-plus over two Thursday evenings. The next session is scheduled for Feb. 27/March 13 from 6-8:30 p.m. If you are looking for a fun mid-winter activity for your children the cost of the class is $60 + $5 supply fee; and if you make it a family event/adult attending/ the cost is discounted to $50 + $5 supply fee. Julie’s ARTSpot page is here.

It’s Art! Let’s Party! Artist Mike O’Day specializes in throwing art parties for children and what better way to introduce birthday celebrants, scout troops, and best friends to art than a party at ARTspot? O’Day, whose art features fantasy and color, is perfect for leading children through the wonderful world of creativity. To view O’Day’s art, go here.

To register your child, or grandchild, in an ARTspot class contact the studio, or call 425-640-6408.

Phoenix Theatre
Firdale Village ~ 9673 Firdale Ave.

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With misgivings, Bob (Mike Fadden, left) is pulled from the dinner party by Andrew (Dan Jacoby).

Few situations in life have the potential for misunderstanding and mayhem more than personal ads and blind dates. Edmonds’ Phoenix Theatre will capitalize on that potential when it opens “Beyond Therapy” Friday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m.

“Beyond Therapy,” by playwright Christopher Durang, premiered in 1981 at an off-Broadway theatre named, coincidentally, the Phoenix Theater. “That irony was not lost on us,” quipped one cast member as I sat in on a recent rehearsal of Durang’s work being prepared for Edmonds-area audiences.

The scene I previewed is the restaurant scene in which Prudence is skillfully tossing (and receiving) one-liners in stylish banter during a dinner party attended by her bisexual date, Bruce (who has answered her personals ad); his long-time lover Bob; and psychiatrists, Charlotte Wallace and Stuart Farmingham. The mirth and misunderstandings are delicious ingredients to a riotously funny restaurant scene – that includes Prudence pulling a gun on the party’s waiter (played by Dan Jacoby) as she demands that the gay reform-schooled man be the one who marries her as she attempts to side-step matrimony with cry-baby Bruce; or her seductor- psychiatrist, Dr. Farmingham.

With misgivings, Bob (Mike Fadden, left) is pulled from the dinner party by Andrew (Dan Jacoby).
Prudence points a gun at the waiter but not because of a bad meal.

Edmonds resident Jasmine Joshua will play Prudence portrayed by Sigourney Weaver in the original production. Ms. Joshua most recently appeared in Phoenix Theatre’s production of “A Nice Family Gathering”. When asked which of her character’s traits were most like her own Ms. Joshua responded impressively that Prudence is “searching to balance the paradox of her life – she wants the duality of being a modern, achievement-oriented woman while also enjoying a rich, traditional home life.”

Cast opposite Ms. Joshua is David Bailey as Bruce, bi-sexual and fawningly desperate for connection. Bailey describes the character he plays as, “insufferably positive” – a little like himself, he explained; though he admits to “a touch of cynicism”. The on-stage chemistry between the two leads as Bruce grovels and Prudence fends off his advances is a riot!

Austin Gregory plays Dr. Stuart Farmingham, the jilted therapist. Even in rehearsal Mr. Gregory establishes his talent for deadpan; play close attention to his performance – it’s perfectly nuanced. Melanie Calderwood is cast as Charlotte Wallace. Ms. Calderwood generously supports the cast onstage as they deliver their lines; and off-stage as a member of the theatre’s board. She seems perfectly suited as the syntax-stumbling psychiatrist. As a member of the play reading committee that selects its comedic productions Ms. Calderwood observes that the company’s decision to feature comedies was based upon the presumption that their audience members are looking for escape from the drama and worry in their lives and the selection of well-written theatrical comedies is so rich.

In Beyond Therapy double-entendres combine with tangled jealousies; and relationship jostling dance through the play as two Manhattan psychiatrists guide their respective lovelorn patients, Prudence and Bruce, through the jumbles of dating – with questionable success and hilarious results. The flirting and hilarious cloying between characters Bob (Mike Fadden) and the gay waiter, Andrew (Dan Jacoby) is worth the price of admission.

With misgivings Bob (Mike Fadden, left) is pulled from the dinner party by Andrew (Dan Jacoby)

As I entered the theatre Ms. Joshua was being assisted in her wardrobe by Vickie Lewis – Presto! Change-O! In a matter of six minutes the competent actor went through three wardrobe changes. Once the verbal slap-downs and hilarious banter between the Phoenix cast members settled down, director Eric Lewis skillfully guided the cast members to a point where their timing was impeccable, the lines were delivered with wit; and the technical aspects of movement were polished. What no director can coach, but which was very much in evidence during my visit to the Phoenix Theatre, was the camaraderie and interplay between the cast members – it was as good as anything that Durang himself could have written for these six actors.

The production is scheduled to run Friday, Feb. 7 through Sunday, March 2, with Friday and Saturday shows at 8 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. General admission is $18.50; juniors/seniors/military admission is set at $15.50. Tickets are available by calling 206-533-2000 or online.

Many Phoenix Theatre ticket holders begin their evening with dinner at Caravan Kebab (9711 Firdale Ave.) across the parking lot from the Phoenix Theatre. Caravan Kebab specializes in a warm atmosphere – perfect for winter – and a rich menu comprised of fragrant Mediterranean dishes.
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Upcoming Events:

Beatles_Abbey Road jPegDiscount ticket sales continue through Friday, Jan. 24!
“The Beatles: In My Life: A Musical Theater Tribute to The Beatles” is coming to Edmonds Center for the Arts. Abbey Road will perform their award-winning retelling of the Beatles story on Wednesday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. Discounted tickets will be available through Friday, Jan. 24. Use promo code “Beatles” when booking to receive your $10 discount.

In My Life features a retelling of the Beatles story through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein. This family friendly musical is widely considered by industry insiders to be the most unique Beatles show in decades.

Regular ticket prices for this show are $35-$55 and are available online at www.ec4arts.org , through the ECA Box Office located at 410 Fourth Ave. N., or by calling 425-275-9595.
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Black Box Theater ~ Edmonds Community College (EdCC), Lynnwood

Saturday, Jan. 25 at 8:05 p.m. It’s Improv! Unexpected Productions Northwest will present ‘Unexpected Doorways’. General admission is $10 with discounts for EdCC faculty, staff, and students. For event details, theater location and more information, visit https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=bbox .

Edmonds Center for the Arts ~ 410 4th Ave. N.

Saturday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. the California Guitar Trio + Montreal Guitar Trio will join forces! Performing both independently and in a dazzling six-guitar experience, these two groups will demonstrate their virtuosity and creativity. Noted for the wit and warmth with audiences, this will be a performance to remember!

Tickets for this show are priced at $22/ $27/ $32 and are available online at www.ec4arts.org , through the ECA Box Office or by calling 425-275-9595. For

Small Stage and Open Mic

Engels Pub jPeg

Engels Pub ~ 117 5th Ave. S., Edmonds
8 – 11 p.m. on the dates noted:

Friday, Jan. 24 the Scott E. Lind Band headed by Top 20s blues guitarist, Scott Lind. The band features blues and classic rock including Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn charts. More information about Lind can be found at www.scottelind.com.

Saturday, Jan. 25 Engel’s customers can expect Junior Jones Band which features blues and rock, to take the stage. Facebook “Like” the band here after you get home from Engle’s.

Tuesday, Jan. 28 (and every Tuesday) Engels Pub features “Lou and Friends” with an Open Mic Join In! invitation to all. Lou Echeverri leads a four-piece Classic Rock, Rockin’ Blues band that additionally includes Dano Mac on drums, Curtis Moore on keys, and Al Smith on base.

Emily Hill
Emily Hill

— By Emily Hill

Emily Hill is an author and long-time resident of Edmonds. She is retired from a career in public information and news media relations. If you would like your event listed, or venue featured, in Artfully Edmonds, Emily invites you to contact her at arts@myedmondsnews.com.

  1. Ahhh. . . thank you so much for adding Picasso’s quote! Your addition, Tere, adds a necessary dimension to Picasso’s intention. I’m so pleased that you took the time to comment. Warmest Regards, Emily

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