Artfully Edmonds: ‘Travels with Charlize’ author and dog to sign books Saturday

Dr. David Gross with Charlize.
Dr. David Gross with Charlize.

Saturday, March 7
Noon
Edmonds Bookshop
111 5th Ave. S.
David Gross, Author
And Celebrity Dog, Charlize!

Mary Kay Sneeringer, owner of Edmonds Bookshop has arranged a book signing for David Gross, author of “Travels with Charlize: In Search of Living Alone” along with local celebrity dog, Charlize.

Mary Kay tells “Artfully Edmonds” that she will have an ink pad available for those book shoppers who also want Charlize’ signature on their copy of David’s newest book!

We were able to catch up with David (DG) this past month and arranged this exclusive interview (AE) for My Edmonds News readers:

– – – –

AE: David, we understand that you set out on the journey, “Travels with Charlize: In Search of Living Alone” after losing your wife Rosalie. The two of you were married for nearly 53 years and your motivation for writing the blog-turned-book is impressively described in your Prologue.

Thank you for taking the time to “online chat” with readers of My Edmonds News and Lynnwood Today on where the journey of writing over the past two years has taken you:

When you began “Travels with Charlize: In Search of Living Alone,” you were at one of those “crossroads” in life. How has completing the book symbolically closed chapters, or turned the pages on your book of life?

DG: It all started with my column in My Edmonds News, “Travels with Charlize,” which I simultaneously put into my blog. It was an exercise in recognizing and dealing with my emotional state. Most helpful was the response from men readers who took the time to comment and encourage me.

Near the end of the first year after my wife’s passing, Carolyn Acheson, an Edmonds resident and professional editor, contacted me. She encouraged me to organize the columns into a book and offered to aid me in doing so. By going back and reliving the various experiences, I was able to think more about the next chapter of my life and how to make it meaningful.

– – –

AE: How/in what ways has Charlize progressed from rescue dog to “family member”?

DG: Once Charlize and I bonded (after just a few days) it was a done deal. She, like most German shepherds, attaches – almost fixates – on one person. She is very friendly and non-aggressive to people and other animals but is very attached to me, physically and emotionally.

Charlize is unhappy when she can’t see me. Fortunately she’s not a jealous sort and accepts all my friends and loved ones.

– – –

AE: Can one “make mistakes” during the grieving period?

DG: The only mistake I can think of is to not accept whatever emotions overcome you.

– – –

AE: In the introduction for “Travels with Charlize: In Search of Living Alone” you describe the heartbreak of losing Rosalie; by contrast what has been your brightest, most glorious moment since you and Charlize hit the road?

DG: I think the ease with which Charlize makes new friends and the result of that, forcing me to live in the moment and enjoy every experience and every new acquaintance.

– – –

travelswithCharlizeAE: Did you realize that the spelling of “Charlize” means free woman? Surely you picked her name by design, yes?

DG: Nope, sorry to disappoint but I knew before starting our travels that I wanted to emulate, as best I could manage, John Steinbeck and his “Travels with Charley: In Search of America”.

I named my Charlize to differentiate from Steineck’s but have always called her “Charley” and that’s how I introduce her.

– – –

AE: You’ve taken quite a few road pictures. Have you always been a photographer? Describe for us your “grab the camera” moments – impulse, or design?

DG: I’m anything but a photographer. I am lucky, sometimes, to get an image that will help tell the story I’m looking for.

Mostly Charlize is just a very interesting animal to watch, as are most animals, and I try to catch her doing something that relates to the experience I am writing about in my head before putting it into the computer.

– – –

AE: David, you’ve written historical fiction, and now non-fiction – what can your family, fans and followers expect from you next?

DG: I’m working on a crime novel with a 68-year-old equine veterinarian as a reluctant hero. It’s called “Psilocybin Dreams”. I’ve been working on it for several years and it has been edited three times by professional editors. It is still a long way from being publishable and might never make it. I’m going through the most recent edit, trying to fix the problems and re-working the manuscript for the umpteenth time. I guess I need to stick to writing about things I actually know about, but it has been fun trying to create something different.

– – –

AE: What other questions should have been asked in this interview? Do you have anything else in the works?

DG: Glad you asked! I have recently reworked a self-help book originally written for students trying to gain entry into medical, dental or veterinary medical programs. I have aimed the rewrite at all students.

It is a guide on how to manage time, how to study and learn most efficiently and effectively and how to be a wiz at taking exams. It is called “Succeeding As a Student” and is in the final stages of publication by Book Publishers Network, the same publishers that did “Travels with Charlize: In Search of Living Alone.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Wishing Well jPeg

Saturday, March 7
Noon to 3 p.m.
The Wishing Stone
523 Main St.

Garret Romaine, author of “Gem Trails of Washington,” will be at The Wishing Stone to discuss rockhounding discoveries in all four corners of our state; family friendly rock walks, and digs one can only reach by all-terrain vehicle.

~ ~ ~ ~

Performing Arts This Week:

chocolate

Through Sunday, March 8
Death By Chocolate
By Craig Sodaro
Driftwood Players
Wade James Theatre

“Very funny show!” says Penny Costen Pitcher.

Part caper, part farce, full-on noir and a delightful spoof of itself Craig Sodaro’s production and cliché character Nick Noir is everything you’d expect it to be. And that’s the ticket!

Have you ever sat through a classic-cliché of a horror movie? A babysitter is alone in the house – a big house. For some reason there are no curtains on the windows – anyone can peer in. The phone rings – don’t answer it!

“Death By Chocolate” is that same full-on genre experience that is a perfect fit for 1930s detective story-lovers who want a pinch of hilarity, and a stir of sweet chocolate.

Under the stage-experienced direction of David Alan Morrison, Driftwood Players bring a stylized, well-rehearsed, and executed (no pun intended) production in from the cold – just as the playwright intended.

From the playbill: You can’t blame P.I. Nick Noir for being in a black mood. Business is down since his last botched case and he might have to lay-off his devoted secretary.

But things take a turn for the better — for Nick, at least — when Vinnie the Leech drops dead at the local cafe, apparently poisoned by their signature drink, “Death by Chocolate.” A private eye is needed to determine just who killed Vinnie the Leech.

Brought in by the store’s owners, twins Coco and Bonbon, Nick discovers much more a-brewing than regular joe at Precious Perks Coffee Shoppe.

A fully caffeinated comedy-thriller, Death by Chocolate will keep you guessing and laughing throughout, thanks to this exciting new production from director David Alan Morrison and the Edmonds Driftwood Players.”

Let your hair down, for goodness sake! Come to Wade James Theatre and have a laugh over the good ole’ days of Noir – Nick Noir.

Make plans this weekend to take in “Dinner and a Show” – plus a chance to support the dedicated people who bring Edmonds community theatre!

Tickets here.

~ ~ ~ ~

DeMiero March 5, 6, 7
7 p.m.
Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA)
410 4th Ave. N.
Groove For Thought

This week’s 39th annual DeMiero Jazz Fest is promising to bring another great line-up of jazz stars to Edmonds’ main stage — the ECA.

Well-known jazz vocalist and our festival Artistic Director Dee Daniels hosts headliner and vocal jazz group, “Groove For Thought,” which honors groups like Manhattan Transfer, Take Six, Double Six of Paris, Singers Unlimited, Hi-Lo’s, and the Four Freshmen.

Three nights of great jazz with Thursday night’s performance featuring jazz vocalists Lauren Kinhan and Greta Matassa. Also gracing the stage is the 2015 DeMiero Festival jazz quartet featuring Josh Nelson, Jay Leonhart, Dave Tull and Bruce Forman.

“Preferred Ticket” holders will be given preferential seating with “VIP Preferred Tickets” providing festival goers with preferred seating and entry to the VIP Reception after the show with an opportunity to meet the performers.

Choose from the Jazz Fest’s three evenings of performance at the ECA online ticket office.

~ ~ ~ ~

batb_poster1Friday, March 6 ~ 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 7 ~ 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Beauty and the Beast, Jr.
Maplewood Parent Cooperative Commons
8500 200th St. S.W.

Maplewood Middle School is putting on the musical “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” and nearly half of the middle school students are involved!

Rachel Dobbins tells Artfully Edmonds that the kids and coaches have been working diligently on this production since October.

The school invites the community, “Enjoy a tale as old as time: The classic story of Belle, a young woman living in a provincial town, and the Beast who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress.”

We are reminded of the storyline: If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out! If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

Step into the magical world of Disney’s “Beauty And The Beast Jr.” an Academy Award-winning animated feature. This stage version includes music by the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Alan Menken and Tim Rice.

Doors open 30 minutes before the show. Tickets are $5 at the door.

~ ~ ~ ~

Brisas jPegTuesday, March 10
5-9 p.m.
Bailadores de Bronce
Mexican Folkloric Dance Group
Las Brisas
Mexican Restaurant
201 5th Ave. S.

A colorful festival of dance, music, and good food is planned for Edmonds next Tuesday. Las Brisas Mexican Restaurant is planning to host Bailadores de Bronce, a local non-profit Mexican Folkloric Dance Group in a fundraiser to benefit this dance troupe.

Bailadores de Bronce established their rich history in 1972 with the mission to promote the beauty and richness of Mexican traditions through music and dance in the Pacific Northwest.

Dancers will be performing throughout the night and Las Brisas will be donating a portion of all proceeds to Bailadores de Bronce.

Saturday, May 2

Bailadores de Bronce also has a performance, Mexico Lindo! From Coast to Coast, at the Edmonds Center for the Arts on Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.

The evening will take the audience through a magical and cultural tour of Mexico through music and dance.

~ ~ ~ ~

8964001
Andre Feriante

 

Thursday, March 12
7:30 p.m.
Andre Feriante Returns to Edmonds
Wade James Theatre
950 Main St.

Spanish guitar virtuoso Andre Feriante returns this month to the Wade James Theater for a fund-raiser benefiting EPIC Group Writers (EPIC). Ed Davis, author and long-time EPIC member, organized the artist’s return.

EPIC welcomes new writers and supports experienced Pacific Northwest writers with a writer’s contest, workshops, writing groups, book shop visits.

Last year’s show by Andre Feriante was a memorable experience for all those in attendance according to Vivian C. Murray who offers a review of the 2014 performance.

Born in Italy, Feriante left at age 18 to study in Bogotá, Columbia after which his talents and travels led him to New York native Leon Atkinson. It was Atkinson who directed Feriante to Whitworth University where the late Andres Segovia offered the prodigy a master at Segovia’s Madrid studio. Andres Segovia (who was 91 at the time) described Feriante’s playing as: “Muy bien…wonderful tone.”

Feriante’s 11 albums have consistently charted within the top 10, and his album, “Bohemian Boulevard,” debuted at No. 1 on the world and ambient radio charts.

Tickets for Andre Feriante’s performance are $20 per person, $35 per couple, and FREE to Youth 12 and under who are accompanied by a paid adult. Purchase tickets at www.epicgroupwriters.org.

~ ~ ~ ~

southerntroubadors_smf-thumb-686xauto-3867Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA)
410 4th Ave. N.
Friday, March 13
7:30 p.m.
Southern Troubadours in the Round

A little Southern Tex-Mex anyone? Evidently it’s “A little Southern Tex-Mex everyone!”

Southern Troubadours in the Round which featuring Joe Ely, Ruthie Foster, and Paul Thorn is nearly sold out – one week before their ECA performance. After viewing this YouTube video https://youtu.be/j94xS0Ocl78 it was easy to see why the trio has such a loyal following.

The members of the group include Joe Ely, Ruthie Foster, and Paul Thorn. Their official bio’s provide the following insights into their styles: “Joe Ely is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist whose music touches on honky-tonk, Texas Country, Tex-Mex and rock and roll.

“Those who have followed Ruthie Foster’s eclectic musical history know that she can burn down any stage with her combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and gospel. Ruthie’s astonishing voice has taken her on an amazing ride.

“Paul Thorn has been pleasing crowds for years with his muscular brand of roots music – bluesy, rocking and thoroughly Southern, yet also speaking universal truths.”

Fans of the trio can double check ticket availability here.

Emily ~ 2015 Bio jPeg for News

— By Emily Hill

Emily Hill is the author of two novels and a short story collection. She also writes the “Lynnwood Lifestyle” column for Lynnwood Today. Emily is retired from a career in public information and news media relations. If you would like your event listed, or featured, in Artfully Edmonds, Emily invites you to contact her at arts@myedmondsnews.com.

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