Artfully Edmonds: Celebrating a summer of local arts achievements

Steel Magic Northwest kids enjoying the limelight in one of their first performances.
Steel Magic Northwest kids enjoying the limelight in one of their first performances.

 

This week Artfully Edmonds has the joy of reporting a string of achievements that showcase Edmonds’ continued community commitment to literary, film and the performing arts.

It’s been a monumental summer for moving forward the city’s creative endeavors, which we will feature in this week’s column:

Thanks to the “magic” of digital news, My Edmonds News was able to get word out immediately that Friends of the Library needed a boost in volunteer commitment. Within one day of publishing “The Ask,” the Friends were once again on their way to fulfilling their slate of activities for the year.

A perennial fan of Steel Magic Northwest’s (SMN) mission, Artfully Edmonds was pleased to hear of director Gary Gibson’s program-installation achievement.

One of My Edmonds News’ featured locals from 2015, Joel Marshall, has won a Michael Moore “Best U.S. Documentary – Audience Award” for producing a documentary focusing on equal rights – and so it goes.

Bookmark us! You’ll find fresh links to upcoming events, backstage tidbits on productions, updates and much more in this week’s column:

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Steel Drum Magic Northwest

Steel Magic Northwest announces to My Edmonds News the launch of a very unique after-school music program for youth in the Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Shoreline areas. The music program reflects two years of organizational preparation and fundraising, structured as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Modeled after some of the 200 similar programs around the U.S. visited by executive and artistic director Gary Gibson (as guest performer, composer, and clinician), Steel Magic Northwest will provide after-school steel orchestra to youth from 5-12th grades, with one adult evening class offered as a component of the new program.

A national champion of Trinidad’s premier
 steel band competition, and an international
 award winner in composition of steel pan
music, Gibson founded Steel Magic Northwest.

He explains that he set out to
 create a new national model program in the Edmonds, Lynnwood, and Shoreline areas “after 
getting tired of boarding airplanes to see 
this done at its full potential.”

“This kind of music program is quite different than traditional band or orchestra or choir in many ways, and the benefits to the participants go much, much deeper than an education in music,” Gibson says. He points out that “teamwork and leadership skills, in particular, are in play more in the steel band than any other musical ensemble type, and that players typically have more of a sense of responsibility to, and ownership of, the group.”

He is also quick to emphasize that, musically, the steel orchestra is capable of playing a wider variety of music styles than most groups.

“Caribbean styles like calypso and reggae are what most audiences expect to hear, but my groups also play classical music, jazz, funk, pop, you name it. Properly arranged and executed, there is nothing lacking.”

Financial barriers to participation in the youth program will be minimized through a sliding fee scale, with tuition waivers offered for low-income families.

Updates on the progress of Steel Magic Northwest can be found at their Facebook page.

– – –

"Equal Means Equal" produced by local filmmaking team Kamala Lopez and Joel Marshall wins the Audience Award for Best U.S. Documentary in the Michael Moore Traverse City Film Festival 2016.
Directed and produced by local film-making team Kamala Lopez and Joel Marshall,”Equal Means Equal” wins the Audience Award for Best U.S. Documentary in the Michael Moore Traverse City Film Festival 2016.

Friday, Aug. 26
7 p.m.

Crest Cinemas
16505 5th Ave. N.E., Shoreline

Equal Means Equal, an award-winning documentary with local ties, is premiering across the U.S. in select high-profile locations on Friday, Aug. 26.

National Women’s Equality Day is being observed in the Edmonds/Lynnwood/Shoreline area with the screening of the documentary produced by former Edmonds resident Joel Marshall and directed by his wife Kamala Lopez, Equal Means Equal.

The documentary recently won the “Best US Documentary Audience Award” at Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival.

Reminding the nation that the Equal Rights Amendment, originally introduced in the Congress in 1923 never received ratification through its storied journey. Equal Means Equal reasserts the tenets of the Equal Rights Amendment and is described as “a groundbreaking exploration of gender inequality in the United States.

Featuring top women’s rights activists, leaders, and survivors, the film’s producers hope to reignite the dialogue on full legal equality for all Americans.

Simultaneous screenings of Equal Means Equal will be held at the United Nations, the U.S. State Department, The Carter Center, Los Angeles, Chicago, and at Michael Moore’s State Theater in Michigan where it will run for a week.

(The film’s co-producer, Joel Marshall was interviewed by publisher Teresa Wippel as the instigator of the fad known as “face dancing”)

The trailer for Equal Means Equal can be previewed at this link.

~ ~ ~ ~

Sno-King Chorale

Saturday, Aug. 27
1 p.m.

City Park
3rd Avenue South at Howell St.

If you enjoy the community-friendly atmosphere of picnics on the lawn, red-checked napkins and enthusiastic sing-alongs, join members of the Sno-King Community Chorale at Edmonds City Park on Saturday.

It’s the perfect family event as we picture children running through the grass, neighbors calling to each other and the lots of festive music. Song sheets will be handed out.

“If you play guitar or banjo, bring it along!” invites maestro Frank DeMiero.

The chorale is gearing up for its 16th year, so watch for Artfully Edmonds announcements throughout the performance season for ticket links to performances of this endearing community chorale.

For more information about participating in the Chorale, visit www.sno-kingchorale.org or call 206-473-9416.

~ ~ ~ ~

Edmonds Wine Walk - August

Saturday, Aug. 27
5 p.m.

Sell Out Alert!
Edmonds Wine Walk

Imagine sunny weather, laughter, corks popping and great art exhibitions. You now have in mind Edmonds Wine Walk!

Gather your friends and join the Edmonds-area wine-loving community for the second and final wine walk of the summer, sponsored by Art Walk Edmonds.

This segment of Edmonds Wine Walk, titled, “Down the Hill” follows on the heels of July’s very successful wine walk.

Partnering with Seattle Uncorked, this month’s wine walk will feature prestigious local Washington wineries at 13 downtown Edmonds business locations:

  • ARTspot (408 Main St) will be featuring pours from Patterson Cellars
  • c’est la Vie (320 5th Ave S) will showcase selections from Naked Winery
  • Cline Jewelers (105 5th Ave S) will offer pours from Market Vineyards
  • Coldwell Banker BAIN (108 5th Ave S) will offer pours from Wilridge Winery
  • Cole Gallery (107 5th Ave S) will showcase from Chandler Reach Vineyards
  • Gallery North (401 Main St) will offer pours from Woodhouse Wine Estates
  • HouseWares (318 Main St) will be featuring pours from DaMa Wines
  • Interiors of Edmonds (326 Main St) will showcase Bontzu Cellars
  • The Papery (412 Main St) will be featuring pours from Naches Heights/NHV
  • Rebekah’s Boutique (404 Main St) will pour from Michael Florentino Cellars
  • Saetia (120 5th Ave S) will be featuring pours from Love that Red Winery
  • Windermere Real Estate Edmonds (210 5th Ave S) pairs with Three of Cups Winery
  • Zinc Art + Object (102 3rd Ave S) will be featuring pours from Bunnell Family Cellars

These award-winning boutique wineries will each have tasting options for Edmonds Wine Walk participants, accompanied by an offer of a 10% discount the night of the event.

Pair wine with fine dining

Extend your Edmonds experience by having dinner downtown on Saturday. The following restaurants are waiving corkage fees on bottles purchased during Wine Walk Edmonds:

There’s more:

Bonus pours will be available for registered participants at Arista Wine Cellars (320 5th Ave. S.).

Registration includes tokens for 10 tastes; more tasting token for those wanting to expand their palates further will be available for purchase at HouseWares (318 Main St.).

As the sole fundraiser of the year for Art Walk Edmonds, participation in the Edmonds Wine Walk will mean you are contributing toward a great cause and supporting the arts.

Tickets are $25 for 10 one-ounce pours if participants register online at the AWE website (www.ArtWalkEdmonds.com). A limited number of tickets will be available the day of the event for $30, as supplies last.

Fine Print:

Participants must be 21 years old; ID required. Wristbands, tasting maps, and tickets will be distributed at Cole Gallery (107 5th Ave. S.) starting at 4:30 p.m. the day of the event.

While walkers are encouraged to sip samples while visiting with the wine makers and merchants, no open cups are allowed to leave the premises from which they are poured.

Complimentary tasting glasses will be provided, courtesy of sponsor Pam Vanek, Real Estate Broker.

It is reported at press time that Greg Hoff of Windermere Edmonds has made a generous sponsorship gift to Art Walk Edmonds in the past two days.

To get more information and to register for the wine walk, visit the Art Walk Edmonds website at www.ArtWalkEdmonds.com.

~ ~ ~ ~

Susan Connors (L) and her alter-ego in "I'm HerHerbert" which continues its very funny run this weekend.
Susan Connors (L) and her alter-ego in “I’m Herbert” which continues its very funny run this weekend.

Friday/Saturday, Aug. 26/27
8 p.m. curtain

plus
Sundays
2 p.m. matinee

Phoenix Theatre
9673 Firdale Ave.

Last weekend!

“An Evening of (Very Funny) One Act Comedies”

Here We Are
by Dorothy Parker

Two newlyweds on their way to their honeymoon in the 1920s have unspoken anxiety about the wedding night.

– –

I’m Herbert
by Robert Anderson

An elderly couple sit on the their porch. Each has had one or more previous marriages and perhaps a few flings, but they are hazy as to details. In fact, they don’t always know which one the other one is.

– –

Overtones
by Alice Gerstenberg

Two women (both in love with the same man) outwardly carry on with each other over a civilized, polite luncheon. However, their inner selves reveal all in a game of “tell it like it is” – much to the delight of the audience.

(Music features by Susan Connors, Michael McFadden, Megan McKay and Steve Heiret.)

Tickets:  206-533-2000 or www.phoenixtheatreedmonds.org.

~ ~ ~ ~

Terry Boyd plays on.
Terry Boyd plays on.

Popular Edmonds thespians make a Splash at the Bathhouse
Thursday, Sept. 1
8 p.m.

The 39 Steps at
The Bathhouse Theatre
7312 West Green Lake Dr. N

Edmonds theatre-lovers will likely be drawn out-of-town by the talents of four Driftwood Players alums cast in an upcoming production at Greenlake’s Bathhouse Theatre.

Terry Boyd and Cindy Giese French, Jason Gingold, Molly Hall, all regulars on both The Phoenix Theatre stage and the Driftwood Players’ boards now star in Lamplight Productions/KTO Productions, The 39 Steps.

The 39 Steps, winner of two Tony and Drama Desk awards, is based on the 1915 novel by John Buchan which cinema master Alfred Hitchcock produced in 1935.

Cindy Giese French
Cindy Giese French

The play centers on a rather ordinary Londoner who becomes caught up in preventing an organization of spies called The 39 Steps from stealing British military secrets.

After being mistakenly accused of the murder of a counter-espionage agent, our hero goes on the lamb to Scotland accompanied by an attractive woman. He hopes to stop the spy ring based on his intel and in doing so, clear his name.

The 39 Steps is the inaugural production of Lamplight Productions. Produced by Terry Boyd and his sister, Pam Boyd, the name of the production company honors the organization LAMP which provides housing, meals and showers to the homeless. Hence, the pair came up with the double-entendre “Lamplight” – and a theater that celebrates the humanity in all of us is born.

Ticket information and curtain times for the Greenlake-area theatre can be found at this website.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Authors and Poets Podium

Friends of the Library – its programs almost imperiled by a lack of volunteers – needed only put out the call to My Edmonds News readers [see our feature] before we received a note from the Friends the following evening that the response to our story was so great that they are able to continue with their programs after all.

Success. The instant effect of digital news!

– – –

EPIC Group Writers – As “beach reads” are tucked away and summer comes to a close Edmonds’ literary community turns its attention to reunions of its writer’s circles.

About EPIC Group Writers

Headed by current board president Susan Ferguson, “EPIC Group Writers’ mission is to create and sustain a community of writers of all levels who share, encourage and nurture the literary and other creative arts for the benefit of the community at large.

Day to day operations of EPIC Group Writers are handled by an all-volunteer Board, supported by an Advisory Board of published authors and past Board members. EPIC activities are funded through membership dues and fundraising events.”

EPIC
 Writing Groups for September
Monday Morning Writing Group

Sept. 12, Sept. 19, Sept. 26
10 a.m.-noon
Edmonds Library, 700 Main St.

– –

Historical Writing

Sept. 12, 3:30-5 p.m.
Edmonds Library, 700 Main St.

– –

Poetry Writing Group

Sept. 13, 6-7:45 p.m.
Edmonds Library, 700 Main St.

– –

Travel Writing
Sept. 14, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Savvy Traveler, 5th Ave. S.

– –

4th Tuesday – Evening Writing Group
Sept. 27, 6:00-7:45 p.m.
Edmonds Library, 700 Main St.

EPIC Group Writers plans a display of works by local authors in the glass case at the entrance to the Edmonds Library (700 Main St.) The titles will preview Thursday, Sept. 1 through the Write on the Sound (WOTS) conference being held Oct. 3-5.

Stay up on EPIC news at their Facebook page:

– – – –

Write On the Sound (WOTS) announces John Moe as the 2016 keynoter.

Write on the Sound (WOTS) is enjoying another unequivocal success as ‘Sold Out!’ notices are posted for its Pre-conference Full Day Workshop, the Saturday and Sunday workshop slate; and openings for the manuscript critique.

However, still “Open” are registration opportunities for the Pre-conference Half Day Workshops (scheduled for 1-4:30 p.m.) which gives you choices from this panel of presenters:

Philip Athans – Living Dialog

A lively workshop on the do’s and don’ts of writing dialog for all genres and forms, including fiction, screenplays, and game scripting; anywhere a character has to speak.

William Kenower – Craft and Confidence

In this half-day session, participants will take an intensive look at how to keep attention where it needs to be to sustain our private writing work while simultaneously pursuing the very public career of author.

WOTS information can be found at this website.

— By Emily Hill

14 Emily-2015

Emily Hill is the author of two novels and a short story collection. 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 myedmondsnews@gmail.com.

 

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