Artfully Edmonds: Acknowledging Edmonds as a writer’s haven

 

Local children's author Kizzie Jones celebrates the launch of her latest book next week at Edmonds Yacht Club.
Local children’s author Kizzie Jones celebrates the launch of her latest book next week at Edmonds Yacht Club.

Friends of the Edmonds Library is welcoming Mary Kay Sneeringer, owner of Edmonds Bookshop, to address The Friends on Thursday, September 22 at 3 p.m.; Write On the Sound (WOTS), the prestigious writer’s conference, is coming up soon; plus new season’s announcements by EPIC Group Writers, and a display case in Edmonds’ library filled with well-published books by local authors. Is it any wonder that Artfully Edmonds types out the words, “Edmonds writers = books to read!”

Local children’s author Kizzie Jones caught the attention of Artfully Edmonds this week on the eve of her second book launch; this time for A Tall Tale About a Dachshund and a Pelican: How a Friendship Came to Be. The splashy event will be held at the Edmonds Yacht Club, and the public is invited!

Thursday, Sept. 29
6-9 p.m.

Edmonds Yacht Club
326 Admiral Way

Once again Kizzie is partnering with illustrator Scott Ward on this short Tall Tale about long little doggies who teach us about kindness, empathy and friendship.

Her first endeavor with Ward — How Dachshunds Came to Be, published in 2013 — went on to win many awards. In an interview last week, Kizzie (KJ) tells Artfully Edmonds (AE), “I was especially proud to receive the First Place Gold Medal for the Readers’ Favorite 2013 Tall Tales.”

Kizzie with her own little friend.
Kizzie with her own little friend.

Our full interview begins here:

AE: Kizzie, remind My Edmonds News readers about your first book, “How Dachshunds Came to Be”.

KJ: Well, first of all, no one was more surprised to be writing children’s books than I. I’d always focused on non-fiction writing in the past. On the way to a week’s vacation on the Oregon coast with my dear friend Edythe, we stopped at a seafood eatery. At each seat was a placemat with tall tales – amusing tall tales.

It wasn’t long before Edythe and I were laughing and swiping the placemats off other tables to read!

All of a sudden Edythe decreed, “Kizzie, this is our assignment for the week: We will each write a tall tale.”

Edythe is a long-time fiction writer — I was not. Within a couple days Edythe had written her story. The day before we were to depart the coast, Edythe asked how my tall tale was coming along. I had not even begun to write. But, I sat down and reflected over the week that had just ended. For three days a pod of humpback whales had congregated just off the beach in front of our hotel. We watched in awe at their splendor. And each day I saw dachshunds being walked along the beach by their owners. I thought that certainly I could take the events from what had been a magical week and create a tall tale. That is how my first children’s book, How Dachshunds Came to Be, came to be!

– – –

AE: Your second book features a friendship between dachshunds and pelicans. Now that’s simply a very silly idea! How did the pelican pairing come about?

KJ: I’d been intrigued with pelicans from the moment I watched them plunge into the ocean fishing for their meals in southern Oregon. My interest was rekindled during a trip to Mexico, watching the antics of the brown pelicans.

I began contemplating how I might pair up a pelican with a dachshund for a tall tale. Having dedicated my adult life and ministry (Reverend Kizzie Jones administered to Horizon House in Seattle before her retirement) to honoring people of all backgrounds, it occurred to me that the dog and bird would be unlikely friends. Could I create a tall tale that honored the uniqueness of each animal yet allowed them to become friends? I dedicated the book to the Interfaith Amigos: Pastor Don Mackenzie, Rabbi Ted Falcon and Sheikh Jamal Rahman — three local men from different traditions who came together after 9/11 to collaborate on ways to promote interfaith dialog. Their clear message, “We can like without being alike.”

– – –

AE: That’s certainly inspirational. Turning to your current project, how does this book focus on friendship?

KJ: A Tall Tale About a Dachshund and a Pelican: How a Friendship Came to Be tells the tale of how a dachshund named “Goldie” is curious about “Pelican.”

At first glance they seem similar—long muzzles, long bodies. Goldie thought they could be friends. Then she discovers they are very different. Will they like each other? Can she let go of prejudices that might blind her to possibilities for friendship?

– – –

AE: Your “friendship book” comes paired with a coloring book – it seems that your author brand is expanding. Is it?

KJ: Yes. The Tall Tales logo does indeed indicate a series. I’ve already started the draft for a third Tall Tale: A Tall Tale About Dachshunds in Costume: How Dogs Came to Be.

My hope is to publish this edition by fall of next year.

– – –

AE: Kizzie, thank you so much for taking the time to share your latest children’s book, and its coloring book companion, with us. We will see you at the book launch next Thursday evening at the Edmonds Yacht Club, and wish you well as Edmonds’ ambassador for friendship.

~ ~ ~

Driftwood Players expand its educational offerings with the hiring of Lauren Ruhl. (Photo source: Facebook)
Driftwood Players expand its educational offerings with the hiring of Lauren Ruhl.

News from Driftwood Players

Edmonds’ Driftwood Players announced this week the addition of a new education associate to the staff as the troupe launches into fall registration for their 2016-17 season.

Lauren Ruhl, whose impressive resume includes a stint at the 5th Avenue Theatre, has been hired for the position.

Lauren’s full resume — besides the 5th Avenue — includes two houses as far away as London, Los Angeles and New York: La Vie Productions (New York and Los Angeles) and J&B Productions (New York and London).

Closer to home she has contributed to the theatre programs of Seattle Opera, ArtsWest, Seattle Musical Theatre, Lyric Light Opera, Ballyhoo Theatre and Driftwood Players.

Her career includes many years as an independent teaching artist, and as a coordinator for the 5th Avenue Theatre’s youth programs. She currently works with the 5th Avenue Theatre’s Education & Outreach Department, coordinating the Adventure Musical Theatre tour which focuses on arts outreach to elementary and middle schools all over the Pacific Northwest.

She crossed the boards at the Wade James Theatre in Bye, Bye Birdie and Oklahoma! 

Driftwood Player’s Managing Director, Kim Smith, says of Lauren and the new class schedule, “We are so excited to welcome Lauren into a more formal position in our community. She brings passion and great administrative skills, which will help us continue to grow and reach out into the Edmonds and greater Puget Sound area. We are offering a wide variety of classes and the instructors we have on board for this session are well known by students and families so we look forward to a very productive fall.”

~ ~ ~ ~

 

Wait Until Dark plays to October 2. This is a theater season opener you won't want to miss. Taut, Hitchcock-suspense played with precision!
Driftwood’s “Wait Until Dark” will be on stage for five performances this week — Thursday through Sunday’s matinee. An “Artfully Edmonds” review of the opening night production can be found at this link.

 

5 performance choices this weekend!
Thursday, Sept. 22 – Sunday, Sept. 25

Driftwood Players
950 Main St.

Wait Until Dark continues its run Thursday through Sunday; and next Thursday through Sunday. Artfully Edmonds reviewed the production on opening night. You will find our review at this Link.

You will want to obtain tickets for this well directed noir classic.

~ ~ ~ ~

 

Bob Z. reopens Edmonds Tunes! for the 2016-17 season.
Bob Z. reopens Edmonds Tunes! for the 2016-17 season.

Free!
Friday, Sept. 23
6 p.m.

Edmonds Tunes!
Café Louvre
210 5th Ave. 

Edmonds Tunes! has ended its summer break and is hot on scheduling great talent for the Friday dinner hour at Cafe Louvre.

At the microphone this week are musicians Aaron Glenn and Robert Brown.

We are told by owner of Edmonds Tunes! Bob Z., “Aaron Glenn is an immensely talented piano man who is new to our area, and joins our show for a special, extended set. We don’t regularly offer longer sets to a musician unless we are really impressed with their talent.  Here is a clip of him playing in New York City. Be sure to come see him live this Friday.”

Robert Brown, who is bringing along a few friends to share the stage with, “is so popular with at Café Louvre that he consistently draws the biggest crowds; so be sure to come early and grab a good seat!” Bob tells us.

~ ~ ~ ~

Free!
To Sunday, Sept. 25
5 p.m.

Surge
Museum of Northwest Art
LaConner, WA 

Mona Fairbanks at MoNA

Edmonds artist Mona Smiley Fairbanks, who has exhibited at Cole Gallery, is currently among those artists showing in MoNA’s Surge exhibition.

In collaboration with Skagit Climate Science Consortium, Skagit Land Trust, Skagit Watershed Council, and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Surge represents an exhibition of art, science, and information centered on climate change and its impacts on Northwest coastal communities.

Sunday, Sept. 25
3 p.m. Panel Discussion

The panel brings together artists, scientists, and elected officials to discuss the challenges posed by climate change to coastal communities.

Carol MacIlroy, a consultant who has worked across the Puget Sound on environmental issues, and who is currently the administrator for the Skagit Climate Science Consortium, will moderate the discussion.

~ ~ ~ ~

west-side-story

Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA)

New!
ECA Film Cabaret Series
Thursday, Oct. 6
Cabaret: 6:30 p,m, | Film: 7:30 p.m.

“Join the crowd attending the opening celebration of ECA’s new Film Cabaret Series!” invites the ECA team.

West Side Story kicks off the series of Thursday night screenings of classic, contemporary and cult films, whose stunning cinematography and iconic musical scores were made to be experienced on the big screen. Winner of 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, West Side Story is an electrifying musical that sets the ageless tragedy of Romeo and Juliet in the slums of 1950s New York.

The Jake Beregvin Quartet will entertain the ECA audience with musical selections from “West Side Story” (Photo source: Facebook)

The Jake Bergevin Quartet will provide entertainment starting at 6:30 p.m. on the ECA stage, performing a jazz arrangement of the original West Side Story score.

– – –

ECA Season Tickets!

A full-season subscription to ECA-sponsored performances include these amenities:

  • Invitations to Opening Night champagne toast
  • Two dessert receptions and closing night receptions
  • Save 30 percent over your selection of additional single-ticket prices – Bring a friend!
  • Guaranteed seating for every show!
  • Ticket discounts
  • Free ticket exchanges and replacement tickets
  • Free delivery of tickets by mail

Click Here to Buy a full-season subscription now

~ ~ ~ ~

“Comedy without all the drama!”

 

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Opening Oct. 7
8 p.m.
 Phoenix Theatre (The Phoenix)
9673 Firdale Ave.

Moon Over Buffalo 
Playwright Ken Ludwig

Directed by Eric Lewis

Comedy troupe The Phoenix has begun posting rehearsal photos for its upcoming season opener Moon Over Buffalo, which will be directed by Eric Lewis, one of the founding members of The Phoenix family.

Ask The Phoenix what they’ve got for us this season and they would answer, “Well, our 2016-17 Season opens with, “A little sex, a lot of swordplay, a ton of slapstick,” and we would know we’d come to the right place.

Carol Burnett returned to the stage in 1995 in order to star in Broadway’s Moon Over Buffalo, which played over 300 shows at the Martin Beck Theatre on West 45th St. Her performance as Charlotte earned her a Tony.

If any audience can laugh at jealousy, betrayal, drinking, and womanizing, it would be the fans and friends and scores of season ticket holders of The Phoenix.

Get ready for madcap, high jinx; tumbling, stumbling, and funny fumbling – well you get the picture. The point is to “leave your worries on the doorstep” as you cross the threshold of The Phoenix.

Remember! You choose your seating at The Phoenix, and there’s wine, beverages and snacks available in the intimate lobby.

Call 206-533-2000, or go online to their eTicket outlet.

~ ~ ~ ~

 

"Wood block 140" by the late Guy Anderson.
“Wood block 140” by the late Guy Anderson.

 

Showing through Dec. 30

Guy Anderson Block Prints
Lynnwood Convention Center

Schack Art Museum has brought its collection of Guy Anderson’s block prints to Lynnwood’s Convention Center as reported in this Lynnwood Today notice.

Schack Art Museum informs us, “Guy Anderson (1906-1998) is considered both an Abstract Expressionist painter and one of the four major Northwest School artists, along with Kenneth Callahan, Morris Graves and Mark Tobey.

The exhibit, A Great Painter as Printmaker, features thirty wood block prints included in the “The Catalogue: The Block Prints of Guy Anderson”. Published in 2014, the catalogue was the first publication of Anderson’s work in twenty-eight years. The book documents all phases of his process, with color images of all his extant block prints.”

About Guy Anderson

Born in Edmonds, Anderson lived most of his life in the Pacific Northwest except for a brief stint on Long Island in 1929 and trips to California and Mexico in the 1930s. Anderson called La Conner, WA his home for the final 43 years of his life (Schack).

~ ~ ~ ~

 

EPIC 2016

Writers!
Coming Soon – Sign up now!
Saturday, Oct. 22 and
Saturday, Oct. 29

EPIC Group Writers are scheduling workshops for the 2016-17 writer’s season.

These workshops present an opportunity to learn:

“The Art of Research” from Elena Hartwell; and

“The Art of Story Structure” from Scott Driscoll.

For more information, including presenter’s bios, and to register, go to: www.epicgroupwriters.org

— By Emily Hill

12. 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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