Artfully Edmonds: Edmonds is certainly ready for Halloween

 

2016_halloween_poster

Communities around the world are, in all manner, commemorating the dearly departed this time of year. In Mexico it’s Día de los Muertos; in China Teng Chien is observed as well as The Festival of Hungry Ghosts – hungry for attention and affection, that is. In Hungary, the Commemoration of All Faithful Departed is elevated to a banking holiday,

In the United States, my childhood home of New Orleans begins Halloween with a black-tie ball and four days later concludes at the House of the Blues after a parade of musicians – some professional and some rather rag tag – trudge through neighborhoods playing dirges. October traditions in The Big Easy mirror the influences of both the French and the Spanish, which leaves a pretty vibrant thumbprint.

Here in the Northwest, what comprises an Edmonds-Kind-Of-Halloween? A lot, actually! Like 5,000 screaming, laughing costumed celebrants dashing from business to business downtown, collecting sweets and treats the night of Halloween; and a haunted house that awaits little ones at the Edmonds Historical Museum.

In neighborhoods and at the entrances of many Edmonds businesses, an assortment of scarecrows stand guard. It seems they are laughing at the foibles and folly of the living. And, of course, everyone in Edmonds looks forward to the “surprise” of the Monster Mash flash dance; which has now become an anticipated tradition.

Even our symphony orchestra gets into the spirit of things. This year, Cascade Symphony Orchestra opened its 55th Season with selections that included Danse Macabre (Dance of Death), and Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky/Rimsky-Korakov (inspired by Russian legends of witches and cauldrons and all things spooky). This year, the Sno-King Chorale hosted a masquerade gala and Meadowdale High School beckoned the community with “Spooktacular Bingo.”

For Halloween 2016, it seems like everyone gets into the art of the masquerade, resulting in scarecrows, dancing skeletons, tricks, treats, sweets, the mysterious and the macabre. And we’ve got so much more in store.

Let’s start with an overview of what’s on the horizon as All Hallows Eve lurches toward Edmonds and then clamors away as notices of holiday fairs spring up in our mailbox:

Halloween Hauntings

Voting Day for Scarecrow Festival 2016 -- the only occasion each individual will have one chance to cast six ballots! There are six categories in this year's scarecrow competition.
Voting Day for Scarecrow Festival 2016 — the only occasion each individual will have one chance to cast six ballots! There are six categories in this year’s scarecrow competition.

Scarecrow Festival 2016

The excitement over the 4th annual Edmonds Historic Museum Scarecrow Festival is palpable. Seventy-six entrants are vying for votes in six categories.

The historical museum formed a partnership with Art Walk Edmonds last week and held a straw poll of sorts during the 3rd Thursday Art Stalk! The results of that poll favorites was covered by My Edmonds News.

Ends Friday, Nov. 4

Readers will want to view all of the eerie, enchanting, ghoulish and grim entries in the scarecrow competition and cast a vote for their favorite. One ballot, six votes! Polling closes Friday, Nov. 4.

Winners for each category will be announced at the Heritage Days Benefit and gala to be held Saturday, Nov. 5. Late-purchase tickets to an exciting night of fun, celebrating the history of this fascinating community, are available at this link.

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Friday, Oct. 28
6 p.m.

Free!
Spooky Tunes at

Café Louvre
210 5th Ave. S.

This Friday, Edmonds Tunes present one of their most popular and fun annual shows – the “Spooky Tunes” concert.

Back by popular demand, the Tunes “house band” — including Mike Harline, Robert Brown, Gary Davis and Bob Z. (each dressed in full costume) — will be playing classic Halloween songs.

“Spooky Tunes” is one of the most popular of The Tunes line up; so we recommend early seating after you grab a yummy drink from the friendly barista at Café Louvre.

There will be prizes for best costume and fun for the whole family!

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12 The Loft

Saturday, Oct. 29
9 p.m.

A 21+ event
The Loft Halloween Bash

Rattle those bones at “The Loft/Bacardi Bash” this Saturday night. Party revelers will be gathering for some adult time as the folks at 515 Main St. announce another festive event.

You know it’s going to be a bash when The Loft partners with Global Productions in conjunction with Bacardi for their annual Halloween party.

DJ Dice will be stirring up the entertainment, which is guaranteed to provide a howling good time. Come ready to dance!

What to wear? A costume, silly! Last year the costume contest was a smash!

Artfully Edmonds is following the details of this event on Facebook.

We are told that The Loft will accommodate group reservations (206-234-6075). So bring your party to The Loft.

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nile-jpeg

Thursday-Saturday
Oct. 27-29 plus
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4-5

Haunted Nightmare

Nile Shrine Golf Center
6601 244th St. S.W.
Mountlake Terrace

Not for the feint of heart. The Nile Shrine organization has been a vital stop for those not haunted by nyctophobia.

Every October, the grounds at the Nile Shrine Golf Center are transformed into a darkened attraction filled with creepy live actors, amazing special effects and enough scares to bring your nightmares to life!

Those lucky enough to survive the bone-chilling adventure are invited to relax in the Fear Garden and share their tales of survival over a cold one. Grab a bite from one of the tasty food trucks or choose from additional treats such as popcorn, cotton candy or various dessert items and linger at the picnic tables while you wait for other survivors to stumble into the safe zone.

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Special Nile Halloween Events
Saturday, Oct. 29 ~ 7 p.m.

Celebrity Appearance by cast members of “The Houses October Built”

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Sunday, Oct. 30 ~ 2-5 p.m.
Nile Halloween Family Funfest

No fright, all fun during this family-oriented afternoon of bouncy houses, food trucks, vendors, a car show and trick-or-treating through the lights-on, low-scare haunted house.

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Sunday, Oct. 30 ~ 7-11 p.m.

Fright Light Night comes back to life. That’s right, the entire haunted attraction goes completely dark and you are left with little else than your cunning and a finger flashlight to guide you along your way. You’re not afraid of the dark, are you?

Details on this chilling attraction are available at this quick click! click!

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Mukilteo has invited Edmonds for a visit!
Mukilteo has invited Edmonds for a Trick-or-Treat visit!

Sunday, Oct. 30
1-5 p.m.

Little Kids!

Mukilteo-Boo-Bash

Rosehill Community Center
304 Lincoln Ave.

Boo-Bash, now in its 6th year, is hosted by the City of Mukilteo and held at Rosehill Community Center.

In fun and bright surroundings, kids will have the opportunity to play games, show off their awesome arts and craft skills, walk through a haunted house and more.

As in years past, staff members and volunteers of the Mukilteo Library and YMCA will be on hand running activities and telling spooky Halloween stories.

More information about the Boo-Bash is available on the Rosehill Community Center Facebook page.

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fabric-ghost-oct-30

Sunday, Oct. 30
4 p.m.

Ghost Stories for the Whole Family

A Fabric of Life event

519 Main St.

Arts, crafts, and stories featuring an African fairy and what happened to her one day when she was watering her garden.

Fairies in Africa? Artfully Edmonds is intrigued.

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This is not Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It's actually An-Edmonds-Kind-of Halloween gathering!
This is not Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It’s actually An-Edmonds-Kind-of-Halloween gathering!

The Main Event

Monday, Oct. 31
5 p.m.

Halloween Edmonds

A Chamber of Commerce event sponsored by
Windermere Real Estate Edmonds

Scamper! Scream! Superstitious of the supernatural? Hide in plain sight behind a well selected costume in downtown Edmonds.

Highlights

  • Surprise! A flash mob dance between 6-6:30 p.m.
  • Costume contest in categories — even include your pets!
  • A Haunted House at Edmonds Historical Museum (118 5th N.)

Please help support these local organizations whose mission is to help kids in need:

You may call the Chamber’s general information line at 425-776-6711 with questions if you’ve never experienced this spook-tacular event.

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The Show Goes On!

Sell Out Alert!

‘Wind Storm’ Performance added

Moon Over Buffalo

The Phoenix Theatre
9673 Firdale Ave.

The Phoenix will strike the stage in anticipation of Halloween, making this Sunday’s, Oct. 30 matinee the final performance of this sell-out production.

Artfully Edmonds cannot imagine any of our readers missing out on this talented comedy troupe. Moon Over Buffalo shows them at their finest. We were in the audience on opening night and had an opportunity to review the performance.

Tickets for this production are gold; available at this link.

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Dessert + Laughter is how The Phoenix will celebrate this year’s gala; to be held at Edmonds Center for the Arts on Thursday, Nov. 2.

Wednesday, Nov. 2
7-9 p.m.
Dessert and Laughter

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

How often do you stroll past Edmonds Center for the Arts and hear peals of laughter and the kind of unbridled guffaws that causes you to start chuckling yourself?

It doesn’t happen that often, but when it does it’s not to be missed! If this sounds like fun to you, there is no better “deal” as the gala season comes to an end than the one billed by The Phoenix Theatre as “Dessert and Laughter”.

As at all galas, there will be silent and live auctions – this one enhanced by sips of wine or Perrier — add desserts and chocolate of the most decadent kind.

Schedule:
7 p.m.      Social hour and silent auction

7:45 p.m. Entertainment and live auction

$35 per person. Tickets here. Or call The Phoenix box office at 206-533-2000

Purchase Your Tickets By Friday, Oct. 28!

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A star cast headlines Driftwood Players' TIPs production of Fahrenheit 451
A star cast headlines Driftwood Players’ TIPs production of Fahrenheit 451

Ends Sunday, Oct. 30

Farhenheit 451

Driftwood Players at
Wade James Theatre
950 Main St.

Director Ted Jaquith selected a tour de force cast for this classic dystopian tale, and it shows! Reviewed by My Edmonds News on opening night, this Ray Bradbury play will affirm any fears you may have about what happens when Big Brother controls the airwaves.

Read our review at this link.

Tickets for Fahrenheit 451 are available by calling the box office 425-774-9600 or visiting the online box office.

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Up Next at

Wade James Theatre

Troubadours

An evening of story-telling and song by Driftwood friends and guests

Tickets are only $15 each.

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eca-cabaret-nov-3

Thursday, Nov. 3
7:30 p.m.

“Come to the Cabaret!”

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

After the successful launch of Edmonds Center for the Arts’ new Film Cabaret Series with West Side Story (1961) last month, the series continues with Cabaret (1972) on Thursday, Nov. 3. Prior to the film, happy hour (6:30 pm) will feature live entertainment by Seattle band Miss Rose & Her Rhythm Percolators, performing vintage jazz from the 1920s and early 1930s on the ECA stage.

The film starts at 7:30 pm. Pre-program features begin at 6:30 p.m.

Purchase tickets online at www.ec4arts.org, or through the ECA Box Office at 425.275.9595 or 410 4th Ave. N.

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eucc-holiday-art-show-nov-5

Saturday/Sunday
Nov. 5-6
10 a.m.– 5 p.m.

Edmonds’ Northwest Artists Holiday Show

Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church (EUUC)

8109 224th St. S.W.

Award-winning artists will be selling paintings and prints in the EUUC Upstairs Gallery, as in past years.

Dozens of other renowned artists will offer pottery, jewelry, glass bowls, candles, wearable art, and gourmet food in over 50 booths on the main floor for your gift-giving needs.

Information about this holiday traditional event is available at the congregation’s website.

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edmonds-senior-center-nov-5

Saturday, Nov. 12
10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Free Admission!

Annual Holiday Bazaar
Edmonds Senior Center
220 Railroad Ave.

A sparkling array of fresh, colorful items available just in time for an early shopping season awaits you at Edmonds Senior Center’s Annual Holiday Bazaar. With 30 vendors selling wonderful gift items, home decor, clothing, jewelry, plus an opportunity to see your neighbors at this traditional event – we are sure that you will want to mark your calendar now.

Lunch will be available for purchase along with yummy homemade bake sale items.

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Cascadia Art Museum continues to make its mark.

Arts Bulletins!

Honors to Cascadia Art Museum (CAM)

The prestigious Historic Seattle’s 2016 Preservation Awards has given a nod to Edmonds’ deserving art museum.

The art museum has been acknowledged under the category “Art & Architecture” and is featured in this month’s issue.

My Edmonds News and Artfully Edmonds would like to congratulate CAM for the many honors it has collected since opening.

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Volunteers of the Edmonds Arts Festival and Foundation gathering for a photo op.
Looks like fun, doesn’t it? Volunteers of the Edmonds Arts Festival and Foundation gathering for a photo op. Be a volunteer. Learn more through this link.

– Emily Hill

 12 Emily-2015Emily 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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