If one wants a generous measure of cheer, city streets lined with lights that twinkle, a classic holiday tree and playhouses filled with the sound of laughter, Edmonds is certainly the best place to be for the holidays.
Artfully Edmonds is receiving a flurry of exciting show notices that we want to share with you and your family.
Our regular readers will note that the calendar is so thick with extravagantly produced events that we have are changing the format of our column. Holiday shows are divided by venue – and then listed chronologically this week.
Let’s lead off with the backstory on The Phoenix Theatre’s holiday production, The Christmas Spirit.
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The Christmas Spirit
by Fredrick Stroppel
Dec. 2-18
Friday and Saturday ~ 8 p.m.
Sunday matinees ~ 2 p.m.
Dec. 8 and 15 ~ 8 p.m.
Special Thursday Shows
The Phoenix Theatre
Upper Level, Firdale Shopping Plaza
9673 Firdale Ave.
Who would dare produce Frederick Stoppel’s The Christmas Spirit, in which The Grim Reaper abandons the only mission he has executed throughout the ages, deferring to a promise of cheer and merriment?
The Phoenix Theatre troupe – that’s who! As it turns out, this is exactly the stuff that loyal fans of Edmonds’ comedy troupe are clamoring for.
We can easily imagine the opening scene unfolding as the lights dim across The Phoenix boards: Julie Dowling of Long Island is negotiating furiously in an attempt to persuade an unexpected Christmas Eve visitor to overstay his visit so that he can attend a lavish party that she is hosting the next day. The only element that sticks out as unusual is that Julie’s unexpected visitor is Death himself, coming to “collect” the lady in question.
Death succumbs to Julie’s persuasiveness and the following day our visitor experiences a laugh line filled Christmas cliché that so many family members are actually dying to escape: Bickering relatives, over-boisterous friends, star-crossed flirtations, even the parish priest joins the medley of misfits in Julie’s over-crowded living room.
Is this the experience that Death bargained for? What is Julie’s “ultimate” fate? Does the priest duke it out with Death over philosophical differences?
All we know for certain is that the audience is promised a mix of high farce, drama, and even romance as hopeful holiday fantasies collide with not-so-merry reality. Could the holidays be any more “perfect”?
Get your set of tickets for this hilarious holiday frolic at The Phoenix eBooth or call the theatre to reserve your seats 206-533-2000.
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Why add Seattle Fringe Festival 2017 to a post about The Phoenix Theatre?
Because Artfully Edmonds learned this week that our very own all-comedy troupe has been accepted into this year’s festival.
Three skits, produced by the company will prove to the world just how hilarious Edmonds-ites are! Follow the progress right here at Artfully Edmonds as The Phoenix Theatre prepares for this history-making moment.
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Sell Out Alert!
Friday, Dec. 2
8 p.m.
Mr. Scrooge continues its run at Wade James Theatre, 950 Main St. This elaborate holiday-inspired production was reviewed by My Edmonds News on opening night.
As one of those high-caliber shows that bring pride to Edmonds and sells out early, you will want to order your tickets now at this link www.edmondsdriftwoodplayers.org or by calling 425-774-9600, select Option 1.
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Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA)
410 4th Ave. N.
Thursday, Dec. 1
7:30 p.m.
The ECA Film Cabaret Series is growing in popularity and no wonder when we consider each of the screenings includes a Cabaret happy hour and live music!
Surprise yourself! Attend this installment of the Cabaret Series and see who else in the Edmonds-area loves Pulp Fiction – a cult classic – as much as you do?
For more information do the click! click! to the information link for this event.
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Saturday, Dec. 3
7:30 p.m.
North Sound Church
Performs at ECA
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Thursday, Dec. 6
7:30 p.m.
From Russia – With Love!
Bravo!
This legendary rock-and-roll band, which was founded in Moscow in 1983, is making its way to Edmonds! Led by guitarist Evgeny Havtan, the band draws its inspiration from the 1950’s western music.
Bravo! exploded into popularity in the 1990s, signaling the changes in Russia’s political and cultural landscape and attesting to a spirit of independence.
Now 30 years later and after 14 successful albums, the band is in high demand and has caught the attention of ECA’s programs team.
This ECA event offers a very special VIP ticket package that allows patrons to meet and mingle with band members. Visit the ECA ticket booth designated for this special appearance at this link.
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Thursday, Dec. 8
7:30 p.m.
Making a perfect Edmonds-Kind-of– Holiday, The Gothard Sisters are returning home. Artfully Edmonds is designating this event an early Sell Out!. So count the number of tickets you will need and contact the ECA box office with your reservation.
Tickets to see Solara, Willow, and Greta perform at “home” are available at this ECA link.
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Saturday, Dec. 10
3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
It’s conTEXTual
Sno-King Community Chorale
Now this ECA event is certainly different!
Edmonds PoPs! Maestro Frank DeMiero alerts the community, “Cell phones are welcome and may remain on!” for the Sno-King Community Chorale Holiday Magic production.
Tickets for this interactive event are available at the ECA link.
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Sunday and Monday
Dec. 11 and 12
7:30 p.m.
Holiday Pops
Cascade Symphony Orchestra (CSO)
As a special treat to the community, CSO music director Michael Miropolsky will be the featured artist performing at Edmonds Center for the Arts in the popular orchestra’s Holiday Pops concert.
Miropolsky has selected music by Strauss, Anderson, Tchaikovsky, Seletsky, Hertert for the program.
A gifted violinist, Miropolsky is the author of the memoir, Theme and Variations: My Life’s Journey, which will be available for sale at the dual concert.
With the growing popularity of Cascade Symphony Orchestra, we recommend reserving tickets early and making this a sparkling all-family occasion.
Tickets for Sunday’s performance are available at this ECA link; tickets for Saturday’s event are also available through the ECA website.
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Thursday Dec. 15
10 a.m. and noon
For Little Ones!
The Nutcracker – Abridged
Olympic Ballet Theatre at the ECA
Choreographed to be more delightful to small children and to accommodate busy schedules, these unique performances come with steeply discounted ticket prices and an abridged version of the story that contains all of the quality of the full-length performances.
A very special intermission segment is included in the program titled, Introduction to the Magic of Theatre, which will cover the basics of scenery, costumes, lighting, masks, and props explained at a level that will inspire the smallest audience member.
OBT is offering groups of 20 or more a special discount ticket rate of just $8 per person for this program.
The performances are perfect for K-8 students, however it’s important to note that all groups are welcome; including, preschools, homeschool groups, senior groups, and music schools.
A quick confirmation of your group’s seating is available by calling the box office at 425-774-7570 during box office hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 2:30–5:30 p.m.
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Trinity Lutheran Church Events
6215 196th St. S.W. ~ Lynnwood
Trinity Lutheran Church has a rich selection of holiday programs and musical reprisals to offer the community this season. In chronological order, they include:
Edmonds Community College (EdCC) Symphonic Choir
Thursday, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m.
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Piano and vocal students of Eileen Ford
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m.
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Skyros String Quartet Benefit Concert
Friday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.
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Northwest Boychoir ~ Festival of Lessons and Carols
Saturday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.
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Seattle Children’s Chorus Christmas Concert
A Scandinavian Christmas
Dec. 11, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Seattle has long been the second home for many Scandinavian immigrants. With these hearty settlers came the music, art and traditions of the homeland. Seattle Children’s Chorus celebrates and honors this vibrant heritage through our Advent performances, sharing beloved music and traditions in an unforgettable performance. Please join us at one of our two concerts!
Brown Paper Tickets is the outlet for A Scandinavian Christmas
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Celebrations Across the Community
Friday – Sunday
Dec. 2-4
Show: All I want for Christmas!
Alderwood Community Church
3403 Alderwood Mall Blvd.
The Alderwood Community Church congregation is inviting the community to any one of their five shows of the Christmas–inspired musical production written by Lauri Evans Deason and titled, All I Want for Christmas.
- Friday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 3 at 4:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 4 at 3:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.
Additional information about the congregation is available at the church website.
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Saturday, Dec. 3
11 a.m.– 6 p.m.
Cole Gallery
107 5th Ave. S.
“Winter bliss” is how gallery owner Denise Cole describes the elegant pieces that will be showcased at the open house she is hosting this weekend.
Generous with her exhibitions – and guaranteeing a selection of art that will appeal to everyone, Cole is featuring the work of Gary Word, Michelle Waldele, Angela Bandurka among others whose work have made Cole Gallery one of Edmonds’ anchor businesses.
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Saturday, Dec. 3
Noon – 2 p.m.
Pacifying the Dragon
Chinese Dance Traditions
Hamlin Park
16006 15th Ave. N.E. ~ Shoreline
Inspired by Hakka Chinese traditions from New Territories, Hong Kong, the Shoreline Public Art Program will host a community arts event at Hamlin Park, featuring a performance by Nightingale Dance Troupe.
Tradition explains that the purpose for pacifying the dragon is to ensure good harvests in the future, and to cleanse the land after tumultuous events.
In addition to the dance performance, and following an interpretive statement, and the ceremonial burying of a ceramic jar by Jacob Foran along with joss paper burnings.
Observance of these Chinese customs will take place in the northwest corner of Hamlin Park, which is located at NE 166 St. and 15th Ave. NE, Shoreline.
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Saturday, Dec. 10
7:30 p.m.
Seattle Wind Symphony performing at
Shorewood Performing Arts Center
17300 Fremont Ave. N. ~ Shoreline
A holiday celebration in music is what the Seattle Wind Symphony has in mind for the Edmonds-Shoreline area. The program will include the talents of Seattle soprano, Alexandra Picard singing “O Holy Night”, plus KING FM 98.1 announcer, David Beck narrating “Twas the Night Before Christmas”.
The band invites the public to join them in signing Handel’s classic “Hallelujah Chorus”.
Tickets are available at all Kennelly Keys Music Stores, at Brown Paper Tickets, or at the door.
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Through Dec. 12
Susanne Werner
Art Exhibit
Edmonds Arts Commission exhibits Bellevue artist Susanne Werner’s abstract encaustic and mixed-media artworks through December 12 in the Edmonds Library, 700 Main St.
Werner, a German native, began her art career in watercolor. She attended various art courses and workshops at the Boston Museum of Fine Art, DeCordova Museum School in Massachusetts, and Sir George Williams University in Montreal. Her works are featured in various private collections across the U.S., Canada and Germany, as well as in Spain and the Czech Republic.
Artist Statement
Says Werner of her work, “My approach is intuitive. I make no attempt at literal representation. The process begins with an initial application and continues as I respond to subsequent layers of paint or wax, and concludes when the process no longer evokes a reaction.”
For more information about the artist, go to www.womenpainters.com/BIO/WERNER/Wernerbio.html.
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Tuesday, Dec. 15
7 p.m.
Free!
Holiday in Steel
Steel Magic Northwest performing at
Edmonds Adventist Church
8625 – 196th St. S.W.
Executive Director of Steel Magic Northwest, Gary Gibson, is excited to announce the band’s first full ensemble concert – just in time for the holidays.
Titled Holiday in Steel, this inaugural program will feature performances by the ensemble’s youth groups and the adult community group, as well as combinations of the group playing together.
In addition to some new and original works for steel orchestra, the program will include a number of seasonal favorites such as movements from the Nutcracker Suite, as well as popular traditional tunes and Caribbean songs.
The Dec. 15 program will be highlighted by the “Pan Wizards” youth steel orchestra.
Matching Donation Note:
This event is free of charge – but Steel Magic Northwest would be delighted if you are inclined to make a tax-deductible donation as you leave the concert venue. All donations received will be matched dollar for dollar by a matching grant from the Lucky Seven Foundation.
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Saturday, Dec. 17
1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Nutcracker Sweets by
ARC Dance
Shorewood Performing Arts Center
17300 Fremont Ave. N.
Under the artistic direction of Marie Chong, ARC Dance brings Nutcracker Sweets to the Shorewood Performing Arts Center for two performances this holiday season.
The professional dancers of ARC Dance and the students of ARC School of Ballet combine talents for this much-loved, child-friendly holiday ballet.
“We are excited to bring our ‘Fastest Nutcracker in the West’ to the beautiful Shorewood Performing Arts Center. It has been a joy to watch the production grow artistically while becoming a holiday tradition for audience members,” says Chong.
With roughly an hour-long running time, Nutcracker Sweets is specifically designed to appeal to young audiences. The show captivates children and adults alike with the magic of the music, costumes, and beautiful dancing.
Sell Out Alert!
This performances sold out last year so get your tickets today.
For more information call (206) 352-0798 or go to https://www.arcdance.org/shows-events/nutcracker-sweets-at-shorewood-performing-arts-ctr/
– By Emily Hill
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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