By Ellen Chappelle
Spring has sprung and it’s time to start filling your social calendar with fun, artistic things to do this spring and summer. First up, the merry month of May! From art openings to performances to concerts, May holds a little something for everyone. Check out our list to see what looks like fun to you.
MAY
Apr 29-May 1 – “ALADDIN – A TWISTED TALE”: Youth musical theatre troupe Applause Players presents this fun, crazy musical at Driftwood Players’ Wade James Theatre. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
1 – “AN EVENING WITH GROUCHO”: Expect a zany night of non-stop laughs when actor/director Frank Ferrante brings his comedy tribute to Groucho Marx to Edmonds Center for the Arts at 7 p.m.
2-31 – BIRDS, BEES, FLOWERS AND TREES: Come to Gallery North to see a selection of photographs, paintings, pottery, jewelry and other crafts celebrating spring. Meet the artists at a reception on Saturday, May 7 from 1-4 p.m. and during the Third Thursday Edmonds Art Walk on Thursday, May 19 from 5-8 p.m.
7-31 – EDMONDS MUSEUM GARDEN MARKET: Get your early vegetables, bedding plants and yard art at the garden market, located in downtown Edmonds on 5th Street from Main at the fountain to Bell and east up Bell Street around Centennial Plaza. Saturdays 9 a.m. -2 p.m.
1-31 – CARY JURRIAANS is this month’s First Glance Artist at Cole Gallery with her display of still life oil paintings.
5-8 – “ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD”: Driftwood Players Alternative Stages mounts this modern stage classic, which turns Shakespeare’s Hamlet on its ear with hilarious wordplay. Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 p.m.
6-7 – SCULPTORS’ WORKSHOP SALE: A local co-op of artists mounts their annual spring sale of one-of-a-kind pottery at Frances Anderson Center, Friday 2-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
6-15 – “JANE AUSTEN’S PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, A MUSICAL”: Presented by the students of Edmonds Heights K-12 (formerly Edmonds Homeschool Resource Center), this will be the Washington state premiere and first-ever high school production of this show. Call 425-431-7840 for information.
16 – “HEROIC BEETHOVEN”: A concert by Cascade Symphony and featuring Jessica Clark on clarinet will be performed at 7:30 p.m. at Edmonds Center for the Arts.
19-6/15 – DENISE COLE will be the Feature Artist at Cole Gallery, showing her oil and watercolor paintings.
19 – THIRD THURSDAY ARTWALK: Artists and their art of all kinds take over downtown Edmonds from 5-8 p.m.
28 – 2011 EDMONDS JAZZ CONNECTION: This annual event brings together students, professional musicians, music educators and all who love great music in celebration of this uniquely American art form – jazz! There will be free concerts in downtown venues and an evening concert at Edmonds Center for the Arts.
Taking a peek into June reveals two big, must-attend Edmonds events.
The 24th Annual Edmonds Rotary Waterfront Festival will be held June 3-5 at the Port of Edmonds Marina. The fun takes place Friday 3-10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m- 7 pm.
The Waterfront Festival is a fundraising event by Edmonds Rotary Club and includes bands, children’s events, a 5K run and more. Admission is $3 for adults. Children 10 and under enter free. To learn more about the Rotary Club and what they do with the proceeds, click here.
On Father’s Day Weekend, over 75,000 art lovers will attend the popular free three-day Edmonds Arts Festival. The Festival showcases the work of nearly 240 carefully selected artist exhibitors, offering oils, watercolors, pastels, drawings, mixed media, photography, sculpture, fiber arts, jewelry, glass, metal, pottery/ceramics, toys, collectibles and furniture.
With something for everyone, the Arts Festival offers performing arts, children’s activities, musicians, and storytellers. A wine bar and bistro, situated with a great view of Puget Sound, offers a respite from shopping.
Dog lovers take note: Pets are not allowed at either of these festivals. Accredited service animals are the only non-humans who will be able to attend. Please leave your furry friends at home – and not in a hot car!
Looking even further ahead into July and August, music lovers will want to print this handy list of outdoor concerts to hang on the refrigerator.
Edmonds Arts Commission’s
2011 SUMMER CONCERTS IN THE PARK
3 PM – Edmonds City Park, 3rd & Pine
Series Sponsors: Lynnwood Honda, Acura of Lynnwood
July 10 All Mixed Up, Songs from the ’80s
July 17 The Kellee Bradley Band, Folk/Pop
July 24 “The Comedy of Errors,” Seattle Shakespeare Company/Wooden O
*1 3/4 hr performance
July 31 Reilly & Maloney, Folk
Aug 7 The 85th Street Big Band, Classic Big Band Music
Aug 14 The Diamond Experience, Neil Diamond Tribute Band
Aug 21 Peter Frothingham, Americana
Aug 28 Ranger and the Re-Arrangers, Instrumental Gypsy Jazz
All concerts are ADA accessible. In the event of rain, concerts will be canceled at 2:30 p.m.
Ellen Chappelle covers the local arts scene for My Edmonds News. She brings a life-long interest in the arts and many years of writing experience to the task, detailing upcoming performances, local art events and stories of Edmonds artists. A theatre and journalism major, she has toured with a professional theatre company and performed on a cruise ship. She has also served as the Pacific Northwest Regional Editor of Dog Magazine and the Seattle Dogs Examiner for Examiner.com. Since then, Ellen has been busy writing and editing for artists and small businesses, publishing an informational site for dog owners and creating handcrafted jewelry.
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