By Janette Turner
A sold-out chef’s tour and Third Thursday’s Art Walk top the list of Edmonds events. Here’s a peek at selected activities in town.

Visual arts

Kim Brayman at C’est La Vie – May 17, 5-8 p.m.
Paintings by Kim Brayman will be at C’est La Vie for Third Thursday’s Art Walk. Brayman recently told us about her pieces: “My birds always have body language and represent people in my mind. They’re usually communicating, too. I love to use lush, rich colors in new combinations and discover how they interact with the texture I put down as my first layer. Right now I’m painting in my summer palette and am reveling in the flowers popping out all over Edmonds, giving me new ideas for color combinations. So I also have flowers in the show for the first time. “

Cole Gallery hosts Mark Boyle & Michele Usibelli – May 17, 5-8 p.m.

Mark Boyle and Michele Usibelli showcase their recent travels through Europe, the Pacific Northwest and beyond in their new paintings. Boyle paints landscapes and vistas, while Usibelli’s landscapes, figurative pieces and still life paintings are infused with her tradition of Russian Impressionism.

ArtsNow EDGE reception at ECA – May 17, 5-8 p.m.

ArtsNow, Edmonds Community College’s non-credit continuing education program, will host a reception for “A View from the EDGE,” a multi-media exhibit at ECA. Live music and refreshment will be provided at this free event, featuring works by twelve graduates of the EDGE Professional Development Program for Visual Artists, developed by Artist Trust. The EDGE Program provides artists with entrepreneurial skills to help them achieve their career goals. For more information, call 425-640-1243 or go to www.edcc.edu/artsnow.

Gallery North hosts Crow Lady – May 17, 5-8 p.m.
Gallery North’s featured artist, Kathleen Johnson, will answer questions about her recent work at a reception. Recently she said: “Nature is an endless inspiration for me. I get lost in the colors, patterns, and intricate beauty of our natural world. I try to express and share that joy and wonder through my art.” Johnson’s website is www.twocrows-studio.com

Interiors of Edmonds hosts new artist – May 17, 5-8 p.m.

According to a press release, Interiors of Edmonds will feature the works of David Marty, Pam Padgett, Dorcus Harb, Marsha Lippert, and new artist Lee Champagne.

Semantics Gallery features Mary Ann Nagy – May 19, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Semantics Gallery features artist Mary Ann Nagy, who told us recently: “This group of paintings is part of the ongoing dream I have to combine my delight in painting animals with my longstanding interest in issues of animal advocacy and compassion.  It is done with a prayer that we humans gain a greater love and respect for the strange, unique and wonderful found in them and work to translate that into making this a better world for all.”

Performing arts

Theater at Meadowdale HS –May  17, 18, 19 at 7 p.m.
Art appreciation is on stage in the play, “Museum,” at Meadowdale High School Black Box Theatre. Tony Award-winning playwright Tina Howe’s comedy takes place on the last day of an art show titled “The Broken Silence. “ Meadowdale High students perform all roles with real clothespins on an imaginary line.

Gaelic Storm: Celebrating Ireland Around The World at ECA – May 18 at 7:30 p.m.

There’s a Titanic storm headed toward Edmonds – the group Gaelic Storm performed in James Cameron’s  film, “Titanic,” and now plays ECA. Tickets at www.ec4arts.org or by phone at 425-275-9595.

Kirkland Choral Society’s SongFeast auction at ECA – May 19 at 6 p.m.

According to publicist and singer Jessica Martin, “Our crowning jewel in (KCR’s) successful season will be our SongFeast fundraiser at Edmonds Center for the Arts, featuring some of the most famous and beautiful opera choruses!”

Martin provided additional information: “(T)here will be a silent auction featuring many exciting items beginning at 6 p.m.  We will (also) be presenting a concert of fantastic opera choruses, including works by Verdi, Wagner, Mozart, and Bizet, emceed by local radio personality Dave Ross. Kirkland Choral Society was formed in 1988 with a handful of singers and has grown in size and skill to be considered by many to be one of the top three choruses in the Seattle area. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit community choir that includes around 80 members, all auditioned volunteers.” A list of the live auction items can be found at www.kirklandchoralsociety.org.”
Other noteworthy events

EdCC celebrates Bike To Work Day – May 18
Ride your bike to Edmonds Community College and be eligible to enter the “Go Green” Alternative Transportation contest during Earth Month. Co-sponsored by Commute Trip Reduction, Community Transit and the Sustainability Council.

Chef’s Tour of Dream Kitchens – May 19
This popular fundraiser for the Edmonds Center for the Arts sold out back in August, and lucky ticket holders will tour high-end kitchens and sample appetizers featuring hazelnuts, morels, beef tenderloin, prawns, crab and puff pastry prepared by area chefs. The date for next year’s tour is already set for May 18, 2013, according to Nancy Fleck, ECA Board Member and Kitchen Tour Coordinator. Tickets for the 4th annual tour go on sale at 6 p.m. May 19 through the ECA box office at 425-775-9595; more info on ECA website.

4th Annual International Film Festival at Edmonds Community College – May 19-31



The fourth annual Edmonds Community College International Film Festival starts Tuesday, May 29, with a focus on “Languages of Laughter, Cultures through Comedy,” in the Black Box Theatre on campus, 20000 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood. The films are free and open to the public. 

This annual three-day festival selects critically acclaimed films, diverse cultural and artistic offerings, and offers a fun and relaxed atmosphere open to the entire community.

“This event is more than a film festival,” said Christina Fusch, Edmonds CC Arabic and anthropology instructor and event organizer, in a press release. “Through the magic of film, we open young minds of all ages and expose students to new perspectives. Through innovative, thought-provoking cinema, we also strive to expose audiences to the artistry, current issues, and perspectives in foreign cultures.” For more information, call 425-640-1448 or go to www.BlackBoxEdCC.org.

EdCC International Film Festival schedule:

• “Moliere” (French film)- 10:30 a.m., Tues., May 29, Black Box Theatre
• “Gerald”  (ASL film) – 2 p.m., Tues., May 29, Black Box Theatre
• “L’Auberge Espagnole” (Spanish film)- 7 p.m., Tues., May 29, Black Box Theatre
• “Winter Vacation” (Chinese film)- 12:30 p.m., Wed., May 30, Black Box Theatre
• “The Band’s Visit” (Arabic film)- 7 p.m., Wed., May 30, Black Box Theatre
• “Time Traveler: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” (Japanese film)- 12:30 p.m., Thurs., May 31, Black Box Theatre

Edmonds Community College’s Celebration of Food Festival – May 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
This event brings together farmers, ranchers, culinary professionals, youth, students, eaters, and business owners to taste samples and learn about the stuff of life. Sponsored by Edmonds Community College, City of Lynnwood, Verdant, Swedish/Edmonds Hospital and Cascade Harvest Coalition, among others. At Lynnwood Convention Center. More info here.

Floretum’s Spring Hat Luncheon and installation of officers – May 21 at 11 a.m. Details here.

Social media workshop to benefit Senior Center – May 24 and June 14
Dana Lewis of Swedish Medical Center’s social media campaign will conduct a workshop series to go beyond the basics into how social media works and what tools to use. The first part will be instructional and the second part will answer marketing issues. The workshop is geared for business owners, non-profit organizations, authors, artists, restaurant owners, and will be held in two parts, May 24 and June 14, 6:30-9 p.m., at the Edmonds Senior Center. Lewis is volunteering her time for this event and all proceeds benefit the Senior Center. Cost is $60; info at https://soundconnection.org or email social@soundconnection.org.

Meeting Professionals International Luncheon – May 22 at 10:30 a.m.
The Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, the Edmonds Conference Center, Edmonds Center for the Arts and the City of Edmonds will welcome members and guests of the Washington State Chapter of Meeting Professionals International, to ECA for a reception and lunch program. According to Ken Pickle, of Pickle Meetings Management, the event will “showcase the Edmonds area as a venue for events and meetings.”  https://www.mpiwsc.org/

Advance notice

Summer camp with The Driftwood Players

The Driftwood Players present two opportunities for youth to be on stage this summer:

Summer Teen Ensemble – Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. Aspiring actors ages 12-18 are invited to participate in Driftwood Players’ Summer Teen Ensemble. After three weeks of rehearsal, there will be two performances July 20-21 in the Wade James Theatre. If those two performances sell out, an additional performance will be scheduled on Sunday July 22 at 2 p.m.

Missoula Children’s Theatre – Jack and The Beanstalk, Residency Week: July 30 through Aug. 4, with performances following. Ages 8-18.

Arts reporter Janette Turner is your guide to local culture.  In addition to covering visual, performing and literary events for MyEdmondsNews, Janette is managing director of EPIC Literary Series and a member of the Swedish Hospital Art Committee.