By Janette Turner

It’s an Edmonds kind of weekend with the biggest and best festival — in our opinion — happening on the grassy field of Frances Anderson Center. Here are selected highlights of the Edmonds Arts Festival and other events around town.

Edmonds Arts Festival: A Father’s Day Tradition
“This is a big show,” said artist Eileen Sorg recently while describing this weekend’s Edmonds Arts Festival. “(It has) a lot of things going on and (the volunteers) pull it all together and still manage to stay smiling.” Smiling and putting on a big show, the Edmonds Arts Festival volunteers will be out in full-force Friday through Sunday, making sure visitors see what an “Edmonds kind of day” means.

Over 500 artist applicants from Western states and Canada vied for the 240 booth spaces in this year’s event, which opens at 10 a.m. Friday. Booths of fine arts and crafts will be on the grassy field east of the Frances Anderson Center, while traditional crafts and culinary arts will be in the Plaza above the Edmonds Public Library.

Visitors will also find a juried show featuring professional paintings, weaving, glass works, sculpture, photography, ceramics, and jewelry for sale.

In Edmonds fashion, art runs in all age groups. Juried and school-selected artwork by children ages 5 through 18 will be featured in the Frances Anderson Center. Best of Show awards were given to the top 20 artists, and 100 received honorable mention recognition. Of course, every artwork displayed is a winner.

On the festival grounds, visitors can enjoy treats and music ranging from school choirs to Jason Mraz covers. We recommend eating a BerryKaBob while listening to Tai Shan, a singer who combines John Mayer with Joni Mitchell, to broaden your horizons in budget-friendly fashion. Tai Shan performs Friday at 3:30 p.m.

The jam-packed Edmonds Arts Festival runs Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information, including schedules and maps, is here.

ARTspot: Professional-grade supply store opens Friday

Opening 10 a.m. on Friday, ARTspot, at 408 Main, will feature artist products, including Gamblin Oil, Golden Acrylic, and R&F Encaustic. Watch for summer classes for teens, led by education coordinator Laurie Hansen. The store’s co-owners, Denise Cole and Tracy Felix Fraker, will also feature artwork by local artists, including Mike O’Day (sculpture), Tyler Kimball (glass), Robin Westbrook (jewelry), and Barbara Wyatt (ceramics). Hours Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday noon- 5 p.m.

ECA: Barclay Shelton Dance

Barclay Shelton’s annual recital series plays ECA, June 15 and 16 at 7 p.m., and June 17 at 4 p.m. The shows feature 304 dancers, under the direction of 11 instructors, in a total of 51 dance numbers. In other Barclay Shelton news, its performing group, Dance Theatrics, will be at the Edmonds Arts Festival, June 16, 11:30 a.m. Information, along with registration for dance camp in August, can be found here.

Phoenix Theatre: ‘Absurd Person Singular’

Phoenix Theatre’s rousing comedy, “Absurd Person Singular,” finishes its successful run on Sunday. Shows Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.  Click here to purchase tickets.

Driftwood Players: Major Donors honored
Gearing up for a shorts festival, while preparing for summer camp and next season’s shows – it’s all handled easily by Edmonds’ Driftwood Players. Recently the group unveiled a plaque to honor major donors, including The Hazel Miller Foundation, The Hubbard Foundation, Steve Beck, AC and Norma Gehrig, Kathleen and Roger Huston, and the McDevitt Family. According to a recent press release from the organization: “Our Open House proceeds, the Hubbard Family Foundation grant, and the cash collected by Revelations Yogurt is allowing us to offer financial assistance to cover registration costs of the summer programs.  Our goal is to significantly increase enrollment in these programs.” More on their acclaimed summer programs at www.driftwoodplayers.com/education.asp.

PCC: Cooks
After a midway-food hangover from the Arts Festival, you may find the antidote at PCC. This week PCC hosts two events in its Edmonds chef’s kitchen: ‘Chill Out! Cool Summer Treats’ for kids on Friday, June 15 from 4-6 pm; and ‘Gluten-free Italian Spring’ on Wednesday, June 20 from 6:30-9 p.m.
More info at www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/pcccooks/

Arts reporter Janette Turner is your guide to local culture. In addition to covering visual, performing and literary events for My Edmonds News, Janette is managing director of EPIC Literary Series and a member of the Swedish Hospital Art Committee.   (Photo by Jennifer McKinney)