By Janette Turner

You’ve probably seen the signs around town: ‘Welcome to the Taste of Edmonds’ – and on Friday the jam-packed event finally arrives. As always the big question is: What’s the best food? If you want to be in the know, stay tuned for our review of everything from Elephant Ears to kebobs. Yours truly will be one of the judges at the Taste Off Competition on Friday at noon, and afterward we’ll bring you the best of the Taste. The event runs Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7p.m. Admission $3, but you can get inside the gates for free until 3 p.m. on Friday.

For a look at the performing acts and more events this week  in Edmonds, read on.

Taste of Edmonds: Main Stage Headliners
Fri., Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m.: Blake Lewis, American Idol 2007 runner-up
Sat., Aug. 11 at 8:30 p.m.: British Export, Beatles Tribute Band
Sun., Aug. 12 at 5:30 p.m.: Heart By Heart, Music of Heart with some original band members
Taste of Edmonds: KMPS Kids’ Stage
KMPS Radio hosts the popular Kids’ Stage this year, featuring local acts:
FRIDAY, AUG. 10
11:30 a.m. : Buck & Elizabeth, Rootin’ tootin’ entertainers
1 p.m. : Tweenland: Hanna Montanna, featuring Carly & Hairspray
2:30 p.m. : Reptile Isle, reptile show
4 p.m. : Buck & Elizabeth, Rootin’ tootin’ entertainers
5 p.m. : The Little Gym of Alderwood, exercising is fun
6 p.m. : Kids Karaoke, kids show your stuff
SATURDAY, AUG. 11
11:00 a.m. : Buck & Elizabeth, Rootin’ tootin’ entertainers
Noon : Alderwood Dance Spectrum, future dance stars
1 p.m. : Brian Ledbetter, magic that is fast and furious
2 p.m. : Applause Studio, performance tea.m.
3 p.m. : Buck & Elizabeth, Rootin’ tootin’ entertainers
4 p.m. : The Not Its, popular kindie rock band
5 p.m. : Reptile Isle, snakes, lizards and gators
6 p.m. : Kids Karaoke, kids show your stuff

SUNDAY, AUG. 12
11 a.m. : Buck & Elizabeth, Rootin’ tootin’ entertainers
Noon : Eric Haines, fast paced comedy show
1 p.m. : Mater Pierce, martial arts exhibition
2 p.m. : Roberto The Magnificent, award winning juggler
3 p.m. : Reptile Isle, tortoise, chameleon and spiders
4 p.m. : 2nd Edition, tribute to Peter, Paul & Mary
5 p.m. : Kids Karaoke, kids show your stuff
The Kid’s Stage is emceed by Buck and Elizabeth

Taste of Edmonds: Roving Artists
FRIDAY, AUG. 10
Noon to 2 p.m. : Bonnie Birch Duo, strolling accordion music
2 -4 p.m. : Mariachi Fiesta Mexicana, the three amigos
3-7 p.m. : CC Clowning, the world’s best clowns
6-8 p.m. : Janet Rayor, stilt dancer
SATURDAY, AUG. 11
Noon to 2 p.m. : Chicken Rider, save a horse, ride a chicken
Noon to 2 p.m. : Miss Washington USA and Miss Washington Teen USA, pageant contestants
2-4 p.m. : Tall Characters, stiltwalker
4-6 p.m. : Mark Shoop, Austin Powers clone
6-8 p.m. : Janet Rayor, beautiful stilt dancer
SUNDAY, AUG. 12
11-1 p.m. : Charlie The Clown, “world class clown”
1-3 p.m. : Eric Haines, multi-talented mad man
3-5 p.m. : Roberto The Magnificent, juggling and unicyclist
5-7 p.m. : CC Clowning, the world’s best clowns
Entertainment is subject to change.

Taste of Edmonds: Beer Garden

If you happen to hang out in the Taste of Edmonds Beer Garden, watch for unofficial 30th-year high school reunions for the classes of 1982 with Meadowdale (Aug. 10), Edmonds (Aug. 11), Woodway (Aug. 11), and Lynnwood (Aug. 12), all starting at 4 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 10
11 a.m. : Mariachi Fiesta Mexicana, a Celebration of Traditional Mexican Folk Music
1 p.m. : Highway 9, featuring Country Rock with a twist
2:30 p.m. : Nick Vigarino’s Back Porch Stomp, featuring Hot Smoking Blues
4 p.m. : Knut Bell, featuring Americana, Country and Rockabilly
5:30 p.m. : The Machine, featuring Hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s and Now
7 p.m. : The Rhythm Nation, featuring #1 Current Top 40 Hits
8 p.m. : The Beatniks, featuring Definitive 60s & 70s Rock ‘n roll of the Cultural Revolution
SATURDAY, AUG. 11
11 a.m. : The Islanders, featuring Steel Drums
12:30 p.m. : Rat City Brass, featuring music from Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
2 p.m. : Country Rock Association, featuring Country and Rock ‘n Roll
3:30 p.m. : Atomic Punks, #1 Van Halen Tribute Band
5:30 p.m. : Bullet Creek, featuring Young Country
7 p.m. : Mr. Pink, featuring a wide variety from Aretha Franklin to Lady GaGa
8:30 p.m. : Whiskey River, featuring Southern Rock and Lynard Skynard Tribute
SUNDAY, AUG. 12
11 a.m. : Shane Cobane, KIRO Traffic reporter’s Elvis Tribute
1 p.m. : Unified Culture, Reggae and Roots Music
2:30 p.m. : Randy Hansen, featuring Jimi Hendrix Tribute
4 p.m. : Afrodisiacs, featuring Disco
6 p.m. : Spazmatics, featuring music from the 80s
The Beer Garden Stage is emceed by Mike Colvin; entertainment subject to change.

Additional Taste of Edmonds information and a map here.

Swedish/Edmonds: Free outdoor movie on Friday

As every American knows, the only way to stop a superhero is with a lawsuit, which is what happens in “The Incredibles,” playing at dusk on the Swedish/Edmonds patio. While you watch animated Bob Parr pack his love handles into his old super suit, you can relax and munch on free popcorn. Bring your own seating or arrive early for one of the 200 seats available, and since it’s outdoors, jackets and blankets are advised. Free. www.swedish.org/movies

Edmonds Theater: Dark Knight weekend

“The Dark Knight Rises’ every day at the Edmonds Theater until Tuesday, playing 3:45 p.m. and 7 p.m.  Starting Wednesday, ‘The Odd Life of Timothy Green’ takes over the silver screen at 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7 p.m.

Edmonds City Park: Tingstad & Rumbel on Sunday

Grammy-award winners Tingstad & Rumbel will bring a taste of the ‘Badlands’ to Edmonds City Park on Sunday, 3 p.m. Bring your own seating and beret. Free. In case of rain, the show will be canceled by 2:30 p.m. www.edmondsartscommission.org

Book clubs: Edmonds Bookshop and Fabric of Life

Folks who are interested in book clubs are invited to the following free events:

‘Nightwoods,’ by Charles Frazier will be discussed at the Edmonds Bookshop book club, Wednesday, Aug. 15, at 9 a.m.

Fabric of Life’s book club meets at the boutique on the second Thursday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m. This month’s read is the novel, ‘Midnight in Peking,’ by Paul French, to be discussed Thursday, Aug. 9.

ARTspot: Class with Tracy Felix Fraker

Learn six different ways to put together an acrylic painting with ARTspot owner Tracy Felix Fraker on Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for ages 16 and over. Fraker promises  “lots of demos, and an overview of acrylic gels and mediums.” More info here. h

Edmonds Library: oils by Alfredo Arreguin

Now is your chance to see oil paintings by internationally esteemed artist Alfredo Arreguin at the Edmonds Library. Don’t be fooled by the little image in this column, Arreguin’s paintings are big, bold and for Birdfest. We’ll tell you more about Birdfest as it nears, but until then you can get to the library and see this flock of artwork. And if you get inspired to volunteer for Birdfest, more info is here.

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)