By Janette Turner

Sunshine and warm temperatures may be drawing folks outside. But savvy Edmonds residents are turning indoors for the annual Write on the Sound (WOTS) conference and other cultural activities. Here is a crash course on upcoming events.

Friday: Grammy winner Dianne Reeves kicks-off ECA season

Edmonds Center for the Arts opens its sixth season with Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves, Friday at 7:30 p.m. Reeves has performed at the White House and appeared in films and television, including the season finale of HBO’s “Sex & the City.” For more information about her career, including her four successive Grammys for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, and to purchase tickets, see the ECA website.

Friday-Sunday: Write on the Sound conference

 

This weekend you can spot visiting and local writers by their book bags and flair with verbs. Although the 27^th annual Write on the Sound (WOTS) workshop is sold-out, the public is invited to the key note address on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. with speaker Carla Neggers, a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author. See here for ticket info.

The public is also invited to a WOTS reception and book signing on Saturday between 5:45-7:00 p.m. at the Edmonds Library Plaza Room to honor conference authors, including Carla Neggers, Rick Steves, and Washington State Poet Laureate Kathleen Flenniken.

And on Sunday, artist Marcia Shaver will talk on “Walking Towards Your Dreams: Creating a Book from Your Journal.” Shaver’s artworks document her 1,299,851-step pilgrimage across Spain along the Camino de Santiago. The talk starts at 12:45 p.m. in the Frances Anderson Center’s EAF Museum Gallery, and is open to the public. WOTS Conference details here.

 Saturday: Overton Berry at Driftwood benefit

Earshot Hall of Fame inductee Overton Berry performs at the Driftwood Players benefit scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Wade James Theatre. My Edmonds News recently interviewed the music man here.

Saturday: Improv starts at EdCC

Seattle’s Unexpected Productions returns to EdCC Black Box Theatre on Saturday nights for professional improv. In October, expect a pinch of Edgar Allan Poe with your puns. Oct. 6, 13, 20, and 27, at 8:05 p.m. Tickets $10.

Sunday: Saetia’s Second Anniversary

Stop in Saetia on Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. to celebrate the boutique’s second anniversary and see Skif sweaters in a trunk show. Live music and champagne starting at 4 p.m.

Thursday: Edmonds Literary Series with Kathleen Flenniken

State Poet Laureate Kathleen Flenniken.

Former Hanford nuclear engineer Kathleen Flenniken is our state’s poet laureate and the author of Plume, a poetic memoir about living in proximity to plutonium. Flenniken will speak on her work at Edmonds Literary Series, Oct. 11, 6:30 p.m. in the library. More information at EPICgroupWriters.

Ongoing: Sumi-e art at Gallery North

“Painting emotions as movement,” is how sumi-e artist Karen Dedrickson describes her work on display for the month of October at Gallery North. For those not familiar with the process of sumi-e, the technique is over a thousand years old and requires skill and years of training. “Once a stroke is painted, it cannot be changed or erased.”   www.gallery-north.com

Ongoing: King’s High School Mixed Media Show

Pottery by King’s students.

Ceramic pieces, photography and mixed media by King’s High School students are on display at the Frances Anderson Center. The works were crafted by student artists Zoe Anderson, Jared Engelhart, Kierney Johnson, Daphine Kieling, Renee Owen, Madelyn Scherrer, Daniel Shapiro, Jacob Storkson, Ava Stuller, Kellyanne Towers, Jordan Tranter, Tyler Ward, Megan Webber and Lisa Yeo, who were instructed by Gale Riley and Gwen Gracey.

Advance notice: Natalie MacMaster to perform free show on Oct. 19

Natalie MacMaster and her instrument.

Juno-Award winning instrumentalist Natalie MacMaster’s show at ECA is sold out, but the public is invited to a free performance by the artist at the Edmonds Senior Center on Oct. 19 at 4pm. McMaster is touring to support her album, “Cape Breton Girl.” For more information, call 425 774 5555.

Advance notice:

The Cascade Symphony Orchestra begins its 51st season on Oct. 22 with a performance titled “Firebird.” The evening’s music listed on their website is: Rossini – “Overture to The Barber of Seville;” Hummel – Trumpet Concerto in E flat major; David Gordon, trumpet; Stravinsky – “Firebird Suite;” Dvorak – Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88. More information here.

Advance notice: Folk duo onstage at ECA on Oct.27

Canadian folk duo DALA will perform at ECA on Oct. 27 as special guests with The Del McCoury Band. While McCoury’s part of the show will be a family affair with his sons on stage, the DALA act is built on a friendship between Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther that began in high school. My Edmonds News recently checked in with Carabine to learn about the duo’s upcoming stop in town.

My Edmonds News: Will you be playing the song “Horses,” which was nominated by N.P.R.as one of the “Top Ten folk songs of 2009”?

DALA: Definitely. “Horses” was a powerful song to write. We wrote it after meeting somebody who was in an accident as a teenager, and has had to face enormous challenges in his life as a result. The message behind the song is an important one, and we feel proud to sing it.

My Edmonds News: What other songs should new fans expect?

DALA: We just released a brand new album, “Best Day.” We’ll definitely be playing a lot of those songs, including “Lennon and McCartney” and “Life on Earth.”  We have videos for both those songs on YouTube.

My Edmonds News: How is life on the road as you tour to support your albums, including “Best Day”?

DALA: Touring with your best friend is a lot of fun. Amanda and I have been working together for 10 years, so at this point we communicate telepathically. Being away from home for long periods of time can be bittersweet, but having a companion with you definitely makes it easier.

My Edmonds News: Anything else folks should know?

DALA: Performing live is our absolute favorite thing to do. Every show is a little different, and we can’t wait to connect with some new fans in Washington!

Editor’s note: Tickets for the show can be purchased here.