By Janette Turner

No need to B.Y.O.B. to this R.S.V.P. only event. In celebration of Dave and Ruth Arista’s 15 years as Edmonds’ wine stewards, they are holding a get-together Friday, 5-8 p.m. at Arista Wine Cellars. If you want to go, call 425-771-7009 or email to reserve a spot. If they’re already filled, then ask to be put on the mailing list and wish them a happy vino anniversary!

For more parties and events around town, read on.

Friday: Gothard Sisters play Benaroya

It’s not often small town girls hit the big stage, but the Gothard Sisters are headed to Seattle’s Benaroya Hall for a performance on Friday at 8 p.m.  Grammy winner Mateo Messina is helming the show and turning the hall into a 100-foot-long cinema featuring a speechless Irish lad named Finnegan Farrell. The girls will be dancing, singing and performing along with Thousand Foot Krutch, The Seattle Firefighters Pipes and Drum Brigade, the NW Symphony Orchestra, and the NW Boychoir. Tickets for the big show here.

Friday: Corner Coffee features Michael Thomas

Patrons of Corner Coffee Bar & Café on Friday from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. can enjoy chicken enchiladas while listening to blues music by Michael Thomas.

Friday-Sunday: ‘Sylvia’ at Phoenix Theatre

If you want to see a crowd-pleaser, then head to the Phoenix Theatre for the final weekend of ‘Sylvia,’ a love triangle about a man, his wife and a dog with human characteristics. Box office information here.

Saturday-Sunday: Maplewood Rock and Gem Club annual fall show

For folks who find Mother Nature to be the world’s best artist, the Maplewood Rock and Gem show is the place to be. This annual event at the Maplewood Clubhouse is free and runs Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.

Saturday-Sunday: Korean culture at ECA

Morningstar Korean Cultural Center brings Narae 2012, a cultural explosion of Korean dance and music, to Edmonds Center for the Arts on Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the show here.

Sunday: Gallery North

Deep sea divers know life below the surface is unfathomable (so to speak) to landlubbers. For a peek into the world of ocean creatures, check out pictures by Mary Bess Johnson, as part of Gallery North’s show, “Mysterious Realms: Beneath and Beyond.” Come to an artist reception on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. to meet Johnson and see “Beyond” in the form of paintings of the cosmos by artist Darlene Lucas.

Monday: Veteran’s Day

Take a walk through Edmonds Memorial Cemetery on Monday to honor 400 veterans interred. It’s a day to reflect on the men and women who defend our country year in and year out.

Monday: Embellished and EPIC host author Lisa Costantino

Author Lisa Costantino will speak at EPIC’s Monday morning writing group, which has a change of venue to Embellished on Fourth Avenue. Writers of all levels are invited to the free writing workshop at 10 a.m.; Costantino will talk at 11 a.m. about her book, “Maiden’s Veil.” For more information see EPIC Group Writers.

Later on Monday, Embellished offers a class for folks to paint “Dancers.” The event starts at 4:30 p.m. and includes refreshments. For more information, see Embellished’s Facebook page.

Tuesday: EdCC hosts Brigadier General Halstead

In honor of Veteran’s Day, Edmonds Community College Black Box Theatre is hosting a brown bag lecture on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. with retired Brigadier General Becky Halstead. She is a West Point graduate who was the first female Commanding General in Iraq, leading 20,000 Soldiers and 5,000 civilians from 2005 to 2006. The free event is titled “The First Person You Must Lead is You!”

Wednesday: ECA hosts Seattle International Comedy Competition

Hundreds of comedians audition to be on the ECA stage in the Seattle International Comedy Competition, but only 10 are chosen. The gut-busting, side-splitting, aisle-rolling, jaw-dropping show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are 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 Writers Group, a memoir coach, and a member of the Swedish Hospital Art Committee. (Photo by Jennifer McKinney).