By Janette Turner

With Red Petal Cakes offering Christmas tree and Santa cookies, you know holiday season is in full gear. So, don a muffler and head out to these festive events.

Friday: “Dashing Through the Snow” opens at Phoenix Theatre

Some shows are selling out already! We received notice of ticket sell outs for the Phoenix Theatre production of ‘Dashing Through the Snow,’ which opens Friday. Here’s the promo: “It’s four days before Christmas in Tinsel, Texas, and a colorful parade of guests including down-and-out actors from a touring company of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ two feuding 80-year-olds, and a couple dressed like Mrs. Clause, and an elf arrive at the Snowflake Inn. When you add to this the Futrelle sisters, you have a laugh-until-your sides-ache climax.” From the authors of last year’s hit, ‘Christmas Belles,’ the comic production runs weekends, and tickets are here.

Friday: Mike Harline at Corner Coffee Bar & Cafe

Enjoy Mike Harline’s holiday music Friday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Corner Coffee Bar & Café in Perrinville. According to the café’s notice, they now have a $2 cover charge to help give the musicians “a little something extra!”

Friday: All-American Husky linebacker book signing at Taki Tiki

If you crave a sports-and-literary arts fix, head to A Very Taki Tiki Bar and Grill on Friday at 7 p.m. for a book signing and discussion with Dave Hoffman and Derek Johnson, authors of the ‘The Husky Hitman: The Life and Times of a Linebacker in the Golden Age of Washington Football.’ Hoffmann was an All-American linebacker for the National Champion Washington Huskies and is now a Secret Service agent. Derek Johnson is the author of four books on Husky Football.

Friday – Saturday: EdCC hosts Spirit of Sound Choir in ‘Off the Risers’

Get your tickets at the Edmonds Community College Black Box Theatre starting one hour before show time for ‘Off the Risers,’ a choir concert that keeps the singers moving. From their press release: “Spirit of the Sound Choir adds dancers, props, lights and imagery to create an out of the box entertainment called ‘Off the Risers.’ From vaudeville to light classical to gospel to Katie Perry, this choir will amuse and inspire you. The playlist includes music by Aaron Copeland, Morten Lauridsen, Granville Bantock, and originals by the choir’s director Eric O’del, with choreography by Ray Houle, co-founder of Seattle’s Men in Dance Festival.” Shows are Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 4:00 p.m. More info on their website.

Friday – Sunday: The Driftwood Players perform ‘The Music Man’

The Driftwood Players perform the American classic, ‘The Music Man,’ at Wade James Theatre this holiday season, but some performances are nearly sold out. To check ticket availability and show times, see Driftwood Players.

Saturday: Laura Ellen book signing at Bookshop

Being legally blind means you can’t see faces very well, according to Laura Ellen, author of ‘Blind Spot.’ Ellen will speak about her challenges and triumphs on Saturday, noon, at the Edmonds Bookshop. More information on her books can be found here.

Saturday: Gallery North hosts artist JR Hawse

View wildlife paintings and Lampwork Jewelry by JR Hawse at an artist’s reception on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. at Gallery North. More information on this free event here.

Saturday: ECA presents Sno-King Community Chorale and Frank DeMiero

Edmonds Center for the Arts hosts two performances of ‘Holiday Magic,’ with the Sno-King Community Chorale under the direction of Frank DeMiero on Saturday at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this doubly-popular event are on the website.

Sunday: EdCC hosts Student Vocal Recital

Our local college invites the public to a free recital featuring student vocalists at the EdCC Black Box Theatre on Sunday, 2 p.m. From their notice: “Listen to the sweet sounds of the Edmonds Community College music students as they perform in their end-of-the-quarter vocal recital.”

Sunday: Saetia trunk show

Get some holiday shopping done between events at the Isle Jacobsen Trunk Show at Saetia boutique, Sunday, from 4-7 p.m.

Sunday: ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at Wade James Theatre

Watching the movie ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is the equivalent of wrapping a present to yourself and sticking it under the tree. You know exactly what’s inside, but it’s still a delight. The film plays at the Wade James Theatre for one showing only, Sunday at 7 p.m. All seats $10 and can be purchased here. Bring your own Kleenex.

Monday: ECA presents Cascade Symphony holiday concert

Cascade Symphony Orchestra presents ‘Happy Holidays’ at Edmonds Center for the Arts on Monday at 7:30 p.m. The orchestra, led by conductor Michael Miropolsky, presents holiday music with violin soloist Pamela Liu, and a Sing-Along. Tickets may be purchased on the website.

Advance notice: Food writer Nancy Leson to speak Jan. 10

Edmonds Literary Series takes December off, but will be back on Jan. 10 with Seattle Times food writer Nancy Leson. There may not be Santa cookies on Leson’s agenda, but you know it will be a mouth-watering event. Details 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 President of EPIC Writers Group, a writing teacher, and a member of the Swedish Hospital Art Committee. (Photo by Jennifer McKinney).