Reminder: Edmonds Arts Awards deadline approaching

The submission deadline of Tuesday, Feb. 18 for nominations to the 2nd annual Chamber Arts Awards is fast-approaching.

As an arts and events destination, Edmonds is drawing performance arts patrons and gallery enthusiasts from Seattle, Everett and beyond. The annual awards ceremony provides local residents with an opportunity to fete its arts-community members and volunteers. One need not be a resident to be nominated for the Arts Award, although to be considered by the committee one must have made a contribution to the arts and cultural endeavors of the Edmonds community during this past year.

Awards will be made in four categories: Business, Individual Leadership, Creative Collaboration, and Volunteer. The 2013 Arts Award winners included—Jeff Stilwell and his wife, Manya Vee, owners of MaJe Gallery; Mike Popke of Lynnwood Honda; Rick Steves and Europe through the Back Door, Cascade Symphony Orchestra, KCTS and Edmonds Center for the Arts. Barbara Kindness was honored by the Chamber with last year’s Volunteer Award.

Printed nomination forms are available at the Chamber office, located at 121 Main St. An online nomination form, and additional information, is available here.

The Chamber’s Arts & Culture Committee, chaired by former Chamber president Jack Loos, will make the awards presentations following the March 20, 2014 Arts Walk. The awards ceremony will be held at the Edmonds Conference Center, and members of the public are cordially invited to attend the free event. RSVP by calling Valerie Claypool at the Edmonds Chamber, 425-332-7114.

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Art Classes! “Try it: Pastels!”
Cole Art Studio ~ 107 5th Ave. S., Edmonds
Friday, Jan. 31 from 6-9 p.m.
No experience required! Study the depth and nuance of pastels under artist Patty Forte, who states, “I hope to open everyone up to the joy of painting in my classes through immense encouragement, lots of laughter and a focus on honing and crafting their skill.” Offering reassurance to those who may have toyed with the thought of taking an art class, Patty says you should “be prepared to be surprised by how easy the pastels are to use and just how colorful and beautiful your painting will be.”

Class fee: $55 + $20 for supplies. Either register online by scrolling to the bottom of the studio’s website, drop by the Cole Art Studio or call 425-697-2787.

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“Call for Scripts!”
What could be more exciting to a playwright than to hear these magical words? The Driftwood Players announced this week that they are calling for scripts for the Fifth Annual Festival of Shorts. Submissions will be accepted Sat., Feb. 1 through noon, Saturday, March 15. Finalists will be announced May 1.

The theme this year is “Transitions”. Scripts not more than 15 minutes in length and not previously submitted to past year’s competitions will be accepted. No X-rated scripts will be considered. Additional submission criteria and instructions can be obtained directly from Driftwood Players at their “Festival of Shorts” web page.

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Large Stage Events This Week:

Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA) ~ 410 4th Ave. N.

Judy Collins
Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Tonight the “road” leads to Edmonds for Judy Collins, who has been on the road since 1959. The Passenger String Quartet joins Collins on stage for her one-night performance. Included in the evening’s repertoire will be “Both Sides Now”, written by Joni Mitchell, which Collins recorded for her 1967 “Wildflowers” album. Collins will undoubtedly also perform “Send in The Clowns,” which earned her Song of the Year at the 1975 Grammys.

This past week, while at the bedside of her friend Pete Seeger, who passed away on Jan. 28, Collins sang “The Bells of Rhymney,” telling the American folk singer/songwriter that it was that song that lured her to the 12-string guitar. Almost without a doubt, Collins will honor her long friendship with Seeger during her ECA performance.

The show is sold out online but contact the ECA Box Office at 425-275-9595 to check availability. For additional event details, theater location and more information, visit www.ec4arts.org.

Edmonds Comedy Night
Friday, Jan. 31 and Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m.

The 7th annual Edmonds Comedy Night will showcase a lineup of national touring comedians, including Brad Upton, Seattle native Adam Norwest and up-and-coming comedian Xung Lam. The event, to benefit the Terrace Park PTA and other Edmonds School District PTA organizations, will be emceed by Kermet Apio.

Tickets for this show are priced at $25 for regular admission and $60 for VIP seating, which includes a reception, appetizers, two drink tickets, and preferred reserved seating for the show and may be purchased through www.edmondscomedynight.com or at www.ec4arts.org, or through the ECA Box Office at 410 4th Ave. N.

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Small Stage Events:

MaJe Gallery ~ 409 Main St., Edmonds
Sunday, Feb. 2,  noon-5 p.m.

Need break from the Super Bowl? Well, we have one!! Manya Vee and her husband, Jeff Stilwell will be “kicking off” their alternative-to-football-festivities with a touchdown from local celebrity Jeff, “The Happy Ham,” while Manya offers eye-accessorizing face-painting (we’re guessing in Seahawks’ themed colors). Snacks will be offered in the gallery’s End Zone. More information about the gallery can be found at https://majegallery.com

Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation Gallery
Frances Anderson Center ~ 700 Main Street, Edmonds
Tuesday, Feb. 4 – Mar. 14, 2014. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sat – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation announces the unveiling of the “Artists’ Collaboration Exhibit”.

Artfully Edmonds received word from local artist Tonnie Wolfe that the exhibit “showcases both collaborative and individual pieces done by the participating artists.” An exhibit of art quilts is also included in the show. Wolfe, who has pieces in both the art quilts segment and the collaborative collection of the exhibit, completed her collaborative work along side artist Susie Howell.

For further information regarding the “Artist’s Collaboration Exhibit” call 425-771-0228 or 425-771-1984.
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Black Box Theater ~ Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood
Thursday, Feb. 6, 12:30 p.m.

Positive Chaos: The Rhythm of the African Diaspora ~ A creative concert for Black History Month, sponsored by BSU, this event is free to the public. You can find event details, theater location and more information here.

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Phoenix Theatre
Firdale Village ~ 9673 Firdale Ave., Edmonds
Friday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. ~ Opening Night

‘Beyond Therapy” by playwright Christopher Durang, is scheduled to run Friday, Feb. 7 through Sunday, March 2, with Friday and Saturday shows at 8 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. General admission is $18.50; children/seniors/military admission is set at $15.50. Tickets are available by calling 206-533-2000 or online.

See My Edmonds News Jan. 25 coverage of this production here.

Many Phoenix Theatre ticket holders begin their evening with dinner at Caravan Kebab (9711 Firdale Ave.) across the parking lot from the Phoenix Theatre. Caravan Kebab specializes in a warm atmosphere – perfect for winter – and a rich menu comprised of fragrant Mediterranean dishes.

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Café Louvre ~ Music and Comedy
210 5th Ave. S., Edmonds, WA
Every Friday 6-8 p.m.
A line-up of musicians with comedian emcee, The Happy Ham, is brought to life by local playwright and multi-talent, Jeff Stilwell.
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Red Petal ~ Music and Comedy
321 Main St.
Every Friday 6-8 p.m.
A line-up of musicians with comedic emcee, Skinny C, otherwise known as Calvin Martin, take the small stage at Red Petal on Fridays. Cupcakes and Coffee, Comedy and Calvin!

(The Friday night line-ups for Café Louvre and Red Petal are booked through Edmonds Tunes.)

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Kafé Neo ~ Traditional Greek Music
21108 Highway 99, Edmonds
Every Sunday 5:30-8 p.m.

Beginning “around 5:30-6 p.m.” John Novakis and The Grecian Sounds play traditional Greek music and take requests every Sunday. To follow what is happening at Kafé Neo visit their website.

Engel’s Pub ~ “Classic Rock, Rockin’ Blues”
113 5th Ave. S., Edmonds
Every Tuesday 8-11 p.m.

Engel’s Pub features “Lou and Friends” with an Open Mic Join In! invitation to all every Tuesday. Lou Echeverri leads a four-piece Classic Rock, Rockin’ Blues band with Dano Mac on drums, Curtis Moore on keys, and Al Smith on bass.

Edmonds Story Time at Café Louvre
Sundays at 4 p.m. Poets and authors are provided a 10-minute read at the Edmonds Story Time podium. It’s fun, it’s lively and it’s provocative.

The event is moderated by Jeff Stilwell, who has spearheaded many Edmonds arts initiatives over the past 14 years. Follow the news and progress of Stilwell’s latest brainchild here. Superbowl Sunday, Feb. 2 is no exception promises Stilwell, who invites literary fans to join him at Café Louvre.

Author’s and Poet’s Podium

Paddy Eger, Edmond’s resident and educator, has received word that her debut novel, “84 Ribbons”, is among the five selections that have been juried for inclusion in the literary review magazine, “ForeWord.” Eger’s novel is available for order at Edmonds Bookshop. You can follow her book release news here.

Joanne Peterson, local columnist, has won first place in the 2013 “Soul-Making Keats Literary Competition” for her prose poem titled “Tulip Fields, Revisited.”  The prestigious San Francisco-based organization, established in 1992, will make the award to Peterson on March 30. Peterson also received an Honorable Mention for her 2013 entry, “Foreclosure.” She described the competition as “An extended community arts outreach program of the National League of American Pen Women.” Peterson has placed in each of the years that she has entered the competition.

Karen Rosenzweig has earned the applause of her Edmonds neighbors with the publication of her 92-page eGuide, “Simple Social Media: Marketing Your Restaurant In 30-minutes A Day”. Rosenweig owns a local business, One Smart Cookie Marketing.

Carol Tiebout of Edmonds also has received an Honorable Mention for her poem, “Night Sheep,” in the 2013 “Soul-Making Keats Literary Competition”. Tiebout is also a visual artist.

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Benefit: Sno-King Community Chorale
Edmonds Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave., Edmonds
Saturday, Feb. 8

The chorale invites the public to its 9th Annual Family Dinner to be held at the Edmonds Senior Center at 5 p.m.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $4 for children under the age of 6. For details and further information, call Kit Hanski at 425.673.1242.

Emily Hill is an author and long-time resident of Edmonds. She is retired from a career in public information and news media relations. If you would like your event listed, or venue featured, in Artfully Edmonds, Emily invites you to contact her at arts@myedmondsnews.com