One of the elements that attracts people to our beautiful “Edmonds In Bloom” city is the colorful, exciting array of community-draw events. Edmonds is fast becoming “The” destination for festival-attendees, arts and crafts enthusiasts, and gallery patrons.

Our main stage showcase, Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA), attracts thousands each season to its dazzling performance line-up. And our well-run festivals routinely make the network news.

Each week through the spring and summer – and beyond – you can come to the “Artfully Edmonds” column of My Edmonds News and link to a weekly roster of events with live-URL click-thru’s to behind the scenes information, YouTube videos and ticket links.

Walk the waterfront, or stroll downtown sidewalks to take advantage of the community of neighbors, the vibrant downtown, as well as the vital business zones of Firdale, Five Corners, Westgate, and the Highway 99 corridor.

After all – It’s an Edmonds Kind of Day!

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Waterfront Festival ~ This weekend in the sun!

Edmonds Rotary Waterfront Festival
Port of Edmonds Marina
400 Admiral Way

Opens Friday, May 30 ~ 3 pm

It starts Friday! And it’s going to be fun! If you like cotton candy, rides, laughter and lots of fun, the place to be this weekend is the Edmonds waterfront as the Edmonds Rotary opens the gates to the 27th annual Waterfront Festival.

Swing with the Avenue B Jazz Quartet as Edmonds-Woodway High School alumni Miles Laven on drums ; Cory Franklin on bass; Jack Roben, guitar and Max Bennett on tenor sax warm up the welcome to this popular Edmonds festival.

But that’s not all – there’s juggling! Magic! Snakes shows – and oh so much music! All of this is energized by Masters of Ceremonies Matt Clough and Mike Colvin, who emcee the three-day event.

You want to rock? You want the blues? Maybe a ‘lil Southern sound? Then you’ll be clamoring and clapping for “The Beatniks”, “Michelle Taylor Band” and “Whiskey River”.

Every year Edmonds becomes party central as the Rotary Club of Edmonds opens the season and the frivolity begins.

Tickets: $3 ~ children 12 and under are admitted free.
Shuttle Service information is available here.

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And the

Edmonds Watershed Fun Fair

180 W Dayton St.

Saturday, May 31~ 11 a..m.-4 p.m
Then as long as you are on the waterfront, don’t miss the Watershed Fun Fair. Explore the connections between Edmonds Marsh, Willow Creek and Puget Sound. This event, which celebrates Edmonds’ waterways, takes place at multiple locations.

Ride the free Waterfront Festival Shuttle Bus from downtown Edmonds to the marsh, the Willow Creek Fish Hatchery, and the waterfront.

Bring the family for guided walks, kids’ activities, geocaching, exhibits, and more. Learn why we say “Puget Sound Starts Here!”

More information, schedule and free parking locations at www.Discovery.Edmondswa.gov.
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Do you have a fave place in one of Edmonds’ neighborhoods – maybe someplace where neighbors are gathering for events or art? Let “Artfully Edmonds” know and we’ll run a mid-summer feature, or an in-the-moment special mention!

Here are a few shout outs that we have come up with this week:

Westgate

Urban Scrapbooker
9810 Edmonds Way

“As spring warms up go to where craft is cool”

Named to the “Top Five Arts Crafts Stores” of Evening Magazine’s Best of Western Washington, Urban Scrapbooker is a great place to gather, chatter and be cool and crafty for spring and summer.

Whether your art and scrapbooking style is Edmonds seashore, French elegance, or Manhattan chic, Brooke Snyder owner of Urban Scrapbooker offers classes to give you the results you are looking for. Here is the Facebook page for Urban Scrapbooker.
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Firdale Village

Phoenix Theatre
9673 Firdale Ave.

“Funny things are happening at the Phoenix Theatre”

Known as the comedy central of Edmonds’ playhouse stages, the Phoenix Theatre is currently showing “Kimberly Akimbo” by playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, and starring the wildly popular (and zany!) Melanie Calderwood. Directorial veteran Eric Lewis directs the production.

“Kimberly Akimbo” is an account of a girl who progressively grows older than her parents, offering audiences an outlandish storyline from a theatef company known for its selection of well-written theatrical comedies.

The Phoenix Theatre selects its productions with the presumption that audience members are looking for escape from the drama and worry in their lives. And, what’s better than a few hearty guffaws, or nuanced wit.

“Kimberly Akimbo” will enjoy a May 30 to June 22 run at Firdale Village’s comedy theater.

For ticket information call 206-533-2000 or go online.

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Five Corners

Designated as one of two neighborhood commercial areas that is an “active and vital part of the community” Five Corners is fast becoming a focal point of activity, receiving attention that will surely lead to expanded arts and events opportunities.

Bar DoJo
8404 Bowdoin Way

Map it!

Asian Taco Night!
Burger Night!
Half Price Wine Night!
Kitchen Tours Night!

All these make Bar DoJo an eventful stop-off in Five Corners.

The restaurant’s sophisticated Facebook page draws hundreds of “Likes” from Five Corners’ fans – and obviously well beyond.

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Highway 99 Corridor

Kafé Neo
21108 Highway 99

My favorite ethnic music spot on Edmonds’ stretch of Highway 99 – that also serves great Greek (!) food – remains Kafé Neo.

Sundays beginning at 6 p.m., “John Novakis and The Grecian Sounds” play traditional Greek music and take requests from restaurant patrons in a welcoming, family atmosphere.

You can follow what is happening at Kafé Neo here.

There you have it! A glimpse at crafts, music, food, and theatre out and about Edmonds. Now let’s see what is on “Artfully Edmonds” full calendar for this week:

Neighbors to the North

Artists’ Garage Sale
Schack Art Center
2921 Hoyt Ave., Everett

Saturday, June 7 ~ 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

If you are looking for a good deal on artwork or art supplies, mark your calendar now for a drive to Everett for the Schack Art Center Garage Sale.

There will be more than 100 artists offering seconds, as well as old and new stock including watercolors, oils, pastels, acrylics, glass, sculpture, ceramics, and much more – all at fabulous prices.

The Schack Art Center website is a fun place to practice your click! clicks!! Go there for event previews, ticket information, art class schedules and to take advantage of June 7 early-bird opportunities.

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Authors and Poets Podium

Café Louvre
210 5th Ave. S

Tuesday, June 3 ~ 6-8 p.m.

Book Launch:
“Behind Closed Doors: Stories From the Inside Out”

A book launch party and author reading is planned for Tuesday, June 3 for 15 Scriber Lake High School authors who have published a powerful new book intended to broaden the dialogue on such topics as bullying, addiction, incarceration, broken homes and other struggles faced by today’s youth.

The book, titled “Behind Closed Doors: Stories From the Inside Out”, is the third student story collection published through www.weareabsolutelynotokay.org, a program that helps teenagers find their voice and power by writing and publishing their personal stories.

“Behind Closed Doors: Stories From the Inside Out” will be available at the book launch as well as at Edmonds Bookshop, 111 Main St.

All proceeds from the book will go to fund the writing/publishing program at Scriber.

Main Stage at ECA

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

“In My Life ~ A Musical Theater Tribute to The Beatles”

Wednesday, June 4 ~ 7:30 pm

The award winning, nationally touring musical biography of the Beatles as seen through the eyes of their manager Brian Epstein and featuring the live music of renowned tribute band Abbey Road is just days away!

It’s been months since ECA first announced that the award winning smash hit had been booked . . . it’s finally time to welcome to Edmonds “In My Life – A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles.”

Over the past three weeks the My Neighborhood News Network”has sponsored a ticket giveaway to the very popular production. The winners of the Beatles Trivia ticket giveaway include “My Neighborhood News Network” readers Mike Allende, Marcia Ridley, Dan Zabeck and Robert Kramer; as well as two readers chosen Wednesday: Geni Fawcett and John Simon.

The World Premiere of what was to become “In My Life” opened to packed houses and critical acclaim under the name “Ticket to Ride Musical” in Orange County, Calif., April 2009.

The cast and production staff bios for the show are listed at the official website for those readers who cannot get enough Beatle Trivia.

See My Edmonds News’ review of this exciting and revealing myopic published May 12.

Lynnwood High School Music Concert
Thursday, June 5 ~ 7 p.m.
Free Event!

Featured in Lynnwood Today, this popular local instrumental band studies under the baton of music educator, Phil Onishi.
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Coming Soon!
Sno-King Chorale

Saturday, June 7 ~ 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Mamma Mia – A Concert Version of a Broadway Musical

From the playbill: People all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia! This is the ultimate feel-good show! 
The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship.

You won’t want to miss this entertaining show. You may pre-order your tickets through the website of the chorale or at the ECA Box Office.
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How to obtain tickets for these ECA events: Call the ECA Box Office at 425-275-9595, go online at www.ec4arts.org or visit in person at the ECA Box Office, located at 410 4th Ave. N.

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— By Emily Hill

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