Imagine midwinter in a sleepy little hamlet by the shore where lights glow in the frost-crusted windows of cozy homes. The residents of this quaint location are battened down by fog and frost.

That would not be Edmonds, where midwinter things are actually quite lively!

Whether it’s meeting friends at any of our bustling restaurants, taking in class acts on the ECA main stage and smaller venues, or strolling through our many art galleries, Edmonds residents are taking opportunities to get out and about.

Each event that Artfully Edmonds took in over the past two weeks was filled to capacity – from Driftwood Players’ beautifully performed “Lark Eden” starring the charismatic Carissa Meisner Smit, Patty Bonnell and Lily Kister; to Art Walk Edmonds; to Martha Redbone’s Roots Project or the Ahn Trio’s performance — “Out and About” are the by-words!

Let’s begin this week’s column with Cascade Symphony Orchestra and then continue through an exciting line-up that includes events for residents of all ages and interests.
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On Loyalties ~ Whether Hamlet’s or . . .
The Seahawks!

Oh, thoust metaphors doth come hither, especially if you are Dave Beck giving the pre-concert play-by-play as he did preceding Cascade Symphony Orchestra’s Jan. 19th performance of “Hamlet”.

As I took my position on the sidelines as a rookie to Beck’s banter, I caught on quickly that much merriment was in store as Beck kicked off his pre-concert lecture.

Assuring Miropolsky fans that the Maestro “and his squad” would be on stage in their “home team colors” (of black and white), Beck explained that Mozart, in writing the Overture to Don Giovanni, relied not on Skittles as did our Marshawn Lynch, but on wine punch. The parallels between Mozart’s last-minute completion of his overture before its premiere and the last-minute victory of the Seahawks won over symphony attendees.

As orchestra members settled in, Pamela Liu swept onto stage wearing a designer-influenced black taffeta high-waist gown. The bodice was set off with a large rosette that vined over Ms. Liu’s right shoulder, Grecian-style, over a black chiffon long-sleeved bodice. She was stunning, as always, with her hair pulled into an elegant chignon and pins.

Miropolsky greeted the full house with well wishes for the New Year and a rousing, “Go Seahawks!” which received enthusiastic applause.

Mozart’s accomplishments and influences ruled the evening as the program danced away from Mozart’s Overture into Tchaikovsky’s “Hamlet Fantasy Overture,” where foreboding drama and funereal passages measured time.

George Enesco’s “Roumanian Rhapsody” allowed Miropolsky to lighten the musical mood for a bit as “the rhapsody begins innocently enough, with a carefree, deceptively simple tune in the winds, which soon grows and becomes a more complex melody as it is passed around the orchestra.” Violist Roberta McBride, who serves as Executive Director of the symphony, executed a solo passage in this piece with exquisite precision. Brava! A touchdown!

After Intermission, re-staging included a Steinway 9’ Concert Grand Piano, Model D, used for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1, performed by the masterfully talented Angelo Rondello. The young talent was given a rousing standing ovation, and as an encore Rondello rewarded his audience with one of Debussy’s hauntingly beautiful classics, “Clair de lune.”
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In Memoriam: Suzanne Ruff

Artfully Edmonds notes with sadness the passing of Suzanne Sjaastad Ruff, who died Jan. 9, 2015. Suzanne, who played the viola with CSO up until this past performance season, was a member of the orchestra for 30 years. During her tenure with the Cascade Symphony Orchestra, Suzanne generously served as librarian and as a board member. We extend our heartfelt condolences.
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Edmonds Community College
20000 68th Ave. W.
Gallery ~ Lynnwood Hall
Artist’s Reception
Friday, Jan. 23
3:30-6:30 p.m.

“Please Touch!” is an interactive and collaborative exhibit that explores the themes of air, earth, the human form and sound through a variety of media. Jim Ballard and his colleagues, sculptors Richard Hestekind and David Varnau, along with various teams of people create an experiential art installation that focuses on touch, sound 
and motion.

The “Please Touch!” 3-D art show is designed to be interactive and visceral. Although sculpture is considered a “visual” art, this show is intended for the visitor to the gallery to actually “feel” the sculptures and reliefs on display. With the visually impaired visitor in mind, it allows you, like them, to touch each work exhibited! So, it’s not about simply “viewing” the artwork. It’s about “feeling” the sensuous contours of the abstract and representational stone and bronze sculptures as well as the reliefs displayed on the walls of the gallery.

Collaborative aspects of the exhibit took place during fall 2014 as part of Jim Ballard’s artist-in-residence program with Edmonds CC students and instructors, blind or visually impaired local community members, and others who shared their ideas, developed methods of executing the art, and created tactile works. This exhibit invites children and adults who want to discover more about the world to “Please Touch! ”

“Please Touch!” runs Jan. 5-March 13 at Edmonds Community College Art Gallery, Lynnwood Hall.

The exhibit is sponsored by the college’s library, the Visual Arts department, and the Center for Student Engagement and Leadership.
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Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA)
410 4th Ave. N.
Friday, Jan. 23
8 p.m.
SRJO: Quincy Jones &
Ray Charles on Jackson St.

Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra (SRJO) known as “the Northwest’s premier big band jazz ensemble was founded by drummer Clarence Acox and lead alto saxophonist Michael Brockman twenty years ago at a time when, as Brockman explains, “there weren’t a lot of folks who wanted to play the classic (jazz) literature.”

A lot has changed over time resulting in the SRJO’s current composition of a 17-piece big band made up of such great jazz musicians as Bill Ramsey, Dan Marcus, Scott Brown, Andy Omdahl, and other great jazz luminaries from the Puget Sound area.

If you are not familiar with SRJO, this YouTube offers insights into the intriguing history of the orchestra’s make-up.

For its Friday night ECA performance, the orchestra will pay homage to jazz of the 1940s on Seattle’s Jackson Street, where nightlife was colorful and bootleg liquor flowed at dicey hotspots. It was in this edgy, steamy environment that Ray Charles and Quincy Jones got their starts.

Vocalist Reggie Goings will join the SRJO on the ECA stage along with Hammond B-3 organist Delvon Lamarr.

So grab your ducky shincracker, take a powder from your digs, and cook with the gas – because your ticket back to the 40’s is waiting!

Tickets are available at the ECA online box office.
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Saturday, Jan. 24
7:30 p.m.
Marc Cohn

Marc Cohn might be known best for “Walking in Memphis,” Grammy nominated in 1992 at the 34th Annual Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal, losing to Irving Gordon’s “Unforgettable.” Cohn took away the trophy that year in the category, “Best New Artist.”

Orphaned at an early age, Cohn bounced from Cleveland to Los Angeles to New York City, where he demo’ed songs for the likes of Jimmy Webb. He was a member of the 14-piece band recommended by Carly Simon to play at Carolyn Kennedy’s 1986 wedding and it’s been a succession of hits and successes ever since.

Edmonds’ ECA is one of 36 stops on Cohn’s current tour schedule. To find out more, visit his official website at https://marccohn.net

It’s festival seating so you want to grab your tickets and get to the ECA early.
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Comedy!

Friday, Jan. 30
Saturday, Jan. 31
7:30 p.m.

The 7th annual Edmonds Comedy Night is almost here!

Event organizers are wildly excited to be offering two nights of screamingly funny comedy featuring nationally touring comedians; with MC Kermet Apio, featured comedians Cory Michaelis, Nathan Brannon and Susan Rice.

What can I say? It’s going to be amazing – just like last year, and the year before, and the year before . . . See you there! You’ll find me in Row K, stage right.

Grab a set of tickets at the ECA online box office.
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Rick Steves
On Global Citizenship

Friday, Jan. 30
7 p.m.

Trinity Lutheran Church
6215 196th St. S.W.

Wine, appetizers, and thoughtful discussion = Rick Steves! Steves will lead a presentation on Esperanza International and Fundacion Esperanza de Mexico. Pre-event ticket purchases are encouraged and available here.
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Friday, Feb. 6
7-9 p.m.

Meadowdale High School
Music/Arts Booster
Silent Auction & Variety Show

Edmonds Senior Center
220 Railroad Ave.

Join the Meadowdale High School Art and Music Booster Clubs as these talented young musicians perform for local support!

The Art and Music Booster Clubs are hosting a Silent Auction and Variety Show at Edmonds Senior Center Ballroom in order to raise money for the Fine Arts, Performing Arts and Music Programs at Meadowdale High School. The auction will feature many great items from local businesses and services as well as a dessert auction.

Just a sampling of the evening’s entertainment includes performances by:
* The Meadowdale High School Improv Team
* The Meadowdale Players Drama Club
* The Meadowdale High School Men’s Choir
* The Meadowdale High School Jazz Band
* Meadowdale High School Orchestra Quartets

Appetizers will be served. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. It’s going to be fun!

All funds raised by this annual event are used by the Music and Dramatic Arts Departments to repair and purchase equipment; pay for student competition and workshop fees; buy scripts and production rights; and provide student financial aid.

Tickets are $15/each and can be purchased here.
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Daddy Daughter Dance
Edmonds Senior Center
220 Railroad Ave.

Saturday, Feb. 7
6:30 – 8 p.m.

Edmonds’ delightful Daddy Daughter Dance once again waltzes onto the calendar. Daddies, uncles, grandpas – all – if you are the mentor, or caring adult to a Little Miss, this is your chance to make a special, memorable date!

The Ballroom at the Edmonds Senior Center is the sparkling venue for this event, sponsored by the City of Edmonds Parks and Recreation Department, which will feature a live DJ, light refreshments, professional photography, and delightful decorations!

Register by calling 425-771-0230 or make a visit to this website.
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Feb. 9 – March 9
Mondays ~ 6-8 p.m.

Kimberlie Brayman Drawing Classes!
ARTSpot
408 Main St.

Explore perspective and add fun to your drawing! In this class Kim helps you understand what you are seeing and how to translate to your drawing pad or canvas.

To register, use this link.

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Author’s and Poet’s Podium

EPIC Group Writers
3rd Annual Writing Contest

Submission Receipt Deadline: March 9, 2015

EPIC Group Writers invites you to submit your original written work to their 3rd Annual Writing Contest. Get writing now!

This year’s theme is “Journey”. Winners will be announced May 4, 2015 and will be afforded a public read of their work at a winner’s ceremony to be held at the Edmonds Library on May 28th.

A vibrant and visionary writer’s group, EPIC fosters the efforts of “those who create, communicate and connect through cultural and artistic endeavors, especially the literary arts.”

EPIC is a Monday morning 10AM drop-in writers group that meets at the Edmonds Library (650 Main St.)

More information about EPIC, its affiliations and contest particulars are available at the group’s website: www.epicgroupwriters.com
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Saturday, Jan. 24
Noon

Edmonds Bookshop
111 5th Ave. S.

Author Jeanne Matthews is welcomed back to Edmonds’ favorite bookshop prompted by her tease for “Where the Bones Are Buried.”

Dinah Pelerin wasn’t used to waking up happy and it scared the daylights out of her.

That’s quite a hook, right? Please join Edmonds Bookshop in welcoming this prolific, successful author as she continues on a book tour for her sixth novel and 5th installment of the Dinah Pelerin mystery series.
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Available Monday, Jan. 26

Edmonds: 1850s-1950s
Sara McGibbon DuBois
and Ray E. DuBois

News from the publisher: “Before Edmonds became a town it was a forest of cedar trees and evergreens. The Puget Sound’s various Indian tribes used the land for camping, the sea for fishing and clamming for meals, and the marshes for harvesting tules that they used to weave into items such as mats and baskets. Later, the area became known as Brackett’s Landing, named after the man who began logging the forest and founded the town of Edmonds in 1890 and opened its first mills and schools. The Great Northern Railway arrived in 1891, bringing with it great prospects for commercial and residential prosperity. As the young town grew into a city, it thrived because of its location on the water. Private ferry boats called the Mosquito Fleet came from Seattle, and to this day, commercial and passenger ferries cross the Puget Sound to the Port of Edmonds, Kingston, and the rest of the Olympic Peninsula.”

Sara McGibbon DuBois grew up in Edmonds and recalls that it was the perfect small town in which to spend one’s childhood.”

Edmonds: 1850s-1950s becomes available for order at Edmonds Bookshop, 111 5th Ave. S.
on Jan. 26

— By Emily Hill

Emily Hill is the author of two novels and a short story collection. She also writes the “Lynnwood Lifestyle” column for Lynnwood Today. Emily is retired from a career in public information and news media relations. If you would like your event listed, or featured, in Artfully Edmonds, Emily invites you to contact her at arts@myedmondsnews.com.