A community as rich in resources as Edmonds is a great place to raise kids; and with that in mind Artfully Edmonds has decided to lead each of this month’s columns with news of contributions by our talented, community-committed youngsters and young adults.

Artfully Edmonds begins its February columns with shout outs to the mentors and resource organizations who have made a commitment to Edmonds’ Valentines – our youth:

Catching up with Casey

We told you in July 2014 that Meadowdale High School alum Casey Askew was going places – and he is! Literally.

Askew is on a 79-stop tour of U.S. cities sponsored by the “So You Think You Can Dance” (SYTYCD) company.

Caitlin Plummer reported on Casey’s experiences on “So You Think You Can Dance” last summer. Just a few days after Casey’s Jan. 28 appearance on The Ellen Degeneres Show, Artfully Edmonds (AE) was able to grab a few moments with Casey’s sweetheart of a mom for a few anecdotes about what Casey’s life is like now that fame is knocking at his door.

Enter Casey’s Parents, Lisa and Dale Askew (LDA):

AE: The public’s perception might be different from your perception of Casey — as his parents. What about Casey’s career trajectory do you realize from “behind the scenes” ?

LDA: Casey is just beginning his dance career and we can’t wait to see where it takes him. He puts an amazing amount of time and energy into dance, and has made many sacrifices along the way. In the end, he is pursuing his passion and what could be better than that?

AE: Lisa and Dale, has your home life, or your personal schedule changed now that Casey is nationally and internationally known as a Rising Star?

LDA: Our home life has not changed very much. It’s been wonderful hearing and feeling the wonderful support from relatives, friends and our community.

AE: At what moment did you realize — Casey isn’t just special because he’s our son —– Casey IS special on a grander scale?

LDA: The SYTYCD experience has been an eye opener to what competing on a grander scale feels like. We are happy and proud of Casey.

AE: So . . . the first night that Casey is home for his Paramount SYTYCD 79-Stop Tour — what special treatment does he get when he crosses the threshold of his home?

LDA: Unfortunately Casey is only passing through Seattle for the day and headed straight to Canada to continue the tour. We will only see him the night of the show, along with a huge following of friends and family, so it should make his home town visit extra special.

AE: We understand how hectic Casey’s tour schedule and performance demands must be, and would like to thank you for the generosity of your time. What do you think that Casey might like to say to his Edmonds’ fans; and what would you like to say to your Edmonds neighbors about your son?

LDA: We are thrilled for this opportunity Casey has been given and are glad he is loving what he’s doing. We appreciate the support of the community for a sold out show in Seattle!

– – – –

Casey and the rest of the “So You Think You Can Dance” troupe are scheduled to perform Thursday, Feb. 5 at the Seattle Paramount. Congratulations to Casey Askew! And thank you to his parents Lisa and Dale for stopping by to answer a few of questions about what is happening in Casey’s life since his meteoric rise to fame began.

~ ~ ~ ~

Gypsy!

By Arthur Laurents

Playing through Feb. 7

Gypsy! Is playing at the Mountlake Terrace High School Theatre (21801 44th Avenue West, Mountlake Terrace) this week.

Catch up with the production news in our sister publication, MLTNews.

MLT High School students: You’ll want to see your friends on stage!

Families: It’s going to be fun, and festive!

Tickets here.

~ ~ ~ ~

Friday, Feb. 6

7-9 p.m.

Meadowdale High School

Music/Arts Booster

Silent Auction & Variety Show

Edmonds Senior Center

220 Railroad Ave.

Count down has started to one of the greatest Variety Shows! Let’s see what the Meadowdale High School’s Art and Music Booster Clubs have in mind for us!

The venue for the Silent Auction and Variety Show is the Edmonds Senior Center Ballroom.

The auction will feature many great items from local businesses and services as well as a dessert auction.

The program for this community-friendly event will include

* A Silent Auction – Plus! –

* The Meadowdale High School Improv Team

* The Meadowdale Players Drama Club

* The Meadowdale High School Men’s Choir

* The Meadowdale High School Jazz Band

* The Meadowdale High School Orchestra Quartets

Appetizers are included with your ticket. Beer and wine are available for purchase.

Tickets are $15/each and can be purchased at https://mhsartsandmusic.brownpapertickets.com

~ ~ ~ ~

Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA)

410 4th Ave. S.

Saturday, Feb. 7

9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Kidstock!

Free!

Kidstock! Is bringing back the Fantastic, the Zany . . . (drum roll, please) Alex Zerbe, Professional Zaniac and two-time Guinness World Record holder, voted Seattle’s Funniest Prop Comic.

Registration is necessary for this free family event.

Want a laugh? Here’s Zerbe on YouTube:

See? He’s funny!

~ ~ ~ ~

Daddy Daughter Dance

Edmonds Senior Center

220 Railroad Ave.

Saturday, Feb. 7

6:30 – 8 p.m.

 

This special event, sponsored by City of Edmonds Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, is for little girls and their dads, or a caring adult who has a little Valentine in their life.

There will be dancing, a live DJ, cookies and punch.

Professional picture will be available for an additional fee (cash, check only).

The Daddy Daughter Dance will be held at the Edmonds Senior Center Upstairs Ballroom (220 Railroad Avenue).

Pre-registration required, call 425-771-0230 or visit the event website.

~ ~ ~ ~

ARTSpot!

Edmonds enjoys a full community of artists who have made a commitment to aspiring ‘young people’ artists. And for the past several years ARTSpot has offered private art classes to these youngsters through their “No School Days” art classes.

From the ARTSpot website we learn that there are two “No School Days” February class offerings:

Feb. 13

1-3 p.m.

Tangle Awesomeness / Learn how to design and Draw Spectacular Designs for your binders, clothes and posters. Instructor: Michele McGraw

– – – –

Feb. 16-17

1-3 p.m.

A two day workshop for kids offering an art experience to create a fantasy sci-fi world of creatures. Learn and work in both 2-D drawing the first day and 3-D clay on second day! Instructor: Mike O’Day

https://artspot.squarespace.com/youth-classes/

~ ~ ~ ~

It’s Performance Coaching

for Young People

Malya Muth, singing and performance coach, has stage sweethearts in mind as she offers a discount on singing lessons to teens advancing toward performance on the Everett Village Theatre or Driftwood Players stages.

She has two studio location choices: Edmonds or the University District.

Muth advises, “Prepare your teen for music theatre camp,” observing that, “Leads go to the singing actors with the strongest voices, biggest range and most personality.”

The veteran coach says, “Sometimes kids don’t realize that they are under-singing or under-performing. Good vocal technique requires knowledge of breath support and how to focus your tone. Performing requires intensity, rhythm and most of all – preparation!”

From now through March 15, Malya is offering a special price for Teens: $160 for four, 45-minute lessons (after April, lesson prices go up to $220).

Contact her to set up a free assessment by calling 425-876-9155 or send a message to info@nwvocalarts.com.

~ ~ ~ ~

Edmonds Historical Society

Online for Kids!

Even the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society and Museum (118 5th Ave. N.) has Edmonds-area kids in mind for Valentine’s Day – and throughout the year.

Their museum paper doll collection of “Hollywood Dollies” features such early Hollywood greats as the dapper Douglas MacLean, the charismatic Colleen Moore and even Rudolph Valentino; plus many other Silver Screen stars with authentic-period wardrobes!

Who were these Hollywood greats?

Well, Douglas MacLean was born in 1890 and was in his first motion picture in 1914. Imagine! His first Hollywood appearance 100 years ago!

Whose grandmother (or great grandmother) hasn’t swooned for Rudolph Valentino? Born in 1895 of Italian heritage Valentino was curiously known as the “Latin Lover”.

This collection is perfect for the 6-8 year old set! Learn more:

https://www.historicedmonds.org/KidsPage.html

~ ~ ~ ~

Washington Kids in Transition

Community Help for Homeless Kids

Saturday, Feb. 7

10 a.m.-1 p.m.

 

Kim Gorney of “Washington Kids in Transition” checked in with us this week to let us know that the organization will be packing bundles of food for Edmonds School District’s homeless McKinney-Vento youth.

Insurance Services Group owns the temporary storage and packing area located at 610 Main St. in downtown Edmonds (the former Cynderellie’s Closet bridal boutique).

On Saturday, donations of pre-packaged food items can be dropped off at this location.

According to Gorney, helping kids out with overnight or over-the-weekend groceries is easy. “All you have to do is pull up to the back door and we will come out to your car and get your donations!”

Gorney explains, “Many of the kids our program live in transitional housing, some without kitchens. The food we supply needs to be pre-made and pre- packaged.”

Washington Kids in Transition is also running a $5 donation campaign. All it takes is $5 to make a difference. Visit the organization’s website at washingtonkidsintransition.org

and consider donating through the PayPal link.

~ ~ ~ ~

So there you have it – the resources for Edmonds youth and contributions by Edmonds youth as the special day for sweethearts approaches.

— 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.