“Happy Holidays!” to art lovers, audiences and event participants from Artfully Edmonds.

It’s been a glittering year for the Edmonds arts community – and thanks to our arts news sponsors we have been able to bring My Edmonds News readers the Artfully Edmonds column, plus in-depth profiles, briefs and reminders of performances, gallery openings and artist biographies.

It’s been a joy over this past year getting to know artists and performers on a personal level, attending exhibitions’ unveilings – particularly the opening of Edmonds’ West Coast-renowned Cascadia Art Museum. Throughout the year My Edmonds News readers received insider peeks into Art Walk Edmonds, the 2015 Arts Tour, the Edmonds Arts Festival and previews of Edmonds’ many stage productions at Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA) and our two local theatres.

Covering this much news with a professional staff would have been difficult without the arts’ advertisers and many generous subscribers who have contributed to the payroll, Internet services and many other costs involved in bringing this thriving community up-to-the-minute news.

I love my job here at My Edmonds News and enjoy the experienced and dedicated team that comprises this news network. Since retiring from the media arena I have an appreciation for news that’s available when it’s relevant – and stays current to the moment – as does ‘My Neighborhood News Network’ (MNNN) of Lynnwood Today, My Edmonds News and MLTNews.

Artfully Edmonds extends a note of gratitude to the subscribers and arts sponsors who have supported My Edmonds News in its efforts to keep “the arts” in the forefront of current events happenings this year. They have done the heavy lifting when it comes to bringing to reality the slogan, “Edmonds: An Arts Destination!” — and they have brought this news organization to the pinnacle of readership that it now enjoys.

In the past three weeks alone (Dec. 1-22) the arts events we’ve covered have enjoyed 4,972 views. Videographers, photographers, and feature writers paid by this news organization, by way of the support of arts sponsors, were able to bring the greater Edmonds community up-to-the-minute “what’s happening” bulletins and insider news on entertainment and arts options for you and your out-of-town guests.

So “Happy Holidays” to all of the Razzle Dazzle makers, all the holiday fair vendors, to the staff and board members of Edmonds Center for the Arts, the high school and professional chorales, and to Edmonds’ musicians, artists and performers! You made it happen.

Want to get on the bandwagon with Edmonds’ premier arts sponsors? Become a personal subscriber at this link, or work with My Edmonds News on a one-time or recurring ad campaign to put you in our readers’ spotlight.

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Gifts of Fun and Discovery!

ZINC Art + Objects
102 3^rd Ave. S.

Gallery owner Laura Zeck and her staff simply love the holidays and helping their clients decide on just the right gift!

ZINC  ~  making your world fun to live in!

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Malya Muth Sings!

Singing Teacher Malya Muth is offering Holiday Special singing classes for adults and teens, plus “rock your audition” coaching.

Make this the year you learn to sing “Happy Birthday to You” – in tune.

Contact Malya for gift certificates for your favorite “I-wanna-be-a-singer” and leave a message at 425-876-9155 or email her at info@NwVocalArts.com.

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Cascadia Art Museum
190 Sunset Ave.
“Give the gift of Art,” invites CAM.

“Celebrate art this holiday season by inviting your family and friends to discover a year of joy and inspiration with a 12-month membership at Cascadia Art Museum. This festive gift includes members-only events, preview admission and special gift shop discounts.

Enjoy $10 off your museum membership by emailing your interest to admin@cascadiaartmuseum.org.

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Church Bells at Christmas

North Sound Church
404 Bell St.

Christmas Eve
Thursday, Dec. 24
5, 7 and 9 p.m.
Carols by Candlelight

The invitation reads, “Enjoy singing Christmas carols and lessons with family and friends as we remember the beauty of this Holy season. Please plan to join the church communities of North Sound Church and Holy Trinity Edmonds this Christmas Eve. The congregations gather in the century-old historic white bell steeple church at the corner of Bell St. and 4^th Ave. N.”

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Holy Trinity Edmonds
404 Bell St.

Thursday, Dec. 24
3 and 11 p.m.
Lessons and Carols

For specific times of the Christmas Eve sermons of this dual-church community go to their website.

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Faith Community Church  at 10220 238th St. S.W. will showcase the advent art of parishioner Mason Andrews in its 5 p.m. service.

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Holy Rosary Parish
630 7^th Ave. N.

Thursday/Friday, Dec. 24/25
Christmas Eve Children’s and Vigil Mass
5 p.m. and 10 p.m. respectively

Christmas Day Children’s and Vigil Mass

8 a.m. and 10 a.m. respectively

Holy Rosary Parish will begin services in observation of Christmas with a children’s mass at 5 p.m. Christmas Eve. The vigil mass on Thursday will begin with caroling at 9:30 p.m. and feature choir and orchestra.

Christmas Day mass will be held at 8 a.m. for the children’s mass and 10 a.m. for the vigil mass. The vigil mass will include choir music with orchestra.

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Trinity Lutheran Church
6510 196^th Ave. SW

Christmas Eve
Thursday, Dec. 24
Noon and 5, 9 and 11 p.m. services

The theme for Trinity Lutheran Church services will be the Bible verses Luke 2:1-20 “God: A Child of the Poor”

Services will feature carols, a candlelight vigil and the sacrament of Holy Communion at each service.

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Edmonds Lutheran Church
23525 84th Ave. W.
Sunday, Dec. 27
9:30 a.m.

Edmonds Lutheran Church will feature a service titled, “Lessons and Carols of Christmas” the Sunday morning following Christmas.

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Note: My Edmonds News readers are invited to list the seasonal musical programs of their church in the comments section of today’s column.

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Saturday, Jan. 2
6 p.m.
Edmonds Theatre
415 Main St.
‘Star Wars’ Open-Captioning

Edmonds resident Dean Olson notified My Edmonds News this week that the Edmonds Theatre will offer open-captioning for the 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2 showing of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Dean and his wife Janet invite legal-age Star Wars enthusiasts to meet them at 4:30 p.m. next door at Daphnes Bar https://www.facebook.com/daphnesedmonds/?fref=ts (415 ½ Main St.) for no-host appetizers and beverages.

Sounds fun, doesn’t it?

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Alley Bell Music 
413 Bell St., Edmonds

Free Demonstration at Lake Forest Park Town Center

17171 Bothell Way N.E.

Thursday, Jan. 7
9:45 a.m.

Alley Bell Music is a licensed Music Together Center, offering Music Together classes to children ages 0-5 and the adults who love them. Alley Bell Music studios are located in downtown Edmonds and Lake Forest Park.

Owner Sarah Richàrd alerted Artfully Edmonds to the upcoming demonstration class to be held at their Lake Forest Park location, 17171 Bothell Way NE.

Interested in a free demonstration of Music Together? Registration is a must for attendance by using this link.

Joining Richàrd in her teaching is Brenna Wells, and the two subscribe to this theory: “All children are musical, all children can achieve basic rhythmic and tonal competence, and that the best musical role models for children are the adults in their lives who love them the most!”

Thursday, Jan. 18 begins the winter semester for moms, babes and young ones. Details for this memory-building experience are at the ‘classes’ tab of the Alley Bell’s website.

Contact Alley Bell Music for the location that best suits your needs by calling 425-670-0569.

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Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA)
410 4^th Ave. N.
Saturday, Jan. 9
9:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Kidstock!

Free! Pre-registration necessary.

The holiday season is for kids – of all ages – so ECA has placed the family-and-kid favorite Kidstock! at the start of their 2016 calendar.

Kidstock! is the free, annual family event at ECA that features musical performances, theatre, arts education workshops, and activities for kids. As the cornerstone of ECA’s Family Series, Kidstock! strives to engage children from a young age in diverse and exciting arts experiences.

Just look at this exciting Main Stage schedule for Jan. 9:

9:45 a.m.: Recess Monkey
11 a.m.: Ropeworks
Noon: Myth Understandings (ASL-interpreted)
1:15 p.m.: Bailadores de Bronce ~ Mexican Folk Dance Group
2:30 p.m.: The Zaniac and America’s Got Talent star, Alex Zerbe with Godfrey Daniels

Kidstock! will also include an inter-generational art workshop with Silver Kite Community Arts, an all-ages hula lesson with the Nana I Ke Kumu Pono Foundation.

And as though that’s not enough, there will be bouncy houses and so much more!

Pre-register online or call the ECA Box Office at 425-275-9595.

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Sell Out Alert!
Thursday, Jan. 14
7:30 p.m.

Adult Time: Pink Martini, featuring Storm Large is waiting in the wings at ECA once the wee ones are all tucked in.

Storm Large a Portland-based musical group that describes itself as a “little orchestra” accompanies Pink Martini with its cross genre classical, Latin, jazz and classic pop.

For this one you are going to have to check for unclaimed tickets at ECA’s box office by calling 425-275-9595.

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Edmonds Center for the Arts
Year-end Giving Request

ECA is a home where the community comes together to be inspired by outstanding music, dance, theatre, and comedy — and the ECA Board asks your help to make this happen!

Edmonds main stage depends on the generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to help bring the performing arts to our community.

Click here to make your year-end donation to an entertainment centerpiece.

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Theatre News

Phoenix Theatre
9673 Firdale Ave.

Adult Acting Classes for the working (or wanting to work more) actor:
Saturdays, beginning Jan. 9
11-1 p.m.

Growing Your Chops:

Designed for actors who want to make stronger and bolder acting choices and book more jobs!

Cost: $25 for each of the first four classes; and $20 for each additional class. Phoenix Theatre offers a discount if theatre students purchase 8 classes at once; ie. $150 for 8 classes

Growing Your Chops is taught by Christine Mosere who has over 20 years’ experience performing, directing and teaching in the theatre arts.

Mosere studied with master coach Tim Phillips (trademark holder of Sherlock Holmsing the script), Ron Stetson of The Neighborhood Playhouse, and is an alumna of Carnegie-Mellon University.

Sign up for Growing Your Chops by emailing Mosere at Christinem@phoenixtheatreedmonds.org

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Then watch for Phoenix Theatre’s “Communicating Doors” by Alan Ayckbourn which will begin its run in February.

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Driftwood Players
Thursday, Jan. 14
8 p.m.

Proof, David Auburn’s Award Winning Play
Directed by Rick Wright

Edmonds Driftwood Players’ begins 2016 with a production from its TIPS program (Theatre of Intriguing Possibilities).

The stage lights will light up for Proof by David Auburn at the Wade James Theatre on January 14 for an eleven-day run.

A Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play, Proof focuses on Catherine, a troubled young woman, who has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician.

Now, following his death, Catherine must deal with her own volatile emotions surrounding the arrival of her estranged sister, and the attentions of her father’s former student who hopes to find valuable work in the notebooks that her father left behind.

Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all: How much of her father’s madness—or genius—did she inherit?

According to director Rick Wright, the underlying theme of the play is “trust…or the lack thereof.”

From the original performances on Broadway, the NY Observer wrote about the play, “Proof surprises us with its aliveness…Mr. Auburn takes pleasure in knowledge…At the same time, he is unshowily fresh and humane, and he has written a lovely play.”

Local casting of Proof includes Justine Scott, Jordan Fermstad, Jen Makenas and Eric Bischoff.

— 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.