This week, Artfully Edmonds visited with just-back-in-town dancer Jacqueline Hyde, who returns to Edmonds’ Firdale neighborhood with a fresh take on dance studio styling.

Readers may remember Jacqueline from the Firdale Village ballroom dance business she and a partner ran until 2007, at which point they went their separate ways.

Her new dance studio, just a few doors from the Phoenix Theatre, is “all Jacqueline” with 900 square feet of expansive wood plank dance floor, offset by bright white walls and classy black accents. The signage hanging in the plate glass window of the studio beacons “Hyden Studio” (pronounced hidden) in cabaret-style lighting.

When I stepped over the threshold for our meeting, Jacqueline greeted me in a strikingly intricate yoga pose from her perch on a sunburst orange mat. In fact, Jacqueline possesses a sunburst personality – all energy, warmth and enthusiasm. We struck up an immediate friendship as I told her of the career of my great-Aunt Cordella – a 1920s Ziegfeld Follies dancer.

If you’re thinking that Jacqueline is all dance and showgirl, you’d be wrong. After finishing high school at King’s Schools, she went on to earn an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington followed by a double master’s degree in marketing and project management.

Besides her new dance studio, which re-opened in November, Jacqueline works a 40-hour week at Microsoft implementing her project management skills with advanced expertise in SharePoint. In what she comically refers to as her spare time, she has designed a clothing line, “Bombshell Yoga.” It specializes in upscale jersey knit and will be available soon at Hyden Studio.

When asked where her passion for dance came from, she responds, “from watching films of Ginger Rogers and wanting to be like her. She did everything Fred Astaire did, but – as they say – in heels and backward! She had style and sass.”

Style and sass are Jacqueline’s watchwords; from her trendy website to the titles of her dance classes, there’s a certain sashay to Hyden Studio enterprises.

Characterizing herself as an international entertainer, producer and entertainer’s coach Jacqueline’s career has taken her across the United States and into Canada, to Australia and through Britain, France and Italy.

Hyden Studios offers classes and coaching in ballroom and Latin dance; yoga styles Zen, Hatha, Vinyasa, and individually designed yoga; fitness and movement classes that include Zumba and “flirty girl” moves; as well as cabaret and burlesque classes for your inner-sass.

As we discussed the Burlesque Hall of Fame and the Las Vegas education conference, “Burly Con” Jacqueline rattled off her trophy wins in cabaret, burlesque and ballroom dancing. In 2007 she took second place as Top Teacher at Seattle Star Ball – a ballroom dancing competition; the following year she went on to win grand prize as Best Soloist in Boston’s Burlesque Expo. In 2010, Jacqueline won the grand prize at the burlesque competition in Jim Thorpe, Penn.

She says of burlesque: “The beauty of burlesque is that it is for everyone. While those in the burlesque industry work extra hard to fill theaters and cabarets, even local pubs, our acceptance is not from each other, but rather our audiences.”

She continues, “People seem to love the diversity of a performer’s skill. For me, the greatest happiness is knowing that even one audience member feels the joy of a show and experiences an escape from the “daily grind.” When a patron comes up to me and says that they enjoyed my presence and performance, that is validation that I am on my own “right path” in my art.

Asked by Artfully Edmonds if the community of burlesque performers support each other, Jacqueline responds, “We do receive nods from our community at competitions or large-scale festivals. Having won the top honors from both the Boston Burlesque Exposition and the Jim Thorpe/Pennsylvania Burlesque Festival allows my skill to be checked across a panel of judges. However, the real adjudicators are as much the audience members as the judges. I feel that it is my job during a competitive event make sure everyone in the room is entertained by my personality and performance . . . it is all about presence.”

What about costumes? Jacqueline replies, “I do all of my own designing and costuming and actually teach special costume workshops.”

Jacqueline reminds us that the first class of each dance style is complimentary for new students of Hyden Studio.

To follow updates, go to the Facebook page of Hyden Studio

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Children of Eden
Edmonds Heights K-12
   In Association with Ballyhoo Theatre
   23200 100th Ave W

Friday/Saturday/Sunday
Jan. 22/23/24 and Jan. 29/30/31

Children of Eden is an inspirational musical about forgiveness loosely based on the story of Genesis, addressing the intergenerational conflicts and patterns that are passed so easily from parent to child.

The musical is a compelling story of love, rage, guilt, and their consequences, opening our eyes to the opportunity of second chances.

Written by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell, Pippin) and John Caird (Les Misérables, Jane Eyre), the message of acceptance and love is clear according to director and producer Shileah Corey, “Our hearts can choose to stop the hating, For every moment of our life, is the beginning.”

Choreography for Children of Eden by Emma Ruhl.

Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at the door. Additional information at www.EHshows.com

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The Wizard of Oz
Edmonds Heights K-12

   In Association with Ballyhoo Theatre
23200 100th Ave W

Thursday-Saturday
Feb. 4-6 at 7 p.m.  and Sunday Feb. 5 at 2 p.m.

The Wizard of Oz, directed by Shileah Corey, and choreographed by Erich Schleck, is a wonderful classic musical about adventure, acceptance and friendship.

Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at the door. Additional information at www.EHshows.com

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Upcoming Hot Highlights!

Friday/Saturday
Jan. 29/30

Ticket Sales are heating up for Edmonds’ wrap-up-January laugh-a-thon. Don’t miss this fun show!

Edmonds Comedy Night prides itself in bringing nationally touring comedians together to raise funds to help our school district and Edmonds kids.

Kermet Apio, who has been seen on Comedy Central (Yes! Comedy Central) and NBC, hosts the evenings – as in past years. Sharing the stage with Apio is Jackie Kashian, who you’ve seen on Conan and @Midnight; and Andrew Rivers, who has appeared on Fox’s Laughs and The [206].

David Crowe, a past winner of the Seattle and San Francisco Comedy Competitions, and who has appeared in his own one-hour special on Showtime, will share the stage with these great local talents.

There are both Saturday and Friday night ticket links; so check your calendar and toggle to the ticket option that works best for you.

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A Taste of The Taste
Edmonds Center for the Arts
410 4^th Ave. N.

Sunday, Jan 31
6 p.m.

The Edmonds Chamber of Commerce want you to have the best of the best by putting on A Taste of The Taste!

Remember how last summer’s  A Taste of Edmonds was washed out by nasty weather? It won’t happen with A Taste of The Taste, that’s for sure!

Rock band legends performing for A Taste of the Taste will be brought on stage by Jeff “the Fish” Aaron. The program, which may be subject to change currently features No Rules, Spike and the Impalers, The Joe Slick Band, The Beatniks, Heart By Heart and The Michelle Taylor Band.

As February begins, be talking about what your Edmonds neighbors are talking about! Go to this link.

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Sell Out Alert!

Riders In The Sky
Edmonds Center for the Arts
410 4^th Ave. N.

Wednesday, Feb. 3
7:30 p.m.

There are only a few tickets left to see America’s favorite two-time Grammy Award-winning comedy cowboys, Riders In The Sky before they ride into the Edmonds’ sunset.

Don’t you want to be there when this quartet of colorful cowboy crooners step up the microphone with songs from Roy Rogers and Dale Evans song book?

Grab your set of balcony seat tickets and see the show from on high.

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Classes, Meetings and

Upcoming Calendar Highlights

Artists Connect Meeting
At ArtWorks 2016 
2^nd Ave. at Dayton St.

Saturday, Jan. 23
10 a.m.-noon

Artists Connect  announces its first meeting of 2016 to ring in the New Year.

“The program, titled The Book Re-Examined will put to rest talk of books going the way of the dinosaurs now that ebooks have established a market stronghold,” says program coordinator Bill Ray.

The Saturday discussion will focus on books as art.  Members of Artists Connect who have handmade or altered books are invited to bring their books and share during the program.

Artists Connect operates in affiliation with the Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation. The Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation is currently seeking artists in weaving, pottery, ceramics, fiber art, glass art, metal and jewelry for this summer’s ARTSplash.

ARTSplash is a four-day art show exhibiting original art by established and emerging artists which coincides with Art Walk Edmonds July 2016

Inquires about acceptance into the show, which is on a first come basis made be made to the exhibition coordinator, Ellen Busteed at ellenbusteed@gmail.com.

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Teasing the Musing: Winter Writing

    Saturday, Jan. 30
    10-5 p.m.

Edmonds Community College
Snoqualmie Hall 204
20000 68^th Ave. W.

Do you know what you want to say, but can’t get that first word out and onto the page? You need a muse!

Enroll in this one-day writing workshop to beckon your inner muse and end that pesky writers’ block.

Instructor Catherine Alexander tells Artfully Edmonds, “This interactive class will put you at ease and the words will flow onto your paper. Simply put, this class works!”

For class information and registration go to this EdCC website .

Questions? Catherine invites you to call 425-640-1243 or email ulearn@email.edcc.edu or catalexander@yahoo.com. Learn more about Catherine Alexander at catherinealexander.net

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Children’s Event!

Daddy Daughter Dance
Ballroom, Edmonds Senior Center
200 Railroad Ave

Saturday, Feb. 6
6:30-8 p.m.

Make a date with your daughter, daddies!

Artfully Edmonds will have additional information in the coming weeks – but now is the time to call the sponsor, Edmonds Parks & Recreation at 425-771-0230 for your set of tickets!

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Phoenix Theatre
9673 Firdale Ave.

The Phoenix Theatre just finished a very successful full-enrollment January theatre class. You missed it? Want more?

Monday, Feb 15
11 a.m. 

Aspiring thespians and beginning actors are encouraged to enroll early for The Phoenix Theatre classes, which will be held on Mondays at 11 a.m. beginning Feb. 15.

Acting teacher Christine Mosere describes the class, “For actors who want to make stronger and bolder acting choices and book more jobs!”

Funny Girl Melanie Calderwood and Phoenix directing manager Christine Mosere teach in a supportive, non-threatening, friendly environment.

Mosere has over 20 years’ experience performing, directing and teaching in the theatre arts. She studied with master coach Tim Phillips–trademark holder of Sherlock Holmsing the script, Ron Stetson of The Neighborhood Playhouse, and at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Christine moved from the New York theatre district to Seattle’s theatre scene three years ago.

Sign up for any of these classes by emailing  Christinem@phoenixtheatreedmonds.org for registration forms.

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Early Ticketing Alert!

Children’s Event!

Peter and the Wolf
    By Prokofiev
Saturday, Feb. 20
3 p.m.

The Cascade Percussion Ensemble and two of the CSO Rising Star musicians (Claire Kim, 12, on the piano; and Phoebe Rawn, 15, on the flute) will join cascade Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, op. 67.

Narrator Dave Dolacky will do the honors of guiding the concert program.

Tickets for the Children’s Concert are priced at family-friendly rates so best pick up your set now at this online ticket booth.

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Variety Show and Silent Auction!

Meadowdale High School
Arts and Music Booster Clubs

Edmonds Senior Center
200 Railroad Ave.

Friday, Feb. 19
6:30-9 p.m.

Enjoy sparkling performances by the Meadowdale High School jazz band, chamber orchestra, choir, improv team, drama troupe and more!

Let this spectacular group of kids show you their stuff in a warm and cozy setting on Edmonds waterfront.

Feb. 19 is guaranteed to be a frenzy of fundraising activity with features that include a raffle, a sweet dessert auction, the always-popular silent auction, a no-host cash bar plus exciting items and services offered up by local merchants!

Tickets for this event are available through Brown Paper Tickets.

— 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.