It’s startling – but also exciting – to realize how quickly the holidays make the dash from Halloween to Thanksgiving, and into the gift-giving season. Edmonds shop and gallery owners, artists and authors certainly notice it and if the Artfully Edmonds mailbox is any indication, their plans have been in the making for weeks – a least.

For those seeking a respite from shopping mall lines and assembly line gifts, and who would like to add charm and old-fashioned holiday cheer to their season, we think that each of Edmonds’ shopping districts offers all of that  – and so much more.

As Thanksgiving approaches, and the chill in the air nips at us, why not stay close to home and make that scurry in preparation for guests a little less stressful?

We would love to hear of your Thanksgiving holiday plans; but as December draws near we will fill your calendars with fun things for the whole family, ideas on how to entertain guests, and where to buy those local artistic-wonders that have put Edmonds on the map as a lovely little shopping destination.

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Cascadia Art Museum
190 Sunset Ave.

Vintage Christmas Cards by Northwest Artists

This might be the perfect opportunity to revisit the tradition of sending colorful greetings from one household to another. Remember the time before eCards replaced hand-addressed seasonal wishes?

Cascadia Art Museum is currently presenting a selection of vintage handmade Christmas cards by Northwest artists to brighten up this holiday season.

A delightful introduction to art for kids!

If you are entertaining children, or have out-of-town guests coming in – what better way to show off Edmonds than with an outing to our showcase art museum.

This historic exhibition will be celebrated
Nov. 9-Jan. 8

Additionally on display will be the curator’s favorites from artists such as George Tsutakawa (1910-1997), Virna Haffer (1899-1974) and Paul Morgan Gustin (1886-1974).

CAM gift shop

Special gift store discounts for CAM members during November’s Art Walk Edmonds. So maybe right now is the perfect time for a personal gift?

The CAM membership link is right here and affords you coveted invitations to after-hours receptions and special events.

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Sell Out Alert!
The Indigo Girls
ECA
410 4^th Ave. N.

Thursday, Jan. 19

7:30 p.m.

Twenty years after they began releasing records as the Indigo Girls, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have certainly declined the opportunity to slow down with age.

Now the Grammy Award-winning American singing duo is coming to Edmonds!

The two folk rock music singers met in elementary school and began performing together in high school on local stages around Decatur, Georgia, before stepping up to the Atlanta scene.

The name “Indigo Girls” was decided on during the period Ray and Saliers were appearing weekly at The Dugout, a bar near Emory University which the two attended.

After a legacy of releases and countless U.S. and international tours behind them, the Indigo Girls have forged their own way in the music business. Selling over 14 million records, they are still going strong. Amy & Emily are the only duo with top 40 titles on the Billboard 200 in the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and ’10s.

Tickets go on sale Monday, Nov. 21 for general admission; and Wednesday, Nov. 16 at noon for ECA subscribers.

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Art Walk Edmonds
AWE

Thursday, Nov. 17
5-8 p.m.

Art Walk Edmonds is very excited for Artfully Edmonds readers to learn of the new stops on this month’s AWE map.

Re/MAX (110 4^th Ave. N.) and C’est la Vie (320 5^th Ave. S.) are both returning to Art Walk Edmonds after taking a short break.

Re/MAX will feature Jennifer Chadwick’s playful paintings and installations.

C’est la Vie is featuring art of a different type: Fragrances from Filigree Parfums from Seattle.

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“Music in the Library”
Edmonds Library
700 Main St.

November’s highlight feature is Hot Club of Troy, featuring a musical performance and education about jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt in the library. As the second in a series of five special sessions of Music in the Library, it is sure to draw a crowd.

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Restaurants’ after hours

Among the many innovative elements that Art Walk Edmonds team “instigates” is their pilot run of “AfterAWE.” A crescent moon on the AWE map (available online and at all galleries) will denote restaurants that are offering a special or discount for art walkers from 5 p.m. to close.

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More news from our galleries:

Zinc Art + Object
102 3rd Ave. S. Ste. B

Beyond Design: 6x6x3!  Is the title of Zinc Art + Object provocative show this month. Never disappointing, the gallery is featuring the artwork of three Seattle-based graphic designers Julie Jacobson, Amy Hevron and Misha Zadeh who are debuting 36 bite-size artworks at ZINC Art + Object Gallery between Nov. 17 and Dec. 12. 

Beyond Design: 6x6x3 features paintings and mixed media works created on a 6×6 inch scale and celebrates the designers’ second careers as artists.

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 ARTspot
408 Main St.

Side-by-side with an artist!

Tracy Felix, owner of gallery, studio and art supply store ARTspot, says of the artist selected for that space this month: “Whitney Buckingham-Beechie will be doing a super cool demo that art walk guests can participate in. Art Walk guests will be in for an art-making treat!”

Whitney has spent the summer immersed in indigo… or rather immersing, splashing and pouring it to create vibrant blue imagery. This natural and ancient dye is becoming quite the new thing with experimental mixed media artists.

Felix adds, “You will not only be able to see the dye in action, but we will be set up to offer guests the chance to actually dip a small canvas in indigo as our gift to take home. ARTspot has stocked up with a supply of this hard-to-find art product and will be offering a special discount on art walk night!”

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Gallery North
401 Main St.

Across the street and up from Zinc Art + Object, Poetic Strokes is the titled display at Gallery North during the Art Walk Edmonds this month. 

This exhibit will be open through Nov. 30.

Poetic Strokes is an exhibit of watercolor and pastel paintings by artists Eve Ingraham and Lauriel Sandstrom. This show also includes Eve Ingraham’s unique designer jewelry.

Ingraham and Sandstrom enjoy a friendship based on shared techniques and critiques of their work. This is the third annual show at Gallery North shared by the two artists.

With the holiday shopping season on the horizon, you’ll want to take note of Eve Ingraham’s individually designed jewelry pieces, known as “Evecreate Original Designs,” which are also in this show. Each jewelry item is a unique work of art designed to create a statement for its wearer.

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Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 17-19
7 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 19
1 p.m.

Almost Maine by John Cariani

Snohomish High School
SHS Theatre
1316 5^th Ave. ~ Snohomish

Love. John Cariani’s 2004 nine-tale play, Almost Maine, leads the audience through the ups and downs of attraction and love on a roller coaster ride of imagination and fantasy.

Don’t miss the chance to see what the New York Times calls an exploration of “the sudden thunderclap of love and the scorched earth that sometimes follows!”

Under the guidance of director and theatre advisor Morgan Heetbrink, the Snohomish High School Theatre Club (SHS Theatre) will deliver their interpretation of what has become the most frequently produced play in the U.S.

The nine whimsical tales, which are all intertwined, are performed in two-actor scenes. Woven into the story is an element of fantasy that catches the imagination and makes this enjoyable for young children as well as adults.

Heetbrink says of the project, “I am thrilled to be part of the theatre program at Snohomish High School. It is an honor to have the opportunity to educate and direct so many talented individuals. I am excited to bring educational and entertaining productions to SHS students and to the Snohomish community!”

Purchase your ticket at Brown Paper Tickets or at the door one-hour before the show.

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Friday, Nov. 18
9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Transformations!

TEDx

Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 4^th Ave. N., with live-stream viewing at various venues

Transformations are happening all around us. Movement and change. Conversion and shift. Join the excitement at TEDxSnoIsleLibraries 2016, an annual event at Edmonds Center for the Arts, where speakers come together on a global stage to share ideas worth spreading, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18.

Online registration is available at the 13 library viewing sites, listed below. No registration is required for the four community viewing sites, also listed below. The Edmonds Center for the Arts is full, although a waiting list is offered to registrants.

Library viewing sites: The public is also invited to watch TEDxSnoIsleLibraries livestreamed and engage with other viewers at the following community libraries: Camano Island, Coupeville, Darrington, Edmonds, Freeland, Granite Falls, Lynnwood, Marysville, Monroe, Mukilteo, Oak Harbor, Snohomish and Stanwood. Please register online.

Community viewing sites: Snohomish Public Utility District auditorium, Everett; Everett Community College Jackson Conference Center, and Edmonds Community College Woodway Hall Conference Room, and University of Washington Bothell North Creek Events Center (campus visitor information). Registration is not required for these sites.

Friday, Nov. 18
1-8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 19
10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sculptor’s Workshop and Pottery Sale

Frances Anderson Center
700 Dayton St. ~ Room 210

Juried Event

You will want to add this unique juried show to your calendar, whether you are shopping for gifts for your home, or someone quite special.

These one-of-a-kind artworks are designed and created by Edmonds-area artists who will be on hand to answer questions about their techniques and inspiration.

Participating this year are the co-op’s 20 artists who carry forward a deep tradition with a 49-year history.

To keep up with this semi-annual show follow the sculptor’s Facebook page.

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Saturday, Nov. 19
10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Three Artists Holiday Sale
Blue Ridge Neighborhood
18424 71st Ave. W.
Lynnwood

Lynnette Hensley, Mona Fairbanks and Robin Westbrook are holding what promises to be a fabulous holiday sale of exquisite vintage items, table runners to add holiday sparkle to your home – even Assemblage Figures, art and jewelry.

We’ve made each name of the participating artist click-able so that you can learn more about their journey and what they offer their patrons.

Drop-ins welcomed!

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Saturday, Nov. 19
10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Puget Sound Artists’ Gift Show

ArtWorks Building
201 2^nd Ave. S.

Edmonds is going to keep discriminating shoppers very busy this season!

Across town from the sculptor’s gift show is the Puget Sound Artist’s Gift Show, a one-day only event that teases with the promise of chocolates, honey, and artisan soaps.

With more than 30 local professional artists participating you’ll find gifts that include pottery, glass, wood, fiber arts, photography, paintings and prints.

Bonus! Preview the show at this link.

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Saturday, Nov. 19
11 a.m.

Kids! Families!
The Magic of Kevin Spencer

Edmonds Community College
Black Box Theatre ~ Mukilteo Hall
20000 68th Ave. W.

Don’t miss ECA’s very first sensory-friendly performance!

This special matinee production will show at The Black Box Theatre at Edmonds Community College of the skill and sensitivity of Kevin Spencer.

Autism and sensory sensitivities

Internationally-renowned illusionist Kevin Spencer returns to Edmonds with a new magic and illusion performance designed to be welcoming to patrons of all ages with autism or other disabilities that create sensory sensitivities.

The Magic of Kevin Spencer is most appropriate for patrons ages 6-plus. ASL Interpretation will be provided, as well as special accommodations to include:
* Lower sound level, especially for startling or loud sounds;
* Lights remain on at a low level in the theatre during the performance;
* Patrons are free to talk and leave their seats during the performance;
* Designated quiet area within the theatre.

Tickets are available through the ECA box office telephone line at 425-275-9595 or click here to purchase tickets.

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Saturday/ Sunday
Nov. 19/ 20
8 p.m.

Whose Holiday Is It, Anyway?
The Phoenix Theatre

Upper Level ~ Firdale Shopping Plaza
9673 Firdale Ave.

A holiday improv/comedy show kicking off a new partnership with DandyLyon Youth Drama is what The Phoenix Theatre has in mind for its November attraction.

Says new managing director Debra Gettleman, “One of the things I feel very passionate about is enriching the lives of children in our community. As you know, arts education and funding for children continues to diminish. So we want to offer some classes and opportunities to share the magic of theatre with the next generation.”

She explains the collaboration between The Phoenix and DandyLyon: “DandyLyon Drama offers classes, camps and workshops that are mostly in the Shoreline school district, for kids from elementary to high school age. They are highly skilled and employ the best teachers and acting professionals in town.

“To officially kick off our partnership, we are inviting the community to Whose Holiday Is it Anyway? our improv/comedy weekend, Nov. 19-20.”

The Phoenix will feature adult actors from the Phoenix troupe who will be on stage improvising with some of the DandyLyon kids.

The silliest auction – in keeping with the funny Phoenix!

Pre-show activities for Whose Holiday Is It, Anyway? will begin with what Gettleman describes as a super silly live auction.

“Members of The Phoenix troupe will come over and hand address your holiday cards, untangle your Christmas lights, or wrap all of your holiday presents!”

Tickets are available at The Phoenix online box office website.

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Saturday, Nov. 19
8-10 p.m.

May The Farce Be With You

Edmonds Community College (EdCC)
Black Box Theatre ~ Mukilteo Hall
20000 68th Ave. W.

May the Farce Be With You: A Comedic Improv Evening set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…on The Black Box stage for a limited time.

Need some ‘Mind Candy’ right about now? This is guaranteed to be fun, funny stuff!

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Nov. 25-Dec. 8

Driftwood Players
Wade James Theatre
950 Main St.

Mr. Scrooge by Richard Morris, Delores Claman and Ted Wood

The show poster for Mr. Scrooge alone compels Artfully Edmonds to want to attend opening night of this lilting holiday show!

With Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 24 this year, wouldn’t attending opening night of Mr. Scrooge make the perfect Edmonds-Kind-Of outing for visiting friends and family.

A multi-generational, memory-making production!

Based on Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carole, this Kylie McKenzie Soder directed production has the added dimensions of musical treatment, thanks to Mark Press, that make it a particularly enjoyable new way of presenting this grand story.

Driftwood Players will reprise hardhearted Ebenezer Scrooge, who hates Christmas and is visited successively by three ghosts: The ghost of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future. They each bring revelations to Scrooge, mainly about himself, which shocks him into empathy for his employee, Bob Cratchit and his family which includes brave, little Tiny Tim.

Here’s a compelling draw: Driftwood has put its own unique industrial, steampunk flair into the costumes and set design.

You won’t want to miss this magical holiday experience for the entire family.

Sell Out Alert!

Family celebrations with the Driftwood Players have become a tradition for hundreds upon hundreds of Edmonds-area families – so do take a moment and get your tickets today by calling the Driftwood box office at 425-774-9600 or visiting their online ticket dispensary.

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Author’s and Poet’s Podium

Saturday, Nov. 26
1-2 p.m.

Kizzie Jones
Author Reading

Later this month, popular local author Kizzie Jones will read from her latest children’s book – and show off a darling dachshund-themed coloring book!

Mark your calendars to meet at Edmonds Bookshop, 111 5th Ave. S., for what promises to be a wonderful gathering of friends!

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Wednesday, Nov. 30
3:30-5 p.m.

Kristina Jipson
Author Reading

EdCC
Café
Brier Hall
2000 68^th Ave. W.

Edmonds Community College (EdCC) English instructor and poet Kristina Jipson will read from her latest collection, “Halve,” on Nov. 30 as part of the college’s Convergence Writers Series.

The author describes the poems in “Halve” as a journey into exploring, “the chaos of mourning by peeling back the layers of narrative order that would attempt to tame it, exploring the poet’s experience of loss and grief after the death of a loved one.”

“I started working on this book the night my brother was killed,” Jipson said, “and that was 14 years ago.”

Jipson holds a Master of Fine Arts from Columbia University and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame. She is the author of two chapter books: “Lock, Means” (Dancing Girl Press, 2011), and “How Void of Miracles” (Hand Held Editions, 2009).

– By Emily Hill

 Emily Hill is the author of two novels and a short story collection. 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 myedmondsnews@gmail.com.