This weekend, Edmonds’ biggest annual three-day community event will take place in the form of a food festival that simply must be experienced — if you love whipped cream-topped strawberry shortcake, dripping-with-messiness barbecue short ribs, fried-onion-stacked hamburgers, and a delicious display of dishes from around the world.
Artfully Edmonds is referring, of course, to A Taste of Edmonds (A Taste).
A Taste is an outrageous display of carnival-mixes-with-culinary that has taken over Edmonds’ downtown core for the past 35 years, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce.
Show us the money!
Besides offering folks yummy food, lots of laughter and top-talent bands, A Taste generates funds that are distributed by the chamber to local non-profits, many service organizations and large-scale community events.
For instance, A Taste helps support such local family and tourist-attracting traditions as the Edmonds Classic Car Show, Halloween Trick-or-Treat and Edmonds’ Tree Lighting ceremony, as well as a generous portion of the funds needed to produce An Edmonds Kind of Fourth.
The tips generated from the food festival’s Beer Garden go directly to the Boys and Girls Club. How much money is that? Recently $6,600 was raised for the club, which speaks both to the generosity of the Beer Garden crowd and the table service of the fun and friendly wait staff.
As the music quiets, and the food tents come down Sunday evening, it is not unusual for A Taste of Edmonds to generate well over $100,000 – revenue that stays in the community, for the community.
Besides “A Taste” of tantalizing fare, there are activities for kids, and laughs over at the corn hole competition. The main stage features a music line-up of super greats ranging from rowdy, crazy dance tunes to dreamy sunset serenades.
So whether you’re starting your day, or ending your day at A Taste know that this is a very big Edmonds-Kind-of- community event
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A Taste of Edmonds (A Taste)
Edmonds Civic Field
310 6th Ave. N.
Friday – Sunday
Aug. 11 – 13
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Maybe you’re not hanging out on the Civic Field for all three days of A Taste. If that’s the case, here are a few suggestions on how to spend your post-food festival weekend; including a couple opportunities to head out of town for a few hours.
Opening Night Friday!
Friday – Sunday
Aug. 11 – 13
7 p.m.
Xanadu, presented by
Seattle Musical Theatre
7120 62 Ave. N.E.
Seattle
Xanadu is directed by Shileah Corey, choreographed by Gabriel Corey, and conducted by Michael Corey. Original book by Douglas Carter Beane, with music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar.
Xanadu, which was nominated for the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical, follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980. She’s on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first Roller Disco! (Hey, it’s 1980!)
But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation and chaos abounds.
Ballyhoo Theatre’s Zanadu is based on the film starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, and features such classic numbers as Magic, Suddenly and Evil Woman.
Tickets are $7 to $10 and can be purchased either at the door or through this link.
Ballyhoo Theatre is a Mountlake Terrace-based troupe for which founder Shileah Corey serves as artistic/managing director.
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Summer Double Feature Movies
Shoreline College
16101 Greenwood Ave. N.
SCC Theatre ~ 1600 Building
Cheap Seats! Kids $5
Friday, Aug. 11
7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
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Saturday, Aug. 12
11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The Jungle Book
If you and the kids enjoy the community theatre experience, here are two double features that will help get them ready for the big-big silver screen.
Remind them: “Turn off your cell phones, kids!”
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Friday, Aug.11
9 p.m.
Engel’s Pub
113 5th Ave. S.
Coming in from Woodinville to play Engel’s Pub is a band whose ability to push the envelope on modern vibes should liven up the mood around Edmonds’ iconic fountain as their sound hits 5th Avenue.
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Saturday/ Sunday
Aug. 12/ 13
10 a.m.
Art Market
ArtWorks
201 2nd Ave. S.
Across town art market
With the cacophony of A Taste taking place on the north side of town, maybe a stroll to the south side is what’s in order after you’ve experienced the morsels and music of Edmonds’ largest summer open-air festival.
ArtMarket is calling this weekend: An art gallery environment paired with the energy of studio life; artists on site explaining their creative techniques.
This is your opportunity to buy direct from Edmonds artists.
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Saturday, Aug. 12
3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
One Day Only ~ Two performances
Gulliver’s Travels
Missoula Children’s Theatre
Wade James Theatre
950 Main St.
A cast of 50 local youngsters! Imagine what it must be like back stage!
This weekend’s production of Gulliver’s Travels – in a futuristic setting – is the universe that Missoula Children’s Theatre takes us to this year.
We can just hear all of the “Hello’s” being called across the theatre by neighbors and friends before the lights dim and the action begins.
Tickets to see your neighborhood’s little star are available through this link.
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Saturday, Aug. 12
6 p.m. Performance
8 p.m. Reception
Romania folk dance and traditions
The famous Baradache Band from Comarnic, Romania, in concert with Romanian dance troupe Floricica arrives in Edmonds this weekend thanks to the efforts of the Anacortes Sister Cities Association.
This two-hour performance of live music and dance will be followed by a reception at 8 p.m.
The evening will include gypsy music, Romanian folk tunes, dancing and festivities.
At the ticket link you will be given an opportunity to purchase tickets for the reception only; the performance only, or the VIP-level purchase of performance and reception.
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Sunday, Aug. 13
3 p.m.
85th Street Big Band
City Park Concert Series
A 20-piece Big Band orchestra under the direction of vocalist Amy Arthur, the 85th Street Big Band plays favorites from the 1930s, ‘40s, and ‘50s, as well as some Blues, including tunes made famous by Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Nat King Cole, among others.
Click here for more information about the 85th Street Big Band.
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Monday — Friday
Aug. 14 – 18
Steel Magic Northwest
Summer Intensive
Edmonds Adventist Church
8625 196th St. S.W.
This steel band has risen steadily since its inception by founder Gary Gibson. Performing at quite a few local venues, Steel Magic Northwest invites the public to its summer intensive – a week-long learning experience that will introduce new musical experiences into your life.
For information on participating, or simply learning more, click through to this information page. Cool music embed, right? That could be you!
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Tuesday, Aug. 15
5:30 p.m.
New Volunteer Open House
ECA
410 4th Ave. N.
Join the most important element of the Edmonds’ arts and events community – its volunteers!
Next week Edmonds Center for the Arts makes the ‘Ask’ for your time.
The ECA benefits are great!
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Thursday, August 17
5-6:30 p.m
Mariachi Fiesta Mexicana
Hazel Miller Plaza
5th Avenue South at Maple Street
Mariachi is a regional Mexican folk music played on string instruments originally called “Son Jaliscience,” that evolved in the 20th century to include brass instruments and incorporating other musical styles such as Polka and the waltz we are familiar with today.
Mariachi Fiesta Mexicana, which was formed in 1988, is led by Paco Garay.
Based in Seattle, the band has played to thousands of people over the years, from private gatherings to large public festivals.
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Thursday, Aug. 17
9 p.m.
One Night Heist!
Reservoir Dogs: Free Movie Screening
Edmonds Theatre
415 Main St.
Break out your sunglasses and skinny ties, because The Edmonds Theater is taking us back to 1992 with Quentin Tarantino’s debut feature, Reservoir Dogs.
A gang of thieves, carefully selected for their robbery stock-in-trade, plan “the perfect” jewelry heist – which, somehow goes terribly wrong. Returning to the rendezvous point, the surviving members begin to suspect an informant is in their midst and “terribly wrong” goes straight to terror – Tarantino style.
You may recall Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth and Steve Buscemi as Mr. White, Mr. Orange, and Mr. Pink; respectively. Let’s not forget Buscemi’s bookmark complaint about the moniker chosen by The Boss to serve as his alias.
This event celebrates the 25th anniversary of an independent film that easily made cult movie history.
Grab some popcorn, a big soda, a box of Junior Mints and scrunch down – it won’t take long for the bad guys to bust onto the big screen.
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Authors And Poets Podium
Thursday, Aug. 17
5 – 6 p.m.
Edmonds Bookshop invites the book community to their open house for local author Diana J. Noble, who is presenting her debut novel titled, Evangelina Takes Flight, the evening of Art Walk Edmonds. Written for young adults the novel was released in May.
Plan your bookshop visit early in your art walk stroll, noting Ms. Noble’s appearance schedule.
Synopsis of Evangelina Takes Flight:
It’s the summer of 1911 in northern Mexico, and the de Leon family has just learned that rumors of soldiers in the region are true. Evangelina’s father decides they must leave their home to avoid a confrontation that might lead to violence. Heading north, to a small town on the U.S. side of the border, the family is filled with fear and anxiety as they worry about loved ones left behind and the uncertain future ahead.
The novel is based loosely on the life of the author’s paternal grandmother, but includes stories from the lives of other relatives and memories from her own childhood.
A native of Laredo, Texas, Ms. Nobel is a human resources specialist for the Boeing Company and lives in Edmonds with her family.
For additional biographical information about the author visit her web site.
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Thursday, Aug. 17
5 – 7:30 p.m.
Hawaii Sunset Luau
Edmonds Senior Center invites us to share the spirit of the islands at a mid-summer luau.
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Saturday, Aug. 19
Noon to 9 p.m.
Festival
Edmonds is invited!
This family-friendly festival has all of the ingredients of the perfect festival: Pony rides, children’s stage, bouncy houses, a petting zoo, live theater, food trucks, a beer garden, community booths and so much more.
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Saturday, Aug. 19
7 p.m.
Music at the Museum
The Willow Trio: An Evening of Chamber Favorites
Cascadia Art Museum
190 Sunset Avenue
Cascade Symphony Orchestra’s Pamela Liu (violin), joins Judy Huehn (piano); and Erika Pierson (cello) in An Evening of Chamber Favorites.
Elegant, classic chamber music in a celebrated setting — Cascadia Art Museum.
Tickets are limited, so make sure to purchase yours now through this link.
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Saturday, Aug.19
8 p.m.
Sell Out Alert!
Lee Oskar & Friends
Harmonica
North City Bistro
1520 N.E. 177th St.
No one plays the harmonica quite like Lee Oskar.
As a virtuoso, composer, producer, performer, visual artist, harmonica manufacturer and ever-evolving musical explorer, Lee is truly a creative visionary known and loved all over the world for his unique artistic contributions to the world. Lee is thrilled to share his signature music with loyal fans around the world, featuring new arrangements, innovative compositions and well-loved hit material, performed along with outstanding musicians selected from the Pacific Northwest.
Known as Lee Oskar & Friends, his talented band incorporates Brian Monroney on guitar, Dean Schmidt on bass, Andrew Cloutier on drums, Denali Williams on percussion and Brian Kent on saxophone to accompany Lee’s harmonica playing.
Tickets to the Lee Oskar & Friends show are available at this link.
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Sunday, Aug. 20
Shoreline’s Richmond Beach
2021 N.W. 190th St.
Coming from the City of Shoreline, this sounds like an invitation to us:
Get ready to dig in! Bring the entire family to the Sandcastle Competition at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park on Sunday, August 20. With a little imagination and a lot of sand, Richmond Beach transforms into a series of sandcastles and sculptures. Judges will vote for the top entries in the “Adult/Family/Group” and “Kids 12 & Under” categories plus a “Crowd Favorite”!
Free to participate! Contestants must provide their own tools, buckets and shovels. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.
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Wednesday, Aug. 23
7:30 p.m.
Sell Out Alert!
Skerryvore: Music of Scotland
Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA)
410 4th Ave. N.
Scottish band Skerryvore, touring the U.S. on its 2017 circuit, has added Edmonds as one of its stops thanks to the booking genius of the ECA team.
The band, comprised of Craig Espie, Alan Scobie and Jodie Bremaneson, is winning awards back home for its stylish Scottish Celtic sounds.
YouTube captures the exciting vitality of this band in a scenic of Scotland with Skerryvore providing the “Come hither!” score.
Tickets to see Skerryvore are available from the ECA online box office at this link.
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Friday – Saturday
Aug. 25 – 26
8 p.m.
Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts (RCF)
1932 State Ave. ~ Marysville
Students from RCF’s adult acting classes are poised to present the annual Actors’ Showcase. The showcase consists of six short plays that the RCF publicist describes as, “Condensed pieces of theatre [that] are wild, intense, and just a little bit odd.”
An evening for grown-ups, the six plays contain mature language and subject matter not intended for children.
Tickets are available by calling the box office at 360.322.7402.
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Saturday, Sept. 30
7:30 p.m.</strong
Sell Out Alert!
Edmonds Center for the Arts
410 4th Ave. N.
♪Thank you, Motor city!
If you’re a Boomer, you’ve got the soulful sounds of the Tamia Motown record label in your blood.
Well, Motor City meets the (lucky) Edmonds crowd on Saturday, September 30 when The Four Tops stride into town to perform such coming-of-age songs as Baby I Need Your Loving; (Reach Out) I’ll Be There; (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) I Can’t Help Myself; and our favorite, Bernadette.
From their beginning at Tamia Motown, The Four Tops went on to record for ABC records, Casablanca and Arista – earning their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
The original dreamy harmonies of Levi Stubbs (lead singer); first tenor Abdul “Duke” Fakir, second tenor Lawrence Payton, and baritone Renaldo “Obie” Benson have been replaced with the smooth sounds of (surviving member) Fakir blending with Theo Peoples, Lawrence Payton, Jr., and Ronnie McNair.
We’ve placed a Sell Out Alert! on this ECA event, so if you want to sit with your own Honey Bunch, and not in a single seat all by your lonesome, buy your tickets now – because this is guaranteed to be a Sold Out! concert.
Your Click! Click! is right here.
— 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.