Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council Launches 2009-10 Readers’ Theater Season

It’s time to mark your calendars for the 2009-10 Readers’ Theater season, where actors read new local plays and the audience weighs in afterwards. The series is now in its ninth year.

This season offers something for everyone. Topics range from cell phone addiction to Flower Children, from unemployment to the TV rumor mill. In a true story, one woman explores her struggle with chronic illness.

The lineup includes plays by regional authors Stefani Priest, Cheryl Victoria Richardson, Nicola Pearson, John Ruoff, Leonard Goodisman and George Savage Jr.

All readings are 7 p.m. Monday nights at Shoreline Center and are free. After the show, audience members share ideas on the script with the playwright and enjoy cookies and coffee. The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council sponsors the series.

The 2009-10 selections are:

7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26
“Between You and Me” by Stefani Priest
This lively collection of monologues and short pieces delves into unemployment, the loneliness of summer camp, cell-phone dependence, the gossip mill at a beauty parlor and ladies who lunch.

7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25
Double feature:
“One Woman with Multiple Sclerosis” by Cheryl Victoria Richardson
“The Messenger” by Nicola Pearson

In “One Woman with Multiple Sclerosis,” Richardson uses poetry, improvisation, dance and music to present her personal battle with multiple sclerosis. Her work shows the strength and hope of a young woman who refuses to let disease get the best of her.

In “The Messenger,” a talk-show host mentions casually that his answering machine is sending messages from God about a coming disaster. The play examines the power of TV to create controversy.

7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22
“An Anonymous Legend,” by John Ruoff
Ruoff’s play transports the audience back to the hippie era, as a group of Flower Children are re-united when one of them gets out of rehab.

7 p.m. Monday, March 22
“Herstory-Equal Rights: How the West Was Really Won" by Leonard Goodisman
Set in Laramie, Wyoming in 1868, the lawlessness of cowboys is pitted against the women who had the courage to fight them. The play is based on the true story of Louisa Ann Sawin, who at age 77 led a struggle for women’s rights.

7 p.m. Monday, April 25
“The Mules of Dry Diggins” by George Savage Jr.
Based on history, this imaginative work spins the tale of a group of would-be-world-famous robbers called "The Rattlesnake Dick Gang." The gang’s leader is harmless, but its members may not be.

For information on these and other Arts Council programs, see www.shorelinearts.net, call 206-417-4645 or e-mail info@shorelinearts.net.

The Princess and The Pea

What do Glacierdom and Riverdom have in common? The Leprechauns know! Get a new look at a classic story when the Missoula Children’s Theatre and more than 50 local students present THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA as part of the 2009 Shoreline Arts Festival. Two performances of this musical adaptation will be held on Saturday, June 27th and will be presented in the Shoreline Center Auditorium at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

For more information, call the Arts Council at 206-417-4645. This residency is sponsored by the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council.

19th Annual Shoreline Arts Festival: Weaving a Cultural Tapestry

Festival poster by artist Charlette Haugen

Sat, June 27, 10-7 pm & Sun, June 28, 10-5 pm
Shoreline Center

With two stages of music and dance, Juried Art, Sculpture, Photography and Poetry Hall, hands-on art activities, artisan marketplace and food there is something for the whole family.

One of the goals of the Festival is to provide participatory experiences in all the arts. In addition to dance lessons and hand-on art activities, some exciting new music projects are being planned. Once again this very successful event will be a great opportunity for the community to celebrate summer through the arts.

For more information, check the web site of the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council: http://www.shorelinearts.net/

Vagabond Opera performs in Shoreline this Saturday Feb 7th, 2009

Shoreline Arts in Culture series presents Vagabond Opera in Shoreline this Saturday evening.

Here's a quote from Vagabond Opera's website:

Bohemian Cabaret ensemble Vagabond Opera is described by the Washington Post as “A band of ceaseless charisma, boundless energy, impeccable musicianship and more than a little touch of both the naughty and exotic.”



What: Vagabond Opera
When: Sat, February 7th, 7:30 pm
Where: Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, 15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline
Cost: $20 Adults / $18 Seniors/Students

Link to event info at ShorelineArts.net (including a link to buy tickets)

Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council annual meeting tonight

This evening, the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is holding its annual meeting and awards party at the Third Place Commons (at Lake Forest Park Towne Centre).

The meeting starts at 7:00 pm, and will also be a celebration of the Arts Council's 20th anniversary.

The schedule includes:

• Artist in Residence and Community Project Awards
• Community Arts
• Partner Recognition
• Meet the Board of Directors and Staff

For more information on this, and other upcoming events, check the Arts Council website, listed below.

Link to Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council website.