Edmonds Waterfront Center programs drew hundreds Thursday night

Two events on Thursday night brought community members together: an author talk by Paul Bannick that drew 138 guests, and a benefit concert with pianist Walt Wagner that drew about 500 attendees.

Two public programs connected neighbors of different ages on Thursday night at the Edmonds Waterfront Center and the Edmonds Center for the Arts. One event at the Waterfront Center was an author talk about woodpeckers. The other was a benefit concert featuring pianist Walt Wagner. Both programs attracted sizable audiences. Event details: - The Waterfront Center hosted an author talk titled Woodpecker: A Year in the Life by Paul Bannick, with reported attendance of 138 guests. The program was co-sponsored by My Edmonds News and the Edmonds Bookshop. - Paul Bannick, an award-winning photographer, shared photographs, recent scientific information, and personal narratives about North American woodpeckers across the seasons. - At the same time, a benefit performance with pianist Walt Wagner was held at the Edmonds Center for the Arts and drew about 500 attendees. - Walt Wagner began classical piano at age six and has a long performance history, including appearances with artists such as Bob Hope, Roberta Flack, Peggy Lee, and Sammy Davis Jr. Rick Steves served as emcee, played a number with Wagner, and both spent time speaking with guests in the lobby after the concert. - The Edmonds Center for the Arts program listed sponsors including Edmonds Village, Branding Iron, Santa Fe Mexican Grill, Barbara Kindness Communications, Alma Ohtomo, and Kathy Foster. Summary: The programs brought arts and nature programming to a broad local audience and provided opportunities for in-person interaction between presenters and attendees. Undetermined at this time.