Leight Fantastics Mother’s Day show will be the last

SNOHOMISH — The curtain is coming down on a long-standing tradition.

For 33 years, Eleanor Leight, her dance troupe the Leight Fantastics and other amateurs put on the Snohomish Historical Society’s variety show every Mother’s Day. The 34th show next month will be their last.

The amount of work has grown over the years and the cost of the production has gone up. Also, dancers are getting older or pursuing other interests, said Leight, who has directed every show.

“It seems like the right time to end it,” said Leight, 90, a one-time Radio City Rockette who danced in Europe with the USO during World War II.

The group is a nonprofit and all money from the ticket sales goes to other local groups, such as the historical society and the Snohomish Senior Center, Leight said.

The group started as a place where amateur artists could perform, even though they didn’t want to pursue a career in entertainment. It has included dancing, singing and comedy, Leight said.

This year’s show, called “Memories,” is set from May 10 through May 13 at the Snohomish High School Performing Arts Center located at 1316 Fifth St., Snohomish. Tickets are $9.75 for adults and can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com.

Other performers include The Dancin’ Katz, The Valley View Hoofers and The Showtime Combo.

Earlier this month, performers showed no sadness as they rehearsed at St. Michael’s Catholic Church.

“It’s sad to see it go, but there are good memories,” said 15-year-old Jordyn Shawger, a Snohomish High sophomore and one of the 32 dancers practicing that day.

The group is not disintegrating. They will still have rehearsals and plan other shows, but Mother’s Day is their biggest show of the year.

When news spread the show was being discontinued, former members returned to perform for one last time.

“I thought it would be fun to do it again and see everybody,” Lake Stevens resident Colleen Moynahan, 57, said.

Moynahan returned after leaving the group eight years ago. She has memories that include when the fog machine broke, flooding the stage with soapy water. There was also the time the dancers were blinded by a stage light at the beginning of the show.

“After that, we had a flashlight behind us,” she said.

Snohomish resident Nathan Flath, 32, joined the dance group in 1994.

Since then, he has danced, helped backstage and dressed up as a lion, a monster and other animals. He doesn’t know what he will dress as this year, he said.

His best memory was when he asked a fellow dancer for a date four years ago.

“In one of the rehearsals, I asked her out. The next thing I know, we got married,” he said.

Ragene Kimsey, of Granite Falls, joined the Leight Fantastics in 1986 when she saw a flier offering dance classes. She had just moved from Colorado and was trying to become more involved with the community.

Kimsey, 66, says she plans to remain with the group, even though they’re ending the big Mother’s Day show.

Still, she is happy she was a part of the tradition.

“It’s been one of the highlights of my life,” she said.

Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.

“Memories”

The Snohomish Historical Society’s 34th annual variety show, “Memories,” is scheduled for 7 p.m., May 10, 11 and 12, with an additional 2 p.m. presentation set for May 12 and 13, at the Snohomish High School Performing Arts Center, 1316 Fifth St.

Tickets cost $7.25 for seniors and students, and $9.75 for adults.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 1-800-838-3006.

Tickets also can be purchased at the door.

The event features dancing from The Leight Fantastics and other group of dancers and singers.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide. (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.