The WhatcomTalk Events Calendar shares things to do around Whatcom County including Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine and beyond. Find fun activities and adventures throughout the region on our comprehensive events calendar. Have an event that isn’t listed? Click the green “Post your Event” button and our editors will review and approve within two business days.
Sherrie Kahn and Scott Henderson present “Just In Time,” a tuneful cabaret exploring songwriters who found inspiration in the concept of time, creating “pop hits” over the centuries. Sherrie is an accomplished and versatile singer, known for her operatic roles as well as her popular and cabaret performances. Sherrie and Scott have selected an intriguing repertoire, including classic songs like Yesterday, Night and Day, As Time Goes By, What Did I Have I Don’t Have Now? and a dozen other timely favorites. She even races with the clock in the Minute Waltz!
This show is a benefit for The FireHouse Arts and Events Center, a community treasure in Bellingham.
Suggested donation at the door is $20.00
Reservations strongly recommended at this link: https://sherriekahn.brownpapertickets.com
Atomic Affair
Atomic Affair, playing their final show on this night, is a heavy blues/rock band out of Bellingham, WA. Come see the last set EVER from Atomic Affair with the current lineup!
Whalien
Whalien was born in a rush, winning the 2018 Summer Meltdown Showdown after playing together for only a few months. Since that time Whalien has played relentlessly around the west coast. They’ve developed a reputation for high-energy live shows, and an original musical identity that invites listeners to dance, and live in the moment.
Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish is a 4 piece funk/ blues-rock outfit featuring Cameron Katz, Ollie Godfrey, Brett Strizich and Nathan Quasha.
The Corinthian Yacht Club of Bellingham invites you to its annual benefit dance for the Community Boating Center.
This year’s dance will be held on Saturday, April 27 at the Elks Lodge, 710 Samish Way in Bellingham. The doors open at 6:30 and the classic-rock band, The Walrus, will take the stage at 8 pm.
All proceeds, including from a paddle auction, will go to the boating center in its final push to finish its new Wheelhouse in Fairhaven and provide boating access and education to our Whatcom County community.
Get ready for a fun-filled night! Light refreshments will be provided by volunteers from the Corinthian Yacht Club, and beer, wine, alcoholic beverages and water will be available for purchase.
Dance tickets are $25 in advance at CYCbellingham.org/dance or $30 at the door.
Aerosmith & AC/DC Tribute Concert!
The Underground Nightclub
211 E Chestnut St, Bellingham, WA 98225
Seattle’s own Aerosmith Tribute, Sweet Emotion Debut at The Underground nightclub in Bellingham, WA.
With Special guests, “The Takers” Bon Scott era AC/DC Tribute.
Saturday April 27th, 2024 7:30 Doors Show Starts at 8:30 pm.
$15 advanced | $20 at the door | 21+
TICKETS: https://undergroundbellingham.club/#/events/99748
¡Muy Caliente! The countries of South Latin America and the Caribbean, with their wide variety of styles, have made tremendous contributions to American music from such musical hotspots as Brazil, Cuba, and Mexico, greatly influencing American composers and artists. Please join us for an evening devoted to Latin music, in all its variety. We will play new hits and old, including some you might not suspect were influenced by the beauty, breadth, and beat of Latin music. ¡Ven a escuchar!
¡Muy Caliente! The countries of South Latin America and the Caribbean, with their wide variety of styles, have made tremendous contributions to American music from such musical hotspots as Brazil, Cuba, and Mexico, greatly influencing American composers and artists. Please join us for an evening devoted to Latin music, in all its variety. We will play new hits and old, including some you might not suspect were influenced by the beauty, breadth, and beat of Latin music. ¡Ven a escuchar!
Serafima & the Shakedowns with Mae Powell
With a keen eye for life and love, Serafima sings about the experience of a modern day woman in all its sparkle and grit. Through reflective hyperbole and honest observation her lyrics dance their way to the front of your heart, and live in the back of your head. But every pot needs a holder and The Shakedowns know how to distribute the heat. The band brings a unique “un-americana” sound, electrifying classic elements of The Golden Age of Radio, honky tonk, and Russian folk. With an unbridled love for artists like the Grateful Dead and Loretta Lynn, Serafima & the Shakedowns bring a little sass to the country western world.
Mae Powell is a Bay-area based singer, songwriter and rainbow entity on a mission to spread love and magic across all dimensions!
The House Wrens are fiddler extraordinaire Kera-Lynne Newman with multi instrumentalist Jan Peters, performing duets of mostly Irish tunes with Fiddle/Guitar, & Fiddle/Harmonica
Program
Arturo Márquez | Conga del Fuego
Tan Dun | Crouching Tiger Concerto
Peter Boyer | Ellis Island: The Dream of America
Join the orchestra and cellist Meeka Quan DiLorenzo for a powerful afternoon!
First, we’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Mexican composer Arturo Márquez’s Conga del Fuego. Composed in 2005, this quick 3-minute piece translates as “Conga of Fire” and is a pulsating, joyous burst of dance.
Next, cellist Meeka Quan DiLorenzo joins the orchestra for contemporary Chinese American composer Tan Dun’s Crouching Tiger Concerto from the iconic Ang Lee film, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) (2000).
Lastly, we are honored to present contemporary composer Peter Boyer’s Ellis Island: The Dream of America. Premiered in 2002, the work has gone on to become one of the most performed American classical orchestral works composed in the last 20 years.
Tickets: $15 to $52
A pre-concert lecture about the program will take place at 2:15PM in the Walton Theatre. Doors open at 2PM and seating is limited, so please plan accordingly. These lectures are free for ticket-holders.
This concert qualifies for Classical Kids, Take-A-Teen, and Student Rush ticket discounts. Visit https://www.bellinghamsymphony.org/visit-us/ticket-discounts to learn more.
*All programs subject to change
This performance is dedicated to all versions of Mothers. Mothers make the world go round and the music and lyrics selected today reflect facets of this notion. The songs are taken from an eclectic array of musical theater repertoire, ranging from Golden Age through Contemporary, with a small mix of Art Song as well. May the sentiments expressed through this timeless music conjure shared gratitude and memories of whatever the concept of “Mother” means to each listener.
Join Naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a day of foraging out in the woods. This course will take place on private and public property approximately 2 miles from of Maple Falls. Location is subject to change based on seasonal anomalies such as delayed sprouting.
This is a great event to be out in nature on Mothers Day!
We will be foraging nettles and other edible or medicinal plants, in addition to any edible mushrooms we may find. For each species, expect short discourse on it’s edibility or medicinal properties, how to prepare it for medicine or food, and information on its ecology.
Expect moderate walking/hiking with frequent stops, self-led exploration, and a lesson in ethical foraging on public lands.
The last half of the class, we will build a fire and cook together using nettles. I will show you 2 recipes and make suggestions for several others.
This will be a fun outing!
Please register via the website.
In this wildcrafting workshop you will learn how to weave a basket using the coil technique and Ponderosa Pine needles.
Baskets are thought to be one of the first art forms of ancient peoples, with basket fragments found in California and the Southwest dating to 9400 years, and coiled baskets from the earliest sites in Egypt dating to 7,000 years. The coil technique requires patience and attention to detail before it becomes a relaxing, repetitive stitching pattern. It is a skill that is more easily learned with a little guidance.
Dabblers, beginners, intermediate, and advanced weavers will enjoy this creative, social gathering.
In this course you will learn:
ID and Ecology features of Pinus spp. (various pine tree species).
Foraging techniques and where to harvest pine needles.
How to weave a coiled basket using pine needles.
All materials will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own too if you wish (e.g., thread, beads, decor, sewing kit).
As we move from spring’s rebirth to summer’s welcome warmth, Whatcom Chorale’s final concert of the season celebrates the wellspring of American diversity through beloved songs rooted in our rich musical history. Selections from Randall Thompson’s Frostiana, featuring insightful settings of timeless poetry by Robert Frost; diaspora-themed Irish folk tunes arranged by Alice Parker; homegrown American folk songs; and rousing African-American spirituals round out the program. This varied repertoire features Dongho Lee, Director of Music for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, as accompanist.
Join Jazmen Yoder (Northwest Natura) & Madelaine Katz for an ecology crash course complete with captivating storytelling and bounteous wisdom-sharing on Southern Resident and Transient Killer Whales, and the Salish Sea Bioregion.
In this course you will learn:
Salish Sea natural history, including human history and the interconnectedness of species on land and sea.
Orca symbolism and lore within the Coast Salish region
Morphological traits, behaviors, and social structures of Orcas
Salmon species basic life history and phenology
Ecological roles, impacts, and new facts about Southern Resident and Transient Killer Whales
To hear and discern different Orca vocalizations
How to ID individual orcas by their unique features
How to support Orca conservation efforts
Tips for whale watching (where to go, what to look for, how to ID individuals, and more).
This course will be co-led by Madelaine Katz, a nature educator and student of the Salish Sea, and Jazmen Yoder, outdoor educator, naturalist, and founder of Northwest Natura.
The entire class will take place indoors at the Chuckanut Center near Fairhaven in Whatcom County, WA. The Chuckanut Center is heated and has access to facilities including a bathroom, full kitchen, and drinking water.
***** Please register via the website.
This series is designed for individuals at any skill level who are interested in learning more about trees and wildcrafting skills.
Each class will incorporate guided note-taking and hands-on experience that will familiarize you with various trees of the Pacific Northwest.
Overall, we will be moving at a slow pace during each outing as we focus on our surroundings and have mini lectures, and the second half of class will generally be stationary to engage in crafts and activities.
Expect some gentle to moderate hiking, and some kneeling or squatting.
Each class will build on the previous one. For more details, keep reading!
Day 1: An Evening at the Lake: Birch Bark Candles
Saturday June 1st, 2024
(Details on location will be sent to registered participants only).
This is an introductory class to common tree species and a wildcrafting course using several species of trees including Douglas-Fir, Paper Birch and Western Redcedar.
What to expect:
First Half: We will begin the series with an introduction to common trees and general concepts about tree adaptations to better appreciate the materials we’ll be working with in the second half of class.
Second Half: Each person will craft their own primitive candle using bark, resin, roots, and wood.
Please register via the website.
BELLINGHAM, WA – Shifting Gears, a local non-profit in Bellingham, is hosting the annual Bellingham Bike Swap on Sunday, June 9th, 2024, in the Boundary Bay Brewery Alley and Beer Garden in Downtown Bellingham.
The Bellingham Bike Swap allows the Bellingham Community to purchase pre-owned bikes or gear at a lower cost, enabling them to experience the joys and benefits of biking. The Bellingham Bike Swap is a space for community members to sell, shop, and simply share in the greatness of the Bellingham outdoor community. Twenty-five percent of each sale will assist with the funding of Shifting Gears biking and hiking programs that help break barriers preventing all women from experiencing the outdoors and creating a more inclusive outdoor world.
“The Bellingham Bike Swap serves as a marketplace for individuals to sell their pre-loved gear, providing our community access to affordable equipment while celebrating Bellingham’s vibrant cycling scene. Additionally, it reinforces Shifting Gears’ mission to welcome more women into outdoor recreation.”
– Krysy Keller, Executive Director of Shifting Gears.
Everything happens on Sunday, June 9th, at the Boundary Bay Beer Garden. Those looking to sell gear can drop off items between 7am and 10am before everyone is welcome to ‘Shop the Swap’ from 1pm to 5pm. Unsold gear and checks can be picked up by ‘sellers’ between 6pm and 8pm at the end of the day.
The Bellingham Bike Swap started in 2018 and has been hosted at Boundary Bay Brewery every year since. Shifting Gears is blown away at the increasing level of community, volunteer, and partner support. The Bellingham Bike Swap has become a key fundraiser for Shifting Gears’ programming and an annual event for the Bellingham community.
Shifting Gears is a women-led, women-directed non-profit in Bellingham, WA, whose mission is to empower all women through outdoor recreation and education opportunities to remove barriers and foster belonging. By participating in Shifting Gears, community members will walk away with the tools they need to attain their recreational goals and feel empowered to reach other personal goals. For more information about the Bellingham Bike Swap, visit https://letsshiftgears.org/bikeswap.
This course will take place on Northwest Natura’s private forest land in Whatcom County off Highway 542 near Maple Falls, WA. Driving directions and details on what to bring with you will be provided in an email as the event date approaches.
Bushcraft is a term used to describe the practice of skills which aid in living outdoors. Here are the skills we will cover in this crash course:
Survival Basics focused on Shelter
Shelter – survival shelter construction
Fire making without a lighter
Knot-tying and lashing basics.
Tools of the trade and practice using them.
Knife and ax skills
We will practice all of these skills together in this full-day course. Knives and ferro rods provided for the day.
You are encouraged to bring your own outdoor tools such as a knife, ax, fire starter, tarp, containers (pots, water bottles), paracord, first aid kit, etc. so you can practice with your kit. I can answer any questions about your gear and help you troubleshoot issues you may have with them.
Space is limited to 10.
Please register via the website.
Program*
Kinan Azmeh | Suite for Improvisor and Orchestra
Sergei Rachmaninoff | Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
We’re wrapping up another unforgettable season of live music with an exhilarating program, featuring contemporary composer Kinan Azmeh and Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances. Come celebrate our season finale and get a sneak peek at our programming for next fall!
Tickets: $15 to $52
A Pre-Concert Lecture about the program will take place at 2:15PM in the Walton Theatre. Doors open at 2PM and seating is limited, so please plan accordingly. These lectures are free for ticket-holders.
This concert qualifies for Classical Kids, Take-A-Teen, and Student Rush ticket discounts. Visit https://www.bellinghamsymphony.org/visit-us/ticket-discounts to learn more.
*All programs subject to change
Come join us to celebrate life and freedom this June 15th at Boulevard Park.
The Official Juneteenth celwbrationis a family friendly and inclusive event that aims to uplift, educate and create a space where everyone in the community can embrace one another.
This will be a fun filled day with games, performances, a live DJ, face paint, guest speakers, local vendors and more!
You don’t want to miss it!
This is day 2 of the series.
This series is designed for individuals at any skill level who are interested in learning more about trees and wildcrafting skills.
Each class will incorporate guided note-taking and hands-on experience that will familiarize you with various trees of the Pacific Northwest.
Overall, we will be moving at a slow pace during each outing as we focus on our surroundings and have mini lectures, and the second half of class will generally be stationary to engage in crafts and activities.
Expect some gentle to moderate hiking, and some kneeling or squatting.
Each class will build on the previous one. For more details, keep reading!
This is a deep dive into more mixed forest species and a wildcrafting course using Pacific Willow or Vine Maple, and Western Redcedar.
What to expect:
First Half: We will wander along a forest road and onto random footpaths along the Nooksack River, observing tree species and searching for the perfect materials to use in the second half of class. This class will be accessible while incorporating wandering and choosing paths at random based on resources and curiosity.
Second Half: Using Western Redcedar from the forest, learn how to make traditional cordage. Using willow stems from the riverbank, enjoy the view while you craft a decorative ring to be hung up in your garden, your front door, or elsewhere to be admired. Extra decorating materials will be provided. An email with ideas of what you may want to bring for decorations will be sent to you a few days prior to the event.
***Please register via the website.