Community Calendar and Information Hub

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.

Feb
18
Tue
Socially Distant Trivia with Friends! @ Online through Zoom
Feb 18 all-day
Socially Distant Trivia with Friends! @ Online through Zoom

Online trivia through Zoom, every Tuesday night, featuring a mix of gallery and breakout rooms allowing you to socialize while you play several rounds of trivia including a weekly suggested category.

Zoom link available each week at http://Facebook.com/WorldsBestTrivia.

Teams or individuals can play. To participate in scoring, teams designate a scribe who submits answers using google forms. Players of all ages welcome!

Feb
19
Wed
Western Wednesdays @ Downtown Bellingham
Feb 19 all-day
Western Wednesdays @ Downtown Bellingham

Date and time: recurring weekly on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Come Downtown every Wednesday with your Western Student, Staff, or Faculty ID to score deals and discounts all day long at 60+ businesses on everything from coffee to cocktails and everything in between. Check out all the participating businesses and learn more on our website at www.downtownbellingham.com/welcome-wwu.

NSEA Stream Team @ Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association Campus
Feb 19 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
NSEA Stream Team @ Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association Campus

See restoration history and help us maintain older sites that need love. Meet at NSEA’s campus by 8 am and your group leader will shuttle everyone to the site. You can expect to be back to NSEA at 12 pm. All materials and tools needed will be provided, all you need to bring is weather-appropriate clothes, sturdy shoes, and a water bottle! Restrooms at NSEA will be available before the shuttle leaves and once you return.

Since space is limited, registration is required. With the carpool, we ask that you only sign up if you can stay for the whole time. Any volunteers under 18 years of age need to bring a completed Youth Liability Form, and anyone under 14 must also be accompanied by an adult.

Learning Together Forum: Life Below Water @ Bellingham Public Library, Central Branch Lecture Room
Feb 19 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Learning Together Forum: Life Below Water @ Bellingham Public Library, Central Branch Lecture Room

Bellingham Public Library is partnering with WWU’s Sustainability Engagement Institute and the Center for Community Learning to bring back another round of the popular Learning Together Forums. These events bring our community together to talk about sustainability. All are welcome. Share your hopes and challenges related to creating a more sustainable region and meet others doing inspirational work. Participants will leave with new connections and opportunities for action. Forums are free and open to all. Snacks provided! No registration required. At this session, we’ll focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #14: Life Below Water.

Feb
20
Thu
Last Chance to Register for upcoming WSU Extension’s Gardening Green Courses @ South Whatcom Fire Authority Station #21
Feb 20 all-day
Last Chance to Register for upcoming WSU Extension's Gardening Green Courses @ South Whatcom Fire Authority Station #21

Discover the secrets to vibrant, lower-maintenance, and environmentally friendly landscaping with WSU Whatcom County Extension’s Gardening Green courses.
5-week in-person course in Bellingham – Saturdays 10 am to 12 pm February 22-March 22 – or the on-your-own-schedule online course beginning Friday, February 21.

You’ll learn how to
• Cultivate healthy soils, and conserve water,
• Reduce maintenance,
• Create naturally beautiful gardens that are bird and pollinator friendly, and
• Help to keep our lakes and rivers clean.
• And you’ll create a customized landscaping plan!
In-person course participants will receive a coupon from the Garden Spot!
To learn more and register go to: https://extension.wsu.edu/whatcom/nr/gardening-green/

Energy Club: The Future of Solar @ Sustainable Connections
Feb 20 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 am

Bring your Solar Power and Net Metering Questions to Energy Club!
Join us for Energy Club, hosted by Sustainable Connections, where Ecotech Solar and Olympia Community Solar can answer your questions about going solar and net metering. Learn how this system credits solar owners for the energy they produce, how policies impact your savings, and what changes may be on the horizon. Whether you’re a solar owner wanting to expand, or just curious about switching to solar for your home or business, this is a great opportunity to connect and get informed.

FREE and open to all! Join us in person or virtually!
Thursday, February 20th, 8:00-9:00am
Sustainable Connections, 1701 Ellis St, Ste 221, Bellingham, WA 98225
RSVP to elizabethv@sustainableconnections.org

Poetry Pop-Up Series | State Street (Bellingham) @ Honey Moon Mead & Cider (1st location of 4 for event)
Feb 20 @ 5:30 pm
Poetry Pop-Up Series | State Street (Bellingham) @ Honey Moon Mead & Cider (1st location of 4 for event)

Experience Bellingham through poetry.

Presented by the Salish Sea Poetry Festival, this “crawl” of four local State Street hangouts connects poets and poetry groups with each other and the community.

Enjoy spoken poetry in a public house setting and taste local fare. Meet regional writers and learn about the groups that support them. Explore each stop with featured poets from the local writing groups below.

FOUR LOCATIONS, ONE DOWNTOWN STREET

5:30p Honey Moon Mead & Cider | 1053 N. State St. – Pacific Corner Poets’ Third Thursday
7:00p L&L Libations | 1107 N. State St. – Corridor
8:00p Ramble Tamble | 1313 N. State St. – HamLit
9:00p 20th Century Bowl | 1411 N. State St. – Idiom

Contact: SalishSeaPoetry@gmail.com

An Evening with Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group @ Mount Baker Theatre
Feb 20 @ 7:30 pm
An Evening with Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group @ Mount Baker Theatre

A singer, composer and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers.

Lovett’s live performances show not only the breadth of this Texas legend’s deep talents, but also the diversity of his influences, making him one of the most compelling and captivating musicians in popular music.

Feb
21
Fri
Keys & Cocktails @ Hotel Leo
Feb 21 @ 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Keys & Cocktails @ Hotel Leo

Kick off the weekend in style with Keys & Cocktails at Hotel Leo Friday, February 21! Start your evening with a piano happy hour as the brand-new Steinway comes to life with the soulful vocals of Julie Lewis and the lively tunes of piano maestro Mark Nichols. From sultry torch songs to rowdy singalongs, it’s the perfect mix of music, history, and good company. Sip on a cocktail, settle into the warm ambiance, and let the music set the tone for a fantastic Friday night.

Music starts at 4:30 PM and plays till 10 PM.

Celebrating the Finalists of the Nancy Pearl Book Award in Literary and Mainstream Fiction @ Village Books and Paper Dreams in Fairhaven
Feb 21 @ 6:00 pm
Celebrating the Finalists of the Nancy Pearl Book Award in Literary and Mainstream Fiction @ Village Books and Paper Dreams in Fairhaven

Now in its 21st year, The Nancy Pearl Book Award, offered through The Pacific Northwest Writers Association, chooses three finalists in three categories: Memoir, Genre Fiction, and Literary or Mainstream Fiction. The three finalist titles for Literary or Mainstream Fiction are: As Far as You Go Before You Have to Come Back by Alle C. Hall., Omie’s Well by Rebecca Holbrook, and When There Was No Moon by Irma Fritz. Village Books is thrilled to be welcoming these three authors to the Readings Gallery to celebrate their nominations.

In the early 1900’s near Savannah, Omie is descended from a line of midwives and female healers with the Sight. When Omie sees the face of Nate Silar, she senses only the sweetness in sorrows to come, as Nate’s bottled demons struggle for his soul.

Rebecca Holbrook grew up steeped in the rich culture of the south. Her mother’s people were some of the early settlers around Savannah. Stories passed down through generations inspired Omie’s Well. Rebecca is a banjo player and songwriter. She lives in Hoodsport with her husband, Gary, and their red dog, Liza Jane. Omie’s Well is her first novel.

A tale of love and murder in a country where violence against women is as common as daily calls to prayer. A wealthy farmer, Nasir, offers Samina a scholarship to attend primary school. Though Samina’s father doesn’t approve, as Samina grows into young womanhood, she and Nasir fall in love.

Irma Fritz studied writing at California State University at Los Angeles. Her sixth novel, When There Was No Moon, won first place in the PNWA’s Unpublished Literary Novel Contest before placing as a finalist for the 2024 Nancy Pearl Book Award.

With twelve honors, this “girl and her backpack” story with a #MeToo framing has Carlie, a child sexual trauma steals ten thousand dollars and runs away to Asia. Falling in with an international crew of Tai chi-practicing backpackers, Carlie sets off to find the healthy sexuality she desires.

Seattleite Alle C. Hall is an author and writing instructor focused on the joy and creativity resulting from trauma recovery. Her debut novel, As Far as You Can Go Before You Have to Come Back was honored twelve times; including first place in The National League of American Pen Women’s Mary Kennedy Eastham Prize for an excerpt.

First Fridays @ Downtown Bellingham
Feb 21 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
First Fridays @ Downtown Bellingham

Date and time: recurring on the first Friday of every month from 6 to 10 p.m.

First Fridays is a monthly celebration that showcases local artists and galleries, places to dine and sip, late night shopping, events, live music, and more! Join us on the first Friday of every month from 6 to 10 p.m.

With fresh programming each month, First Fridays provide opportunities to engage with Downtown Bellingham and discover the city center throughout the year. Dozens of businesses host artists, feature signature dishes, become a stage for musicians, and more!

It’s a great night to experience Downtown!

Footloose: The Musical! @ Bellingham High School
Feb 21 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Footloose: The Musical! @ Bellingham High School

Jump Back! Join Bellingham High School Theatre for a lively, heartwarming story about overcoming, fear, embracing change, and the transformative power of music and dance in Footloose: The Musical, a stage adaptation of the 1984 hit film Footloose!

Set in the small, conservative town of Bomont, the story follows Ren McCormack (Merlin Walther), a teenager who moves from bustling Chicago to this quiet community with his mother (Linc Lyons). Ren soon discovers that Bomont is bound by strict laws, including a ban on dancing, enacted by the town’s moralistic Reverend Shaw Moore (Masha Goggin) after a tragic car accident claimed the lives of four teenagers, including the reverend’s son.

Ren struggles to fit in at his new high school but befriends the rebellious Ariel Moore (Mia Hall), the reverend’s outspoken daughter, and Willard Hewitt (Finn Sandwith), a shy but good-hearted local boy.

Determined to bring joy back to the town and challenge the oppressive rules, Ren rallies the local teens to fight the ban on dancing. Along the way, he inspires the town to confront their fears, heal from their collective grief, and rediscover the joy of self-expression.

The musical features iconic songs from the film, including “Footloose,” “Holding Out for a Hero,” “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” and “Almost Paradise,” along with new songs written for the stage adaptation.

Footloose: The Musical is rated PG-13 opening Friday, February 21st at 7:00 pm and running February 22nd, 28th, & March 1st at 7:00 pm as well as February 22nd & March 1st at 2:00 pm

Tickets are sold both online and at the door at $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

Cupid’s Arrow @ The Upfront Theatre
Feb 21 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Cupid's Arrow @ The Upfront Theatre

Feb 7 – March 1 Fridays & Saturdays @ 7:30PM

Watch as improvisors take audience suggestions to create wacky, outlandish characters who will do anything for love. The audience will get to decide which contestant is best suited for the bachelor/ bachelorette, and witness what happens on the first date that follows. Will the new couple find love or will the night end in disaster? Either way, it’s gonna be hilarious. Whether you are single or hitched, you will fall head over heels for this show!

We are an all ages venue. Shows with “mature content” or “recommended for” will be advertised accordingly.

Unknown Board Shop presents “Hatt Rabbit” @ The FireHouse Arts and Events Center
Feb 21 @ 7:33 pm

Unknown Board Shop, the treasured hub of Bellingham skateboarding, is excited to reveal the latest local skate video. “Hatt Rabbit” is a passion project that features local skateboarders and their recent accomplishments.

Armed with a Canon GL1, an analogue camcorder manufactured in 1999, Levi has been rolling around Bellingham streets pointing his camera at anyone having fun on wheels. ‘Hatt Rabbit’ is made of the footage he collected.

Integrating sounds from local bands and artists, Hatt Rabbit is a Bellingham-centric project that shows off a lot of rad folks

Fifty Shades of Velvet @ The Upfront Theatre
Feb 21 @ 9:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Fifty Shades of Velvet @ The Upfront Theatre

The air was crisp, biting with the chill of a winter’s evening, yet there was a certain warmth that filled the small Improv theatre nestled in the heart of downtown Bellingham. Outside, an icy, bitter world. Inside, the warmth of love, a melody of laughter, and the certainty that you have found something rare and beautiful…

Inspired by your suggestions, we will create for you the most awkwardly provocative and hilariously passionate love story. Complete with true love, lust, and alluring intensity. Sure to give you all the funny feels.

Recommended for mature audiences (adult content). See our Upcoming Shows for all ages options.

Feb
22
Sat
Community Work Party at Julianna Park @ Julianna Park
Feb 22 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Remove invasive species, plant native trees, and help us spruce up one of Bellingham’s newest parks as we continue the legacy of Julianna Guy.

All ages and abilities welcome. Participants under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Tools, gloves, and instructions are provided. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.

Additional information will be emailed to registered participants. Register early, space is limited! If you sign up, please show up!

NSEA Julianna Park Work Party @ Julianna Park
Feb 22 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
NSEA Julianna Park Work Party @ Julianna Park

Remove invasive species, plant native trees, and help us spruce up one of Bellingham’s newest parks as we continue the legacy of Julianna Guy.

Ecosystem Awareness: Wildlife Tracking & Ecology Basics with Northwest Natura & Mark Thompson @ Maple Falls
Feb 22 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Ecosystem Awareness: Wildlife Tracking & Ecology Basics with Northwest Natura & Mark Thompson @ Maple Falls

Please join naturalist, Jazmen Yoder (Northwest Natura) and expert wildlife tracker, Mark Thompson for an immersive day of exploration focused on wildlife track and sign in a stunning landscape near the Nooksack River. This course is designed for nature enthusiasts, aspiring naturalists, and anyone curious about the “big picture” of our local ecosystems, and improving their skills in identifying wildlife track and sign. This will be a fun course with tons of educational content!

Space is limited!

Course highlights:

Introduction to Tracking Techniques:

Learn the fundamentals of tracking including how to read animal signs, tracks, and behaviors. We’ll cover essentials for successful tracking in various terrains.

This course will be tailored to the individuals present but is designed as a beginner’s course. However, if you are not a beginner, this course is still choice. Mark Thompson is an expert tracker with the ability to teach all skill levels including absolute beginners to advanced or specialized individuals.

Identifying local species:

Discover the diverse wildlife of the PNW, including mammals and birds (and amphibians if we’re lucky!). Through field observations and discussions, you’ll gain insight into their habitats and behaviors.

Connecting with the ecosystem:

Observe plant-wildlife and fungi-wildlife relationships and see the ecosystem at work. From minute details we can learn what is happening in the bigger picture. Discussions will include points on habitat preservation and native plant conservation.

Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, this course offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of the natural world. Prepare to explore the trails, connect with fellow nature lovers, and enhance your outdoor skills in the breathtaking Nooksack River valley.

Please register via the event website.

Pasado’s Safe Haven Seattle Cooking Class: Brunch with Friends @ The House Studios Seattle (Queen Anne)
Feb 22 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Pasado's Safe Haven Seattle Cooking Class: Brunch with Friends @ The House Studios Seattle (Queen Anne)

Who’s up for learning how to create a delicious brunch with a vegan twist? Join Pasado’s Safe Haven Chef Amy Webster for a delicious and fun menu delivered demonstration-style that’s sure to inspire you to host a vegan brunch of your own. You’ll be treated to tasty samples of each dish and a full coffee bar!

On the Menu:
Cheesy Breakfast Bake
Rice Paper Bakin’
Chocolate Donuts

Footloose: The Musical! @ Bellingham High School
Feb 22 @ 2:00 pm
Footloose: The Musical! @ Bellingham High School

Jump Back! Join Bellingham High School Theatre for a lively, heartwarming story about overcoming, fear, embracing change, and the transformative power of music and dance in Footloose: The Musical, a stage adaptation of the 1984 hit film Footloose!

Set in the small, conservative town of Bomont, the story follows Ren McCormack (Merlin Walther), a teenager who moves from bustling Chicago to this quiet community with his mother (Linc Lyons). Ren soon discovers that Bomont is bound by strict laws, including a ban on dancing, enacted by the town’s moralistic Reverend Shaw Moore (Masha Goggin) after a tragic car accident claimed the lives of four teenagers, including the reverend’s son.

Ren struggles to fit in at his new high school but befriends the rebellious Ariel Moore (Mia Hall), the reverend’s outspoken daughter, and Willard Hewitt (Finn Sandwith), a shy but good-hearted local boy.

Determined to bring joy back to the town and challenge the oppressive rules, Ren rallies the local teens to fight the ban on dancing. Along the way, he inspires the town to confront their fears, heal from their collective grief, and rediscover the joy of self-expression.

The musical features iconic songs from the film, including “Footloose,” “Holding Out for a Hero,” “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” and “Almost Paradise,” along with new songs written for the stage adaptation.

Footloose: The Musical is rated PG-13 opening Friday, February 21st at 7:00 pm and running February 22nd, 28th, & March 1st at 7:00 pm as well as February 22nd & March 1st at 2:00 pm

Tickets are sold both online and at the door at $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

Marian Exall- Six Degrees of Death in LYNDEN @ Village Books and Paper Dreams in Lynden
Feb 22 @ 2:00 pm
Marian Exall- Six Degrees of Death in LYNDEN @ Village Books and Paper Dreams in Lynden

Join us in welcoming award-winning author Marian Exall for her newest mystery book, Six Degrees of Death!

The suspicious death of a much-loved English professor in a Northwest college town connects six strangers. Is one of them the killer? “It’s always the husband,” declares the jaded detective in charge, but a rookie cop assisting him isn’t so sure. When the police investigation hits a wall, the former strangers come together to uncover unlikely links between the professor’s death, Central American political corruption, and a secret document that names the criminals. Now they are all in danger, as an assassin seeks to eliminate any witnesses.

Marian Exall is an award-winning author of mysteries and historical fiction. She grew up in England, and lived in France and Belgium before moving to the United States where she raised a family and pursued a career as a lawyer. She now lives in Bellingham with her husband of 53 years and their rescue Bouvier, Bo.

Footloose: The Musical! @ Bellingham High School
Feb 22 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Footloose: The Musical! @ Bellingham High School

Jump Back! Join Bellingham High School Theatre for a lively, heartwarming story about overcoming, fear, embracing change, and the transformative power of music and dance in Footloose: The Musical, a stage adaptation of the 1984 hit film Footloose!

Set in the small, conservative town of Bomont, the story follows Ren McCormack (Merlin Walther), a teenager who moves from bustling Chicago to this quiet community with his mother (Linc Lyons). Ren soon discovers that Bomont is bound by strict laws, including a ban on dancing, enacted by the town’s moralistic Reverend Shaw Moore (Masha Goggin) after a tragic car accident claimed the lives of four teenagers, including the reverend’s son.

Ren struggles to fit in at his new high school but befriends the rebellious Ariel Moore (Mia Hall), the reverend’s outspoken daughter, and Willard Hewitt (Finn Sandwith), a shy but good-hearted local boy.

Determined to bring joy back to the town and challenge the oppressive rules, Ren rallies the local teens to fight the ban on dancing. Along the way, he inspires the town to confront their fears, heal from their collective grief, and rediscover the joy of self-expression.

The musical features iconic songs from the film, including “Footloose,” “Holding Out for a Hero,” “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” and “Almost Paradise,” along with new songs written for the stage adaptation.

Footloose: The Musical is rated PG-13 opening Friday, February 21st at 7:00 pm and running February 22nd, 28th, & March 1st at 7:00 pm as well as February 22nd & March 1st at 2:00 pm

Tickets are sold both online and at the door at $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

Cupid’s Arrow @ The Upfront Theatre
Feb 22 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Cupid's Arrow @ The Upfront Theatre

Feb 7 – March 1 Fridays & Saturdays @ 7:30PM

Watch as improvisors take audience suggestions to create wacky, outlandish characters who will do anything for love. The audience will get to decide which contestant is best suited for the bachelor/ bachelorette, and witness what happens on the first date that follows. Will the new couple find love or will the night end in disaster? Either way, it’s gonna be hilarious. Whether you are single or hitched, you will fall head over heels for this show!

We are an all ages venue. Shows with “mature content” or “recommended for” will be advertised accordingly.

Fifty Shades of Velvet @ The Upfront Theatre
Feb 22 @ 9:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Fifty Shades of Velvet @ The Upfront Theatre

The air was crisp, biting with the chill of a winter’s evening, yet there was a certain warmth that filled the small Improv theatre nestled in the heart of downtown Bellingham. Outside, an icy, bitter world. Inside, the warmth of love, a melody of laughter, and the certainty that you have found something rare and beautiful…

Inspired by your suggestions, we will create for you the most awkwardly provocative and hilariously passionate love story. Complete with true love, lust, and alluring intensity. Sure to give you all the funny feels.

Recommended for mature audiences (adult content). See our Upcoming Shows for all ages options.

Punch Line @ The Upfront Theatre
Feb 22 @ 9:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Punch Line @ The Upfront Theatre

Shows Saturdays at 9:30PM

Get ready for Punch Line, the fast-paced improv show that will leave you in stitches! This electrifying performance takes spontaneity to new heights, where every moment is crafted on the spot by our talented ensemble. Experience the thrill of laughter as they transform your suggestions into hilarious scenes, witty banter, and unexpected punchlines.

Looking for a fun date night idea? Punch Line is the perfect way to break the ice or deepen your connection. Share the joy of spontaneous comedy and enjoy an evening filled with laughter, surprises, and unforgettable memories. Grab your partner, friends, or even that cute someone you’ve been eyeing, and dive into a night where the only script is your imagination. Join us for a rollercoaster of laughs—because at Punch Line, every night is a comedy adventure!

We are an all ages venue. Shows with “mature content” or “recommended for” will be advertised accordingly.