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.
Known for their harmony-laced alt-folk, the Hunts are a Chesapeake, Virginia-based band of seven siblings who have been playing music together almost their entire lives. Twin sisters Jessi and Jenni and brothers Josh, Jonathan, Jordan, Justin and Jamison—now ranging in age from 26 down to 17—learned to sing and play violin as young kids and spent much of their childhood performing in their community. Adding mandolin, piano, ukulele, banjo, drums and now songwriting to their repertoire has brought to life a batch of songs that reveal the siblings’ sophisticated sense of melody and undeniably dreamy innocence. A best bet to connect with all ages!
Join us as we celebrate Skookum’s 3rd birthday on Sunday, July 7 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. We’re shutting down the portion of Franklin Street behind Perch & Play to make room for food trunks, carnival games, a bouncy house, local vendors and our favorite, live music—Western Washington’s own Kuinka.
Skookum Turns 3! is a celebration of the work we’ve done and the support we’ve had in our community. It’s free to the public. Perch & Play will also be open in case you want to check it out or grab a cold drink.
Come hungry and don’t forget the sunscreen.
If you’re interested in sponsoring the event, volunteering time to make it happen, or donating some prizes for the kids, please visit www.skookumkids.org/blockpary or email Laura Ann Poehner at lapoehner@skookumkids.org.
Writing Through a Small Window
We will explore creative songwriting by working with lyrical exercises. Drawing from the right side of the brain, we will do a series of ‘small window’ writing exercises that are fun, inventive and spirited. These exercises will help you find your song, be it just lyrics or music and lyrics. We will look at chord families and how they work and then you will have the opportunity to write or at least start your song! You don’t need to be a songwriter or a musician to take this class. Songwriting is a learnable skill. Bring a writing journal and your instrument, even if it is only your voice.
“Tret has a way of treating each student with kindness, respect and encouragement that propels us to safely dig into the inner reaches of our creativity in order to open and release the music and poetry which yearns to be heard.” – Diane Bloom, student
Backstage at the Border Presents Tret Fure
Proceeeds after expenses are donated to Community Outreach Programs Christ Episcopal Church 382 Boblett Street in Blaine.
A prolific artist in the contemporary singer-songwriter arena, Tret Fure has released 15 albums and CDs over the course of her 48 year career. In addition to being a gifted songwriter, Fure has engineered and produced countless recordings by a variety of artists, including her own work. Now after seven acoustic releases on her own label, Tomboy girl Records, Tret has re-established herself in the folk world, winning the South Florida Folk Festival Singer/Songwriter Competition in two out of three categories.
Dana returns to the park bringing Comedy, beautiful ballads, stories from around the world, political folk, great for the whole family. Singer of cows with guns.
These Family-Friendly concerts are a Mayor’s Arts Awards recipient for 2018. All concerts are free and sponsored by The Eldridge Society, in partnership with Bellingham Parks and Recreation.
Picnickers are encouraged to recycle and compost to be good park stewards. Food will be available for purchase. Alcohol and vaping are not permitted in the park.
Join us at Limelight Cinema for a special two-night only screening of “Van Gogh: A New Way of Seeing.” Showing Sunday, September 2 at 11:00 a.m. and again, Wednesday, September 5 at 6:00 p.m., this biography grants complete access to Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, in celebration of the 125th anniversary of Van Gogh’s death. With information from experts at the Museum, in combination with Theo Van Gogh’s letter collection, and over 200 paintings, this film is a complete telling of Van Gogh’s life.
Bring your voices, and even your guitars and ukes if you want. Join the “Seatles” who lead the huge Beatles sing-along at the Seattle FolkLife Festival every year. (Peter Langston, Robin McGillveray, Mark Ouellette, & John Reagan.) I will personally welcome you in my favorite Sergeant Pepper regalia! You can even wear your own.
The Beatles music shines in our collective memories. In this era, Beatles songs link people of all ages. Singing their songs in a crowd feels a lot like old Pete Seeger hootenannies; we’ll sing To as well as With each other and dance in the aisles. It is SO fun! I don’t care if you “sing well” – I would love you to come join us!
Proceeds at the door go to the Bellingham Folk Festival. I would like each one of you to reach out and invite everyone you can think of, of all ages! I want this thing packed! Bring your friends, kids, grandkids, parents, grandparents, neighbors, favorite grocery store clerk… everybody!
Over the past 18 years the trad Quebec group Genticorum has become a fixture on the international world, trad, folk and Celtic music circuit. The bands six albums met with critical acclaim in Canada, the United States and Europe, assuring the band a brilliant future.
Known for its energy and its stage presence, Genticorum has given more than 800 concerts in more than 15 countries.
Firmly rooted in the soil of their native land, the energetic and original traditional power trio also incorporates the dynamism of todays North American and European folk cultures in their music. They weave precise and intricate fiddle, flute and accordion work, gorgeous vocal harmonies, energetic foot percussion and guitar accompaniment into a big and jubilant musical feast. Their distinctive sound, sense of humour and stage presence makes them a supreme crowd pleaser.
The McHughs are a family band that play inspired, personal folk-rock classics and originals with a flourish of harmony and strings.
The title cut of their debut release, A DAY WILL COME is a timeless collaboration with a 20th Century film legend and visionary. This artist’s cry for humanity from his 1940 film, THE GREAT DICTATOR placed over an original composition by The McHughs is a powerful soul connection as relevant today as ever – a song and album of hope in uncertain times.
The McHughs feature Casey McHugh on violin, vocals and guitar; Morgan McHugh on piano, vocals, guitar and saxophone; Avery McHugh on violin and vocals; and Tim McHugh on guitar and vocals.
Tickets are $9, available at Brown Paper Tickets: https://mchughs.brownpapertickets.com
“To see The McHughs live is quintessential folk in the moment. Transcendent, personal and open in a shared voice of our Americana past framed for tomorrow. It’s not just that the songs are good, it’s that you’re moved and inspired by substantive artists who see and interpret the world around us.” – Don Hunger
On Saturday, April 13th, the Social & Environmental Justice Committee of the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship will sponsor songwriter Linda Allen, daughters Jen and Kristin Allen-Zito, and a host of special musical friends in a concert in celebration of Linda’s arriving at the half century mark as a working musician. In addition to an evening of wonderful music, every dime after expenses will benefit the Bellingham Food Bank.
The concert will be held at the Bellingham Unitarian Church, 1207 Ellsworth in Bellingham. Tickets are a suggested donation of $15.00 and are available at the door. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please consider bringing non-perishable food items for the Food Bank. Dessert will be served after the concert.
Linda has been a working musician beginning in 1969, writing and singing powerful songs of hope and history, spirituality and death, love and whimsy in a style the writer Studs Terkel once referred to as “true and delightful”. In this concert, she will be celebrating the release of her eleventh and twelfth recordings as well as sharing a retrospective of her life’s work…so far.
Linda’s special guests, in addition to daughters Jen and Kristin, to date include Janet Stecher and Susan Lewis (Rebel Voices), Phil Heaven, Jeff Wilson, Tom Rawson, Jan Peters, Laura Smith, Chad Petersen, Kitty King, Sonny Lowe, Scott Slaba, Meryle Korn, Marie Eaton and Ellen van der Hoeven.
Come on down and join us on Friday, May 17th, for the 3rd annual benefit show Rockin’ for The RE Store at the Boundary Bay Brewery beer garden. There will raffle prizes, live music, and a silent auction to support the community jobs training program. This event is free for all ages.
This event includes performances by The Legendary Chucklenuts and the High Mountain String Band, an informal auction with wonderful items donated by generous local businesses, and raffling off big prizes worth over $5,000. All of the proceeds from the evening go to support The RE Stores efforts to reduce barriers to employment in Whatcom County.
The Community Jobs Program strengthens Whatcom County by investing in those who need help the most. By giving displaced workers the skills and confidence to support themselves, we’re helping to increase local jobs and prevent homelessness.
Before you come to this fun filled event, make sure to pick up advanced raffle tickets at The RE Store. Raffle tickets are $5 and can be purchased at The RE Store on Meridian and Broadway St starting in April.
Heddwen, Larsen Gardens, and Meghan Yates in concert at the Alternative Library, July 20th
The Alternative Library (519 E Maple St.) presents a night of beautifully crafted alternative folk music from Seattle’s Heddwen and Larsen Gardens, joined by Bellingham’s Meghan Yates, on Saturday, July 20th. Doors open at 7:30 pm, music begins at 8:00. All ages welcome, admission $6-10 (sliding scale).
Heddwen is an original alt-folk duo with singer-songwriters Riley Skinner and Katie Rudman, featuring complex harmonies over simple folk progressions. They are based in Seattle, WA.
Larsen Gardens is the project of Seattle-based singer-songwriter Sarah Edmonds, whose intimate lyrics, soft vocals, and buoyant acoustic guitar build ethereal, reflective folk songs.
Meghan Yates is a Bellingham-based experimental joy folk fusion singer-songwriter whose musical career began in Portland, ME. Whether solo or when other players join, the music she creates often uplifts, penetrates and inspires the listener.
Visit the event’s Facebook page to RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/615464702274669/
Links to additional information about the performers and venue:
Heddwen
Website: https://www.heddwen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heddwenmusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heddwenmusic
Bandcamp: https://heddwen.bandcamp.com/releases
Larsen Gardens
Website: https://www.larsen-gardens.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarsenGardens/
Bandcamp: https://larsengardens.bandcamp.com/releases
Meghan Yates
Website: http://www.meghanyatesandthereveriemachine.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thereveriemachine/
Bandcamp: https://thereveriemachine.bandcamp.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ6VJC64HUGkuGAjQ0UkBLw
Alternative Library
Website: http://altlib.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BellinghamAlternativeLibrary/
E-mail: bellingham.alternative.library@gmail.com
The Whatcom Hills Waldorf School’s annual Winter Faire is a “wonder-full” way for families to enjoy the spirit of the holidays with live music, magical lands, delicious food, local craft vendors and hands-on workshops. Crafting workshops feature natural materials and include rolling beeswax candles, wooden ornaments, felt projects, and translucent paper stars to color your windows. Visit the Snow Queen in her castle, dig for crystals in Gnome Village, watch an enchanting puppet play or warm up with delicious homemade soup, baked goods and live music in the Wooden Spoon Cafe. Everyone is welcome!
Prices of activities vary from $1 – $4.
Parking: Free parking is available at The Firs at 4605 Cable St. A free shuttle brings people to and from the school.
Stop by Kulshan Brewing for an eclectic mix of original acoustic music combining alt folk, soul, reggae and more!
Wade through streams of harmony and eddies of acoustic rhythm as Grammy Award-nominated American indie folk duo The Milk Carton Kids deliver rootsy refreshment.
Girls Need Guitars to provide Guitar Lessons and Workshops for Foster kids in Whatcom and Skagit County.
Erin Corday Cinematic Folk & Americana She wraps her voice around a trip?hop folk song, a Brazilian classic, even the sound of skipping stones across the water. Of Mexican, Icelandic, and Swedish ancestry, Erin Corday is an American singer and songwriter who brings a love of epic quest, emotional depth, lyrical imagery, and imagination to subtly dynamic performances.
Tret Fure began her career at the age of 16, singing in coffeehouses and campuses in the Midwest. At 19, she moved to LA in hopes of obtaining a record deal. Within a year she was performing as guitarist and vocalist for Spencer Davis, touring with him and penning the single for his album “Mousetrap”. She went on to record her own album “Tret Fure” in 1973, on MCA/UNI Records, with the late Lowell George of Little Feat as her producer. With the success of that release, she opened for such bands as Yes, Poco, and the J Geils Band. A prolific artist in the contemporary singer-songwriter arena, Tret Fure has released 17 albums and CDs over the course of her 51 year career.
Fay Eiford was born and raised right here in Bellingham Washington. She has had a passion for music since she can remember. Ever since she was 3 years old, Eiford has been a performer. Singing and dancing her way around the hardwood kitchen floors, she grew up in the spotlight. Now at 20 years old, she is performing original songs on the hardwood floor of a stage.
The Righteous Mothers are four feisty, funny, feminist, philosophical folk-rock musicians, who use laughter and harmony to reflect on our everyday lives and politics.
The second edition of Folk Club at The Blue Room is here! The Weslee Jones trio “Friends for the Ghost” will bringing their incredible sound and soulful vocals to life, joined by the naturally talented Bellingham icon Brady Mcatee with Jan Peters.
Folk Club shows happen on the first and third Sundays of every month and are all ages! Suggested donation $10 – NOTAFLOF
Doors 2pm | Music 3pm
Folk Club Happy Hour 2-3pm!
Cuttlefish is a four piece funk/blues rock outfit featuring Cameron Katz, Ollie Godfrey, Brett Strizich and Nathan Quasha
Meldrop is a four piece jazzy indie rock band hailing from the beautiful city of Tacoma, Washington. The group has blossomed into an up-and-coming talent in the Seattle area, and began work on their self-titled debut EP in the fall of 2023. With a unique blend of genres, Meldrop’s sound is truly one-of-a-kind. The band’s blues and jazz influences, combined with their indie rock riffs and melodies create a truly unique sound that you have to experience for yourself!
Mipak comes out of Seattle, Washington, and is an instrumental funk fueled psychedelic experience with influences ranging from 70’s grooves to modern dance music, featuring the occasional trip to outer space.
The Tango Cowboys perform fun-loving music from America (North and South), specializing in vocal tangos and cowboy songs from the 1930s and 1940s, trail songs from the great cattle drives of the 1870s and classics by Johnny Cash and Marty Robbins. They tell stories of their songs directly to the audience, inviting them to journey from the open range of the Wild West and the small cafe in Buenos Aires. They have performed at prestigious festivals in the Northwest such as Bach Fest, Northwest Folklife, and Subdued Stringband Jamboree.
Folk Club shows happen on the first and third Sundays of every month and are all ages! Suggested donation $10-$20 – NOTAFLOF
Doors 2pm | Music 3pm
Folk Club Happy Hour 2-3pm!
Free Harmony is Chuck Dingée and Sharon Mayson! Their beautiful vocals are what make Free Harmony unique and a treat to listen to. They started singing together in 2017 and have been busy entertaining people in the Northwest ever since.
A founding member of Bellingham’s popular classic rock band The Walrus, Chuck has been singing and playing in the area for over 40 years. He has an eclectic repertoire of hundreds of songs from Gershwin to Beatles to Pink Floyd.
Having sung all her life, Sharon has an incredibly smooth voice and performs in local Northwest bands including Pacific Twang.
Together they play an entertaining mix of originals and songs ranging from the 60s to present, by artists like Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles, Emmylou Harris, John Denver, Indigo Girls, The Police, Pink Floyd, Eagles, Bonnie Raitt, and many others. In March 2019, Free Harmony was opening act for the band America at the Tulalip and Legends Casinos in Washington state.
Folk Club shows happen on the first and third Sundays of every month and are all ages! Suggested donation $10-$20 – NOTAFLOF
Doors 2pm | Music 3pm
Folk Club Happy Hour 2-3pm!
Enjoy St. Patricks Day themed drink specials to the toe-tapping music of The Devillies, Bellingham’s favorite Irish-American folk group, as a part of the fifth edition of Folk Club at The Blue Room! The Devillies play an eclectic mix of originals and traditional tunes and songs made for dancing, crying, and laughing.
Folk Club shows happen on the first and third Sundays of every month and are all ages! Suggested donation $10-$20 – NOTAFLOF
Doors 2pm | Music 3pm
Folk Club Happy Hour 2-3pm!
Cape Flattery is:
Pete Goodall – Bass, Mandolin
Ted O’Connell – Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonica, Piano
Lindsay Poynter – Guitar
Plus guests!
Folk Club shows happen on the first and third Sundays of every month and are all ages! Suggested donation $10-$20 – NOTAFLOF
Doors 2pm | Music 3pm
Folk Club Happy Hour 2-3pm!
Sweater Weather String Band
With members drawn together from all across the Salish Sea by a mutual love of traditional music and knitwear, Sweater Weather String Band blends old-time, honky-tonk, Celtic, and indie rock influences into a style that has been likened to “the frolicking of sheep before a thunderstorm.” Formed from a series of jams and impromptu gigs, the band quickly developed a wildly danceable sound that’s been heard at festivals, folk dances, and bars throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Andy Bunn
Andy Bunn is a songwriter living in Bellingham WA who writes character-focused songs. Some of the stories in the songs stick mostly to the facts and some are tall tales. The characters in the stories feel real to him and that’s enough.
Folk Club shows happen on the first and third Sundays of every month and are all ages! Suggested donation $10-$20 – NOTAFLOF
Doors 2pm | Music 3pm
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
