Rocky areas are the Pika's preferred home. Photo credit: Sue Dabney.
School is out for the rest of the year! I remember uttering this jubilant exclamation when I was a kid. It was an amazing thing. Never again would I complete a test, be taunted by math or wake up early – for the entire rest of the year! It seemed monumental. Now I hear my own children excitedly declaring the same things. Winter break is a wonderful thing.
Whether you’re reveling in scholastic freedom or just looking for something fun to do, here are a few ideas to kick your winter break off right. Be sure to check our calendar for a full list of all the fun happenings going on around Whatcom County this weekend.
Get into the holiday spirit and experience a piece of history with Whatcom Museum’s Deck the Old City Hall. If you haven’t seen it yet, you don’t want to miss out on this classic holiday experience.
Stretch your legs and shake off the winter blues with the 5K Trail Winter Run Series. It’s a great way to get some fresh air, meet new people and experience the beauty of Whatcom County.
Get your holiday shopping done and support your local artisans at the Holiday Festival of the Arts. This great event also offers live music and art workshops for children. You’ll love seeing all the amazing things these talented artists have created!
Break free of the holiday atmosphere and experience something … else. “These are the Damned” is an unusual science fiction film with a cult following. Check it out at the Pickform Film Center this weekend.
Mamma Mia! What a great way to have some fun and forget the cold. Float away to the Greek isles on the buoyant goodwill of this blockbuster musical.
If you’re still scrambling to come up with the perfect holiday gift idea, check out this advice from Mount Baker Theatre’s resident ghost, Judy.
WhatcomTalk aims to be your source for positive information and events happening in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and throughout Whatcom County. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@whatcomtalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Bellingham and the surrounding area, visit our events calendar. To submit an event of your own, visit our events calendar and click on the green “Post Your Event” button.
Morgan Paris Lanza sings on stage for a live performance at the Green Frog in Bellingham. The Bellingham Girls Rock Club has performed here in the past. Photo credit: Alycia Hendrickson.
Amid describing Bellingham Girls Rock Camp, Morgan Paris Lanza, 25, highlighted a vital aspect: “We try to provide some information on the badass, inspirational women in music who have come before us,” Lanza said. “These are the movements that we are indirectly a part of that we are now directly continuing to recreate through our own music and media making.”
Still, this is just a sliver of what Bellingham Girls Rock Camp (BGRC) delivers to their campers. In full, BGRC is a day-camp for girls ranging in age from 8 to 17 years old that takes place several times a year. In the span of one week, campers with or without musical experience are given the opportunity to learn how to play a musical instrument, become involved in a band, professionally record songs, perform live on a stage, and participate in workshops.
Girls practice on drums at the Bellingham Girls Rock Camp. Campers can list what instruments they prefer to work with when they register for camp. Photo credit: Kelsey Majors.
BGRC is a part of Girls Rock Camp Alliance, an international movement dedicated to helping girls build self-esteem and find their voices through music education, social justice workshops, positive role models, and collaboration.
Lanza was introduced to BGRC in 2012 while she was attending Western Washington University’s (WWU) Fairhaven College. One of her classmates from a songwriting class, Casi Brown, was organizing BGRC as a senior project. This was the first time the camp was introduced to the Whatcom County community.
With an invitation from Brown, Lanza volunteered for BGRC as a workshop leader and a band coach. “I had such an amazing time at the start of rock camp because I was just becoming a musician going through my own discovery period,” Lanza said. “To witness these young women, who had never played an instrument or written a song before, just do it in this really supportive space – it was incredible. I felt like if they can do it, I can totally do it. We can do it together.”
After BGRC’s run in 2012, Brown graduated and left Bellingham with no plans of continuing the camp. Lanza knew she wanted to stay involved so that the camp could remain in the area. “I asked if I could lead the group because I saw the value in it, not only for myself, but for the community,” Lanza said.
Girls and volunteers practice in group settings. Photo credit: Kevin Lowdon.
Brown helped Lanza organize the second summer of BGRC in 2013. Then Lanza became the sole organizer. For three years, Lanza was running BGRC while she was simultaneously a WWU student. “I love being busy,” Lanza said with a grin. “To me the Bellingham Girls Rock Camp doesn’t feel like work. I love, love organizing the camp.”
Lanza graduated WWU in 2015 with a concentration in Music and Society: The Social Context of Performing Arts and Entrepreneurship. She said the camp defined a lot of her studies and complemented her own growth as a musician – Lanza is primarily a vocalist and is part of a couple bands and vocal groups. She said that it is important to be a role model in the work she does.
As the BGRC executive director, Lanza has also worked to make additions and improvements to the camp. In the past year, Lanza proudly said that BGRC officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Lanza is also enthusiastic to launch a fundraising campaign allowing individuals to sponsor rockstars through the program.
Although there can be up to 30 campers per session, individual learning time is critical at Bellingham Girls Rock Camp. Photo credit: Tommy Calderon.
Another addition includes BGRC’s partnership with the music director of Whatcom Community College (WCC). This allows the camp to take place at WCC’s Syre Student Center. In the past, the camp has been held at Make.Shift Art Space and Fairhaven College.
Most recently, Lanza has plans to pilot a Teen Rock Camp this spring and a Ladies Rock Camp (for those 21 years and older) in the fall. The teen version would be an advanced music program for older girls, ages 13 to 17, to hone in on what they need in their musical endeavors.
“This way we can focus on where these girls are at in their life and with their music,” Lanza said. “In our regular camp, we will also be changing our schedule to separate the age groups more so that they get more individual attention.”
In another effort to accommodate more of the older campers, Lanza described that girls, ages 14 to 17, can come back to BGRC as volunteer interns. “It’s awesome because we’re starting to see campers who have been with us since they were 8 and 9 years old, who are now teenagers, coming back to camp to give back,” Lanza said.
Morgan Paris Lanza sings on stage for a live performance at the Green Frog in Bellingham. The Bellingham Girls Rock Club has performed here in the past. Photo credit: Alycia Hendrickson.
BGRC sees anywhere from 15 to 40 volunteers each session who occupy different roles, whether that be loading and unloading instruments or preparing snacks. At camp, 10 to 15 of the volunteers are full-time individuals who teach lessons and coach the bands. Usually there are between 20 to 30 campers.
“It’s a really big team effort to make girls rock camp happen – a lot of different moving parts,” Lanza said. “Everyone’s different contribution makes a big impact on the program.
“I have experienced the benefit and the transformative power of Girls Rock Camp to help amplify the voices of young women in the community and remind them that they matter, that their voices are unique, and that what they have to say is important. There are a lot of different ways to express that voice – through the arts, through music, through media.”
To find out more or to register for Bellingham Girls Rock Camp, visit their website.
Bellingham Bay Swim Team swimmers performed impressively at Divisionals. Photo courtesy: BBST.
Submitted by: Bellingham Bay Swim Team
Bellingham Bay Swim Team dominated Fall Divisionals, held December 3 and 4 in Marysville, netting multiple event wins and several impressive finishes in the pentathlon. Hans Johnsen said the meet showed “the team’s depth across all events especially for these young and up and coming swimmers.”
Pentathlon Top Eight Finishers
Thiago Costa – 1st in 8 & Under Boys
Rafael Costa – 2nd in the 9 Yr Old Boys Pentathlon
Ariel Fuhrman – 3rd in the 10 Yr Old Girls Pentathlon
Julian Herring – 6th in the 10 Yr Old Boys Pentathlon
Derek Jones – 8th in the 10 Yr Old Boys Pentathlon
Event Winners
Mattias Brand, Eli Daheim, Brad Rubio and Mathias Synnott.
Top Six Finishers
Zane Barrett, Isaac Bates, Natalie Divita, Zoe Dumond, Kason Devaney, Mia Eide, Scott Fuhrman, Julie Gill, Ansley Hardy, William Lewis, Michael Mosquera, Faith Sasken, Grace Sorensen and Greta Watson.
Top Twelve Finishers
Kai Arthur, Nickolas Cowie, Alex Fuhrman, Julian Herring, Lexi Hulbert, Aidia Nyman, Michaela Lemcke, Bailey Logan, Luke Ramey, Trey Rippon, Alec Rodriguez-Stiff, Josh Smith, Abbie Sorensen and Rudy Zurcher.
Poppe's 360 has provided delicious food, fun and entertainment since 2002.
Submitted by: Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham Hotel & Conference Center
Poppe’s 360 Neighborhood Pub, which has provided excellent food and entertainment for guests since 2002, will close after a fantastic New Year’s Eve celebration at Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham Hotel & Conference Center.
Four Points by Sheraton will say goodbye to Poppe’s 360 with a New Year’s bash. Photo courtesy: Four Points by Sheraton.
The evening of Dec. 31 will feature music from DJ Ryan-I beginning at 9:00 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight to welcome in 2017. Four Points Bellingham is offering an overnight New Year’s Eve package that includes a room, the $10 cover charge at Poppe’s, the champagne toast, a VIP appetizer buffet and a breakfast the next morning for only $217.
Poppe’s is closing to make way for an exciting new restaurant, B-Town Bar & Grill, which will open in spring 2017.
“B-Town will be a delicious, fun, friendly restaurant in a relaxed atmosphere,” said Douglas Metzger, director of food and beverages for Four Points Bellingham. “Guests can dine on our full Northwest fusion menu in the dining room or have a seat at the raw bar and watch our chefs prepare made-to-order, delicious, cold Asian-influenced tapas such as shucked oysters, clams, crudo, shrimp and ceviche, plus signature dishes crafted on our grill.”
Poppe’s 360 has provided delicious food, fun and entertainment since 2002.
While construction work is done for B-Town Bar & Grill, the hotel’s Chinuk restaurant, just off the lobby, will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. starting Jan. 1.
Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham Hotel & Conference Center, managed by Providence Hospitality Partners, is a full-service property located at 714 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, just off Interstate 5 at Exit 253. Four Points by Sheraton is a brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, which recently was acquired by Marriott International.
Four Points Bellingham is totally smoke-free throughout its 132 guest rooms, two restaurants (Poppe’s 360 Neighborhood Pub and Chinuk), indoor pool, fitness area and 14,000 square feet of meeting-room space. For more information, call 360-671-1011, 888-671-1011 or visit www.FourPointsBellingham.com.
The space-age looking floating tank provides mental and physical relaxation. Photo courtesy: Still Life Massage and Float.
Shannon Fuller, co-owner of Bellingham’s Still Life Massage and Float, knows the importance of her clients’ self-care time during their treatments. “We see their visit here as their time to turn everything off,” she says. “We are constantly bombarded with ongoing stimulation around us all the time. Sometimes we just need a mental reboot.”
Everyone’s experience is unique and different when it comes to floating. Photo courtesy: Still Life Massage and Float.
November 30 marked the one-year anniversary of Still Life Massage and Float’s location on Bellwether in Bellingham by the marina. This serene location has provided an incredible opportunity for more accessibility along with a beautiful view of the boats in the marina. This location has also provided the opportunity to add float sessions to their menu of services.
Shannon and her husband Tim, also co-owner, discovered float therapy on their own and immediately were attracted to the mental and physical benefits of the floating session. They were excited about offering this service to their massage clients and the rest of the community.
At seven and a half feet long and five feet wide, this space age looking float tank has rotating soft lights and is one of the largest float tanks on the market. Tim and Shannon felt that this would be most comfortable for their clients to mentally and physically relax.
“It’s euphorically relaxing,” says Tim of the floating experience.
This special Epson Salt is what creates that feeling of floating on a soft pillow. Photo courtesy: Still Life Massage and Float.
Presenting a spa-like environment with the mantra of, “heal and help yourself,” Tim and Shannon are passionate about the interactions they have with every person that steps through the door. Shannon describes Still Life Massage and Float as a wellness place that’s both comfortable and safe.
“The biggest joy I get is seeing the look on people’s faces after a massage or a float session,” says Tim of his passion for creating customer warmth. “I want people to carry that feeling with them and hang around, not be in a hurry to leave.”
Still Life Massage and Float cares for clients from all walks of life, each with a purpose related to their own self-care goals. The connection with clients is what drives Shannon and Tim to provide the best environment and services possible. And that includes bringing on the service of float therapy.
While the idea and practice of floating has been around for awhile, it has made a resurgence in the area of self-care with the annual world conference held in Portland, Oregon. Beyond the mental benefits that floating can provide, there are also the physical aspects that one experiences as a result of floating. With tension melting away as you float on a virtual water pillow, it sets the stage for the healing of tired muscles, soreness and even muscle injuries. “Everyone experiences something completely different,” says Tim of the floating experience.
The space-age looking floating tank provides mental and physical relaxation. Photo courtesy: Still Life Massage and Float.
In fact, Tim and Shannon explain that research is continuously being conducted on the benefits of floating. Some of the latest research has shown a positive effect on those suffering from PTSD and even Fibromyalgia.
Research from the Laureate Institute of Brain Research in Tulsa, Oklahoma, under Clinical Neuropsychologist Justin Feinstein, PhD, has also indicated that floatation therapy can play a positive role in treating anxiety and addiction. According to his research, floating can help people disconnect from the outside world and get rid of distractions. Floating allows individuals to enter a state of relaxation while connecting with their internal self.
“It’s exciting to see that everything people are experiencing is being scientifically proven to be true,” Shannon says. “And the residual effects of floating are amazing.”
Beyond the float sessions, Still Life Massage and Float also offers a unique approach to massage services. “Shannon is our matchmaker,” says Tim of Shannon’s ability to match the right massage therapist with the needs of each individual client.
“Every client is different and is looking for something different,” she says. “From therapeutic treatment work to relaxation massage, we do it all.” Shannon says she even takes into account the personalities of the therapists and the clients. It’s that connection with the client that is so important in each treatment plan.
Beautiful views of the marina enhance the relaxation experience.
Shannon and Tim, both from Bellingham, plan to keep it simple when it comes to business and growth. “I always want to work here,” says Tim of Still Life Massage and Float.
Shannon describes how she’s never wavered from her core mission statement. She wants to continue to connect with her clients in a meaningful way. It’s because of that mission statement that she intends to grow the business locally and with purpose. “We’ve grown organically,” she says. “I want to continue to make sure that clients feel welcome and are like family.”
Tim says he wants to take that feeling of peace and calm and keep it going. “Life is outside the door,” he says. “When our clients are here, we want them to be comfortable.”
With two small children at home while building a business, time has been at a premium for these two Bellingham locals. But this only adds to their resolve to add value to the community and their clients. “Our kids get to see this business grow right along with us,” says Tim.
As Tim and Shannon say to their clients, take the time to reconnect with yourself, to heal and to practice self-care. You can find all this and more at Still Life Massage and Float. Appointments can be scheduled online.
Contrasting colors, like blue and yellow, make for an especially vibrant visual statement. Photo courtesy: Whole Foods Market.
Submitted by: Whole Foods Market Bellingham
With the holidays quickly approaching, many are preparing to host friends and family. Here are five tips to make sure that your holiday table is nothing short of perfect.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors and textures. Photo courtesy: Whole Foods Market.
Freshen it up
Adding garland, a floral arrangement or fresh fruit adds life to your table. Replace scented candles with aromatic fruit, such as lemons studded with coriander seeds, to achieve a fresh scent without the mess. A floral centerpiece will also add a fresh scent, but be sure to choose pollen-free flower varieties, to avoid staining your tablecloth. Whole Foods Market is proud to offer Whole Trade Flowers sourced according to strict criteria for ethical trade, environmental responsibility and high quality. Find more floral tips on our blog.
Show off the food
Fresh fruit adds a pop of color and a delightful scent. Photo courtesy: Whole Foods Markey.
Is there a dish that symbolizes a tradition in your family? Make it the centerpiece of your table. Or, have your guests all bring a dish that is traditional to their family to share.
Do you pride yourself on buying local or organic produce? Use organic fruits and vegetables in both raw and cooked preparations to add variation to your table in both texture and flavor.
Discover the perfect serving dish! Spend time determining what dishes will be best to present your food or, if you wish to show off an heirloom serving piece, choose a recipe that compliments the design.
A paper table runner will entertain both kids and adults. Photo courtesy: Whole Foods Market.
Personalize it
You can personalize place settings with hand-lettered place cards, by providing a small favor next to each plate (we love these poppers from Meri Meri available at our store) or even by leaving a personal note thanking your guest for attending your holiday meal. If you want to forego the traditional tablecloth, use butcher paper to create customized place settings where your guests can write their holiday wishes.
Encourage your guests to gather together and give back to your community! You could adopt a local family who is in need and each guest could bring a gift. Or, when your guests ask what they can bring, encourage them to bring a couple of canned food items for your local food bank. Giving back is a simple way to unite your guests and create a warm holiday feel in your home.
Leave Space
As you create your holiday table remember to leave room for the food and for your guests to see each other across the table. Functionality is often lost when decorating, so be sure to consider the following when designing your table:
Beauty and practicality are important. Photo courtesy: Whole Foods Market.
Will guests dish up at the table or will they do so in the kitchen prior to sitting?
Is the food on the table easy to access and pass?
If you have candles, be sure to place them away from dishes so they do not drip in the food or get knocked over.
Watching Bellingham United is fun for the whole family. Photo courtesy: Bellingham United.
For those up and coming soccer players, the Bellingham Sportsplex has an active soccer academy. The Hammers Soccer Academy is open to any child in the community looking to discover and experience the sport of soccer.
Kids learn soccer skills through fun games and exercises with Hammers. Photo courtesy: Hammers FC Academy Soccer Camps
Starting with the Lil’ Hammers, this program is geared for kids ages three- to six-years-old. Young participants are introduced to the basic skills of soccer by Hammers FC Academy instructors complete with action-packed games and a lot of fun.
Does your young player want to try soccer before becoming a part of the program? The Lil Hammers drop in soccer program on Tuesdays and Thursdays is a great opportunity to discover soccer for those little ones learning to love the sport. The program has activities that work the child’s balance, coordination and movement based around a soccer ball. The kids also learn to take instruction and coaching from someone other than their parent.
Hammers FC Academy also offers Winter and Summer tournament programs for kids 9 to 11-years-old and includes three to four tournaments. The Academy programs provide the players with training sessions on introductory basic technical and tactical aspects of the game in preparation for the tournament play.
Hammers score! Photo courtesy: Bellingham United.
And, featured over the Winter Break is the Hammers FC Academy soccer camp for school age kids looking to experience soccer by learning basic skills and playing the game.
The camp will focus on creating a fun experience through teaching techniques, playing the game and having a lot of fun through learning the sport.
This co-ed camp requires no prior soccer experience and encourages past camp participants to come back and enjoy the camp all over again.
With very experienced coaches, many of whom are former college players or college players returning home for the holidays, the kids will have a great opportunity to learn and play with coaches with a true passion and who love introducing these young players to the game of soccer.
Hammers players in action on the field. Photo courtesy: Bellingham United.
Registrations are accepted online for the winter camp which is held the second week of the Winter Break. Still have questions? Give us a call at the front desk anytime at 360-676-1919.
During the NCAA Division II Championship run by the Western Washington University women’s soccer team, the city of Bellingham and the surrounding community showed their support for the Vikings in various ways.
The Copper Hog in Bellingham proudly wearing a WWU Soccer scarf. Photo courtesy: WWU.
The Copper Hog in downtown Bellingham opened its doors as one of the finer soccer establishments and gastropubs in town to host a watch party for the semifinal and final round games.
Woods Coffee, a constant supporter of WWU and the Bellingham and Whatcom County community, is hanging flags outside of several of its stores to celebrate the National Championship.
Similar to the lighting of the University of Texas Tower and the Empire State Building for significant events, the iconic Bellingham Herald sign in downtown Bellingham was lit blue all week in recognition of the Vikings national championship.
“We are extremely grateful for all of the community members and local businesses who support us and are excited to celebrate this championship moment with us,” said Courtney Stringer, WWU Associate Athletic Director for Community Engagement. “Together, we positively impact our student-athletes and will continue to strengthen our relationships to enhance the student-athlete experience and unite our community.”
A WWU flag hanging in the Woods Coffee location in downtown Bellingham. Photo courtesy: WWU.
There were several other signs of support for the Vikings on campus and around town. WWU’s student-athletes are heavily involved in the community. The basketball teams recently held a food drive and also participated in a toy drive for underprivileged youth in Bellingham. There are countless free clinics run by the volleyball, basketball and softball programs and additional projects in the community by the 15 varsity sport programs.
Led by the efforts of sports director Doug Lange and his staff, local sports radio station KPUG 1170 AM has also been a great supporter of WWU’s athletic programs, broadcasting a majority of the men’s and women’s games and highlighting all of the program’s success as part of their #WesternWednesday segment.
The Herald sign in downtown Bellingham. Photo credit: WhatcomTalk.com
WWU Athletics has been a perennial powerhouse at the Division II level and has won eight consecutive Great Northwest Athletic Conference All-Sports titles. Among many recent notable achievements, the men’s basketball team won the 2012 NCAA Division II National Championship, the women’s basketball team has appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 15 of the last 19 seasons and the volleyball team has advanced to the NCAA Championships five consecutive seasons and played in the West Regional final the last two seasons.
The nationally ranked WWU men’s and women’s basketball teams return to action in Bellingham at the end of December. Basketball games this season are being played at Whatcom Community College as the renovation of historic Carver Gym nears completion.
The men’s and women’s basketball teams went on a shopping spree for local underprivileged kids earlier this week. Photo courtesy: WWU.
“There are a lot of wonderful things happening with Viking athletics and the student-athletes are a big part of that,” added Stringer. “We invite the community to celebrate in our success by coming out to attend our games in support of WWU’s talented student-athletes.”
For more information on WWU Athletics, including schedules, rosters and ticket information, visit WWUVikings.com.
To get involved with WWU Athletics and any community engagement opportunities, please contact Courtney Stringer at Courtney.Stringer@wwu.edu.
You're one of the family at Mount Baker Theatre. Photo credit: Damian Vines Photography.
Each generation has the responsibility to balance embracing the new while preserving the old. But how do we decide what is worthy of saving, restoring and renovating, and what is to be replaced? The historic movie palaces built around the world between the 1910s and the 1940s are an important example of this dilemma. Bellingham’s Mount Baker Theatre (MBT), opened on April 29, 1927, is a stunning example of how history can be preserved while serving the demands of modern, continuously changing society. But it is also the only survivor of five movie palaces built in Whatcom County.
The original iconic tower can still be seen from around the city. Photo courtesy: Mount Baker Theatre.
Over the years, MBT has evolved into the civic historic home to a premiere Pacific Northwest cultural tourism destination that also sustains the regional community through its arts education programs and substantial economic impact. Around the world, citizens and municipalities continue to work hard to save the remaining historic movie palaces born of that time.
The Historic Movie Palace
Around 1900, silent motion pictures became a small part of the live entertainment offered in vaudeville theatres. Bellingham enjoyed an ideal location on the well-worn Pacific Coast vaudeville circuit. Small storefront theaters and Nickelodeons developed across the country in the 1900s and 1910s, catering affordably to the lower and middle-classes. But there were real concerns over the physical safety of the Nickelodeon theaters as they were often cramped with little ventilation and the nitrate film stock used at the time was extremely flammable. The upper-class was used to more refined viewing typical of the opera. But as more sophisticated, complex and longer films featuring prominent stage actors were developed, the upper-class wanted to attend the movies and that desire paved the way for the opulent movie palace.
The historic marquee has been restored and continues to announce each of MBT’s performances. Photo courtesy: Mount Baker Theatre.
The first elaborately decorated movie palace opened in Harlem in February 1913. Between 1914 and 1922, over 4,000 movie palaces opened. The late 1920s saw the peak of the movie palace, with hundreds opened every year between 1925 and 1930, including MBT in 1927.
With a population of 35,000 and a well-deserved reputation as a ‘theater town’ (14 theaters were listed in the 1914 City Directory), Bellingham was targeted by West Coast Theatres—controlled by William Fox of 20th Century Fox Studios—as an ideal site for an addition to their growing network of movie palaces.
Three architectural design types were chosen for movie palaces of the time: the classical style movie palace (with luxurious architecture), the atmospheric theatre which has an auditorium ceiling that resembles an open sky, and the Art Deco theaters that became popular in the 1930s. MBT is an example of the classical style, advertised at the time to “make the average citizen feel like royalty.”
It takes a committed team of ushers, volunteers, board members, staff and patrons to keep MBT running successfully. Photo courtesy: Mount Baker Theatre.
The signature look was extravagant ornamentation, creating a feel of eclectic exoticism where visual styles collided wildly with one another. French Baroque, High Gothic, Moroccan, Mediterranean, Spanish Gothic, Hindu, Babylonian, Aztec, Mayan, Orientalist, Italian Renaissance, and (after the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922) Egyptian Revival, were all mixed and matched. Many offered amenities such as larger sitting areas, air conditioning and even childcare services.
When it was built, MBT incorporated the most modern reinforced concrete building techniques with architect R.C. Reamer’s imaginative Moorish-Spanish motif and elaborate interior. The building was completed after only one year, employing several different contractors and over 80 craftsmen experienced in stone masonry, carpentry, and plaster casting. Equally well-equipped to show motion pictures, MBT had the latest in projection room equipment and gadgetry, a flying screen and a top-of-the-line Style 215 Wurlitzer theater pipe organ that remains today.
The Decline
Significant effort has been invested to preserve the elements of the original movie palace’s Moorish-Spanish style. Photo credit: Damian Vines Photography.
Following World War II, the widespread adoption of television and the migration to the suburbs caused a rapid decline in movie ticket sales. Most movie palaces owned by Paramount Pictures closed as a result of a lawsuit in 1948 and many more independent theaters could not continue to operate on the low admissions sales of the time. The ones that survived were converted to multiple screen venues or performing arts centers that operate as regular theaters, showcasing concerts, plays, and operas.
Mount Baker Theatre was to be one of the last grand vaudeville/silent movie palaces built in the entire Pacific Northwest. Later in its opening year (1927), The Jazz Singer became the first talking motion picture to show widely, eventually leading to the end of the vaudeville era. In addition, the Great Depression began in 1929, abruptly ending investment in lavish movie palaces.
Saving the Historic Movie Palace
The historic stage at the Mount Baker Theatre was recently covered by patrons’ signatures. Photo courtesy: Mount Baker Theatre.
Citizens and municipalities around the world today continue to raise funds and build partnerships to preserve the surviving movie palaces. Our own community works together to keep MBT accessible to future generations.
In 1978 the MBT was placed on the National Historic Landmark Register. But by the 1980s it was in need of significant repair and was slated for demolition. In 1984, the community rallied and saved it by developing a partnership between the city, county, and the community that resulted in a city-owned facility managed by the Mount Baker Theatre Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Since then, taxes have funded the Theatre’s management and private support has provided over $14 million in capital improvements including significant restoration and remodeling that concluded in September of 1996. Those efforts transformed MBT’s three venues that currently support more than 400 events and 110,000 visitors annually.
The elaborate architectural design that was originally meant to create a fantasy environment—attracting moviegoers with spectacle and allowing them to escape to another world for a short time—still remains as a major asset to the MBT experience.
MBT Today
Mount Baker Theatre patrons became a part of history by signing the stage at the MBT summer event. Photo courtesy: Mount Baker Theatre.
MBT’s 90th birthday is being celebrated in 2017: a year-long acknowledgement of this building that represents the power of hope and community collaboration. If the building has touched your life in any way consider becoming an MBT Member and take your place as a part of the building’s rich history. Individuals and businesses also make MBT’s work possible through sponsorships and one-time or recurring donations. MBT’s Stars volunteers are integral to keeping the organization alive, and are a small army of do-gooders who make the Theatre their second home and each other their second families—consider joining them! In a given year the work of 250-300 volunteers equals the work of six full-time employees!
Those highly-invested in the future welfare of MBT will be gathering to raise their glasses and their paddles to say “Cheers to 90 Years” on the building’s actual birthday, April 29. If you are interested in attending, contact John Purdie, Development Director.
Experience the Theatre
Of course you can celebrate MBT’s birthday at any of next year’s hundreds of public events, such as one of these shows that go straight to the heart of our preservation mission: the Silent Film Series with Live Scores: Hamlet on January 8, and Ben-Hur on May 14.
While not generally allowed, some patrons got to live out a life-long dream of launching a paper airplane from the balcony at MBT’s free public event. Photo courtesy: Mount Baker Theatre.
These landmark films from the 20s are displayed on the big screen surrounded by the Theatre’s opulence and accompanied by MBT’s amazing organ—considered one of the top ten in the nation! Hamletfeatures an actress years before her time portraying Hamlet as a princess in disguise, with added classical concert scoring on harpsichord, piano, and the vocal stylings of mezzo-soprano Melissa Plagemann. Ben-Hur is the original action movie. See the scene that is the father of all other chase scenes, while sipping mid-afternoon wine from an in-theatre concert cup. Cheers!
John Bishop and Emily Deschane practice in costume in preparation for performance. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
Who doesn’t love getting lost in the magic of the holiday season? Children dream of sugarplum fairies and leaping nutcracker princes. While local dancers perform in four productions of “The Nutcracker” this year, lighting up the Mount Baker Theatre, we forget the sweat and perfection that happens off stage.
A successful ballet performance requires an expert choreographer and tireless dancers, some as young as five-years-old. It requires lead dancers with grace, beauty and maturity.
Lead Dancer Emily Deschane performs the role of Princess Pirlipat in the 2016 production with Northwest Ballet Theatre. At 20-years-of-age, Deschane has performed ten seasons with Northwest Ballet Theatre. She has performed in “The Nutcracker” eight times.
John Bishop and Emily Deschane star in NBT’s The Nutcracker this December. Photo credit: Kari Marttila.
“In all my years performing in ‘The Nutcracker’ I have played nearly every single role there is,” Deschane says. “Some are as follows: a Rat, a Bonbon, Clara’s friend, Jester, a Mirliton, Snowflake, Waltz of the Flowers, Candy Cane lead, Neapolitan lead, Snow Queen, Castle Fairy and Russian Dancer.”
When I first arrived at the dance studio on Cornwall Avenue, strains of Tchaikovsky’s famous “The Nutcracker Suite” greeted my ears. Meanwhile the swirl and blur of youthful dancers provided eye-candy. Deschane was recovering from a cold. However, she stayed for the entire rehearsal as the dancers worked out any kinks in the performance with their choreographer, John Bishop, who also stars as “The Nutcracker Prince” this year.
Emily Deschane performs the role of Princess Pirlipat for the 2016 production of The Nutcracker. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
When I asked Deschane what inspired her to take ballet classes, she mentioned seeing a classic performance. “My inspiration for ballet started when I was about eight years old,” Deschane says. “My eldest brother took me to see a ballet in Seattle. It was Pacific Northwest Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker.’ The moment I saw the snowflakes gliding across the stage, I knew I wanted to be on that stage one day.”
Deschane was much older than other beginning ballet students. At the age of ten she had to catch up with the other dancers.
“I did have slight catching up to do when I began at Northwest Ballet Theatre,” Deschane remembers. “The level in which I was placed was a bit advanced. And with the little experience I had, my instructor John Bishop and my mother both thought it would be wise for me to take a lower level class so I would not fall behind.”
Emily and choreographer (and The Nutcracker Prince) at the first dress rehearsal. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
Since joining the local ballet studio, Deschane has performed in a variety of productions.
“When I was younger I performed multiple roles in the Corps de Ballet in a variety of productions including: ‘Aladdin,’ ‘Emerald Bay,’ ‘The Little Mermaid,’ ‘Coppelia’ and others,” Deschane says. “More recently I landed soloist roles. I was Snow White in ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,’ the Candy Cane lead and Snow Queen in ‘The Nutcracker,’ the Crystal Fairy in ‘The Sleeping Beauty,’ Lily of the Garden in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and a soloist in ‘Paquita.’”
Besides performing ballet, Deschane also teaches other dancers, both young and old. During the dress rehearsal the youngest dancers decked in pink leotards and tutus surrounded Deschane, even sitting in their teacher’s lap. Her older students, including the dancer, Dasha Smirnova who performs the role of Clara, expressed respect for Deschane as the two dancers worked on a scene.
Emily Deschane has worn most of these costumes during her eight years performing The Nutcracker for NBT. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
Deschane is a wonderful asset to the local dancing community, but she will be leaving us in 2017 to take her career to the next stage. The 2017 production of “Alice in Wonderland” will be her last performance with NBT.
“Ever since I began ballet, I had a dream to become a professional ballet dancer,” Deschane says. “I had never considered it seriously until just recently. So next year, after ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ I plan to pursue ballet as my career. I am hoping to join a professional ballet company within the next couple years.”
In the meantime, Deschane’s advice to “The Nutcracker” dancers is to focus on their passion for ballet.
John Bishop and Emily Deschane practice in costume in preparation for performance. Photo credit: Yukimi Bishop.
“I think it’s wonderful how something so magical, so pure and beautiful can touch the hearts of little boys and girls and audiences of all ages,” Deschane says. “Not only do the costumes or the story contribute to the experience but also the dancing. The energy from every dancer is what makes a production like this successful. To me, performing is like giving the audience a piece of the joy, freedom and happiness I feel from dancing. The key is encouraging everyone to dance their best, to be themselves on that stage and allow all other worries to float away and just to have fun!”
Northwest Ballet Theatre performs “The Nutcracker” at Mount Baker Theatre on December 23 at 7:30 p.m. and December 24, at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $26 and $34. For more information call 800-840-9227.
After five decades of operation, Barron Heating, AC, Electrical & Plumbing continues to be a local leader in meeting the heating needs of residents....
