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Meet the Columnist: Margaret Bikman, Best Bets adviser

An eye on local arts for three decades — and counting!

By Margaret Bikman CDN Contributor

Greetings, dear readers. You may know me as the former Entertainment News Coordinator at The Bellingham Herald (for 27 years); or as a contributor to Entertainment News NW (for four years); or a writer for Whatcom Talk (still doing that); or as an interviewer for KMRE Community Radio 102.3 (still doing that too!). Or you may know me as a reference and instruction librarian at Whatcom Community College Library (also still doing that). 

Or you may have seen me dancing at the Wild Buffalo, enjoying a play at the Sylvia Center, admiring art at the Jansen Art Center, enthralled with a dance performance at the FireHouse Arts and Events Center, or perusing the action and goodies at a local festival or fair.

In other words, it’s hard to separate my personal life from my professional life. 

As Michelle Obama said, “The arts can enrich all of us in this nation as individuals. The arts can enrich all of our communities and the country. And the arts can connect us to each other like nothing else can.”

That’s why it’s important for me to let readers know what’s happening in our town and beyond. I can promise you that I won’t be reviewing; I’ll be enthusiastically promoting. I’ll let you know about some of the shows and events you may know about already (but I’ll give you some details you may not know); and I’ll inform you about people who are creative and not necessarily famous in our community.

What am I looking forward to in 2022? During our wonderful window of hope in July, when things looked like they might be getting back to pre-COVID times, events were on my calendar once again. They were quickly canceled or postponed, however. So my hope is that if proper precautions are in place, we can once again celebrate our diverse talents.

Here are some of the events I’d like to attend. And as always, check the websites to make sure they are happening, and to see what COVID-19 protocols are in place.

Art Walk: “Dialog Through Dance”

Feb. 4, 5 to 9 p.m.


Whatcom Museum Lightcatcher building

250 Flora St.

During this monthly Downtown Bellingham Art Walk, Bellingham-based nonprofit dance/theater company Kuntz and Co. will perform a free interactive experience, “Dialog(s).” Part of their upcoming multi-part program “Emerging Suite, Dialog(s),” the company’s artistic director Pam Kuntz says “this performance explores how we can converse through movement. The public is invited to sit across from an individual and engage in a movement conversation, whether you want to only observe or make your movement ‘voice’ (silently) heard.”

“The Barber of Seville”

Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 27, 1:30 p.m.

March 4, 7:30 p.m.

March 6, 1:30 p.m.

McIntyre Hall, Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon

Pacific Northwest Opera presents one of the most popular of all opera comedies. Rossini’s high-spirited music inspires smiles and laughter, with show-stopping arias. This production stars singers from near and far, including Western Washington University’s Mark Davies. Artistic director (and retired Bellingham physician) Mitch Kahn not only oversees each production, but builds sets, writes the subtitles, and elucidates the operas in pre-performance talks. Why go to Seattle?

RARE Exhibit

April 1-30

Allied Arts of Whatcom County, 1418 Cornwall Ave.

I’m always astounded at the sometimes zany, sometimes functional works at the annual Recycled Arts Resource Expo (RARE) show, described as “a platform for eco-friendly artists to showcase their art created from recycled materials.” RARE also promotes art organizations and facilities that incorporate sustainability in their facilities and programs. Allied Arts executive director Kelly Hart says that one of the main objectives for this event is to educate the community on the role that the arts can play in the sustainability movement and attendees are inspired to take home innovative ideas that recognize the value of using resources creatively.

“Wacky Willy Wonka”

Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth

April 1 and 2, 6 p.m. 

1055 N. State St. 

Tour Wonka’s factory with singing, dancing, and lots of giant cardboard candy, performed by young actors ages 5 and 6. It’s the retelling of Roald Dahl’s classic story, with some reimagined wackiness, ridiculously delightful music, and new quirky characters. It’s going to be super sweet, says director Lisa Markowitz.

BAAY is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts education organization that offers instruction in theater, choir, dance, music, and visual arts to youth ages 5–17 with the mission to enrich children’s lives through the exploration of the arts. You don’t have to be a kid (or even a parent!) to enjoy BAAY’s productions!

Bellingham Symphony Orchestra’s “Harmony from Discord” concert

May 1, 3 p.m. 

Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St.

The Harmony from Discord concert series celebrates music that transcends oppression by shining a light on composers whose music has endured through the darkest of times across the globe. Yaniv Attar conducts the symphony.

This concert features ‍Bella Hristova, violin; Demarre McGill, flute; and Jessica Choe, piano. The program features a world premiere piece commissioned by the BSO by Jonathan Leshnoff; Joan Towers’ “Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman;” ‍Erwin Schulhoff’s Double Concerto for Flute and Piano, featuring Demarre McGill & Jessica Choe; John Williams’ Oscar-winning “Theme from ‘Schindler’s List,”’ featuring Bella Hristova; and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, featuring Bella Hristova. Ryan Dudenbostel’s informative and engaging virtual pre-concert lecture about the program will air here during the week of the concert. 

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