COCOA’S PICKS
Illuminight Winter Walk
5–7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, Skagit Riverwalk Park, 509 S. Main St.
I’m not sure if it’s the sudden winter weather or just the time of year, but one thing is certain: I’m ready to wake up after the sun rises, not two hours before. Is it just me, or does this January feel extra dark?
Unfortunately, clocks don’t spring forward until March 10 — but Skagitonians can count on the Illuminight Winter Walk to provide a little extra light in the meantime.
This free community event, now in its 10th year, takes place in downtown Mount Vernon. Attendees can expect live music, a luminary procession and a limited number of luminarias available for purchase at the event. If you’re feeling extra creative, you could even stop by Tri-Dee Arts beforehand to design your own paper bag luminary. Info: mountvernonwa.gov.
Chris Morgan: A Life in the Wild
7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St.
Chris Morgan has dedicated his decades-long career to two things: Studying large carnivores, and sharing his knowledge (and passion) with audiences everywhere. Judging by his resume, he’s been successful in both regards.
Morgan has spent more than 30 years of life studying wildlife across the globe, and he’s one of the PNW’s foremost grizzly bear experts. His media projects, including the podcast “THE WILD with Chris Morgan,” have reached millions of viewers worldwide. In other words, Morgan makes it his mission to reconnect audiences with the natural world.
In the age of climate anxiety, it’s not always easy to feel hopeful about the environment — but this event just might shift your perspective. This live show at the Mount Baker Theatre will take you behind the scenes of Morgan’s one-of-a-kind career, from his adventures in far-flung locales to advocacy work as the co-founder of the Bellingham-based nonprofit Wildlife Media. Info: mountbakertheatre.com.
Stand-Up Comedy: Sam Miller
7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. 1st St.
Sometimes the funniest comedy comes from lived experience — and lived experience isn’t always glamorous. Sam Miller certainly knows this to be true. As his bio puts it, the Olympia-based performer is “the rare comedian who can joke about what it’s like to be a sober parent and what jail is like in Yakima.”
It’s these frank yet humorous observations that make Miller so memorable. He was the runner-up in the 2021 Seattle International Comedy Competition and has already secured features with outlets including KING 5, Q13 Fox, The Seattle Times and The Olympian. Want to see him live before he inevitably hits it big? Catch him with comedian Vanessa Dawn and host Travis Sheerer at the Lincoln Theatre for one evening only. Info: lincolntheatre.org.
Women of the Baroque
3–4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28, Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St.
Here’s a challenge for classical music listeners: How many female composers can you name from the 17th and 18th centuries? If that question has you stumped, you’re in good company. But just because these women’s names aren’t as well-known as, say, Bach or Vivaldi doesn’t mean their work shouldn’t be widely appreciated
Join Bellingham Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Dawn Posey as she leads an “unconducted” program of works from the baroque and early classical periods — and yes, every single work was written by a woman. Doors open at 2 p.m., with a pre-concert lecture kicking off at 2:15. (Seating is limited, so I recommend getting there early!) Info: bellinghamsymphony.org.
‘Twilight Bowl’
7:30 p.m. Jan. 26–Feb. 11, Bellingham Theatre Guild, 600 H St.
Nearly every coming-of-age story deals with themes of identity, independence and growth. Bellingham Theatre Guild’s next production confronts all these expected topics, but in a less-expected setting: the community bowling alley.
“Twilight Bowl,” directed by Dee Dee O’Connor and Kyle Johnson, revolves around a group of young women coming of age in rural America. As they create their own unique paths towards adulthood, the bowling alley is the place where they “celebrate triumphs, confront challenges and forge new identities.”
The production opens on Jan. 26 and runs through Feb. 11, so you have not one but two weekends to catch it. Parents of little ones should also be aware that this show touches on adult themes. Info: bellinghamtheatreguild.com.
Calendar listings were compiled by contributor Margaret Bikman.
ALL EVENTS
Friday, Jan. 19
‘The Flick’
7:30 p.m., FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave.
It was not that long ago that most movie theaters still used 35 mm projectors to screen their films. Now, you can see how three employees cope with the changes facing them as they clean one of these theaters in small-town Pennsylvania, learning more about themselves and each other in the process. The play runs Jan. 19–21, 25, 27 and 28. Info: bellinghamtheatreworks.org.
Saturday, Jan. 20
Treaty Day Film Festival
10 a.m., Pickford Film Center, 1418 Bay St.
Children of the Setting Sun sponsors this year’s Treaty Day Film Festival with two screenings. The first, which features four short films, is sold out. But the second, which starts at 12:45 p.m., opens with a blessing and features “Frybread Face and Me,” a drama about two Navajo teens who are very different cousins. The Treaty Day Film Festival was created six years ago in remembrance of the 1855 Point Elliott Treaty, the lands settlement treaty between the tribes of the greater Puget Sound region and the United States government. Info: cascadiafilmfest.org.
Luminary Lantern-Making
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini St., Birch Bay
Here’s a craft for all ages: Using paints and cardboard, participants can create lanterns that can be used in a Luminary Walk on the Birch Bay berm on Saturday, Jan. 27. And you can take your lantern home with you. Registration is advised. There are two sessions for the workshop, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, and 4:30–6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24. Info: wcls.org.
‘They Made the Movies’ with Ron Miller
6 p.m., Village Books, 1200 11th St.
Did you ever want to know the backstory of directors like Frank Capra, Alfred Hitchcock or Robert Wise? Author Ron Miller shares his book, “They Made the Movies,” which he co-wrote with the late James Bawden, and published last year. The duo also co-wrote “Conversations with Classic Film Stars: Interviews from Hollywood’s Golden Era,” “You Ain’t Heard Nothin’ Yet: Interviews with Stars from Hollywood’s Golden Era,” and “Conversations with Legendary Television Stars: Interviews from the First Fifty Years.” Info: www.villagebooks.com.
Sunday, Jan. 21
‘Life of a Cockney’ by Robert Scanes
4 p.m., Village Books, 1200 11th St.
Carole Scanes shares her father’s autobiography, “Life of a Cockney,” in which he relates his childhood growing up in England, his years in the Royal Air Force during World War II, his emigration to Canada, (and later the United States) and his career working for Canadair, Rolls Royce and Boeing. Info: villagebooks.com.
Tuesday, Jan. 23
Bellingham Story Hour
7 p.m., New Prospect Theatre, 207 Prospect St.
Be brave — share your personal story on stage with a group of others (who you may or may not know), with the theme of “Good for You.” Stories should be five to 10 minutes long and be true. If you are a bit shy, you’re also welcome to come to listen to others. Info: bellinghamstoryhour.com.
Thursday, Jan. 25
Friends of the Bellingham Public Library Book Sale
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 25; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 26; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 27, Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave.
The Friends of the Bellingham Public Library hosts its January Book Sale with a huge selection of books, DVDs and more. On Thursday and Friday, items are full price; on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. items are half price, and Saturday from 1–4 p.m. it’s $5 a bag. Info: bellinghampubliclibrary.org.
Winter Dances
7:30 p.m. Jan. 25–26 and 2 p.m. Jan. 27, Western Washington University’s Performing Arts Center Mainstage Theater
Students in WWU’s Bachelor of Fine Arts dance program perform their original works in this annual event. The dancers also learn about behind-the-scenes tech work, like costuming, lighting and stage managing. Info: cfpa.wwu.edu.
Friday, Jan. 26
‘The Addams Family’
Jan 26–28, Feb. 2–4, New Prospect Theatre, 207 Prospect St.
What to do? Wednesday Addams has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, normal young man. Gomez and Morticia are set to meet him and his family at a dinner party, hosted by the Addams. Kaleb Van Rijswijck directs, with musical director Dylan Cisneros. Info: baay.org.
Seattle Opera Chorus
7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, Skagit Valley College campus, 2501 E. College Way
The 36-member Seattle Opera Chorus performs Pagliacci’s “The Bell Chorus,” “Choral Dances,” from Britten’s “Gloriana,” “Stomp Your Foot” from Copland’s “Tenderland” and other selections from the opera repertoire. A pre-concert talk takes place 45 minutes prior to the concert. Info: mcintyrehall.org.
Saturday, Jan. 27
Lifesong Project Workshop with Havilah Rand
1-4 p.m., Lynden Library, 216 4th St.
Havilah Rand, well-known in these parts as a composer for her very personal songs, hosts her LifeSong Project, in which she works with participants to honor their own stories. She’ll guide others to create their own songs from their stories in this three-hour workshop. This event is one in this year’s Whatcom Reads series. Info: wcls.libcal.com.
Dancing with Docents
5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher Building, 250 Flora Ave.
“Dances with Docents” hosts Pam Kuntz and Angela Sebastian in this participatory event. Attendees will join in pre-choreographed dances inspired by select pieces in the current exhibit “Acts of Healing and Repair.” There are two sessions, at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. All moves will be taught and guided, with musical accompaniment. No dance experience is necessary. Arrive 15 minutes early to ensure a prompt start. Info: whatcommuseum.org.
Sunday, Jan. 28
The Jazz Project
4 p.m., FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave.
Kick off the 2024 spring series of The Jazz Project with the Josh Cook/Steve Treseler Quintet, Bill Anschell, Jeff Johnson and Jud Sherwood. This event is free to Jazz Project members, and tickets can be purchased in advance online. Info: jazzproject.org.
Before heading out to attend in-person happenings, check with individual venues to make sure the event is still taking place as scheduled.
The A-List appears weekly. To submit an event for consideration, email calendar@casadiadaily.com.
A previous version of this story misstated ticket details for the Jan. 28 show at the FireHouse Arts and Event Center. The story was updated to reflect this change at 4:07 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18. Cascadia Daily News regrets this error.
