Chuckanut Radio Hour 18th Anniversary
7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, New Prospect Theatre, 207 Prospect St.
If you grew up listening to “A Prairie Home Companion,” there’s something especially comforting about “The Chuckanut Radio Hour.” Co-hosts Paul Hanson and Kelly Evert (plus announcer Rich Donnelly) helm Bellingham’s very own radio variety show, with episodes featuring anything from music to poetry or the serial comedy “As the Ham Turns.” Each episode also includes a guest author, and past guests range from Jonathan Evison to Sherman Alexie, Tom Robbins and even Cheryl Strayed.
January 2025 marks 18 years of “The Chuckanut Radio Hour” and the anniversary is obviously a cause for celebration. Whether you’re a new fan or long-time listener, you’re invited to New Prospect Theatre for an evening of “live literature, live music and a little humor.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; make sure to reserve tickets in advance online. Info: villagebooks.com.
Mike Mathieu: Indetrustible
7:30–8:45 p.m. Thursday–Saturday, Jan. 9–11, FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave.
Comedian Mike Mathieu is somewhat of a legend in the Bellingham comedy scene. Longtime residents might remember him as one-half of comedy duo The Cody Rivers Show, or a recipient of the Mayor’s Arts Award. In April of last year, he returned to the local stage for the first time in years for his one-man monologue, “Mid-40s & Cloudy.”
This month Mathieu is once again showcasing his mix of “comedy and commentary” in “Indetrustible,” a new show inspired by the theme of — you guessed it — trust. Described by Mathieu as a more traditional stand-up act compared to “Mid-40s & Cloudy,” it touches on everything from politics to parenthood. Expect plenty of Mathieu’s heartfelt “Cody Rivers”-influenced humor, wherein the “smallest, strangest thing” becomes something “big and delightful.” Info: firehouse-aec.com.
Jonathan Evison in Conversation with Les Campbell: ‘The Heart of Winter’
6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, Village Books, 1200 11th St.
Bainbridge Island native Jonathan Evison’s novels can be found all over the shelves of Village Books. Frequent readers might know him from works like “All About Lulu,” “Lawn Boy,” “West of Here” or “Legends of the North Cascades.”
Evison’s newest work, “The Heart of Winter,” is a “bighearted and profound portrait of a marriage” — and the perfect accompaniment to these dark, dreary January days. If you need your spirits lifted going into 2025, make sure to attend his Jan. 12 talk at Village Books.
Note that this event makes a great companion to the “Chuckanut Radio Hour” anniversary on Jan. 9, seeing that Evison is a previous guest. He’ll be in conversation with Les Campbell, the writer/director/”man of a thousand voices” behind “As the Ham Turns,” as well as a frequent director at the Bellingham Theatre Guild. Info: villagebooks.com.
Hunger vs. Hunger Film Premiere
6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, Aslan Depot, 1322 N. State St.
Earlier this year my gym hosted a fitness class for Hunger vs. Hunger, a fundraiser wherein Bellingham resident Ethan Hunger burns 12,000 calories in just 24 hours. The first time I caught wind of it, I thought it was a joke. After all, who can physically run a marathon, bike 100-plus miles, swim, mountain bike and finish a HIIT workout in one day flat?! Apparently, Ethan Hunger can — and he does it all to benefit the Bellingham Food Bank.
Hunger vs. Hunger began as a small fundraiser during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024 alone, its founder raised an astounding $230,000 for the food bank. This year a camera crew joined him on his journey to “bring a community together, exercise all day and raise money while doing it.” You can watch for yourself at the Jan. 9 premiere at Aslan Depot. Ticket sales benefit the Food Bank, and Hunger himself will be present for a Q&A. Info: ethanhunger.com.
‘Taster’ Hip-Hop Class with Move with Ranae
6–7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, Lost Giants Cider Co., 1200 Meador Ave.
If Hunger vs. Hunger inspired you to get active in 2025, know there are outlets besides marathons, mountain biking or HIIT classes. More fun options include pop-up adult dance classes, now hosted periodically at Lost Giants Cider Co. “Dance class” might bring to mind recitals and jazz squares, but this series is geared towards adults who love meeting new people and letting loose in a judgment-free environment.
The Lost Giants “taster” classes are beginner-level and open to anyone 18 and over, and unlike with traditional studios, attendees don’t have to commit to a membership. Tickets are available per class on a sliding-scale basis ($10–15). A friendly reminder, though: These classes are about play, not perfection. Don’t take yourself too seriously, and “enjoy the sometimes-messy process.” Info: lostgiantscider.com.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
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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@cascadiadaily.com.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
