Head to Bellingham’s Squalicum Harbor this week to catch live music or a bit of theater; travel to Mount Vernon for some highland flings or to Anacortes for a family-friendly outdoor concert; see a new play at the Sylvia Center; or take in a world premiere film at Mount Baker Theatre.
Powerhouse Chris Eger
Playing from 6–9 p.m. Thursday, July 7, at the Hotel Bellwether is the energetic and personable Chris Eger, a multi-instrumentalist, accomplished songwriter, kick-butt showman, as well as sensational vocalist — for which he has been nominated three years in a row for Best Male Vocalist by the Washington Blues Society.
Chris is backed by bassist and father Randall Eger; drummer Mark Clark; Rick Jiles, keyboardist and leader of the local favorites Midlife Crisis & the Alimony Horns; and Pete Kirkman and Mike West as the noteworthy and eponymous Powerhouse Horns. Doors open at 5 p.m. Admission is $15 adults, $10 ages 9 and younger. Details can be found at hotelbellwether.com/bluesbrewsbbq.
Powerhouse musician Chris Eger brings his band to Hotel Bellwether July 7, as part of the venue’s outdoor Blues, Brews & BBQ series taking place Thursdays through the summer. (Photo courtesy of the Chris Eger Band)
‘Biketown’
Bellingham will host the world premiere of “Biketown,” a new documentary film by Freehub Magazine, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 7, at the Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St. The film examines how mountain bikers have had to form unlikely partnerships in their fight to ride.
Mountain bikers have a longstanding tradition of working with private property owners, land managers and governments, from the local to federal level. Often, these relationships are driven by a dedicated and passionate group of mountain bikers, trail builders and advocates, despite a sometimes turbulent and confrontational past.
“Biketown” recounts recreational trail development in Bellingham; Chisholm, Minnesota; Snowshoe, West Virginia; and Pacific City, Oregon, to explore themes at the heart of the current mountain bike movement — whether that be cooperation between the timber industry and a mountain bike community, federal forest managers and trail-builders or advocacy organizations and tourism boards.
This event will benefit the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition, with support from Specialized Bicycles and Soil Searching, Maxxis Tires, 10 Barrel Brewing and Ride Concepts. More about the film is at freehubmag.com. Tickets are $22 and can be procured at mountbakertheatre.com.
Musical on the waterfront
Western Washington University’s Department of Theatre and Dance and Bellingham TheatreWorks are producing the fun-for-all-ages jukebox musical hit “Pump Boys and Dinettes” this summer. Performances will be in the Port of Bellingham’s Fishermen’s Pavilion in Zuanich Point Park beginning Friday, July 8.
Under the direction of Western Theatre Arts alumna Billie Wildrick, the playful country-western musical is set in a dockside diner, highlighting the uniqueness of Bellingham’s maritime heritage, while using the environment of the pavilion to reinforce the setting of the play.
Wildrick leads an ensemble of local and regional performers and musicians — including other Western alumni Lauren Brigolin, Ian Bivins, Marie Wildfield and Kharma Stambaugh, and a cadre of current Western students.
Arrive early to get beer, wine or non-alcoholic drinks from Boundary Bay Brewery’s on-site bar, grab a seat and enjoy some pre-show music while taking in the view. Doors open at 6:50 p.m.; the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Surprise! Pie will be served at intermission. Masks will be optional during these performances. Western students get in free on opening night with student ID. Performances continue every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through July. Tickets are available online or at the door. Contact Bellingham TheatreWorks for more details at bellinghamtheatreworks.org.
Trouble in the waterpark
Kitchen Sink Theater Co. presents a new play by Matthew Balam, “Holy Waters,” July 8–9 and 14–16 at the Sylvia Center for the Arts’ Lucas Hicks Theater, 207 Prospect St.
Faith, who happens to be a Satanist, is looking for a job for the summer. Unfortunately, the only place that’s hiring near her is Holy Waters, a deteriorating biblically themed waterpark founded by two televangelists. Faith’s new coworker is an ordained Pope named Benedict the 16th and a Half, whose job is to bless the waters of the park each morning, as well as ensure they are properly chlorinated. Proof of vaccination is required to attend. Bring vaccination cards or current (48 hours) negative test with ID. Masks are optional. Info can be found at sylviacenterforthearts.org.
What happens when a Satanist, a Pope and their manager walk into a Christian-themed water park? Find out when Kitchen Sink Theater Co. presents “Holy Waters” July 8–9 and 14–16 at the Sylvia Center for the Arts. (Photo courtesy of Anna Olsen)
Kilts, bagpipes and haggis
The Skagit Valley Highland Games and Celtic Festival returns for one day only from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 9, at Edgewater Park, 600 Behrens Millett Rd., in Mount Vernon.
Organizers think of this festival as a kind of “Scottish three-ring circus;” with a wide range of activities for young and old alike. The Skagit Valley Highland Games is part of an annual circuit of Scottish competitions held in the Pacific Northwest and Lower Mainland of British Columbia. As such, the quality of performers in solo bagpiping and drumming competitions, bagpipe bands, fiddling, traditional Scottish athletics (the “heavy” events) and Scottish Highland dancing is at an extremely high level.
Admission is $20 adults, $15 seniors, students and youth. Kids younger than 5 get in for free. Contact the Celtic Arts Foundation, at 360-416-4934, or go to celticarts.org for more information.
Summer tunes in Anacortes
The Heart of Anacortes hosts its family-friendly outdoor Summer Concert Series through August. Concerts begin at 6 p.m. at the corner of Fourth and O streets. The Atlantics kick off the series Saturday, July 9. Additional performers include The Naughty Blokes (July 16), The Savage Blues Band (July 23), Broken Banjo (July 30), Randy Weeks and the Silent Treatment (Aug. 13), Newton’s Law (Aug. 20) and The Enthusiasts (Aug. 27). Entry is free. Find out more at theheartofanacortes.com.
Before attending an in-person event, check with individual venues to make sure it is taking place as scheduled.
Margaret Bikman’s column runs every Wednesday. Reach her at margaret.bikman@gmail.com.
