Coming right up, attend an action-packed mountain bike film, dance to live tunes on a scenic farm, hear arias in the garden and attend a downtown Bellingham block party. Our creative community does it again!
Bike it
Teton Gravity Research is coming to Bellingham for the premiere of its new mountain bike film, “Esperanto,” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, at Mount Baker Theatre, 10 N. Commercial St.
“Esperanto” is TGR’s latest action-packed mountain bike film that mixes the rock stars of the sport with a cast of unknown and up-and-coming heroes. There will be prize giveaways from Dometic, Specialized, Ride Concepts, Tincup and more — plus a chance to win the tour grand prizes, including a Specialized Stumpjumper Expert mountain bike. Admission is $15 general, and $10 for students and children; tickets at 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.
Farm Tunes
From 6–9 p.m. every Friday night from July 22 through Sept. 9, Bellewood Farms, 6140 Guide Meridian, will feature musicians from all over the Pacific Northwest to entertain kids and grownups. Grab a burger and beer from the Ten Mile Café while you sit and relax beneath the summer sky and let the kids roam in the tire garden. Additionally, adults can check out the free tasting room and try the farm-made spirits.
The free series kicks off with the Southern roots and indie pop sensibilities of Mark Wagner, and continues with the longtime locals known as the Prozac Mountain Boys (July 29), Americana and bluegrass with Heron & Crow (Aug. 5), jazz and blues by The Unknowns (Aug. 12), Handsome and Gretyl’s earthy folk (Aug. 19), the traditional tunes of Queens Bluegrass (Aug. 26), country blues courtesy of Backwoods Hucksters (Sept. 2), and Bellingham bluegrass band Virginia Rail (Sept. 9). To find out more, go to bellewoodfarms.com.
Jazzing with Django
The Django Festival All-Stars bring the art of the legendary gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt into the 21st century at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23, at Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St. The All-Stars pay tribute to Reinhardt’s work, adding their own interpretations, arrangements and compositions, making for an evening of thrilling performances of stunning virtuosity. Tickets range from $20.50–$35.50 at mountbakertheatre.com.
The works of legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt will come to life when The Django Festival All-Stars perform Saturday, July 23 at the Mount Baker Theatre. (Photo courtesy of Mount Baker Theatre)
Make Me Wanna Holler Music and Poetry
The Skagit River Poetry Foundation presents an outdoor event from 2–7 p.m. Sunday, July 24 at La Conner’s Pioneer Park amphitheater (on the east side of the Pioneer Parkway just before the Rainbow Bridge).
Heron & Crow, Deep River Blues Band and Erik Christensen Band provide the music, and featured Northwest poets — including Michael Daley and Bellingham’s Judy Kleinberg as well as Skagit County student poet laureates — will share their works. An open mic will be available for poets from the audience. Food, snacks, beer, wine, ice cream and other drinks will be available at the free event. More details are at skagitriverpoetry.org.
Taking it to the streets
The 1300 block of downtown Bellingham presents the return of the Commercial Street Block Party from 6–8 p.m. Thursday, July 28. Come dance, party, eat, shop and gather for a summertime block party between Holly and Magnolia streets! Admission is free and all ages are welcome to attend.
The July Block Party activities include DJ Kitchen Sink, Seattle’s Double Dutch Divas, flow arts with Spin Jam, face painting, donut decorating, Minute to Win It games, street haircuts, an Uisce beer garden, and more. Participating businesses include Bellingham Jazzercise, Brandywine Kitchen, Holly’s Meat Pies, JoJoe’s Donuts, Mo’s Parlor, MW Soapworks, Old 99, Third Planet, Uisce and WinkWink. Additional block parties will take place Aug. 25 and Sept. 22. Find out more at downtownbellingham.com or search the event on Facebook.
Arias for the opera
Pacific Northwest Opera’s “Arias in the Garden” Summer Benefit will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 31, at the Benson Farmstead in Bow. Don’t miss this fun outdoor event and unique opportunity to support Pacific Northwest Opera.
Tickets are $95 and include great food, wine and arias by some of the organization’s favorite singers — lots of “opera-tunities” to support your local opera company. Last year’s event sold out, so don’t delay reserving your spot. Tickets will not be available at the door. Any questions? Call 360-610-7249, or go to pnopera.org.
Gala at The J
The Jansen Art Center hosts “Denim & Diamonds” from 6:30–9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5 at 321 Front St. in Lynden. Serving as The J’s largest fundraiser of the year, all proceeds from this event directly support the center’s mission of creating year-round arts programming and educational opportunities.
Along with the Denim & Diamonds theme, the gala will be a part of celebrating 10 years of The J providing community access to the arts. Tickets are $100 and include a selection of meal options; beer, wine and champagne; live entertainment from Mike Bonds and M&M Country; exclusive access to a live auction and private bidding in a silent auction; and playing a role in the start of The J’s second decade as an organization. Can’t make it to the gala, but still want to support the arts? The silent auction will open to all on July 30; go to the website for more. Info: jansenartcenter.org.
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 margaretbikman@gmail.com.
