Hear music from Nashville, Australia and Seattle this week, and watch fireworks all around Whatcom County on Independence Day. Plus, Downtown Sounds returns, and a local author will discuss her new book about holocaust survivor Noémi Bán.
Elvis is in the room
The Pickford Film Center, 1318 Bay St., welcomes Bellingham author Laura Kalpakian to read from her novel, “Graced Land,” before the 5 p.m. Friday, July 1, viewing of Baz Luhrmann’s biopic, “Elvis.” Village Books will have copies of Kalpakian’s book available at the door. Tickets are available at pickfordfilmcenter.org, and additional details can be obtained by calling 360-738-0735.
Songs from Down Under
Australian singer, songwriter and acoustic guitar virtuoso Daniel Champagne will bring his tour back to America for the first time in more than two years at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 1, in Mount Baker Theatre’s Harold and Irene Walton Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St. His original songs blend folk, blues and other roots elements. Give him a listen at danielchampagnemusic.com. Tickets are $22.50 in advance, $25.50 the day of the show at mountbakertheatre.com.
Clarinet Cowboy & Co.
The Eric Likkel Trio, with Seattle musicians Eric Likkel on clarinet and saxophone, Gabe Hall-Rodrigues on accordion and piano, and Lamar Lofton on bass, perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 2, at the Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St., in Lynden. Drawing from jazz and beyond, the evening will range between standards and originals by all three members.
Likkel is featured live and on recordings with Origin Records, the Earshot Jazz Festival, Ballard Jazz Walk, Lynden Music Festival, Valse Café Orchestra, Smiling Scandinavians, Hereward, Ben Thomas Tango Project, and his own Crown Hill Combo.
Hall-Rodrigues is the current president of the North American Accordion Collaborative, an organization dedicated to promoting the accordion and creating opportunities for accordionists to learn from and connect with each other.
Lofton has performed locally and around the world in various musical settings from musical theater to international reggae and jazz artists including Clinton Fearon, Eek-a-Mouse, John Hicks, Ernestine Anderson, The Abyssinians, Julian Priester, Hadley Caliman and Cedric Brooks. Tickets are $20 at jansenartcenter.org.
Downtown Sounds returns to Bellingham’s Arts District on Wednesday, July 6. The weekly event takes place through Aug. 3, and kicks off with döp opening for headliner Nite Wave.
(Courtesy of Downtown Bellingham Partnership)
Fireworks and more!
This year, the Port of Bellingham and Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce are partnering with Kulshan Brewing for the Port’s free Fourth of July Festival on Monday.
The festival will kick off at the downtown waterfront, with Kulshan Trackside as the official beer garden, kids’ activities and games at the Peter Paulson Stage, and a variety of food vendors at the Portal container village. Festivities start at 2 p.m. and continue all day. The fireworks show begins at 10:30 p.m. Details: bellingham.com/4th-of-july-celebration-2022.
Hotel Bellwether will host its Blues, Brews and BBQ on its waterfront terrace. The special Fourth of July barbecue will start at 5:30 p.m. with The Atlantics playing from 7–10 p.m. Details and tickets: hotelbellwether.com/bluesbrewsbbq/.
On the U.S. border, Blaine’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration is a salute to hometown America. Festivities take place on the streets of downtown Blaine. The annual parade and car show are back, along with a street fair featuring art, craft and food vendors, live music on three stages, kids’ rides and games. The conclusion: a fabulous fireworks show over the harbor. Details: blainechamber.com/annual-events.
Dancing in the streets
The Downtown Bellingham Partnership presents the Downtown Sounds community concert series at the corner of Holly, Prospect and Bay streets, with family-friendly activities and dining as well as a beer garden for those 21 and older.
Downtown Sounds opens at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, with opening acts at 6 p.m., followed by headlining acts at 7 p.m. Local food truck vendors include Cicchitti’s Pizza, Sage Against the Machine (vegan), Big Bites, Hank & Bubby’s ice cream and more. This year’s beer, wine and cider garden will have beverages from Boundary Bay, Aslan, Stemma, Menace, Wander and Kulshan breweries. Cider and hard seltzer fans will enjoy rotating flavors from Bellingham Cider Company, and wine drinkers can choose from white, rosé and red options. The main entrance to the beer garden will be at the corner of East Champion and Bay streets.
The 2022 lineup includes Nite Wave with döp (July 6), The Cumbieros with the Bilongo Quintet (July 13), Outer Orbit with Yogoman Burning Band (July 20), LowDown Brass Band with Mostafa Live Band (July 27) and Miles Harris & the Deep Cuts with The Diego Romero Band (Aug. 3). Find out more at downtownbellingham.com/downtown-sounds.
Diane Sue shares her book, “Remarkable Resilience: The Life and Legacy of Noémi Bán Beyond the Holocaust,” Wednesday, July 6 at Congregation Beth Israel.
(Courtesy of Diane Sue)
A Bellingham legacy
Congregation Beth Israel is partnering with Village Books to present author Diane Sue, who will discuss her new book, “Remarkable Resilience: The Life and Legacy of Noémi Bán Beyond the Holocaust,” in person at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 6 at Congregation Beth Israel.
The book is written in Bán’s voice by one of her closest friends and preserves Bán’s messages of hope and healing. The author will be joined by Bán’s son, Dr. Steven Bán, and by Ray Wolpow, professor emeritus and former director of the Ray Wolpow Institute for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes against Humanity at Western Washington University. Masks will be required by all at this event. The event is free, but registration is advised. More information about the author and the book is at villagebooks.com/event.
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.
