Yes, it’s Ski to Sea weekend, but there are lots of alternatives for those who don’t ski, canoe, bike or run. Among them: a conversation with the author of a story about a man fleeing his past and his grief, and finding himself at the crossroads of cynicism and hopefulness; a self-guided tour of the studios and galleries on Lummi Island; an opportunity to create art for an exhibit at the Jansen Art Center; the Memorial Day Parade; a free, pre-concert recital hosted by Bellingham Music Club; a stage production of “Grease;” and the long-running Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle.
Chuckanut Radio Hour
Village Books hosts playwright Stacy D. Flood, postponed from an earlier event, to talk about his debut work of prose, “The Salt Fields,” a poignant Southern Gothic novella, at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26 at the FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave.
Flood will be talking with Julie Trimingham, a mother, writer and activist for the Salish Sea. She is the author of the novella “Mockingbird,” the fictional travelog “Way Elsewhere” and essays for the online magazine Numéro Cinq.
Originally from Buffalo, and currently living in Seattle, Flood’s work has been published nationally and performed on stages nationwide as well as in the Puget Sound area. He has been an artist-in-residence at DISQUIET in Lisbon, as well as The Millay Colony in New York, and he is the recipient of a Getty Fellowship to the Community of Writers.
The Radio Hour will also feature musical guest Cape Flattery, an Americana group that features acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin and upright bass. Formerly known as Saloon, the band thrives off of the songwriting of Bellingham’s Ted O’Connell, who plays with Scarlet Locomotive and Prozac Mtn Boys, and newcomer Lindsay Poynter. Ted O’Connell is also the author of “K: A Novel,” available at the show.
As always, there’ll be poetry, bad jokes and an episode from “As the ’Ham Turns.”
Doors open and music begins at 6:30 p.m. Online registration closes one hour prior to the event. Spaces may be available at the door. Tickets are available at villagebooks.com.
“Grease” is the word
Little Lemon Productions, the student-led arm of Firefly Productions Inc., stages “Grease,” based on the 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, May 26–29 at the Lucas Hicks Theatre at the Sylvia Center for the Arts, 207 Prospect St.
The musical is set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School (based on William Howard Taft School in Chicago, Illinois) and follows 10 working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of peer pressure, politics, personal core values and love. The score borrows heavily from the sounds of early rock and roll.
Little Lemon Productions was created by Bellingham’s Adaryn Healy and Brody Buck in 2018 with their production of “13” under the support of Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY).
Tickets are $10 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets, $15 at the door. Info can be found at sylviacenterforthearts.org.
Northwest Folklife Festival
Now in its 51st year, the four-day festival of live performances and online programs runs Friday, May 27, through Monday, May 30, at the Seattle Center. It’s free, but donations are strongly encouraged. Among the Whatcom County musicians who’ll be playing are Native American flutist Peter Ali and Hot Damn Scandal. The full schedule is at nwfolklife.org.
Bellingham Music Club hosts harpsichordist Elliot Figg and violinist Edwin Huizinga at June 1 and June 3 concerts at the First Congregational Church. (Photo courtesy of Bellingham Music Club)
Art on Lummi Island
A self-guided Lummi Island Artists’ Studio Tour takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 28–29. An array of offerings, all created on Lummi Island, include pottery, sculpture, paintings, fiber arts, jewelry, glass art and more.
Ferry fare round-trip is $14 per car and driver, and $8 for each additional passenger. Balloons will mark the studio locations. Come visit the island and enjoy a meal at the newly reopened Beach Store Cafe! Paper maps will be available at the Islander Store, and as the weekend approaches, on Lummi-island.com.
Memorial Day Parade
The Whatcom Memorial Day Parade is a favorite community tradition in downtown Bellingham, with a mission to remember and honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces. This year’s parade is from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 28. Find details at whatcommemorialdayparade.com.
Make a scene in Lynden
The Jansen Art Center Jewelry Studio, 321 Front St., in Lynden, presents its annual artistic, creative, reflective project involving a shadow box, led by Judi Gauthier, jewelry studio head.
Gauthier said: “The idea came from a memory that I hold dear as a second grader. We were to use a shoebox and create a scene inside the box. Once finished, holes were punctured from the top and sides to let in light. Another large hole was inserted on one side for viewing the scene. I chose to make a winter scene with a skater on an ice rink. I found this project to be so much fun and even magical.”
All ages and experience levels are welcome to participate in this DIY, on-your-own activity. For a $15 submission fee, display your scene in the exhibit at the J and a virtual exhibit online. Scenes are due at midnight Monday, June 6. The exhibit runs July 14–Oct. 15. Find out more at jansenartcenter.org/make-a-scene-challenge.
Dancing with Bach
Violinist Edwin Huizinga and harpsichordist Elliot Figg perform a free matinee at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 1 at the First Congregational Church, 2401 Cornwall Ave., in advance of the club’s Night Beat performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 3 at the church.
Huizinga established an international reputation as one of North America’s most versatile violinists, embracing both baroque and modern repertoire. Keyboardist, conductor and composer Figg devotes his artistry to both early music and contemporary ensembles. Together, Huizinga and Figg bring a wide range of contrasting repertoires.
Tickets for the BMC Night Beat concert are $20; they are on sale online, at Village Books in Fairhaven, and at the door before the concert if not sold out. Take a teen for free! Details can be found at bellinghammusicclub.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 margaret.bikman@gmail.com.
