Fall is just around the corner, and a wide variety of events are closing out a beautiful summer: A new exhibit is opening at Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher Building, and you can swing dance at Mount Baker Theatre, support your Whatcom County libraries or another nonprofit organization, or even sing in a choir.
Unapologetic Leadership: Courage in the Face of Controversy
Don’t miss this in-person gathering featuring keynote speaker Jenn Mason, emcee Kristina Martens and other community members working to empower women and create lasting social change at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at the Hotel Bellwether.
Enjoy a continental breakfast and coffee, and be prepared to bid on great silent auction items, shop at the Y’s Buys Thrift Boutique pop-up store, and buy raffle tickets for a three-day Lake Whatcom staycation. There is no cost to attend, but donations to support the YWCA will be requested. Find out more at ywcabellingham.org.
45th Wooden Boat Festival
Port Townsend’s Wooden Boat Festival, taking place Friday through Sunday, Sept. 9–11, is one of the most education-packed and beautifully located wooden boat events in the world. Featuring more than 250 wooden vessels, hundreds of indoor and outdoor presentations and demonstrations, a who’s who of wooden boat experts and thousands of wooden boat enthusiasts, there’s something to do, someone to meet or a boat to board at every turn. Details: woodenboat.org.
Bucks for books
Join library and book enthusiasts at Whatcom County Library Foundation’s annual fundraising event, Branch Out, from 6–9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at Hotel Bellwether.
Enjoy socializing, hors d’oeuvres, complimentary beer and wine, and lightning-fast book talks on the hottest new titles. Books will be available for checkout, so bring your library card! There will also be a brief presentation on how your donation impacts lives in Whatcom County. Donations are appreciated. Info: 360-305-3629 or wcls.org.
Wilderness art
Whatcom Museum presents “Un/Natural Selections: Wildlife in Contemporary Art,” a powerhouse exhibition of works by 42 contemporary artists, organized by the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming, Saturday, Sept. 10, through Jan. 8, 2023, at the Lightcatcher Building, 250 Flora St.
Comprised exclusively from the museum’s permanent collection, “Un/Natural Selections” delves into the various ways that today’s artists employ animal imagery to address humanity’s interconnectedness and ever-changing relationship with the natural world in four themes — politics, science, tradition and aesthetics.
In connection with the themes in “Un/Natural Selections,” the museum will host a multidisciplinary outreach program for college students titled “Passport to the Natural World.” Partnering with three local college campuses — Western Washington University, Whatcom Community College and Northwest Indian College — the “Passport” programs aim to increase access to art and nature while providing opportunities for mindfulness and relaxation. For more, go to whatcommuseum.org.
Nooksack River documentary
Whatcom County Library System will host two screenings of the film “Revitalizing Cultural Knowledge and Honoring Sacred Waters: The Documented Oral History of Life on the Nooksack River” with Tli’nuk’dzwidzi/Althea Wilson, Lummi tribal member and documentary filmmaker. The events are from 5–8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Deming Library; and from 5–8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Pioneer Pavilion in Ferndale.
Following the opening ceremony, attendees will share a potluck meal, watch the documentary and hear from Wilson, as well as guests from Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Tribe. Lummi members will talk about the film and their experience in those times they lived on the village site at the mouth of the Nooksack River.
Wilson is a Lummi tribal member who earned her bachelor’s degree in Native Environmental Science at Northwest Indian College. This documentary is her culminating work and was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation. It is the first of several films by Wilson about Lummi’s connection to the natural world. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Register at wcls.org/events.
Swing dance at MBT
Break out those dance shoes and do the boogie-woogie or the jitterbug on a large wooden parquet dance floor at Mount Baker Theatre’s intimate Walton Theatre, during an evening with The David Francis Swing Band at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, 104 N. Commercial St. Swing (or just come listen) to the songs and jazz standards made famous by Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Mel Torme and Sammy Davis Jr. Tickets are $35.50. Info: mountbakertheatre.com.
Award-winning poet and musician Marie Eaton will read from two of her recently published books of poems at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at Village Books in Fairhaven. Her poems address the emotional terrain of the pandemic, politics and the natural world, resonating with themes of loss and love of family. (Photo courtesy of Marie Eaton)
Poetry reading
Marie Eaton will read from two of her recently published books of poems, “What Falls Away is Always” and “Following the Line,” in a free event at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at Village Books, 1200 11th St. Her poems address the emotional terrain of the pandemic, politics and the natural world, resonating with themes of loss and love of family.
Most of her previous creative work has been as a songwriter, marrying melody and lyric, but recently she has found a new voice in poetry. She was the recipient of the Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest Walk Award in 2018 and 2021, among other honors. Details are at villagebooks.com.
Bark for a Benefit
Brigadoon Service Dogs — a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide service dogs for veterans, other adults and children with physical, developmental and behavioral health disabilities to promote a more independent and enriched life — presents a week-long online auction beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 12, ending Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. The in-person auction starts at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Hotel Bellwether. There’s no cost to register for the online auction; admission to the live event is $90 per ticket and includes a delightful dinner. Go to brigadoondogs.org for more.
Viva La Chanson Française!
The FireHouse is going très romantique! This romantic, sassy cabaret show of jazz-inspired songs will transport you to a Parisian bistro or café in Marseilles, from 3:30–5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, at 1314 Harris Ave.
Years ago, Karen Goens and Diane Leigh started harmonizing with the Kulshan Chorus, then formed Bellingham Rendezvous, and now they perform with the Whatcom Sound Jazz Ensemble. Karen puts her degree in French to expressive use, Diane lends her equal vocal and piano talents, and Sarah Yates plays elegant and lyrical bass. Entry is by donation. Info: firehouseperformingarts.org.
Jazz it up
Do you love to sing and want to learn how to sing jazz? Then consider joining a new Mixed Jazz Choir with Whatcom Sound Jazz (WSJ). Come learn the basics of jazz and jazz singing, along with opportunities to explore improvisation singing (scat singing). The WSJ Mixed Jazz Choir is for all genders and voice types. Rehearsals are from 8:05–9:30 p.m. Tuesdays in Bellingham, starting Sept. 13. Some singing experience is necessary, but music reading is optional; learning tracks will be provided. Email info.wsjs@gmail.com if you are interested or have questions.
Sing out
Come sing with the Kulshan Chorus! Rehearsals start Sept. 15. A low-pressure, group audition is required. The Kulshan Chorus, currently directed by Dustin Willetts, is an intergenerational, secular and multicultural choir singing in honor of human diversity. The chorus has sung and celebrated for three decades. Drawing on music from America’s vast cultural roots, musical selections include a range of styles and origins, with a repertoire that spans American folk classics to world music, and well-known choral works to new premieres. Get the particulars at kulshanchorus.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.
