Whatcom Literacy Council: Volunteer Recruitment
2023-09-14 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Denver)
Come learn about the ways you can volunteer with the Whatcom Literacy Council, and how to make a positive impact on improving literacy rates in our community.
Program staff and current volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about our free adult literacy services.

Circling Home Launch Party
2023-09-14 18:00 - 19:00 | UW Bookstore, Seattle, WA, United States
Book launch party.
Circling Home chronicles the adventures and challenges of raising children overseas.
UW Bookstore 4326 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
September 14th – 6PM
Terryrepak.com

Mt. Baker Hill Climb
2023-09-17 07:00 - 12:00
Great views, fresh air, tough climbs. Ascend 4,462 feet from Chair 9 in Glacier to Artist Point (5,140 feet elevation) in approximately 22 miles. The Mt. Baker Highway (SR542) is known as one of the most scenic paved roads in the country and rarely is the highway closed to motorized vehicles from Glacier to Artist Point. With steep elevation and several switchbacks, this ride is not for the faint of heart, but the views are stunning. Experience the agony and the ecstasy!
This is a timed event. 1st female and male of each age division registered in the Competitive Division, receive a custom Voler Winners Jersey and 1st – 3rd of each division receive a locally produced medal.
The race begins at MP 35, 1/4 mile east of the check-in at Chair 9 Pizza & Bar.
Social: 7:00 AM
Recreational: 8:00 AM
Competitive: 8:30 AM
End time: 12:00pm (road closed until noon)
All start lines begin at Snowater Road, just east of Glacier, WA. Parking is available at the Chair 9 restaurant. All vehicles will need to have a NW Forest Pass ($5) to park at Artist Point.
Anyone over the age of 13 can participate in the Mt. Baker Hill Climb. Riders between the ages of 13-15 years old on race day MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate.
Individual: $80 early bird, $90 after; Tandem: $100 early bird, $120 after May 31st
Visit https://www.bakerhillclimb.com for more information.

BELLINGHAM VEG FEST
2023-09-17 10:00 - 15:00 | Barkley Village
Bellingham Veg Fest is an annual event spreading the good word— vegan food is accessible, tasty, and for everyone (not just hardcore vegans)! A variety of vegan-friendly businesses will be there, and there will be live music, crafts, and yummy food to try. For more info, check out their site or our coverage on pg. 20. Barkley Village, Bellingham, bellinghamvegfest.org

Bellingham Veg Fest
2023-09-17 10:00 - 15:00
Bellingham Veg Fest
Sunday, September 17th
10am-3pm
Barkley Village
2219 Rimland Drive
Bellingham Veg Fest is a free to attend, all-vegan, all-ages, family-friendly festival created to show how fun it is to live a vegan lifestyle. This event welcomes anyone and everyone— from the veg-curious to the experienced vegans.
Veg Fest stands for compassion for all humans and non-humans, sustainability of our planet, and support for our local vegan and vegan-friendly small businesses and nonprofits.
The Fest will feature food, art, crafts, kids corner, raffle, and more. Everything sold, distributed, and displayed at this event will be 100% vegan. Don’t forget to bring your reusable totes, containers, and utensils as this is a Toward Zero Waste event.
We are thrilled that this fest will be at the Barkley Village, a beautiful space with ample free onsite parking!

Belly Dance Fitness: An Introductory Workshop
2023-09-18 18:45 - 19:45
Sweat, shimmy, laugh, and dance in this FREE workshop designed to introduce you to the art of belly dance. If you’ve been curious about this fascinating dance style, come join instructor Rachel Carter for an introduction to the basics. Beginners welcome and encouraged! Wear comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle. Pre-registration required.
http://whatcomcommunityed.com/

112 + JON B
2023-09-22 20:00 - 22:00 | Tulalip Resort Casino, 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd., Tulalip
112 is a late ‘90s to early 2000s R&B group with hits like Grammy award nominated song “Peaches & Cream” and “Only You,” plus an independently produced EP “Forever” released in 2020. Joining them is R&B singer-songwriter Jon B, whose first album in 1995 included the Grammy award nominated single “Someone to Love.” Together, this show is a powerhouse of classic American R&B! Orca Ballroom, Tulalip Resort Casino, 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd., Tulalip,888.272.1111, tulalipresortcasino.com

Drinking for Dogs
2023-09-23 13:00 - 18:00
Drinking for Dogs is back! After three years of online auctions, Happy Tails Happy Homes annual fundraising event will be LIVE and in-person on September 23 at Lost Giants Cider Company in Bellingham. Our silent auction begins at 1:00pm, ends at 6:00pm, and features goods and services from tons of local businesses, including vacation stays in Suncadia and Mazatlán! We will also have live music by Original Jim.
Happy Tails Happy Homes is a no-kill, nonprofit animal welfare organization dedicated to protecting and serving the well-being of animals and fostering positive relationships between people and animals. We are an at-home foster program: no shelters, no offices, and no paid staff. All the money donated to HTHH goes directly to our animals.
Come out and support Happy Tails Happy Homes and enjoy a fun afternoon of food, drinks, and good music!
Saturday, Sept. 23 1:00-6:00PM
Lost Giants Cider Company
1200 Meador Ave.
Bellingham, WA
for more info, go to www.happytailshappyhomes.org

Drawings are for all of us one at a time: Lecture by Margaret Davidson
2023-09-23 14:00 - 15:30
Drawing, by its very nature, is an intimate art form. Looking at any drawing, from any time period, becomes an immediate, familiar, private, and intense conversation with the artist. Join curator and artist Margaret Davidson for a lecture inspired by her exhibition Leading with Drawing.
Cost: Free for members | $5 suggested donation for non-members
Become a member today! Learn more at: monamuseum.org/membership
image credit
Margaret Davidson, “Button Coat with Super Strings,” 2011, colored pencil on rag paper, 33.75″ by 32.5″ framed

Author Event
2023-09-23 16:00 - 17:00
Local poet Victoria McCallum will read from her newly released book I Dreamed the Ocean Froze in the Readings Gallery at Village Books in Fairhaven on Sat., Sept. 23 at 4 p.m. Advanced registration is required: www.villagebooks.com. Also see Victoria’s website for more info: www.parrotfishpress.com.

Hello Autumn Soundbath and chakra Balancing session
2023-09-23 17:00 - 18:15
Say hello to fall and welcome Autumn! Come together to celebrate the change in seasons. We’ll take a trance journey to explore inner healing, rest and peace
Through the use of voice, singing bowls, bells, rattles, drums and other instruments, you’ll be guided through an inner journey. We will create a sacred space for inner reflection and physical relaxation.
We start with words of intention, and then we enter the journey through breath, meditation and sounds. Let the journey guide you in to your inner world, and allow the soundscapes of vibration to support you. You’ll leave the session feeling relaxed , centered, and grounded and connected with you body, mind and spirit.
Admission: Tickets are $37
Ticket link – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/welcome-autumn-relaxation-soundbath-chakra-bala-tickets-690661325617

Dudestock
2023-09-23 18:30
We will be showing the Big Lebowski, have costume contests, bowling, and of course white Russians (for our 21+ attendees only, of course). All ages are welcome, but the movie is rated R. Enjoy!

HELL'S BELLES
2023-09-23 20:00 - 23:00 | Swinomish Casino and Lodge, 12885 Casino Dr., Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
Hell’s Belles are back at Swinomish Casino and Lodge for a night of rock ‘n’ roll magic. This world-famous all-female band covers AC/DC’s greatest hits and was once endorsed by Angus Young (lead guitarist of AC/DC) himself. After performing all across the world including Singapore, Japan, Canada, and all over the U.S., they’re here in our corner of the Pacific Northwest! Swinomish Casino & Lodge,12885 Casino Dr., Anacortes, 1.888.288.8883, swinomishcasinoandlodge.com

CREATIVE ABSTRACTION
2023-09-24 00:00 - 2023-09-28 00:00 | Heartful Retreats, 8480 Thompson Beach Rd, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
Stay & Play At A 5-Day Conceptual Painting Workshop
Wellness retreats are a healthful way to bring body and mind back into alignment, and to recenter the seat of soul in the spirit of loving kindness. At Heartful Retreats, the focus is on exploring our many selves through friendship, writing and art making, good food, and mindful spirituality. In this workshop, you’ll learn to create an original work from the ground up, applying essential painting and composition skills, and a design-driven methodology. What you will leave with is a finished project you can be proud of, a better understanding of the creative process, and meaningful friendships that add joy to life. Small class, big impact – space is limited so book now. Specific info about this Retreat can be found at www.heartfulretreats.com/retreats or contact Yvette Neumann @360-510-9819.

Muppet Movie
2023-09-24 14:30
Please join us for this special celebration of the life and legacy of Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, on his birthday — September 24. Two bargain-priced Sunday showings to choose from — bring the whole family!
In the Muppets’ first feature film, Kermit the Frog decides to pursue a movie career and starts a cross-country trip from Florida to California.
Along the way, he meets and befriends Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and rock musicians Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.
When Kermit is offered a job by Doc Hopper (Charles Durning) to advertise the fried frog legs at Doc’s restaurant chain, Kermit turns Hopper down. However, Hopper refuses to relent and pursues Kermit and his companions to a final showdown.

SKAGIT BIGFOOT FEST 2023
2023-09-29 - 2023-10-30 | Skagit County Fairgrounds, 501 Taylor St., Mount Vernon, WA, 98273, United States
Bigfoot enthusiasts and believers, welcome to the second annual Skagit Bigfoot Fest! This festival is put on by a team of Skagitonians who want to support local businesses and “Keep Skagit Wild.” Tons of live music, live comedy, Bigfoot talks, a beer and wine garden, and vendor markets will keep you busy, but keep your eyes peeled for Sasquatches– the costume contest guarantees you’ll see a few! Skagit County Fairgrounds, 501 Taylor St., Mount Vernon, skagitbigfootfest.com

Truck Show-Neeter House of Luxury Jewelry Shop
2023-09-29 10:00 - 2023-09-30 19:00
Neeter House of Luxury Presents The Gabriel & Company, Artisan of Love Trunk Show – Receive a Free Gift with an appointment, Call 360-778-1613
Friday September 29 (10 am to 7 pm) Saturday September 30 (11 am to 6 pm)
Neeter House of Luxury 21- Bellwether Way, STE 107, On Marina Side. https://neeterhouseofluxury.com

SKAGIT FARM TO PINT FEST
2023-09-30 | La Conner Marina
Showcasing the intoxicating bounty of the Skagit Valley’s fertile lands, Skagit Farm to Pint Fest gives you the opportunity to sample beers from many of the county’s breweries. You can chat with passionate brewers and farmers while you sample the astounding variety of beers and plenty of fresh local food, enjoy live music, and support our agricultural community. La Conner Marina, 613 N. 2nd St., La Conner, skagitfarmtopint.com

Workshop: Drawing Exploratory (Class by Margaret Davidson)
2023-09-30 11:00 - 17:00
All experience levels welcome – workshop for ages 18 and up
Cost: $105 ($90 participation + $15 materials fee)
Where: In-person art class at the MoNA studio
When: Saturday, September 30 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM with 1 hour lunch
All Materials Provided
In this one-day workshop, we will throw ourselves into the fun – and sometimes the surprises – of discovering the relationships between the drawing mark and the drawing surface.
Starting with smooth paper, then moving to slightly textured paper, and then heavily textured paper, and finally drawing on things that aren’t even paper at all we will copy some of the greats, and also do something of our own. Participants can expect to make at least four finished drawings in various media.
RSVP at: monamuseum.org/events/margaretdavidsonworkshop

Birchwood Garden Club's October Meeting
2023-10-04 19:00 - 21:00
Birchwood Garden Club’s October Meeting
Established 1931 ~ Bellingham, Washington
Planting Seeds of Friendship throughout our Community
The October meeting of the Birchwood Garden Club will be held October 4th at the Whatcom Museum in Bellingham’s Old City Hall, 121 Prospect Street. The doors open at 6:30 PM and the program starts at 7:00 PM. John Christianson will be our featured speaker and his topic will be, “Roses.”
John and his wife are the owners of Christianson’s Nursery in Mount Vernon. Their nursery carries over 500 varieties of Roses! John is knowledgeable about choosing Roses for specific purposes and situations, as well as what it takes to help them thrive here. Come join us for this interesting presentation! It’s time to start planning for next year’s blooms!
Birchwood Garden Club membership is open to anyone in Whatcom or Skagit Counties. You are invited to join us at our monthly meetings where we will have membership brochures to join. Check out our website, www.birchwoodgardenclub.org to see the fun activities and community services our club does! You can also join us on Instagram and Facebook @ Birchwood Garden Club.
Birchwood Garden Club is offering a number of small grants to organizations in Whatcom and Skagit counties that promote education opportunities in the realm of horticulture, agricultural or related fields. Applications are being accepted now and will be awarded in January 2024. For more details and the applications visit the BGC website at birchwoodgardenclub.org and click on the “Donation/Grant” link.

TIDAL
2023-10-05 19:30 - 2023-10-08 21:00 | The FireHouse Arts & Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225, Bellingham
Kuntz and Company’s next work explores photography by Helen Scholtz, poetry by Jessica Ardis, music by Charles Halka and movement by numerous dancers and community members. This interdisciplinary piece invites a look into our relationship with the environment and one another.

Tidal
2023-10-05 19:30 - 2023-10-08 21:00
Tidal
Oct 5,6,7 @ 7:30
Oct 8 @ 5:00
Firehouse Arts and Events Center
1314 Harris Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225
Tickets: pay what you can, suggested $20
available at kuntzandco.org
360-510-4711 or kuntzpam@gmail.com with questions or for accommodations
Tidal – a dance piece about water … or a dance piece about influence and connection, inevitability and change
Tidal is a dance piece that emerged from a want to collaborate with really good artists: Helen Scholtz – photographer, Jessica Ardis – poet, Charles Halka – composer.
Scholtz’s images of water often look like abstract paintings. She captures texture, light, and movement in the natural world, creating images that awaken the senses and peak curiosity. Jessica’s poetry is blunt, succinct and somehow feels simple. There is an immediate relation, or an understanding of her work. She seems to mine our personal thoughts and feelings with her poetry, finding the words we can’t. Halka records sounds from the world and uses these sounds as the instruments in his work. For Tidal he uses recordings of the rushing water of the Nooksack River, the trickle of streams fed by melting snow at Heather Meadows, or the pouring rain in his backyard. The score is an orchestration of these natural sounds, at times heavily manipulated, to create the original sound score.
Eighteen dancers, ages 19-79, and Pam Kuntz dove into Scholtz’s photography and Ardis’ poetry. Memories and sensations filled their process as metaphors unfolded and the piece took shape. They created numerous “movement portraits” offering glimpses into how we live in our world – who we are, how we relate, and what our actions or reactions may mean. Some feel human, some feel environmental, some float perfectly between the two…the resistance and persistence of water carving a path and shaping our landscape lives inside the dynamic of human relations and interactions, the rhythm of tides and the unfolding of change through repetition over time exists in the human body.
Tidal is created by Jessica Ardis, Alona Christman, Cara Congelli, Tracy Dahlstedt, Vanessa Daines, Rebecca deGraw, Shoshanah Epstein, Dudley Evenson, Charles Halka, Karen Kao, Pam Kuntz, Susan Marriott, Samantha Martin, Marissa Moeri, Lucy Morse, Katy Mullen, Helen Scholtz, Angela Sebastian, and Cindy Whiston (Annie Molsberry, Bailey Kager, and Joyce Harvey-Morgan early contributors)

The Harvest at Skagit Acres
2023-10-06 10:00 - 2023-10-08 17:00 | Skagit Acres
Enjoy a corn maze, pumpkin patch, hot apple cider and more as Skagit Acres celebrates Autumn with their Harvest Festival! $10 admission.
More Info
Skagit Acres18923 Johnson Road, Mt. Vernon

Anacortes Bier on the Pier
2023-10-06 17:00 - 2023-10-07 21:00 | Port of Anacortes, 100 Commercial Ave., Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
The 12th Annual Bier on the Pier is this weekend at the Port of Anacortes! Beer is tasty, piers are beautiful and scenic, and there’s no reason not to enjoy both at once!
More Info
Bier on the PierHistoric Port of Anacortes Warehouse

Ellen J Brown Painting Exhibition
2023-10-06 18:00 - 21:00
Ellen J. Brown is showing oil paintings at BastowDesign Studio #208 in The Pickford Artists Studios above The Historic Pickford Cinema 1318 Bay St Bellingham, Oct 6th during First Friday Art Walk 6-10 AND Oct 28th during the Old Town Art Stroll Saturday 12-5
Ellen studied art history, printmaking and painting at The Art Institute of Chicago and WWU. At the Institute, she took her first formal art history class and saw Paleolithic and Neolithic for the first time. It continues to inspire her work. In Neolithic European cultures, bones, beads, bowls, lineal marks, tools, statues — all accompanied the dead for their journeys to the underworld. They were often meant only for the dead and intended to stay buried and unseen. These sacred forms and marks of Neolithic cultures inform our understanding of lost cultures, and also let us know how close we are to our ancestors. Ellen’s richly hued oil paintings examine what is left behind to accompany the dead to the next world.
Ellen works in oil and acrylic paints. She paints plein aire, figurative works and landscape painting in and out of her home studio. A life long learner, she takes art workshops several times a year and enjoys discussions of many art disciplines with teachers and students. Additionally, Ellen offers her skills to local law enforcement agencies for forensic drawings —“police sketches”.
As the cold nights descend, and we shiver with the season, lean into cryptic images of what we thought would stay buried and join us to see Ellen’s work.

Mount Vernon Farmers Market
2023-10-07 09:00 - 14:00 | Riverwalk Park
Head to downtown Mt. Vernon this weekend to buy some of Skagit Valley’s best fresh produce!
More Info
501 Main St, Mt VernonRiverwalk Park

Bellingham Farmers Market
2023-10-07 10:00 - 14:00 | Bellingham Farmers Market, 1100 Railroad Ave., Bellingham, WA, 98225
Enjoy local produce, craft goods, food, and community at the Bellingham Farmer’s Market, every Saturday from 10am-2pm.
More Info
Bellingham Farmer’s Market1100 Railroad Ave, BellinghamPhoto credit: Bellingham Farmers Market

Whatcom Artist Studio Tour
2023-10-07 10:00 - 2023-10-15 05:00
The Whatcom Artist Studio Tour was founded in 1995 to encourage people to visit artists’ working studios for a two weekend self-guided tour and sale.
During the first two weekends in October the Tour offers visitors insight into the creative process, work-life and work-environment artists. Providing an opportunity for people to purchase original works of art directly from their makers.
Join us for an opportunity to buy work from local artists, to find new sources of inspiration, to share and to learn. A fun two weekends of exploring Art in Bellingham, Whatcom County artists workspaces!
2023 marks the tour’s 29th year! The Whatcom Artist Studio Tour began with ten artists and has grown to be a well orchestrated tour featuring over 60 artists working in more than a dozen different media, featuring 41 studios scattered throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County.
Maps and more information at: www.studiotour.net

Oktoberfest at Schweinhaus Biergarten
2023-10-07 12:00 - 19:00 | Schweinhaus Biergarten
Celebrate Oktoberfest this weekend at Schweinhaus with beer, live music, and tradition German leiderhosen.

Mead-ieval Dinner
2023-10-07 18:00 - 21:00
Join us Saturday, October 7th under our seaside tent for a coursed tasting dinner with Honey Moon Mead & Shakespeare Northwest. Our talented culinary team has crafted a seasonally inspired menu that highlights the artisan qualities of Honey Moon Mead set against a stunning seaside backdrop.
To top it all off, the talented actors from Shakespeare Northwest will bring the acts of Shakespeare to life as dinner unfolds. This medieval dinner is not to be missed — medieval attire is encouraged! Reserve your spot today.
