Bellingham Alive

NYE @ Old City Hall with Live Music by Baby Cakes
2024-12-31 18:30 - 21:30 (America/Denver)
Kick off (or wrap up) your New Year’s Eve at the Whatcom Museum! Whether you’re a night owl just getting the party started or an early bird planning to turn in before midnight, swing by Old City Hall for an unforgettable evening. Enjoy live music by BABY CAKES, a cash bar by Tito’s Handmade Vodka (with one complimentary drink ticket provided), catered light appetizers, and a free Champagne toast at 9 pm as we count down to 2025 alongside Times Square.
This is a 21+ event; please bring your ID.

January Free First Friday at the Whatcom Museum
2025-01-03 12:00 - 21:00
Start the year off small with the Whatcom Museum! After a busy holiday season, join us at the Museum for a day of miniature crafts. Make your own wee world with like Shrinky Dinks and sculpting tiny clay masterpieces to making mini mugs, bags, and even plants. We’ll also celebrate miniature trains and railways with a pop-up wTrak Modular Wood Railway in the Family Interactive Gallery, perfect for kids to play with. We’d love to see you as we launch another year of Free First Friday programming!
Visit our whatcommuseum.org for all details, times, and building locations.
TRAK MODULAR WOODEN RAILWAY AT THE FAMILY INTERACTIVE GALLERY
The Lightcatcher | 250 Flora St. | Friday AND Saturday
BABY & TODDLER MUSIC CLASSES WITH LITTLE SAPLING MUSIC
The Lightcatcher | 250 Flora St. | 10:30 – 11 am, 11 – 11:30 am & 11:30 am – noon
TINY CLAY SCULPTURES WITH EMILY CAREY
The Lightcatcher | 250 Flora St. | 1 – 3 pm
DOCENT TOURS OF THOMAS WOOD: UNDER THE INSPIRATION TREE
The Lightcatcher | 250 Flora St. | 1 pm & 6 pm
PINT-SIZED PLANTS WITH CHIEF CURATOR OF ART AMY CHALOUPKA
The Lightcatcher | 250 Flora St. | 3 – 5 pm
MINUSCULE MUGS AND BOOKS WITH KATRINA LYON
Old City Hall | 121 Prospect St. | 4 – 6 pm
SHRINKY DINKS WITH CHRISITAN ANNE SMITH
The Lightcatcher | 250 Flora St. | 4 – 6 pm
STARTING THE YEAR OFF SMALL WALL
The Lightcatcher | 250 Flora St. | All Day

Obsessed with Light
2025-01-05 15:00 - 16:30
Sunday January 5th @ 3:00, 2024
Firehouse Arts and Events Center
Kuntz and Company presents
“Obsessed with Light”
“Obsessed with Light” is a meditation on light and the enduring obsession to create. The film pulls back the curtain on Loïe Fuller, a wildly original performer who revolutionized the visual culture of the early 20th century. Creating a dialogue between the past and the present, the documentary delves into the astonishing influence Fuller’s work has on contemporary artists including artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Taylor Swift, Bill T. Jones, Shakira and William Kentridge. In the process, the film uncovers commonalities that connect these creative luminaries to Fuller and to each other.
“Obsessed with Light” is sponsored by CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival
Tickets $12.00
https://www.simpletix.com/e/obsessed-with-light-tickets-193857
For more information:
https://www.kuntzandco.org/documenting-grace-a-dance-film-festival
Questions and accommodations kuntzpam@gmail.com or 360-510-4711

Cyrus Nabipoor Quartet
2025-01-08 18:30 - 20:30
The Jazz Center of Bellingham presents Cyrus Nabipoor (trumpet); Jack Radsliff (guitar); Garrett Baxter (bass); Micah Hummel (drums). $20 general, $10 students, 6:30 pm. https://www.jazzcenterofbellingham.org/events

Birchwood Garden Club's January 8, 2025 Meeting. Please Note Changes.
2025-01-08 19:00 - 21:00
Birchwood Garden Club
Established 1931-Bellingham, Washington
Planting Seeds of Friendship throughout our Community
Topic: Japanese Aesthetics in Developing a Garden with Ryo Sugiyama
Please note: Meeting date and location of meeting change below:
The January 2025 meeting of the Birchwood Garden Club will be held January 8th (Please Note Meeting Date Change as Jan 1st is New Year’s Day!)
Our January 8th meeting has been moved to the Hotel Leo Ballroom (Leopold Hotel, downtown). The address is 1224 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham 98225.
The hours are the same, 6:30 pm until 9:00 pm. This is only 4 blocks away from the museum. There will be street parking (free after 6:00 PM) and at the nearby City Garages (one at 1215 Railroad Ave and another at 1300 Commercial St, open to public after 6:00 PM).
The Bellingham Sister Cities Association will present a program on the Japanese Garden. The speaker will be Ryo Sugiyama, Curator of the Nitobe Memorial Garden at the University of British Columbia who will speak on the basics of Japanese garden aesthetics including simplicity, the shape of objects, and the negative space between them. He will demonstrate sukashi pruning, achieving transparency, and revealing structure in niwaki, a full-sized tree. The techniques are similar to those used on bonsai miniatures. Kent’s Garden and Nursery will provide specimens for the live demonstration. Please join us for this interesting and informative program!
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.

The Unknowns and Ranger and The Re-Arrangers
2025-01-10 19:30 - 22:00
Seattle “Gypsy Jazz” band Ranger and the “Re-Arrangers” evoke the spirit of a Paris cafe and the raucous energy of a Romani campsite with their version of Hot Club Swing. At the heart of their sound is tight interplay between great soloists. Their repertoire includes vocal swing standards, traditional European melodies, the music of Django Reinhardt, and unique originals.

The Unknowns and Ranger and The Re-Arrangers
2025-01-10 20:00 - 22:00
The Unknowns will join friends, Ranger and The Re-Arrangers from Bainbridge Island. Seattle “Gypsy Jazz” band Ranger and the “Re-Arrangers” evoke the spirit of a Paris cafe and the raucous energy of a Romani campsite with their version of Hot Club Swing. At the heart of their sound is tight interplay between great soloists. Their repertoire includes vocal swing standards, traditional European melodies, the music of Django Reinhardt, and unique originals. www.rangerswings.com

Sunday Jazz Brunch at Hotel Leo
2025-01-12 09:00 - 12:00
Treat yourself to the perfect Sunday morning with a live jazz brunch that hits all the right notes. From classic breakfast staples to indulgent brunch favorites, there’s something for every craving. Sip on a mimosa, Bloody Mary, or a mocktail as you soak in the music and good vibes. Reserve your spot for a memorable start to your day.

Crutch
2025-01-12 15:00 - 16:30
Kuntz and Company presents
“CRUTCH”
Sunday January 12th @ 3:00, 2024
Firehouse Arts and Events Center
“CRUTCH” documents Bill’s extraordinary journey: the history of his medical odyssey and his struggles with chronic pain, the evolution of his crutch dancing and skating, his rise to become a world-renowned performance artist, and his transformation from an angry skate punk to an international hero.
“CRUTCH” also dives into Bill’s provocative street performances, in which he exposes the hidden world of assumptions disabled people encounter in public, on a daily basis. While the film questions his early exploitation of strangers’ good Samaritan impulses, it also marvels at Bill’s ability to create solutions and empower others to navigate similar challenges.
“CRUTCH” is sponsored by The Institute for Critical Disability Studies at WWU
Tickets $12.00
https://www.simpletix.com/e/crutch-with-open-captions-tickets-190382
For more information:
https://www.kuntzandco.org/documenting-grace-a-dance-film-festival
Questions and accommodations kuntzpam@gmail.com or 360-510-4711

Non-Alcoholic Cocktails & Tasting Event
2025-01-17 17:00 - 19:00
N/A product tasting with cocktail samples, ideas, and recipe cards. All of our favorites + anything we have open you’re welcome to try.

Vision / Dream Board Playshop
2025-01-18 13:00 - 17:00
🌟 PNW Cannasisters Presents: Vision/Dream Board Playshop 🌟
Join hosts Mimi and Susan on Saturday, January 18, 2024, from 1 PM to 5 PM-ish for an inspiring afternoon of crafting, connecting, and manifesting your dreams!
✨ Open to all genders 21+
🌈 Start the New Year Fresh🌈
Dive into your aspirations with a focused vision/dream board that will help you visualize and bring your dreams to life.
This is a not-for-profit gathering to cultivate community, conversation, and connection. We kindly ask $25 per person donation to help cover costs and support our community work.
10% proceeds goes to our community service project fund.
What to Bring:
✨Your high vibes ✨
✨A favorite munchy to share 🍪
✨Something to elevate with, if you choose (elevation is optional and will take place outside or in the garage).
✨ Any crafty/ collage materials for your vision/ dream board
✨ Image, photos, inspirational words, quotes, etc…
Let’s come together, create, and elevate our intentions for the year ahead!
All materials provided. No previous artistic experience required. Invite your inner child to play and dream.
We can’t wait to see you there!

Brian Kirk Sextet: Tribute to Cal Tjader
2025-01-22 18:30 - 20:30
Brian Kirk presents a tribute to a master vibraphonist/multi-instrumentalist: Cal Tjader

Deep Blue Sound
2025-01-23 19:30 - 2025-02-09 21:00
Bellingham TheatreWorks presents
DEEP BLUE SOUND
Written by Abe Koogler
Directed by Mark Kuntz
January 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, February 1, 7, 8 @ 7:30
February 9 @ 1:00 and 5:00
Firehouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Avenue
tickets: $25 general/$15 student
bellinghamtheatreworks.org
On a picturesque island in Puget Sound, we find a town in a crisis: The whales have gone missing. While (unofficial) Mayor Annie searches for a solution, Chris tries to get back together with Mary; John reaches out to help Homeless Gary; Leslie longs for a faraway pen pal; Ali has come home to care for her mother; and Ella has a secret she only wants to share with local journalist Joy Mead, who she barely knows. But what about the whales? Is their absence just a seasonal glitch, or is it a sign of our collective failure to take care of the Earth? DEEP BLUE SOUND is a funny and moving play about the connections we make—and the ones we long to make—to other people, and to the world around us.
Questions and accommodations 360-209-5599

Come discover more about this unique upcoming class series: Access Creativity with First Impulse Painting
2025-01-24 13:00 - 14:00
Join Susan Kramer-Pope, Creative Process Facilitator, for a free introductory session on Friday, January 24th, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm to find out if the course, Access Creativity with First Impulse Painting, is a fit for you.
You’ll explore the resources you already possess to express your unique creative nature without the need for skill or talent, and get all your questions answered.
Looking forward to seeing you there!

Robbie Burns Dinner at Hotel Leo
2025-01-25 16:00 - 21:00
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening at Hotel Leo’s Robbie Burns Day Dinner on January 25, 2025 from 4PM – 9PM! Join us to honor Scotland’s beloved poet with a night steeped in tradition, featuring a plated Scottish feast, lively music, and the ceremonial Presenting of the Haggis. This is a celebration of culture, cuisine, and community you won’t want to miss. The full menu and event details are coming soon, so stay tuned—and save the date for this special winter gathering!
Book your experience on Opentable or visit thehotelleo.com/dining for more info.

Make.Shift's Art for All Ages 2025
2025-01-25 18:00 - 21:00
Make.Shift presents our third annual Arts for All Ages Gala! The Gala will be held on January 25th, from 6pm to 9pm. The theme this year is Glam Rock, so come fully decked out to celebrate all ages of artists in our community. Hosted at Bellingham Cruise Terminal (355 Harris Ave.
Bellingham, WA 98225), this year’s gala comes complete with dinner, an awards ceremony, an auction, and our yearly exception of our No Booze policy! Additionally, until the first of December, Make.Shift is accepting nominations for the winner of our A4AA award. Find the nomination form at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/17uwt9bU_aHKU64lk_W8z2P_0sfILXKS8FiGBXubJmdM/viewform?edit_requested=true
As always, all proceeds go towards keeping Make.Shift running through the new year. Make.Shift is a 501c3 non-profit serving over 6,000 people per year. All donations are tax deductible.
To get in contact with Make.Shift staff, call us at 360-933-1849, or send us an email at outreach@makeshiftartspace.org. Find our website at: https://makeshiftartspace.org/

Nature Show and Tell
2025-01-28 17:30 - 19:30
Nature Show and Tell. All ages welcome: family friendly and FREE! Doors open at 5:30PM, Show and Tell is 6:00-7:30PM. Bring your favorite nature photos or objects (collected responsibly, of course) to share with fellow nature lovers.
Prizes for most unique, funniest, and best in show (and tell)!
$1 per pint purchased goes toward Wild Whatcom’s youth program scholarships. Donations also welcome.
Submit photos in advance at: https://tab.so/naturephotos

Lunar New Year Wine Tasting
2025-01-29 17:00 - 19:00
Join us and Amy Pickering for a wine tasting to celebrate the Lunar New Year! 4 wines & charcuterie + cheese by yours truly.

Dirty Dozen Brass Band
2025-02-02 19:30 - 21:00
Official Website
The Lincoln Theatre is honored to host The Dirty Dozen Brass Band! Join us for a Mardi Gras celebration with this legendary New Orleans ensemble!
Celebrating over 45 years since their founding in 1977, the Grammy Award-winning New Orleans-based Dirty Dozen Brass Band has taken the traditional foundation of brass band music and incorporated it into a blend of genres, including bebop jazz, funk and R&B/soul. This unique sound, described by the band as a “musical gumbo,” has allowed the Dirty Dozen to tour across five continents and more than thirty countries, record twelve studio albums, and collaborate with a range of artists from Modest Mouse to Widespread Panic to Norah Jones. Forty-five plus years later, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band is a world-famous music machine whose name is synonymous with genre-bending romps and high-octane performances.
In 1977, the Dirty Dozen Social Aid and Pleasure Club in New Orleans began showcasing a traditional Crescent City brass band. It was a joining of two proud, but antiquated, traditions at the time: social aid and pleasure clubs dated back over a century to a time when black southerners could rarely afford life insurance, and the clubs would provide proper funeral arrangements. Brass bands — early predecessors of jazz as we know it — would often follow the funeral procession playing somber dirges, then once the family of the deceased was out of earshot, burst into jubilant dance tunes as casual onlookers danced in the streets. By the late ’70s, few of either existed. The Dirty Dozen Social Aid and Pleasure Club decided to assemble this group as a house band, and over the course of these early gigs, the seven-member ensemble adopted the venue’s name: The Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

BMC matinee program features music from Scandinavia
2025-02-05 10:30 - 11:30
Violinist Grant Donnellan offers the fourth installment of his popular musical travelogue series.
This year, he explores the rich musical heritage and his personal connection with Scandinavian culture. He and pianist Judith Widrig have curated a selection of works by well-known composers, as well as “discoveries” by women composers.
Join us on Wednesday, February 5, at 10:30am, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 119 Texas St. in Bellingham. Free, open to all, and family friendly. This is BMC’s gift to the community! More information on https://bellinghammusicclub.org/

Birchwood Garden Club's February 5th Meeting
2025-02-05 19:00 - 21:00
Birchwood Garden Club
Established 1931-Bellingham, Washington
Planting Seeds of Friendship throughout our Community
February Topic: Getting in Shape for Gardening
The February 5, 2025 meeting of the Birchwood Garden Club will be held in the Rotunda Room of the Old City Hall Museum, 121 Prospect St., Bellingham, WA 98225. Doors open at 6:30PM.
The speaker for the evening will be Eric Short-Miller, DPT, from the Fyzical Therapy and Balance Center of Bellingham who will speak on “Getting in Shape for Gardening.”
We’ve all been there. Spring arrives and we’re ready to get outside and garden. Of course since we’ve been sitting around doing nothing all winter, our body isn’t anywhere near in shape enough to bend and stretch and lift and everything else that goes along with the gardening process. Eric is going to tell us how to fix that.
Eric is a co-founder of the Fyzical Therapy Center of Bellingham. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy
and Doctorate of Physical Therapy. He is involved in the community, guest lecturing and teaching Tai Chi, as well as trying to improve his balance while out paddle boarding with his wife. Eric enjoys working with foot and ankle problems and balance issues, and is certified by the McKenzie Institute in Mechanical Spine evaluation and treatment. Please join us!!!
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.

Cancellation of Birchwood Garden Club's Feb. 5 Meeting
2025-02-05 19:00 - 21:00
Cancellation of Birchwood Garden Club’s February 5, 2025 Meeting due to inclement weather.
We will resume in March.

Exposed
2025-02-06 18:00 - 2025-03-26 21:00
Voxel Gallery presents Exposed, a provocative group exhibition exploring the beauty, complexity, and vulnerability of the human body. Featuring works that delve into body composition, sensuality, eroticism, and the nude form, the show invites artists to express the human figure in its raw beauty. Exposed opens Thursday, February 6, at 6 p.m. and runs through March 25 at 312 West Champion Street, Bellingham. Visit www.voxelgallery.com for more info.

Allied Arts 2025 Annual Membership Show
2025-02-07 10:00 - 2025-03-01 17:00
February 7- March 1:
Opening Reception: February 7, 6pm-9pm
Allied Arts presents our 45th Anniversary in conjunction with our 2025 Annual Member’s Show. This show features work from Allied Arts members, including professional artists, students, and new or emerging artists. The artwork presented in this show will exemplify the vast variety of creativity within our local art community.

Discover First Impulse Painting
2025-02-07 14:00 - 15:00
Painting Class Informational Session with Susan Kramer-Pope
Friday, February 7, 2025
2 –3 pm
Join Susan Kramer-Pope, Creative Process Facilitator, for a free info session on Friday, February 7th, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm to find out if the course, Access Creativity with First Impulse Painting, is a fit for you.
You’ll explore the resources you already possess to express your unique creative nature without the need for skill or talent, and get all your questions answered.
Looking forward to seeing you there!

Heart of The Art Kick-off
2025-02-07 16:00 - 18:00
Join us for “Heart of the Art,” a Downtown Sunnyland gallery glide through the vibrant artistic soul of Bellingham, happening on Friday, February 7th, from 5 PM to 8 PM. This event showcases our back alley hidden treasures and artists, featuring their innovative works and unique perspectives. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply looking to experience Bellingham’s rich cultural scene, this event promises an inspiring evening filled with creativity and community spirit. Don’t miss out on this chance to immerse yourself in the heart of our local art scene!
Hela Provisions will be open from 4pm – 6pm to kick off the art crawl! Join us for a product tasting including vermouth, N/A products, and cheese. Tickets for the tasting will be $10, which is being donated to Ragfinery to help them rebuild.

Music and stories from Scandinavia with violinist Grant Donnellan and pianist Judith Widrig
2025-02-07 19:30 - 21:00
Violinist Grant Donnellan offers the fourth installment of his popular musical travelogue series. This year, he explores the rich musical heritage and his personal connection with Scandinavian culture.
He and pianist Judith Widrig have curated a selection of works by Edvard Grieg and Jean Sibelius, as well as “discoveries” by romantic Swedish composer Amanda Maier, and contemporary Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho.
Full-length BMC Night Beat is on Friday, February 7, 7:30pm at First Congregational Church, 2401 Cornwall Ave. in Bellingham. No ticket purchase required; we suggest a $20 donation. All are welcome and students are always free!
Find out more about BMC’s season and endeavors on https://bellinghammusicclub.org/

50 years of EMS in Whatcom county: Celebrating our Past, Present, and Future
2025-02-08 17:30 - 20:30
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Foundation of Whatcom County is proud to host a landmark celebration honoring 50 years of outstanding emergency medical services in our community. This special event will not only pay tribute to past and present medical first responders but also inspire future EMS leaders, highlight lifesaving stories, and officially launch the EMS Foundation of Whatcom County.
The evening will feature a silent auction to support the EMS Foundation’s mission of advancing emergency medical care in Whatcom County. Community members are invited to come together to honor the legacy of EMS professionals, while contributing to a brighter future for emergency services in our region.
Event Details:
When: February 8, 2025; 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Where: Chuckanut Bay Distillery Ballroom, Bellingham, WA
Why: To celebrate five decades of EMS service and raise funds to support education, training, and innovation in emergency medical care.
Tickets are available online until January 31st at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whatcom-ems-50th-anniversary-gala-tickets-1023004673517?aff=oddtdtcreator
About the EMS Foundation:
The EMS Foundation of Whatcom County is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2022 by local community members. The Foundation provides funding for innovative educational, technical, and research initiatives that enhance emergency medical care. With a commitment to compassion, empathy, and leadership, the EMS Foundation seeks to ensure exceptional care for everyone in Whatcom County.
Why Your Support Matters:
Funds raised during the event will go directly toward initiatives that support outstanding emergency medical training, cutting-edge research, and lifesaving technology, beyond what the EMS levy is authorized to support. By attending and contributing, you help empower EMS professionals to provide the best possible care for our community.
How to Get Involved:
Tickets and Donations: Visit www.wcemsfoundation.org for event details and to purchase tickets or make a donation.
Spread the Word: Share the event with friends, family, and colleagues to maximize community impact. You can find us on Facebook at wcemsfoundation and on Instagram at wcems_foundation.
Join us as we celebrate the past, honor the present, and invest in the future of emergency medical services in Whatcom County.
How to contact us:
EMS Foundation of Whatcom County
P.O. Box 164, Bellingham, WA 98227
Phone: 360-230-8806‬
Email: board@wcemsfoundation.org
Web: www.wcemsfoundation.org

Bad Posture Club: A Welcome Home Show
2025-02-09 18:00 - 21:00
Bad Posture Club: A Welcome Home Show
Sunday February 9th
1309 Cornwall Ave
Please join us for an intimate and acoustic listening event featuring songs and stories collected in their seven years since leaving Bellingham. Held in the city’s newest gorgeous and transformative space: The Ballroom at Chuckanut Bay Distillery.
Doors/Social Hour 6PM w/The Shadies
Bad Posture Club 7-8:30PM
Tickets available via:
https://events.humanitix.com/bpcbham
Early Bird $15 (January 6th to January 20th)
Advance $20 (January 21st to February 8th)
Day of Show $25 (cash/venmo @pacetrumpet)
21+
Cash bar
ADA accessible
* Bad Posture Club *
Bad Posture Club are a queer folk duo made up of Maren Day and Morgan Kavanagh. Originally from Northwestern Washington, they’ve toured nationally and spent formative years in the Midwest music scene. Together they craft intricate and experimental harmonies with their two voices, banjo, guitar, and a century-old pump organ. Bad Posture Club invites the listener in to offer warmth and reflection through their original therapeutic soundscape.
badpostureclub.net
* The Shadies *
Best be fashionably on time to meet and mingle before the main event as Bellingham’s own The Shadies help feed the community sentiment. Proud nerds of obscure fiddle tunes, forgotten songs from the early twentieth century, Hawaiian steel guitar melodies, and classic country favorites. Their old-time sound is an extension of late-night kitchen jams, impromptu square dances, festival pilgrimages, and compulsive woodshedding. Are they a band or just some pals that love to play tunes and sing songs? After almost 20 years, it’s hard to tell.

Heart & Soul*drift: Valentine's at Hotel Leo
2025-02-14 16:00 - 21:00
You can’t spell LOVE without L-E-O! Get ready for a night of romance and elegance at Hotel Leo! Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a delicious plated dinner featuring dishes like duck leg confit and braised lamb shank, perfectly complemented by featured cocktails and curated wine and cocktail pairings. All set to the soulful sounds of live music from Soul*drift.
Reserve your spot on OpenTable.
