Check out an abundance of art for spring, a new take on an ancient Greek myth and a festival focused on blossoming trees in Ferndale. In literary news, listen to lauded poets and discuss what lessons an astronaut learned about life on Earth from spending more than 4,000 hours in space. Speaking of our planet, it’s time for Earth Day!
Spring juried exhibit
The juried exhibits at “the J” rotate seasonally and show off the wide variety of artistic talent found right here in Whatcom County.
Mix and mingle with the 40-plus artists at the opening of this annual spring exhibit from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 14, and listen to Paul Klein play piano as you enjoy the artworks. Refreshments including beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
The evening also features the opening of solo exhibits from Carolyn Doe and Sandra and Carl Bryant. The exhibit shows through July 8. For details, go to jansenartcenter.org.
‘Good Water’
Kitchen Sink Theater Company presents “Good Water,” Jessica Moreland’s new play about an old myth, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14, and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Sylvia Center for the Arts, 207 Prospect St. Performances continue April 21-23 at 7:30 p.m. Katie Ginther directs.
Here’s the premise: Micah and Hesiod live in a cabin outside of a used-to-be town, trying to come to terms with the fact they may be the last humans left alive. In the attic is Micah’s latest invention, a frustrated and frustrating AI named Pandora who just wants a milkshake. One day, a mysterious box appears in Pandora’s room.
Micah and Hesiod must figure out where this box came from and what’s inside it while also remaining alive in a dying world. On top of it all, supplies are running low, and Micah and Hesiod are confronted with the fact that soon they’ll have to leave everything behind, including Pandora. Find out more at sylviacenterforthearts.org.
Ferndale Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival
Families are invited to join the festivities at Sakura Matsuri, the Ferndale Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival celebrating the Year of the Tiger, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 16, on the beautiful Hanadori Trail, a scenic pathway that runs behind the city’s Phillips 66 ball fields. Enjoy the splendors of nature as you stroll by stunning Japanese ornamental cherry trees in bud or bloom and listen to springtime birdsong.
It’s a free event for all ages, with special emphasis on Japanese educational and experiential opportunities for children. There’ll be door prizes too, such as plush tigers and books about the world’s largest cats and Japanese celebrations. Additional door prizes include an exquisite Japanese theme quilt donated by the Modern Quilt Guild, Akebono and Pink Snow Fountain cherry blossom trees, and books on Japanese art and haiku poetry.
Tora, the friendly tiger mascot, will greet visitors from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and traditional Japanese instruments will be played for your listening pleasure. The Ferndale Library will provide a pop-up library with Japanese-themed multi-media offerings for loan, and Noriko Sharik will explain her famed Ikebana arrangements. Sample Japanese candies and treats and receive unique origami Sakura (cherry blossoms) with instructions to create your own. Door prizes will be drawn at 2:30 p.m. You don’t need to be present to win. Masks are recommended but not required. Head to cityofferndale.org to find out more.
Superstar poets
Celebrate Poetry Month at a reading featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest and Bellingham Mayor’s Arts Award recipient Kevin Murphy at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 16 at Honey Moon Mead and Cider, 1053 N. State St.
Studies have shown that poetry provides many of the benefits of world travel at a fraction of the cost, Murphy said, and I’ll add that it’s a lot less stressful! Get the particulars about the event at honeymoonmeads.com
Earth Day events
Join the City of Bellingham in celebrating this year’s global Earth Day theme of “Invest In Our Planet” with a week of local activities during Earth Week, April 17-23. The City of Bellingham is hosting free activities for all ages to honor our planet, including a volunteer work party, a photo contest, a community art project, children’s storytimes, book lists and self-guided tours. A full list with details can be found on the city’s website at cob.org/earthday2022.
SPARK Museum’s Book Club
Readers are invited to join SPARK Museum’s Book Club to discuss some of the most fascinating inquiries into the world and its mysteries as we experience them.
Coming up for discussion at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, is Chris Hadfield’s “An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth.”
Colonel Chris Hadfield has spent decades training as an astronaut and has logged nearly 4,000 hours in space. During this time he has broken into a space station with a Swiss army knife, disposed of a live snake while piloting a plane and been temporarily blinded while clinging to the exterior of an orbiting spacecraft.
In “An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth” Hadfield explains how conventional wisdom can get in the way of achievement — and happiness. His own extraordinary education in space has taught him some counterintuitive lessons: Don’t visualize success, do care what others think and always sweat the small stuff.
The SPARK Book Club meets quarterly, and participants explore a variety of science-related themes, including stories about the people, the discoveries, the struggles and the life-changing innovations that brought us to today’s modern world. The meetings are an opportunity for community members to join together in a virtual space to discuss the quarter’s book. Participation is free but registration for discussions is required. Go to sparkmuseum.org/book-club for details.
Before heading out to attend in-person events, check with individual venues to make sure the event is still taking place as scheduled.
Margaret Bikman’s Best Bets column runs every Wednesday. Reach her at margaretbikman@gmail.com.
