Music fills the air this week, celebrating with jazz, sacred tunes and the “Peanuts” holiday classic in Seattle, featuring a Bellingham native. And decorate your bike for the Lighted Bike Parade!
A chorale tradition
Whatcom Chorale Sinfonia returns to the Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., with a powerful and uplifting presentation of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9.
Directed by Deborah Brown, featured soloists are Serena Eduljee, soprano; Sherrie Kahn, mezzo-soprano; Jason Parker, tenor; and Michael Drumheller, bass. Whatcom Chorale Sinfonia members, a talented and dedicated group of regional instrumentalists, accompany the singers. Tickets are $22.50. Get tickets at mountbakertheatre.com.
Elsa, again!
Skagit County’s Theater Arts Guild presents “Disney’s Frozen Jr.” Dec. 9–17 in Mount Vernon at the Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St.
A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, “Disney Frozen Jr.” expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production. All tickets are $15; purchase them at lincolntheatre.org.
Noel Ensemble Holiday Concert
The Noel Ensemble creates a magical afternoon of music from around the world on harps, Celtic harps, strings, percussion and flutes, interlaced with dramatic readings at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, in Lynden at the Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St.
Noel is acclaimed as a feast for the eyes and ears, with richly colored costumes and beautiful instruments for all ages to enjoy. Rosemary Vohs and Evan Ingalls will be reading enchanting winter and Yuletide stories. Ingalls will also sing and play guitar. Kim Breilein will be on flute, harps will include Nora Donnelly, and more. Together, they create a beautiful experience during the holiday season. Tickets are $25. Info: jansenartcenter.org.
Memories of old things
Beginning Saturday, Dec. 10, “There Was a Time: Whimsical Relics & Eclectic Images” will showcase a diversity of items from Whatcom Museum’s history collection and photo archives that rarely see the light at Old City Hall, 121 Prospect St.
The museum collects, safeguards and makes accessible thousands of artifacts that it holds in trust for the community. But why keep this stuff? What do these artifacts tell us? What these objects tell us about our shared sense of place, the past and ultimately ourselves, will be available for public interpretation. The exhibit shows through May 20. Find out more at whatcommuseum.org.
Lighted Bike Parade
The community is invited to adorn their bodies and bikes with lights and pedal on the South Bay Trail between downtown and Fairhaven. Participants will gather at either Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave., or Hillcrest Church, 1400 Larrabee Ave., at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, for a ride to Boulevard Park. Hot chocolate, cider and cookies will be available for parade-goers, who are invited to do as much of the parade route as they like. Details: downtownbellingham.com.
Songs from across the border
The Skagit Symphony presents “Feliz Navidad” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, in Mount Vernon at McIntyre Hall on Skagit Valley College’s campus, 2501 E. College Way.
The concert features premiere performances by Canadian composer Michael Torke with his sonic portrait of “December,” followed by a seldom-heard fusion of jazz and classical traditions from America’s most prolific composer, Edward “Duke” Ellington, in collaboration with Mount Vernon High School’s nationally recognized Mariachi and Folklorico ensemble. Pre-concert talks in the concert hall take place 45 minutes prior to the performance. Tickets are $10–$50. For more, go to mcintyrehall.org
The Holiday spirit in song
The Kulshan Chorus, directed by Dustin Willetts, presents “Peace On Earth” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham, 1031 N. Garden St. Included in the evening performance is the premier of a commissioned work “Voices Still Can Rise,” with text inspired by members of the chorus during the dark months of the early pandemic. Tickets range from $20–$25. Parking is available at the First Presbyterian Church lot at the corner of Garden and East Laurel streets. Details: kulshanchorus.org.
Uke master
Ukulele whiz and jolly ambassador of aloha Jake Shimabukuro will bring joy to the world this holiday season by delivering a special gift for all with the debut of his highly anticipated holiday show, “Jake Shimabukuro: Christmas in Hawai’i,” at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, in Mount Vernon at the Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St.
In addition to Shimabukuro’s signature favorites, this special show will draw on a vibrant catalog of holiday classics such as “We Three Kings,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “O Holy Night,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and selections from his album “Jake & Friends,” released in November 2021 (featuring Willie Nelson, Bette Midler, Jack Johnson, Michael McDonald, Asleep at the Wheel, Jesse Colin Young and others). Tickets are $35–$65 at lincolntheatre.org.
Christmas tribute
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, at 2033 Sixth Ave. in Seattle, welcomes pianist/composer/arranger David Benoit in a “Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown” at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 12–13.
Band members include Benoit (piano), Bellingham native Courtney Fortune (vocals), Roberto Vally (bass) and Dan Schnelle (drums). More than 50 years after “A Charlie Brown Christmas” aired on television, the contemporary jazz piano legend is paying tribute to this incredible piece of entertainment history.
Fortune is an acclaimed singer, songwriter and performance coach. She has been recognized by the John Lennon Foundation, Glamour magazine and Genlux magazine as “America’s Next Big Jazz Singer,” and has written and performed songs for Atlantic Records, Universal Music Group, Sony Japan, Disney, Cartoon Network, MTV and ABC. Get tickets at jazzalley.com.
Inspired by Women Composers
Best known for her Afro-Cuban jazz compositions performed by her Seattle-based band, Clave Gringa, Ann Reynolds explores her jazz roots through her original compositions honoring four great women composers: Mary Lou Williams, Geri Allen, Carla Bley and Christine Jensen. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave. Reynolds’ album was nominated for a Golden Ear Award for Best NW Jazz Recording 2021. Tickets are $20 general, $10 students. The concert is presented by the Jazz Center of Bellingham, jazzcenterofbellingham.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.
