It’s all about the holidays this week, from a public gathering celebrating Hanukkah, to ballerinas and carol singing — with a little jazz and poetry thrown in.
Rocking around the Christmas tree!
The Atlantics welcome in the holiday season with their 42nd annual “December Rock, Rhythm and Blues Holiday Dance Party” from 6:30–9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at the FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave. The band’s been working on fun tunes, like “Every Day Will be Like a Holiday” to “Run Run Rudolph” and decades of your favorite soulful songs.
They’ll also play from 8–10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Old Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court in Edison. The band will be joined by Saxquatch Horns featuring Barry Ulman, Mark Nichols, John Anderson and Mark Kelly, with vocalist Julie Lewis. There’s no cover for either show, but donations will be happily accepted. Details: firehouseperformingarts.com.
The fourth annual Fa-la-la Caroling Contest
Enjoy the music by groups of two to 20 singers of all ages from 2–5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, in the Fairhaven business district as they sing Christmas, holiday and winter songs. Donation boxes will be placed with each caroling group. The donation in a group’s box is a vote for that group as the People’s Choice. At the same time, a panel of judges will be looking for the Most Creative and Most Entertaining.
At the end of the hour, the singing groups and audience members will gather at the Fairhaven Village Green main stage, where the top finalists will be announced and the Sing-Off begins. The top two groups in each of the categories will get a chance to perform one song and vie for one of the awards. The Fa-La-La-nthropy Award winner automatically gets to perform on the main stage. The event will be hosted by the Historic Fairhaven Association. Get details at enjoyfairhaven.com.
Estrella’s Holiday Wish
Come see Estrella the gnome journey to elf-hood, where she learns it takes determination, trusted guidance and hard work to make wishes come true at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at Blaine Performing Arts Center, 975 H St. More than 45 dance students of different ages will perform in this delightful production meant to be watched by people of all ages.
The program is written and directed by Sabrina Gomez-Vannelli, with original choreography by Gomez-Vannelli, Elizabeth Smyth and Valerie Goliff. Admission is $15 at the door (kids younger than 2 get in for free). Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. Masks are optional but encouraged, and free masks will be available at the door. Details: daytodaydance.com.
Christmas Carol Sing-Along
Sing traditional Christmas carols, from “Silent Night” to “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer,” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at Christ Episcopal Church, 382 Boblett St., in Blaine. There’ll be lots of homemade goodies and a bucket raffle. Admission is free, but donations are welcome and all proceeds from the evening will benefit Loads of Love (monthly free laundry service for those in need in Blaine). Find out more at backstageattheborder.com.
Robin Holcomb and Horvitz/Brooks/Kim
The Church House welcomes Holcomb, Wayne Horvitz, Alyesha Brooks and Ha-Yang Kim at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at 1601 Mill Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. In the first set, Holcomb will perform songs from her recently released album, “One Way or Another,” which highlights songs from her entire career plus new compositions and covers.
“Horvitz/Brooks/Kim,” the second set, brings together three disparate artists with wildly different backgrounds in a trio focusing on improvisation, new readings of traditional songs and Horvitz’s compositions. Brooks, who was featured in Season 6 of “The Voice,” shares with Horvitz a deep love for blues, roots music and gospel. Kim, who is classically trained as a cellist, intersects with Horvitz in their love for new and avant-garde composition and improvisation, and their connections to New York City via John Zorn and others. The Church House event space will also have on display new shadow art by Pat Wickline and a painting and sculpture installation by Steph Harmon. Tickets are $25. Get on the guest list to attend: eventbrite.com.
Heralding Christmas!
The Skagit Valley Chorale will revisit some of their Christmas favorites and bring back audience sing-alongs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at McIntyre Hall on Skagit Valley College’s campus, 2501 E. College Way, in Mount Vernon. Tickets are $20–$30. Get them at mcintyrehall.org.
Menorah lighting
The annual Bellingham Public Menorah lighting begins at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave. All are invited to nibble on latkes and sufganiyot (doughnuts), and enjoy music, dancing and inspiration. Please RSVP at jewishbellingham.com/menorahlighting.
SeaMuse concert
Come celebrate the Winter Solstice with Celtic and Balkan tunes, and seasonal original songs and poems performed by SeaMuse at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at the FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave.
The SeaMuse concert features music from a variety of regions of Greece, Turkey and the Balkans, as well as songs and instrumental music from Britain, Scotland and Ireland. Some of their music is original, with songs about love and the pivotal challenges of our times.
Their performance also includes poetry with instrumental accompaniment. Stanley and Kip Greenthal, Christos Govetas, and Kim Goldov have played together for several years, inspiring new instrumental compositions and unusual arrangements of seasonal and original songs not heard at other holiday concerts. Tickets are $8–$20. Get the particulars at firehouse-aec.com.
The meaning of Christmas
A winter tradition, Dancing for Joy brings “Nativity” — the story of the Nativity told through the language of dance — at 6:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 19–20 at Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St. The true meaning of the season is born with this spirit-filled, local rendition of Christ’s birth. See the Nativity story from an entirely different perspective. Dance styles include jazz, lyrical, modern and ballet. Tickets are $15–$18. For details about the company, go to dancing4joy.org. To purchase tickets, head to mountbakertheatre.com.
Holiday jazz
Wishing for a “cool yule?” Enjoy tunes with the Thomas Harris Quintet for a special holiday experience at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave., hosted by the Jazz Center of Bellingham. To help him “swing in the New Year” Harris will be joined by his wife, Penelope Harris, vocals; Matthew Chen, alto saxophone; Blake Angelos, piano; Mark Hunter, bass; and Julian MacDonough, drums (back from his world tour). Tickets are $10 for students, $20 general. Procure them at 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.
