It’s all about music and romance this week, plus comics and a new take on fairy tales (for grownups). And families can have fun at a harvest festival in Ferndale — with plenty of pumpkins to take home!
Whatcom County’s rock ‘n’ roll history
Join local authors Wes Gannaway and Kent Holsather for a slideshow presentation, hosted by the Whatcom County Historical Society, about local bands and venues for rock ‘n’ roll music from the early 1950s through the 1960s, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, at Old City Hall, 121 Prospect St.
Gannaway has been researching history with Holsather for several decades. They are co-authors of four books: “Whatcom Then and Now,” “Bellingham Then and Now,” “Bays to Bells” and “Drive-ins, Drive-ups, and Drive-Thrus.” This event will be livestreamed via Whatcom Museum’s YouTube channel. Suggested donation is $5, free for members. Details: whatcommuseum.org.
Bill Anschell plays the Beatles
Jazz pianist Bill Anschell, who’s on his Magical Mystery Tour of the Pacific Northwest, will perform at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at the FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave. He’ll first play a set on solo piano, then he’ll be joined by bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer Jud Sherwood. Check out his performance calendar at billanschell.com. Tickets are $20 general, and $10 for students (free to Jazz Project members). Purchase tickets online at jazzproject.org
Star-crossed lovers
“Romeo and Juliet” is directed by Mark Kuntz (who says no swords will be involved) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 14–16, at Western Washington University’s Performing Arts Center Mainstage theater.
Live projections will be “VJed” by assistant professor of design Sasha Petrenko, movement is choreographed by senior instructor Pam Kuntz, and stage lighting is provided by associate professor Darren McCroom.
The production of William Shakespeare’s masterwork features a minimal set suggested by an innovative stage and a giant piece of fabric that will be used as a projection screen while being manipulated by actors. The live-mixed projections are done using special software to manipulate the video — much like a DJ would spin music. Tickets are $13–$19. Info: tickets.wwu.edu or cfpa.wwu.edu.
Comics and more
The 2022 Bellingham Comicon takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Ferndale Events Center, 5715 Barrett Rd. (Yes, Bellingham Comicon takes place in Ferndale.)
The pop culture event brings professional artists and writers and vendors with comics, toys and collectibles. Also appearing are local artists and geek crafters bringing unique, hand-crafted items to the general public. Advance tickets are $10 (plus service fee) or $15 at the door. Children ages 7 and younger get in free with a paid adult. Details can be found at bellingham-comicon.ticketbud.com/2022.
Lynden Festival of Music Grand Festival Finale
The Festival’s final event begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct.15, at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds’ WECU Expo Building, 1775 Front St. Admission is $20, but you can enjoy a Hawaiian dinner prepared by Lynne Heeringa for an extra $5 (includes huli huli chicken, macaroni salad, baked beans and rolls, accompanied by delightful jazz flamenco music by Trio Sueño). Reserve a plate at 360-510-5655.
After the meal, enjoy Arab music with Karim Nagi, country music by Keenan Date and Parker Whittington, and the festival headliner from Hawaii, HAPA (Barry Flanagan and Kenneth Makuakāne). More on HAPA and the festival can be found at lyndenmusicfestival.com.
A new take on fairy tales
Jessie Ulmer, an editor with the indie feminist fantasy press Sword & Kettle Press, as well as the author of a debut chapbook, “Bewildered,” hosts the launch of “Bewildered” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at Village Books, 1200 11th St.
“Bewildered” is a collection of Hansel and Gretel stories that examines the ways stories are retold and recycled, as well as the different ways people can experience, process and remember the same traumatic event. It is of note that the dual meaning of “bewildered” is confusion and to be physically abandoned in the woods. The collection as a whole is a little dark, a little funny, a little gross, and hopefully, more than a little magical. For details and to register for the free event, go to villagebooks.com.
Family Harvest Festival
Come down to Ferndale’s Centennial Riverwalk Park for games, pumpkin decorating, prizes, snacks and candy from 1–3 p.m. Sunday, Oct.16. The event hosted by Ferndale Downtown Association will include pumpkin bowling, a ring toss, a bean bag toss and more — plus take home a free pumpkin. Info can be found at ferndaledowntown.com.
Prize-winning orchestra at WWU
The St. Olaf Orchestra, conducted by Chung Park, will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16. at the Western Washington University Performing Arts Center.
The St. Olaf Orchestra is a full-symphony orchestra rich in international artistry and tradition and known for its enthusiastic and passionate performances. Founded in 1906, the 95-member ensemble has been heralded as one of the finest collegiate orchestras in the country, and won the 2013 and 2019 American Prizes in Orchestral Performances among colleges and universities.
Park takes the reins of the St. Olaf Orchestra in his first year as conductor. Highlights of the program include “Symphony No. 1 in G Major” by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, standout soloists from the ranks of the St. Olaf Orchestra and Tchaikovsky’s gripping and poignant “Symphony No. 6 Pathétique.” Tickets are free for students, $10 general, but reservations are recommended. For more on the event, call 1-800-363-5487 or go to cfpa.wwu.edu/event/st-olaf-orchestra.
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.
