Jazz and classical music, Halloween at the Circus Guild, Día de los Muertos events and a thriller from a former Bellingham writer are in the lineup this week!
Award-winning jazz artist
Pianist, composer and educator Dave Meder performs with Jonathan Barber on drums and Marty Jaffe on bass at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave.
His debut album, “Passage,” was counted among the top five jazz debuts in the Ottawa Citizen and was included in the “Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019” from All Music Guide. His 2021 release, “Unamuno Songs and Stories,” is a stunning response to recent sociopolitical turmoil in the United States, using the writings of Spanish Civil War-era philosopher Miguel de Unamuno as a historical analogy.
Meder’s compositions received awards in the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Competition and the International Songwriting Competition, among others. Meder has headlined stages and conducted educational residencies at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Smalls Jazz Club, The Kennedy Center, as well as internationally in Beijing, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, and most recently Egypt as a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Tickets are $10 for students, $20 general and can be purchased at jazzcenterofbellingham.org.
Trauma and drama in Bellingham
Marcus James shares his new YA novel, “Instructions in Flesh,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at Village Books, 1200 11th St. This book draws on prehistoric myth, European history, the ghosts and shadows of Bellingham and the Pacific Northwest, as well as high school angst and trauma, to create a story rich in drama, horror, epic adventure and love.
James is the author of nine novels, including the award-winning “Blackmoore Legacy” series, the 2020 International Book Awards Finalist “Ghosts of Blood and Bone,” and “Where the Vile Things Are: A Study in Sex, Revenge, Deceit, and Affluenza.” The event is free, but reserve a seat at villagebooks.com.
Circus Guild spookiness
The fifth annual Bellingham Circus Guild Halloween show features hilarious tricksters, crazy feats of juggling, dance and aerial wonderments to spook and amaze you, with more tap dancing than ever before! Hosted by the ever-evolving and enigmatic Deanna Fleysher, the “Beastly Frightful Unspeakably Spooky Circus of Doom” is set in a nightclub on the edge of the universe (so have your alien chic ready).
Shows are Friday through Monday, Oct. 28–31, at the Bellingham Circus Guild’s Cirque Lab, 1401 Sixth St. There will be six VIP tables per show; each table has room for four guests. VIP tables for the 21-and-older cabaret shows come with four drink tickets. Some showtimes are appropriate for all ages, and others are for those 21 and older. No refunds or exchanges. Tickets start at $15. Details are at bellinghamcircusguild.com.
Contemporary dance at the MBT
Bodytraffic, a world-class troupe based in Los Angeles, takes on varied dance styles including hip-hop and ballet at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 at the Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St. Led by Artistic Director Tina Finkelman Berkett, expect stunning performers, technical mastery and a commitment to a challenging repertoire. Bursting with cutting-edge theatricality, the company continues to make waves with its universal appeal to new audience members and dance lovers alike. Tickets are $20–$50. Get them at mountbakertheatre.com.
Bassoon Apocalypse V
Western Washington University’s department of music hosts an evening of pure imagination that features old standard works for bassoon ensembles like the “Pink Panther” theme and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” as well as some newer pop arrangements, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. Join in this Halloween celebration, wear your favorite costume and enter the all-ages costume competition. Info is at cfpa.wwu.edu/event.
Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos
Celebrate the Day of the Dead and learn about the different ways families from Latin America honor the lives of their departed loved ones through food and offerings from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Lynden Public Library, 216 Fourth St. Bring your family and friends and enjoy traditional snacks, drinks, games and crafts. All are welcome! Info: wcls.org.
Music from the south
Skagit Symphony’s 43rd season opens with the rhythms of Mexico and Argentina in a concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at McIntyre Hall at Skagit Valley College, 2501 E. College Way, in Mount Vernon. Jennifer Higgins Wagner joins the symphony with a symphonic epic for cello and orchestra, Antonin Dvorak’s Cello Concerto, written in 1894 while the composer was in the United States. Michael Wheatley conducts. The program includes Arturo Márquez’s “Danzón No. 2,” and Alberto Ginastera’s “Estancia, Op. 8a.” Tickets are $10–$50. More info: mcintyrehall.org.
Violin-piano duo
Violinist Grant Donnellan and pianist Judith Widrig perform another installment of their European travelogue, taking the audience to the Baltic states with a tribute stop in Ukraine, hosted by the Bellingham Music Club. The free matinee preview begins at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 119 Texas St. The full-length Night Beat is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 at the First Congregational Church, 2401 Cornwall Ave. Ticket purchase is not required: suggested donation for the concert is $20; students attend for free. All donations support the organization’s artist programs and student award competitions. Info: bellinghammusicclub.org.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Join Whatcom Community College’s Simpson Intercultural Center and the Office of Student Life and Development for its annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration from 5–7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Syre Auditorium, 237 W. Kellogg Road.
There will be guest performances by Bailé Folklorico Las Chicas Reynas de Ferndale and Ernesto Torres and his band, plus interactive activities such as face painting, coloring pages, flower-making tables and a community Ofrenda. The event is free and all ages are welcome. Details: 360-383-3007.
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.
