COCOA’S PICKS
How to Write a Family Portrait
6–7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, Whatcom Community College, 237 West Kellogg Road
While universal truths are rare, I can say this with certainty: Nobody’s family is perfect. Messiness and nuance are inherent to every family — but with a little creativity, the chaos can be translated into impactful storytelling. Moreover, writing about those closest to us can catalyze conversations and even reshape how we view ourselves.
On Thursday, Jan. 18, essayist Kristen Millares Young will guide writers in telling their own family stories, from the messy to the poignant and everything in between. Whether you’re planning a memoir or simply working to define your personal narrative, the experience is sure to be cathartic.
This hour-long event is part of the Whatcom Reads community program and is free of cost. Info: whatcomreads.org.
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival
7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St.
This winter, like most winters, I had grand plans for outdoor adventures. Admittedly none of these plans have come to fruition so far (and no, I still haven’t learned how to ski). But I’m not too upset about it — instead, I plan to get an adrenaline-by-proxy fix at the annual Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival.
This beloved mountain film festival festival is entering its 48th year, and it’s showing at the Mount Baker Theatre this Thursday. Expect epic adventures, exotic locales and slopes steep enough to haunt your dreams for the rest of ski season. Info: mountbakertheatre.com.
Curator tour of Bellingham National 2023 Juried Art Exhibition
1–2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, Whatcom Museum Lightcatcher Building, 250 Flora St.
If you’re not a regular museum-goer, it’s easy to forget that Whatcom Museum’s reach extends well beyond the North Sound. In the case of the Bellingham National exhibit, guest curator Grace Kook-Anderson of the Portland Art Museum selected artworks from more than 1,000 entries from across the U.S.
The chosen artworks span a variety of mediums, but each speaks to the overarching theme of healing and repair. Ultimately, only three works will be selected for the prestigious Juror’s Choice Awards.
I recommend visiting this exhibition any day of the week, but for even deeper insight, go on Friday afternoon and let Whatcom Museum Curator Amy Chaloupka be your guide. This is the first of two curator tours this month, with the second taking place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24. Info: whatcommuseum.org.
‘Mean Girls: The Musical/High School Edition‘
7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, New Prospect Theatre, 207 Prospect St.
Even two decades after its initial release, “Mean Girls” remains as relevant — and quotable — as ever. The 2004 high school comedy was first adapted into a 2018 Broadway production, and then into a movie musical to be released on Friday, Jan. 12. Bellingham isn’t immune to the “Mean Girls” resurgence, so you can catch the musical version onstage at New Prospect Theatre for one weekend only.
Whether you prefer your musicals onstage or just can’t get enough of Regina George, this production is sure to be memorable. It was made possible by Little Lemon Productions, a local student-led theater company. That means the entire cast and crew are young people themselves— which, given the plot of “Mean Girls,” kind of makes sense. Info: newprospecttheatre.org.
Hip Hop Theatre Weekend III
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 19–20, Old Main Theater, 516 High St.
Folks outside the performing arts world might not immediately associate hip-hop with theater (though Lin Manuel Miranda might disagree). However, Western’s annual Hip Hop Theatre Weekend will open audiences’ minds to the intersectional possibilities of these two art forms.
On Friday, join Brian Quijada as he performs excerpts from his recent plays. Quijada is a multi-talented actor/playwright/musician/composer whose multimedia productions deal with themes around immigration, identity and Latinx childhood. On Saturday, actor/rapper/playwright/podcaster Idris Goodwin will present his own plays and take the stage alongside Quijada for their hip-hop duo, the Fantastic Boom.
Hip Hop Theatre Weekend happens on campus, but students and community members alike are invited to attend. Info: cfpa.wwu.edu.
ALL EVENTS
Tuesday, Jan. 16
Bellingham Community Chorus Meet and Greet
7 p.m., St. James Presbyterian Church, 910 14th St.
If you’re considering joining the choir in 2024, now’s your change to meet Bellingham Community Chorus artistic director Eileen Brody, the board of directors and fellow singers. Attendees will even get a sneak peek of the music to come. Info: bellinghamcommunitychorus.org.
Wednesday, Jan. 17
Scottish Country Dancing
7 p.m., Fairhaven Library, 1117 12th St.
Experienced dancers and newbies alike are invited to learn about and take part in Scottish country dancing, the social dance of Scotland. Dances take place every Wednesday in January, and you don’t have to bring a partner to join in on the fun! Note that the Jan. 17 session is a free workshop for beginners. Info: bellinghamscd.org.
Thursday, Jan. 18
Fire and Story Festival
5-8 p.m. Jan. 18-20, Bellingham Waterfront, W. Laurel St.and Granary Ave.
This unique all-ages event presented by Bellingham-based Paper Whale will be a celebration of “folk, light and lore.” According to the event’s website, it will include “will include more than 30 performances from “poets, authors, performance artists, Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribal members, cirque, fire dancing, comedy, live blacksmithing, glass sculpting, puppets, acoustic musicians and so much more.” Info: paper-whale.com.
Friday, Jan. 19
‘Almost, Maine’
7 p.m., BAAY Theatre, 1059 N. State St.
Almost, Maine” is not an ordinary play: It’s a series of nine shorts, all exploring themes of love and loss in the remote, not-quite-town called Almost, Maine. This whimsical production will be performed by Bellingham Academy of Arts senior students, ranging in age from 13 to 17. Jan. 21. Info: baay.org.
‘The Flick’
7:30 p.m., FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave.
It was not that long ago that most movie theaters still used 35-millimeter projectors to screen their films. Now, you can see how three employees cope with the changes facing them as they clean one of these theaters in small-town Pennsylvania, learning more about themselves and each other in the process. The play runs Jan. 19–21, 25, 27 and 28. Info: bellinghamtheatreworks.org.
Saturday, Jan. 20
Bellingham Theatre Guild Volunteer Orientation
10 a.m. Bellingham Theatre Guild Playhouse, 1600 H St.
Here’s your chance to peek behind the curtain at the Bellingham Theatre Guild and give back to your community). The Guild hosts volunteer orientation sessions on the third Saturday of each month, and it’s a great excuse to get to know the organization. As an added incentive, would-be volunteers get a tour of the Guild’s historic building. Info: bellinghamtheatreguild.com.
Arts for All Ages Gala
6 p.m., Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Ave.
Did you know Make.Shift is Bellingham’s longest-running all-ages art space? To support this community staple, consider attending their second annual fundraising event. This year’s theme is Country Western, so if you’ve been looking for an opportunity to break out the cowboy hat and boots, this is your moment to shine. Info: makeshiftartspace.org.
Solo Creature Double Feature: A Two Show Night Of Bizarre Comedy Theatre
7 p.m., Bellingham Circus Guild Cirque Lab, 1401 6th St.
Looking to do something out of the ordinary this Saturday night? These two performances, which span “the anatomical, the apocalyptic and the whimsical,” might just fit the bill. Presented by the Bellingham Circus Guild, touring artists Amica Hunter and Bruce Ryan Costella will perform two solo shows for the price of one ticket. Info: meatymeekers.ticketleap.com.
Sunday, Jan. 21
‘Warrior Lawyers’
3 p.m., Whatcom Museum’s Old City Hall, 121 Prospect St.
Head to Old City Hall for a screening of the film “Warrior Lawyers,” which tells the story of Indigenous attorneys working in America today. The PBS documentary, currently featured in Whatcom Museum’s current Bellingham National exhibit, celebrates these “unseen role models” as they confront and amend complex issues of historical trauma, discrimination and social justice. Info: whatcommuseum.org.
Before heading out to attend in-person happenings, check with individual venues to make sure the event is still taking place as scheduled.
The A-List appears weekly. To submit an event for consideration, email calendar@casadiadaily.com.
