COCOA’S PICKS
‘Dear Evan Hansen’
7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4
Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St.
Tickets are still available (albeit limited) for “Dear Evan Hansen,” once dubbed “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by the Washington Post. The 2015 production was nominated for nine Tony awards and even adapted into a movie musical — but if you missed the hype, you can catch up at Mount Baker Theatre on Feb. 4.
The show’s protagonist is just 17 years old, but “Dear Evan Hansen” tackles themes everyone can relate to: friendship, grief, mental health and the lengths at which we go to fit in. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider — or just felt frustrated by the ubiquity of social media — then this musical should strike a chord. Info: mountbakertheatre.com.
Heart of the Art
5–8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7
Sunnyland neighborhood, Bellingham
In December 2023 I wrote about Martini Mercantile, a new boutique spearheaded by Bellingham jewelry business Martini Metalcraft. In addition to showcasing artisan goods, owner Marijo Martini told me her goal for the space was to host pop-up events in 2025 — a dream that’s apparently coming to fruition on Friday, Feb. 7.
Heart of the Art is a “sidewalk slide through the artistic soul of Bellingham” — or rather, an invitation to mix and mingle with Sunnyland’s various creatives. This includes folks like Darcie Gray (Darcie Gray Art) and Dan Filler (Fillerfogg Design), both of whom share studio space with Martini Mercantile.
The main event runs from 5–8 p.m., but gourmet grocery hub Hela Provisions will kick off the evening with a product tasting from 4–6 p.m. Tickets for that are $10, and proceeds benefit nonprofit textile shop Ragfinery’s ongoing fire recovery. Info: instagram.com/martinimetalcraft.
International Guitar Night
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
Mount Baker Theatre
Last year I asked Devin Champlin — Bellingham’s resident luthier/musician/guitar repairman — about his most memorable projects. He told me about repairing a three-neck guitar for celebrated musician Luca Stricagnoli, who was in town to perform at Mount Baker Theatre’s annual International Guitar Night.
On Saturday, Feb. 8, International Guitar Night will once again bring top guitar talents to the Bellingham stage. The special 25th-anniversary lineup features names like classical guitarist Alexandra Whittingham, contemporary fingerstyle guitarist Sönke Meinen and Niwel Tsumbu, who’s known for his Congolese percussive stylings. Then there’s Lulo Reinhardt, whose name you might recognize if you (like me) grew up listening to his great uncle, the late great Django Reinhardt. Info: mountbakertheatre.com.
‘Exposed’ at Voxel Gallery
6–9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6
Voxel Gallery, 312 W. Champion St.
Downtown Bellingham’s already-vibrant art scene got even more interesting with the arrival of Voxel Gallery, open as of late 2024. The gallery has a mission “to amplify voices that challenge conventional artistic norms and spark meaningful dialogue,” in part by spotlighting underrepresented or emerging artists. Expect to see everything from painting to photography, and other “innovative visual mediums.”
On Thursday, Feb. 6, Voxel is hosting an opening for its next group exhibition, “Exposed,” which “invites artists to express the human figure in its raw beauty.” While the show is on view through March 25, opening night is your best chance to network with local artists face-to-face. Alternatively, Voxel is open from 5–8 p.m. Friday evenings — so if you’re in the neighborhood for downtown Bellingham’s First Friday event on Feb. 7, make sure to say hi. Info: voxelgallery.com.
‘Deep Blue Sound’
Times vary, Jan. 30–31, Feb. 1 and Feb. 7–9
FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave.
“Deep Blue Sound” made its debut Off-Broadway in New York City, but the play is set closer to home on Vashon Island, Washington. Its plot traces residents’ intertwining stories, though their issues are underscored by a bigger, community-wide problem: Local whales have gone missing. Worse yet, no one can explain why.
This absence brings up some uncomfortable questions, namely: “Is their absence just a seasonal glitch, or is it a sign of our collective failure to take care of the earth?” “Deep Blue Sound” is a moving (and timely) tale, told with humor, grace and plenty of heart. Make sure to catch Bellingham TheatreWorks’ adaptation at the FireHouse Arts and Events Center through Sunday, Feb. 9. Info: bellinghamtheatreworks.org.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
The following is a selection of events submitted by CDN readers. Click here to add yours.
For questions, ideas and feedback, email cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com.
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@cascadiadaily.com.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
