Downtown Bellingham First Friday
Friday, Dec. 6, downtown Bellingham
Although every First Friday is worth attending, the December installment is usually my favorite. It often coincides with other festive activities: The FAB Studios, for example, are throwing their Festive First Friday holiday market. Neko Cat Cafe has its (adorably named) Pawliday MarCat, and Allied Arts’ Festival of the Arts continues on Commercial Street with more than 100 vendor booths. Access to the Whatcom Museum is free — and as an added bonus, Old City Hall is decked out with Christmas trees.
If that wasn’t enough, downtown Bellingham’s tree lighting ceremony happens the following evening (Saturday, Dec. 7). These are just a few among many Christmas events happening this month: Check out my roundup of 51 things to do for the holiday season (publishing Friday, Nov. 29) for even more festive suggestions. Info: downtownbellingham.com/first-fridays.
‘HaHa Holidays’
7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 6–20, The Upfront Theatre, 203 Prospect St.
Whether you’re partial to comedies, animated classics or Hallmark romances, holiday films are ubiquitous throughout December. Performers at The Upfront Theatre are running with the latter genre for their December show, “HaHa Hallmark Holiday”: an improvised holiday “movie” based entirely on audience suggestions.
While each performance is different, these actors promise a consistent level of “romance, merriment and holiday cheer” — and, obviously, plenty of laughter. If you’re looking for a new Christmas tradition that’s more silly than schmaltzy, make sure to grab tickets in advance. Shows run Friday and Saturday through Dec. 20. Info: theupfront.com.
Bellingham Circus Guild Presents: Aerial Showcase 2024
Times vary, Dec. 5–8, The Cirque Lab, 1401 6th St., Unit 102
With the “Wicked” movie now in theaters, it seems like everyone is humming along to “Defying Gravity.” The Bellingham Circus Guild (BCG) apparently took the song’s message literally: Per their website, “not even the sky is the limit” for performers in their upcoming aerial showcase. If you’ve been to a BCG show, you understand the level of talent they’re working with — and if you haven’t, well, you should probably fix that.
These performances run Dec. 5–8 and showcase everything from aerial silks to trapeze, corde lisse, hoop and even a few “unique surprises.” Tickets are available for both family-friendly and 21-plus showings. Some performances have special perks, like an opening night happy hour on Dec. 5 and an exclusive meet-and-greet the following day, Dec. 6. Info: bellinghamcircusguild.com.
WACK Studio Tour
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7–8, locations vary
Stuck on holiday shopping ideas? Let the members of Whatcom Artists of Clay and Kiln (aka WACK) come to your rescue. The organization has its annual studio tour from Dec. 7–8. Participating artists will open their personal studios to the public for this weekend only, with locations scattered from Bellingham to Ferndale and even Everson.
Think of this event as a choose-your-own-adventure: You could visit just a few favorite artists, or devote your weekend to stopping by as many studios as possible. This year’s artist lineup includes Amy Popelka, Jeremy Noet, Erica Davidson and many others. Check WACK’s website for a map and full lineup of participating artists. Info: whatcomartistsofclayandkiln.org.
‘Dancing in the A-Yard’
3–4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave.
Kuntz and Co.’s Documenting Grace film series continues with “Dancing in the A-Yard,” following a group of inmates at California State Prison near Los Angeles. Lancaster’s A-Yard is “ruled by toxic masculinity”: a restrictive version of manhood that doesn’t leave space for emotion, self-expression or vulnerability. In other words, it’s among the last places you’d want to start a dance class.
But with the help of French choreographer Dimitri Chamblas, a group of inmates do just that — and soon, dance becomes “an intoxicating escape from their grim reality.” “Dancing in the A-Yard” documents their experience while exploring some heavy themes (the American prison system and trauma, for example). But it’s also a film about hope, reinvention and the enormous potential of artistic expression. Info: firehouse-aec.com.
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.
