COCOA’S PICKS
Walton Magic
1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 28–29, Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St.
Earlier this year, I learned Mount Baker Theatre has a resident organist. This week I learned they also have a resident magician: His name is John Walton, and he’s kind of a big deal. The performer even managed to stump the likes of Penn & Teller on their own reality TV show, “Fool Us.”
Closer to home, Walton is known for his annual appearances at Mount Baker Theatre, usually occurring right around Christmas. 2024 is no exception: He’ll grace the Harold & Irene Walton Theatre stage on Dec. 28 for a night of whimsy, wonder and can’t-believe-your-eyes illusions. Families are especially welcome, and there’s floor seating at the front of the stage just for children. Info: mountbakertheatre.com.
Holidays at the Pickford
Dec. 21–22 (“The Muppet Christmas Carol”) and Dec. 24 (“It’s A Wonderful Life”), The Pickford Film Center, 1318 Bay St.
Is it just me or did 2024 fly by? It’s hard to believe we’re past Thanksgiving, much less approaching Christmas. For fast-paced years like these, I need an extra boost to get me in the holiday spirit. My favorite method is watching Christmas movies — the more heartwarming, the better. Luckily the Pickford screens holiday films throughout the month of December.
The Bellingham nonprofit cinema is wrapping up its Holidays at the Pickford series with two classics — “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” — just before Dec. 25. The former is a kids’ event with showings on both Dec. 21 and 22, whereas the latter has several showtimes on Christmas Eve. Tickets are going fast, so make sure to get yours well in advance. Info: pickfordfilmcenter.org.
White Elephant at The Upfront Theatre
7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 27–28, New Prospect Theatre, 203 Prospect St.
There’s something uniquely awkward about receiving a Christmas present you secretly hate. You can’t exactly return it, and you definitely can’t tell the gifter your true feelings — but throwing the gift away feels wasteful.
If your in-laws gave you one too many pairs of socks this holiday season, I propose a solution: White Elephant, Upfront Theatre style. White Elephant, for the unfamiliar, is a holiday game in which impractical gifts are exchanged for the sake of entertainment.
Bellingham’s favorite (and only) improv theater has designed an entire comedy show around White Elephant. Audience members’ gifts will be exchanged with gifts from improvisers and worked into the show — and while you don’t have to bring a gift, those who do receive 50% off tickets. Info: theupfront.com.
Gabriel Rutledge
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. 1st St., Mount Vernon
The Seattle-based company Cozy Comedy has a unique mission. Rather than relegating their shows to traditional venues, they “bring the comedy club experience to you” by staging performances in community spaces like restaurants or apartment buildings. The whole point is to eliminate barriers (like costly drink minimums) and make the comedy show experience a little more, well, cozy.
That being said, Cozy Comedy isn’t anti-stage — and one of their biggest shows of December is happening at Mount Vernon’s historic Lincoln Theatre. Headliner Gabriel Rutledge is a past winner of both the Seattle International Comedy Competition and The Laughing Skull Comedy Festival in Atlanta, and his 2024 Drybar special has already racked up millions of views. If you need a bit of levity after the holidays, here’s your chance to catch him close to home. Info: lincolntheatre.org.
Happy Hour Music Monday
3:30–5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave.
There’s not much going on in Bellingham in the days before Christmas, but if you need a reason to leave the house on Dec. 23, FireHouse Arts and Events Center’s Music Monday series continues with a very special performance. Lorraine Earle, a longtime local piano teacher, will be joined onstage by Kaeli Earle, a Seattle-based bassist, cellist and vocalist.
The event isn’t ticketed, but it does double as a fundraiser for CAST (Coffee and Sandwiches Together), a long-running initiative by the Interfaith Coalition. The program serves more than 11,000 meals each year to folks in need, four nights a week, rain or shine in downtown Bellingham. CAST is also run entirely by volunteers — so by attending this fundraiser, you’re also helping to support community members who need it most. 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.
