COCOA’S PICKS
Bellingham SeaFeast
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, Zuanich Point Park and Fisherman’s Pavilion, 2600 N. Harbor Loop Drive
This “sea-to-table soiree” is one of fall’s most anticipated — and delicious — festivals. SeaFeast strikes a careful balance between culture, history and cuisine, honoring tradition as well as today’s working waterfront. There’s plenty to see and do throughout the weekend, from performances to panel discussions and even a seafood market. But I won’t lie: Food tends to be the main draw.
This year’s SeaFeast includes musical performances, a pinball tournament, environmental exhibitions, a digital planetarium from the nonprofit Whiteswan Environmental, and a variety of educational and outreach booths. On the food side, attendees can enjoy a variety of food vendors, a beer garden and even a Lummi Nation traditional salmon barbecue. Admission to SeaFeast is free, though select events and activities are ticketed. Info: bellinghamseafeast.org.
‘Waiting’
Oct. 3–6, FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave.
Bellingham dancer Pamela Kuntz has a talent for translating hard-to-articulate human experiences into poignant, oft-moving dance performances. Her next show, “Waiting,” seems to be no exception. The dance/theater piece was created by not just Kuntz but Alona Christman, Vanessa Daines and Kate Stevenson, along with 10 community members ages 12–75. These women share a specific commonality: For them, “waiting certainly isn’t about doing nothing.”
“Waiting” celebrates both the mundanity and the thrill of the unknown, with performers using movement to explore the many obstacles, emotions and complexities inherent to anticipation. The result is a “wildly imaginative landscape filled with humor, sadness, nature, flying, water fountains, and wrestling … all inside a dance piece.” Info: kuntzandco.org.
‘Hellingham’
Fridays and Saturdays until Nov. 2, The Upfront Theatre, 203 Prospect St.
A name like “Hellingham” might sound intimidating, but never fear: The Upfront Theatre’s Halloween show leans more silly than spooky. This improvised murder mystery has become a community tradition — in part because every show is different. Actors take character inspiration from the audience, and no one but the improviser knows the characters’ fate.
Altogether, the show is a delightful mix of creepy atmospherics and uproarious melodrama — so if you want to embrace the October spirit without actually getting scared, ”Hellingham” is the best of both worlds. Shows run all month long, with two extra special shows on — when else? — Oct. 31. Info: theupfront.com.
‘Color and Line: An Exploration by Three NW Artists’ Opening Reception
3–5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, Cordata Gallery, 465 W. Stuart Road
Cordata Gallery’s fall exhibition celebrates art’s bare necessities: color and line. But while these elements are ubiquitous in 2D work, the three featured artists — Johannes Kunst, David Syre and Renee Noelle Cheesman — take very different approaches. Incorporating paintings, drawings and even a site-specific installation on display, “Color and Line” is a multilayered yet cohesive conversation between three exceptional local talents.
The show is on view through Jan. 25, 2025, but the best time to go is this Saturday. The opening reception is an opportunity to get a first look at the work, enjoy refreshments and maybe meet other local art lovers. But if you can’t make it to the opening, Cordata Gallery is open to the public 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday and by appointment. Info: cordatagallery.com.
Skagit River Poetry Festival 2024
Oct. 3–5, La Conner
Whether you’re an aspiring poet or an avid reader (or both), the Skagit River Poetry Festival is one of the region’s most unmissable literary events. For three days, attendees can mix and mingle with internationally known poets like Ellen Bass, Chen Chen and Robert Wrigley at various workshops and readings. The event is made possible by the Skagit River Poetry Foundation, a nonprofit founded to support Skagit County’s high literary standards through arts access.
If that wasn’t enough, the Skagit River Poetry Foundation offers several year-round initiatives beyond the festival. This includes the Poets in Schools program, which sends contracted professional, published poets to 200 classrooms to serve five-day residencies across Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties. All proceeds support this work, so attending means you’re not just supporting the arts — you’re supporting the foundation’s mission to “support lifelong literacy and cultural diversity through poetry.” Info: skagitriverpoetry.org.
Editor’s note: Gallery owner David Syre is the owner of Cascadia Daily News.
ALL 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.
