COCOA’S PICKS
Lynden Music Festival
Oct. 9–13, Front Street, Lynden
Lynden has a storied musical history — so storied, in fact, that the town’s music scene merited an exhibition at the Lynden Heritage Museum this spring. With that in mind, it only makes sense for the town to have its own festival.
2024 is a special year, as it marks the Lynden Music Festival’s 15th anniversary. Throughout the week, locations from Village Books to the Jansen Art Center will transform into pop-up venues, and concerts occur at all hours of the day. Legendary vocal quartet The Four Freshmen headline this year’s lineup, which also includes genres ranging from country and jazz to German Lied. Info: lyndenmusicfestival.com.
Laura Ramoso
6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St.
Earlier this week, a video popped up on my TikTok spoofing “that one girl who just got back from the Pacific Northwest.” The jokes, while good-natured, were also spot on: Think references to reusable coffee cups, Blundstone boots and “seasonal craft bites.” I laughed out loud more than once — so you can imagine my delight when the comedian mentioned an upcoming show in Bellingham.
The entertainer in question is Laura Ramoso, a sketch comedian who’s garnered a social media following for her clever characters. (Seriously, she has upwards of a million followers and 56 million “likes” on TikTok.) She’s in town as part of the Bellingham Exit Festival, though she’s not the only big-name act coming to Mount Baker Theatre: Songstresses Joseph and fellow comedian Reggie Watts will also headline shows throughout the festival weekend. Info: mountbakertheatre.com.
Blaine Oysterfest
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, H Street Plaza, 701 Peace Portal Drive, Blaine
A few months back, Mark and Steve Seymour of Drayton Harbor Oyster Co. taught me a memorable saying: “The oysters on Jersey’s Coast have justly won a name, but we grow better-flavored ones, yessir, right here in Blaine.” While the quote was published in the Blaine Journal in 1913, it still rings true a century later. Blaine’s oysters are renowned for their quality and taste — and if you haven’t yet sampled one, the Oysterfest is the best time to do so.
This “ultimate shell-ebration” encompasses not just oysters but music, dancing, a shellfish feast and even an oyster shucking competition. All the merriment is brought to you by the folks at Drayton Harbor Oyster Co., so you know you’re in good hands.
It’s also worth noting that Oysterfest coincides with the Blaine Harbor Harvest Festival. Once you’ve eaten your fill of shellfish, hop on over to G Street for a street fair, music and even more good food. Info: blainebythesea.com.
‘Sugar’s Big Top’
7:30–9:30 p.m. Oct. 10–12, New Prospect Theatre, 207 Prospect St.
“Sugar: A Cabaret” is a bona fide Bellingham tradition, with performer Brie Mueller leading a cast of powerhouse performers. But this weekend, Mueller will debut a brand-new production: “Sugar’s Big Top.” Our titular protagonist finds herself in “an unexpected dreamland — it’s a little bit circus, a little bit freaky, and a whole lotta fun.”
Mueller will be joined onstage by a talented cast of dancers, actors and singers and the “infamous” Sugar Band. And while the show is billed as a cabaret, there’s no nudity (though it does include content warnings for profanity, adult content, sexuality and “overall sassiness”). Info: newprospecttheatre.org.
Brew on the Slough
3–7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, Maple Hall, 104 Commercial St., La Conner
If you’ve felt like there’s a beer event happening practically every weekend … well, you’re probably onto something. September was jam-packed with Oktoberfests, and the festivities will continue with the La Conner Beer Festival this weekend. Unlike Oktoberfests, this event features beers from not one but 12 different businesses.
This year’s breweries include local favorites like Gruff and Terramar as well as regional names like Boneyard and Double Mountain Brewery. Beyond the beer itself, folks can enjoy live music from the CC Adams Band, food and even a silent auction. VIP tickets get you early admission, and the first 275 guests receive a complimentary tasting glass. Info: lovelaconner.com.
‘Bart and Arnie’
Oct. 10–12, Idiom Theater, 1417 Cornwall Ave.
Good news for theater lovers: Idiom Theater has extended the run of its season premiere, “Bart and Arnie,” through Saturday, Oct. 12. This world premiere from New York City playwright Adam Szymkowicz is “delightful and whimsical tale of two pals navigating the challenges of city life, friendship and existential dread — with a little help from puppets and modern dance.”
“Bart and Arnie” is meant to feel at once fresh and familiar, with quirky characters evoking “beloved odd couples” from pop culture history. What’s more, the whole production is brought to life by not one but three distinct casts — so even if you’ve seen it once, the second viewing will be a brand-new experience. Info: idiomtheater.org.
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.
