Lynden's Jansen Art Center, which held a soft opening in March, hosts a grand opening from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4. The venue is located at 321 Front St., in Lynden's old city hall building.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. visitors can chat with artists in their studios, watch live entertainment by local groups, and tour the center. A dedication ceremony begins at 5 p.m.
The center was designed as a place for visual and performing artists to create, teach, share and engage in a variety of genres. Among the artists who plan to be at the opening are ceramic artists Shelly Stark, Brian O'Neill and Irene Lawson; jewelry artists Judi Gauthier, Courtney Jensen and Scott Jensen; and weavers Donna Hunter and Joyce Noordman.
Entertainment will be provided by Bentgrass, the Psallite Choir from Finland, vocalist Jami Templeton, Kathleen Dean's children's theatrical group, Northwest Ballet and the Backseat 'n Boogie Band. Details: jansenartcenter.org, 360-354-3600.
IDIOM FOUNDER TO OFFER ACTING WORKSHOP
iDIOM Theater founder Glenn Hergenhahn (also the founder of New York City's Northwest Passage Theater collective) returns to Bellingham to teach a 20-hour, one-week acting intensive, Aug. 8-15.
The workshop will cover script analysis, acting methods, voice and breath work, physical acting and movement. Participants will be asked to do some reading, memorization and scene rehearsing outside of class times.
Stage experience is suggested. The class serves as an introduction to ongoing acting and directing workshops that will continue into the fall. Discounts are available to alumni of iDiOM Theater productions.
To apply, email info@nwptheater.com. Include a brief letter summarizing your acting experience, and your interests in further training.
WHAAM SEEKS NEW SPACE; DEPARTS MAKE.SHIFT ART SPACE
Whatcom All-Ages Arts and Music (WhAAM) recently announced that the organization is moving out of Make.Shift Art Space (formerly JINX) at 306 Flora St. beginning Aug. 1 and is now seeking tenancy in a new building.
"While our time at Make.Shift Art Space was meaningful and productive for the organization, WhAAM is currently looking to fulfill its mission in a new location," Amanda Kalkwarf, WhAAM president said in a press release. "The Make.Shift board of directors has decided to use the downstairs space to better fulfill their organization's mission. Unfortunately for WhAAM, this means we must find a new home."
From October 2011 to last July, WhAAM organized and presented 35 all-ages concerts at Make.Shift Art Space, featuring approximately 150 bands and serving more than 3,000 community members who attended the shows.
"The experiment of WhAAM and Make.Shift collocating in the same space did not work as originally envisioned, but that does not mean that WhAAM is going to disappear," Kalkwarf said. "As the longest-lasting nonprofit organization in Bellingham dedicated to all-ages music, WhAAM staff and board members feel that it is imperative to continue to serve the community by providing affordable, safe, drug- and alcohol- free concerts to everyone, especially young people."
During this transition toward a new permanent space, WhAAM will reduce the frequency of its events, to be held at various locations in Bellingham. For more information about upcoming shows, including the three remaining WhAAM shows at Make.Shift Art Space, visit whaam.org.
Anyone interested in becoming involved with WhAAM should email whaamvolunteer@gmail.com.
ANACORTES ARTS FESTIVAL RUNS AUG. 3-5
The 51st annual Anacortes Arts Festival takes place Friday through Sunday, Aug. 3-5, on Commercial Street and on the waterfront in downtown Anacortes. With about 250 booth artisans (juried by Barbara Matilsky, curator of art at Whatcom Museum), regional and ethics food and beverages, two entertainment stages and plenty of youth activities, the event is one of the largest art festivals in the Northwest. For a complete schedule of events, go to anacortesartsfestival.com.
ABOUT BEHIND THE SCENES
Behind the Scenes focuses on the people who make the arts and entertainment world of Whatcom County happen. It appears in Take Five, The Bellingham Herald's entertainment section, each Thursday. Margaret Bikman is the Entertainment News Coordinator at The Bellingham Herald.
Reach MARGARET BIKMAN at margaret.bikman@bellinghamherald.com or 715-2273.
