Spring is a time when many nonprofit organizations host gala events and fundraisers, and even though spring hasn't officially begun, there are a few coming up this weekend. More information can be found in the Take Five calendar or the online calendar at bellinghamherald.com:
- The Harvard Din and Tonics, an all-male a cappella group from Harvard University, performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 15, at Ferndale High School, 5830 Golden Eagle Drive. The concert is a fundraiser for the school's music department. Tickets are $8 adults, $5 students. Details: 360-383-9862.
- Bellingham Music Club hosts a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at First Congregational Church, 2401 Cornwall Ave. The concert, which is co-sponsored by the church, features high school musicians from around Whatcom County. The club hopes to bestow more awards to young musicians to offset budget cuts for the arts at schools and nonprofits. Admission is by donation. Details: 360-671-0252.
Other events include a benefit for Animals for Natural Therapy on Saturday, March 16, at the Hotel Bellwether ballroom; a fundraiser for Whatcom Center for Early Learning, also that Saturday at Bellingham Golf & Country Club; and a "Speakeasy" concert, dance and auction Sunday, March 17, at Loomis Trail Golf Club in Blaine, with vocalist Greta Matassa and her band, to benefit the Blaine Jazz Camp.
ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES CAN SUBMIT WORK FOR UPCOMING EXHIBIT
The public is invited to submit artwork for "Redefining Life: Art Show 2013," an exhibit that features the work of local artists with disabilities and will run April 1 through June 7 at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center for Physical Rehabilitation Medicine, 809 E. Chestnut St.
Artists must submit the application by March 22. An artists' reception, open to the public, is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. April 3. Details: Sarah Chapman, schapman@peacehealth.org or Heather Ludwig, hludwig@peacehealth.org, 360-715-6432.
ARTISTS CAN SELL WORKS AT JANSEN'S SPRING EXHIBIT
Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St., in Lynden, invites regional artists to exhibit and sell their original works of art during the center's spring exhibit, April 3 through June 25. The application must be submitted electronically by March 20 and art work must be delivered March 29 or March 30.
A public reception for participating artists is 6 to 8 p.m. April 11. Details: jansenartcenter.org, 360-354-3600.
ALLIED ARTS SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR ARTS FESTIVALS
Allied Arts of Whatcom County is seeking applications for two major arts festivals. Deadline for both applications is April 25. Spaces fill quickly for both festivals:
Bellwether Arts Market: The festival created by the Port of Bellingham and Allied Arts takes place each Sunday afternoon in August at Tom Glenn Common, on the Bellingham waterfront by Hotel Bellwether. The market will have about 24 artist, vendor and information booths. Booths cost $85 per Sunday ($5 off each additional day), no commission.
34th Annual Holiday Festival of the Arts: The indoor arts festival runs Nov. 15-Dec. 24 and features 100 regional artisans. There's also live music and workshops for children on weekends.
Details: 360-676-8548, alliedarts.org.
OONA SHERMAN NOW DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AT UPFRONT
The Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St., has hired Oona Sherman to improve and expand the theater's school of improv for adults and youths and to train instructors. She will also develop anti-bullying improv programs in schools, self-esteem and communication workshops, continuing education programs for instructors and therapists, and other projects.
Oona is an arts-based educator with more than 14 years of experience in curriculum development, teaching and leadership training. She has a master's degree in transformative learning and human development from Antioch University Midwest, and was as adjunct faculty member there in the individualized master of arts program.
In addition to her work at the Upfront, she teaches improv classes for writers at Whatcom Community College, been a faculty member at the Chuckanut Writers Conference, and works in the community to bring arts-based training into schools, businesses and nonprofit groups. She been a member of Upfront's mainstage since the theater opened in 2004.
Reach Margaret Bikman at 360-715-2273 or margaret.bikman@bellinghamherald.com. Follow Bellingham Entertainment on Facebook or @bhamentertainme on Twitter.
