Judy Osmundson, marketing manager for Whatcom Symphony Orchestra, says WSO has moved its administrative office to the Federal Building at 104 W. Magnolia St., Suite 315.
Its former office site at 201 Grand Ave. was sold last October, making it necessary to find a new space. The goal was to remain within the Bellingham Arts District. Osmundson says the orchestra is pleased that suitable space was available in the historic Federal Building.
The move was aided by support from the mayor's office, the Public Development Authority, the city's Public Works Department and many orchestra volunteers.
The orchestra's mailing address is the same: P.O. Box 5892, Bellingham, WA 98227. The phone is 360-756-6752.
POETRYNIGHT READINGS MOVE TO BLACK DROP
Boris Schleinkofer, one of the organizers of the weekly poetrynight, says that since the closing of the Amadeus Project on Cornwall Avenue, the group has moved to Black Drop Coffeehouse, 300 W. Champion St.
The group, which began in 1995 as a weekly reading series, hosts readings by guest and community poets every Monday. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the readings begin at 8.
The group also has a Poetry in Public Education program, and sponsors touring artists who perform in Whatcom and/or Skagit county. Its weekly podcast is free and online at poetrynight.org.
ARTISTS SOUGHT FOR AUTUMN STUDIO TOUR
The Whatcom Artist Studio Tour is accepting applications for artists to participate in the upcoming 19th annual event. The self-guided art tour takes place first two weekends in October.
Artists do not need to have a studio to participate, and can exhibit at the studios of other artists on the tour. Application deadline is April 1. Details: studiotour.net.
BROADWAY SINGER FROM BELLINGHAM RETURNS HOME FOR CONCERT
Dennis Bennett wrote to tell me that his daughter, Julie Reiber, a Sehome High School and Western Washington University alumnus who has starred on Broadway and traveled the world to sing, returns home to share songs from her debut album, "Love Travels," at 7 p.m. March 29 at Firehouse Performing Arts Center.
She's accompanied by drummer Julian MacDonough, pianist Miles Black and bass player Chuck Kistler.
Julie's accolades included a long run as Elphaba in "Wicked" on Broadway (even while pregnant!). She also performed in "Priscilla Queen of the Desert," "All Shook Up" and "Vanities" in New York, and has toured with many shows, including "The Full Monty," "Aida" and "Sweeney Todd."
Western theater arts professor Jim Lortz, one of Julie's profs, says that Julie will be in town with her husband, Rob Bennett, and their baby girl, who was born in December.
Details: juliereiberbellingham.brownpapertickets.com, juliereiber.com.
BELLINGHAM HIGH STUDENT IN SHOW AT SEATTLE'S 5TH AVENUE THEATRE
Kristen Kuenzli, student public relations manager at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, let me know that The Rising Star Project, a student production taking place during the run of "The Music Man" at the theater, features Bellingham High School student Luke Robinson in the performances this weekend, March 22 and 23.
Luke plays Olin in the musical's barbershop quartet. The special production brings together about 100 students from about 60 public and private schools in the state, and involves them in all aspects of staging the musical under the guidance of professional mentors.
The shows are at 8 p.m. Friday and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Details: 206-625-1900, 5thavenue.org.
DINNER, RAFFLE AT BOW CASINO KICKS OFF SKAGIT TULIP FESTIVAL
Each year, Skagit Valley communities grow flowers as part of the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. A celebration of the countywide "community garden" opens this year's festival at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at Skagit Valley Casino Resort, 5984 Darrk Lane, in Bow.
The evening features live entertainment with scenes from META's upcoming production of "The Secret Garden," a raffle, dinner, and a dessert auction with creations by the resort's chefs. Guest speaker is Don Wick, executive director of the Economic Development Association of Skagit County.
Tickets are $60; advanced purchase is required. Details: 360-428-5959, tulipfestival.org.
DEADLINE NEAR FOR ESSAY CONTEST FOR NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTHS
The Young Native Writers Essay Contest is a writing contest for Native American high school students and is designed to encourage them to write about progress their tribal communities have made and how they can keep moving forward.
The contest is sponsored by the Holland and Knight Charitable Foundation and the National Museum of the American Indian.
The deadline for entries is April 1. Details: nativewriters.hklaw.com.
