Arts and culture news from Bellingham, Whatcom County, WA

Behind the Scenes

Pianist Julian MacDonough recently announced a new, eight-month jazz series, Jazz Legacy Concerts, at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center, to begin in October 2013.

New series, Jazz Legacy Concerts, to entertain and inform at Firehouse Performing Arts Center

I was at the Redlight on State Street a few weeks ago listening to the regular last-Tuesday lineup of drummer Julian MacDonough, sax player Josh Cook and bass player Chuck Kistler, when Julian happily announced a new, eight-month jazz series, Jazz...

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Archive by category ''Behind the Scenes

BEHIND THE SCENES

Yaniv Attar chosen as new director of Whatcom Symphony Orchestra

When I attended the Mayor's Arts Awards ceremony a few weeks ago, a member of the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra told me that the new director for the symphony had just been chosen, and this particular musician was thrilled. Each auditioning candidate, this musician told me, who had directed the symphony...
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Mount Baker Theatre to collect donated prom, princess dresses at 'Beauty and the Beast'

In conjunction with the staging of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" Monday and Tuesday, May 6-7, at Mount Baker Theatre, theater staff will collect gently used prom and princess dresses at both shows to distribute to the YWCA and to Blue Skies for Children.
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Roger Griffith's last concert directing Kulshan Chorus is April 27 at WWU

At one of several Thanksgiving dinners I spent with my friends Roger and Anne Griffith, Roger spoke enthusiastically about seeing original Broadway shows with the original casts, "West Side Story," among others. His love for music of all sorts is ever-present in conversations, and the songs he has...
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Pickford theater celebrates second anniversary, successful digital campaign

Alice Clark, the executive director of Pickford Film Center, let me know that a celebration of the second-year anniversary of its theater, as well as its successful campaign to raise money for new digital equipment, will take place Saturday, April 20, and Sunday, April 21, with special movie screenings...
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Restless Heart singer Larry Stewart discusses life on the road

Grammy-wining country band Restless Heart is playing April 19 and 20 at the Skagit Valley Casino Resort in Bow, and I was contacted by the band's press agent, Don Murry Grubbs, asking if I would like to interview lead singer Larry Stewart.
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Blue Horse exhibit honors WWU design leader Marvin Southcott

At the urging of his friends, my buddy Layne Southcott was inspired to have an exhibit of works by his dad, Marvin, who died in February.
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Whatcom County poetry events multiply during April

April is National Poetry Month and verses of all sorts are springing up in Whatcom County.
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Whatcom Symphony Orchestra moves office into Federal Building

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.
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Springtime galas and benefits coming up in Whatcom County

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 :
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Blues singer Shemekia Copeland coming to Wild Buffalo

John "Johnny Buffalo" Goodman, the former owner of Wild Buffalo, posed a question on Facebook a few months ago asking his friends if he booked blues vocalist Shemekia Copeland for a gig in Bellingham if they'd go.