Entertainment - Entertainment News

POSTED: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

Bellingham's newest museum opens Saturday

The long-awaited opening of Whatcom Museum's Lightcatcher Building, at 250 Flora St. (at Grand) takes place with a free public reception that begins with a ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, with Mayor Dan Pike and other city, county and museum officials.

Visitors will be encouraged to explore the Family Interactive Gallery and to view the inaugural exhibits, "Out of Bounds: Art from the Collection of Driek and Michael Zirinsky," and "Bloom: The Elephant Bed," a site-specific installation by John Grade.

Museum hours will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Regular admission is $10 adults, $8 students and seniors, $4.50 ages 5 and younger. For more information, call 778-8988 or visit whatcommuseum.org.

Here's what else is going on around Whatcom County:

SEARCHING FOR A CURE

The Blue Horse Gallery, located in Bay Street Village at 301 Bay St., hosts the 12th annual "Reaching for the Light," an exhibit of artworks by local residents whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer, which opens with a reception for the artists from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13. The exhibit runs through Nov. 27.

Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5:30 .m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call 671-2306 or visit bluehorsegallery.com.

LUMMI ISLAND ARTISTS' STUDIO TOUR

Versatile artist Basil Atkinson, well-known for his creations in stone, wood and metal, is among the artists and crafters showing and selling their drawings, paintings, jewelry, note cards, sculpture, metalwork, stonework, fiber art and more from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14-15 on Lummi Island.

To get to the island, take Interstate 5 to Slater Road (exit 260), go west to Haxton Way, south on Haxton to the ferry dock. The Whatcom Chief leaves at 10 minutes past the hour ($10 per car and driver, $4 per passenger/pedestrian, kids ride free with an adult). For details on the free studio tour, call 758-7121 or 758-7499.

Go to lummi-island.com to download a map of participating venues, or pick up one at the Islander Store, to the left as you disembark the ferry.

SKAGIT CO. BENEFIT

Friends of the late Rick Epting, who was an instrumental supporter of the arts in Skagit County for decades and who died in August 2005, present a fourth annual showcase of regional musical talent at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., in Mount Vernon.

Headliners are the Vancouver, B.C.-based Celtic-bluegrass-roots band The Paperboys, led by Tom Landa. The Skagit County-based Poor Man's Jug Band, featuring Clarence Gallagher on guitar and vocals, George Jay on musical saw, Gary Sparrow on washtub bass and Ranger Kidwell-Ross on washboard, also perform. The evening begins with groups of Epting's friends performing some of his original songs.

Tickets range from $19 to $25, and are available by calling (360) 336-8955 and online at brownpapertickets.com. Details at rickeptingfoundation.org.

ONE-TIME GARAGE BAND

Boise-based band Built to Spill, formed by Doug Martsch in 1992, performs from its recently released recording, "There is No Enemy," at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Nightlight Lounge, 211 E. Chestnut St. Finn Riggins opens. Tickets are $22; go to nightlightlounge.com for details.