Port festival, Kulshan Chorus brighten holiday season

Growing Up on Orcas Island

Whatcom Museum Advocates present “The Heydays of Salmon: Life at an Early Fishing Resort,” a free talk by Ken Culver at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 12 at the museum’s Old City Hall’s Rotunda Room, 121 Prospect St. Culver grew up at Point Lawrence Lodge, a fishing lodge on Orcas Island, and will share memories of his boyhood. Details: whatcommuseum.org, 360-778-8930

Small-town Texas holiday

Bellingham Theatre Guild presents “A Tuna Christmas,” Nov. 27 to Dec. 13 at the guild playhouse, 1600 H St.

In the hilarious sequel to “Greater Tuna” by Ed Howard, Joe Sears and Jaston Williams, it’s Christmas in Tuna, the third smallest — albeit fictitious — town in Texas. Radio station OKKK news personalities Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie report on Yuletide activities, including hot competition in the annual lawn display contest. In other news, Joe Bob Lipsey’s production of “A Christmas Carol” is jeopardized by unpaid electric bills.

Longtime Bellingham actors Les Campbell and John Gonzales portray all 30 characters of both genders, who range in age from 20 to 80. Tickets are $14 adults, $12 seniors and students, $8 children, at 360-733-1811 and bellinghamtheatreguild.com.

Seasonal songs

Kulshan Chorus presents “A Feast of Songs!” a concert of seasonal, holiday and other festive songs sung in pop, jazz, and a cappella styles at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Bellingham High School, 2020 Cornwall Ave.

Dustin Willets directs the 90-member choir. The program includes “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Carol of the Bells,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” the Quincy Jones adaptation of the“Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” and “Feliz Navidad.”

Tickets are $20 adults; $15 seniors, students and military; and $5 for people 13 and younger, at Village Books, Community Food Co-op, and online at Brown Paper Tickets. Details: kulshanchorus.org.

Deck the (Old City) Hall

Celebrate the holidays at Whatcom Museum’s historic Old City Hall from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 27 through Jan. 3. The building will be decked with sparkling lights outside and decorated trees inside.

Visitors can view the trees and enter a raffle. People also can visit with Santa from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 28 and 29. Admission is by donation.

The Deck the Old City Hall Holiday Cocktail Party, for people 21 and older, is at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Party tickets are $50 at Brown Paper Tickets. Details: whatcommuseum.org, 360-778-8930

Holiday Port Festival

The Holiday Port Festival from Dec. 4-6 at Bellingham Cruise Terminal in Fairhaven features local bands, choirs and dance ensembles; family activities; horse-drawn wagon rides; children’s art activities; visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus; and complimentary gingerbread cookies and cider.

This year’s Gingerbread House Contest theme is “Home Sweet Home.” Now in its 20th year, the contest is free and open to all ages and abilities. Entries don’t have to be houses or made of gingerbread, but must be visibly edible. Many of the entries are donated to a silent auction, with proceeds going to Home Port Learning Center.

Entry forms and rules are at portofbellingham.com/gingerbreadcontest, or call 360-676-2500. Entry forms are due by Nov. 25.

This story was originally published October 31, 2015 at 4:05 AM with the headline "Port festival, Kulshan Chorus brighten holiday season."