Cascadia Weekly

Cover

Make.Shift Block Party

Although virtue is its own reward, nothing worth having ever comes without hard work, etc., the truth of the matter is, running a nonprofit can be tough going.

No matter how strong the mission, how intact the passion or true the focus, surmounting the formidable obstacles of continued existence requires a special sort of perseverance. And no matter how staunch the community support, the reality of day-to-day existence for those who operate nonprofits is that the to-do list never seems to grow

This Week

The Gristle

When Fringe Goes Mainstream

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

WHEN FRINGE GOES MAINSTREAM: Ballots continue to flow in the August Top Two primary, a queer beast with an unusual pedigree that need not necessarily produce a candidate each from the two standard political parties, D versus R, but—due to extremes of polarization, and the continued influence of money and organization in modern politics—probably will.

Case in point, the odd runoff among conservatives for Position 1 in the 42nd Legislative District, a reliably conservative rural district

Music

Make.Shift Block Party

Putting the “fun” in fundraising

By Carey Ross · Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Although virtue is its own reward, nothing worth having ever comes without hard work, etc., the truth of the matter is, running a nonprofit can be tough going.

Outdoors

Cloud Dance

Learning to love the mystery

Story and photo by John D'Onofrio · Wednesday, July 30, 2014

You must not blame me if I do talk to the clouds.
—Henry David Thoreau

The North Cascades are capricious. These mountains hide themselves in veils of cloud for days at a time and then coquettishly reveal their sensuous lines to us dusty pilgrims. A little bit here. A little bit there.

After decades of observing this numinous cloud dance, one learns to go with it, to appreciate the rituals of sun, rain and cloud, and eventually—if one hangs around these hallowed mountains long enough—to

Food

A Midsummer Sowing

Thinking ahead to the flavors of fall

By Ari LeVaux · Wednesday, July 30, 2014

If you’ve been a diligent gardener this year, chances are the rewards are starting to add up.

With a big, juicy garden finally in cruise mode, now might not be the time you want to ponder starting over, but this is exactly what you must do in order to stay ahead of the seasonal curve. Your strong, beautiful plants will start to fade at the end of summer, and when they do you’ll want to have reinforcements in place—plants that can tough it out through the fall, and perhaps into winter.

Visual

Arts at the Port

Elemental beauty in Anacortes

By Stephen Hunter · Wednesday, July 30, 2014

“Air, Earth, Water” is the title of the 2014 “Arts at the Port” show. It opened last Saturday and is the serious part of the wild and crazy Anacortes Arts Festival the city has thrown every summer for more than 50 years.

In a quiet warehouse at the north end of Commercial Avenue you’ll discover two conjoined exhibits: the first is a stunning collection of works by 36 regional artists selected by juror Patricia Watkinson for their “skill, innovation, imagination and poetry.“ The

Words

Little Free Libraries

Take a book, leave a book

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, July 30, 2014

What looks like a miniature house, is bursting to the rafters with free books, and encourages reading for everyone from kids to seniors?

The answer, if you hadn’t already sussed it out from the title of this story, is Little Free Libraries (LFLs).

The worldwide phenomenon started in 2009 after Wisconsin resident Tod Bol built a model of a one-room schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother—a former schoolteacher with a serious reading habit—and then installed it in his front yard, filled

On Stage

Hot Salsa

Rumba Northwest takes it outside

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, July 30, 2014

I first saw Rumba Northwest owners Antonio Diaz and Heather Haugland dance when the couple was invited onstage during a concert by the Afro-Cuban All Stars a few years ago at the Mount Baker Theatre.

To say they heated things up is putting it mildly. As the legendary Cuban band continued sharing their righteous island rhythms with the audience, the duo spun, dipped and moved their bodies with both grace and passion.

“We made dinner for the band before the show and they learned we taught

Film

Supermensch

The Legend of Shep Gordon

Reviewed by Ty Burr · Wednesday, July 30, 2014

How many people can claim to have made Alice Cooper a star by releasing his record albums wrapped in women’s panties? Who else can take credit for the entire concept of the celebrity chef? Did anyone else share joint custody of a cat with Cary Grant? Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon goes out of its way to insist that its subject — a long-lived rock manager and Hollywood talent agent — is a one-of-a-kind character, and the stories told by Gordon and his many famous friends seem to

Film

Guardians of the Galaxy

Marvel’s motley crew

Reviewed by Scott Foundas · Wednesday, July 30, 2014

If the wayward denizens of Star Wars’ Mos Eisley Cantina rose up and demanded their own starring vehicle, it would probably look something like Guardians of the Galaxy, an alt-Avengers in which a ragtag band of misfits and mercenaries make the world a safer place almost by accident. An unusually prankish and playful Marvel Studios vehicle, director James Gunn’s presumptive franchise-starter is overlong, overstuffed and sometimes too eager to please, but the cheeky comic tone keeps things

Today

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MBT’s Summer Repertory Theatre: The Mount Baker Theatre's Summer Repertory Theatre continues this week with showings of Lanford Wilson's comedy/drama Talley's Folly, Neil Simon's comedic Last of the Red Hot Lovers, and Becky's New Car, by Steven Dietz, at the MBT's Walton Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St. The three plays show in repertory at 7:30pm on weekdays and 3pm Sundays through Aug. 10. Tickets are $12.50-$25. more »

Tractor and Machinery Show: The Puget Sound Antique Tractor and Machinery Association hosts its 43rd annual Tractor and Machinery Show from 8am-8pm Wednesday through Saturday at Lynden's Berthusen Park, 9937 Berthusen Rd. A swap meet, lawnmower pulling, tractor races, a threshing bee, wood planer demos, an equipment parade, demos and more will be part of the fun. Entry is $5-$7. more »

Boating Center Open: All are welcome to check out the Community Boating Center, which is open for the summer season at its headquarters at 555 Harris Ave. (near the Amtrak Station). Upcoming classes and excursions include bioluminescence paddles, introductions to sea kayaking, sunset paddles, dinghy sailing 101, full moon paddles, paddleboarding 101, and more. Boat rentals and storage and moorage are also available. Check the website for times and prices. more »

Repertory West Dance Ensemble: Choreography by Western Washington University faculty—including Nolan Dennett, Susan Haines, Penny Hutchinson, and Pam Kuntz—and a variety of performances by selected dancers from the WWU dance program can be seen at Repertory West Dance Ensemble performances at 7:30pm Thursday and Friday at the Viking Union Multipurpose Room. Tickets are $5-$10. more »

Mark Twain in Fairhaven: Local playwright and historian John Lenz's Mark Twain in Fairhaven: A Musical Tall Tale— loosely based on Twain's visit to Fairhaven in 1895—returns to Bellingham this week with showings at 7:30pm Thursday through Saturday, and 2pm Sunday, at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave. Tickets are $8-$12 and additional showings happen through Aug. 17. more »

Whidbey Island Fair: Games, music, exhibits, rides, food and much more will be part of the Whidbey Island Fair happening from 9:30am-10pm Thursday, 9:30am-10:30pm Friday and Saturday, and 9:30am-7pm Sunday in Langley at 819 Camano Ave. Entry is $5-$8 daily or $15-$25 for the "season." more »

Lend Me a Tenor: The madcap, screwball comedy about a series of misadventures at an opera company, Lend Me A Tenor, continues this week with 7:30pm shows Thursday through Saturday, and 2pm Sunday, at the Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave. Tickets are $20 and additional performances happen through Aug. 16. more »

Shakespeare Northwest: The summer season of Shakespeare Northwest continues this weekend with showings of Much Ado About Nothing at 7pm Thursday and Saturday, and Macbeth at 2pm Sunday, at the Rexville-Blackrock Amphitheater at Mount Vernon's Rexville Grange, 19299 Rexville Grange Rd. Tickets are $10-$12. Additional showings of the Bard's classics happen through Aug. 17. more »

Bard on the Beach: William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream will play in repertory with the Bard's The Tempest and Cymbeline, and Bill Cain's Equivocation, during the 25th annual "Bard on the Beach" season through Sept. 20 at Vancouver, B.C.'s Vanier Park. Tickets are $33-$47 (Canadian). more »

Lynden Farmers Market: Procure fresh, seasonal fare from local farmers at the Lynden Farmers Market, which happens from 12-5pm every Thursday through Oct. 30 at 324 Front St. more »

First Thursday Art Walk: As part of the monthly First Thursday Art Walk happening from 5-8pm throughout downtown Mount Vernon, attend a "Community Hang-Up" at the Front Gallery, 420 Myrtle St. The non-juried exhibit features paintings, drawings, sculpture, fiber, prints, photography, ceramics and mixed-media. See it through August. more »

Future of Business Speaker Series: Aaron Fairchild of Green Canopy Homes will be the featured guest at Sustainable Connections' "Future of Business" Speaker Series from 4-7pm at the Squalicum Boathouse, 2600 Harbor Loop Dr. Fairchild will discuss how his team incorporates a triple bottom line theory in their work rebuilding Seattle homes with green materials. Entry is $50-$55. more »

Caprina and Snyder: Jazz musicians Anissa Caprina and Erik Snyder will perform at a free concert from 5:30-7:30pm in the piano lounge at Lynden's Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St. more »

History Cruise: Longtime historian Brian Griffin will be the knowledgable narrator when the Whatcom Museum of History & Art continues its "History Sunset Cruise" season at 5:30pm at Island Mariner Cruises, 2621 S. Harbor Loop Dr. Tickets to the Bellingham Bay -focused excursion are $30-$35; additional cruises happen Thursdays through Aug. 21. more »

Traverse Preview: Get a chance to explore the little-known trails of the 100 Acre Woods in a guided group run leaving at 5:40pm at Fairhaven Runners, 1209 11th St. Bellingham Traverse race representatives will be on hand to lead the way for a trial run of the Traverse trail run route, and Asics and Ultimate Direction will be on hand with shoe, pack and hydration demos to take on the run. Entry is free. more »

Elizabeth Park Concert Series: Maggie's Fury brings melodic Celtic folk-rock to the stage to listen and dance to from 6-8pm at Bellingham's Elizabeth Park. The free concerts continue every Thursday through Aug. 28. more »

Party with Waldo: Wrap up the monthlong "Find Waldo" program at a celebration at 6pm at Village Books, 1200 11th St. Games, prizes, treats and more will be part of the free fun. Wear red stripes and glasses, and prepare to have a good time (and search for a real-life Waldo). more »

Pies & Pints: Celebrate Fifth Thursday with a beer and pie-pairing party dubbed "Pies & Pints" from 6-8pm at the courtyard at Whatcom Museum's Lightcatcher Building, 250 Flora St. Brews will be provided by Kulshan Brewery, and sweets by Alice's Pies. Entry is $5 for members, $10 general. more »

Waterfront Future Tours: Join San Juan Cruises for a "Bellingham's Future Waterfront" boat tour at 6:30pm leaving from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Ave. View the current status of the waterfront from the water while representatives from the Port of Bellingham offer details on planned redevelopment and the vision of what our waterfront could look like in the future. Additional tours happen Aug. 14 and 28. Entry is $10-$20. more »

Raw Feast: Registered dietician Sonja Max leads a "Raw Feast" course from 6:30-9pm at the Community Food Co-op, 1220 N. Forest St. Cost is $35. more »

Folk Dance Party: Learn Balkan, Israeli, Romani and Greek dancing with the Fourth Corner Folk Dancers from 7-10pm every Thursday at the Fairhaven Library, 1117 12th St. Suggested donation is $5 (first-time visitors and students are free). more »

Fourth Corner Folk Dancers: Learn Balkan folk dances with the Fourth Corner Folk Dancers from 7:15-10:15pm every Thursday at the Fairhaven Library, 1117 12th St. All ages are welcome, and no partner is necessary. Suggested donation is $5; first-time visitors and students are free. more »

Marrowstone Music Festival Concert: As part of the annual Marrowstone Music Festival at Western Washington University, internationally acclaimed faculty from the weeklong training ground for young musicians in the Pacific Northwest will perform at 7:30pm at the school's Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10. Additional concerts by both students and faculty happen Aug. 3, 7 and 9. more »

GOOD, BAD, UGLY: Watch “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” at 8pm every Thursday at the Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St. At 10pm, stick around for “The Project.” Entry is $7 for the early show, $4 for the late one. more »

Cascadia Weekly