A12 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
Make the Right Turn in Bellingham Bellingham Festival of Music
By Benjamin Yong With huge events like Squamish Live and the five-day extravaganza in Pemberton, B.C. is no stranger to music festivals. But heading north isn’t the only option to get your melodic fix, as Bellingham is getting ready to host their 21st annual Festival of Music from July 5 to 20. “It’s a three-week summer festival of classical music, in which the orchestra is made up of selected musicians from North America,” says board chair Robert Lynch. “We do five orchestra concerts, chamber music (small ensemble of instruments) recitals and a number of free concerts.” A big draw for the show is the well-known guest artists from within classical circles that it attracts. Famous names performing this year include American violinist Stefan Jackiw, Spanish guitarist Pablo Villegas and Cuban-American soprano Lisette Oropesa, whose work has even appeared on the NBC comedy 30 Rock. Everything takes place at the Western Washington University Performing Arts Centre, nestled right in-between the historic town of Fairhaven and downtown Bellingham that is only about an hour’s drive from Richmond. Because of its relatively close proximity, Lynch says the festival draws a fair share of Canadians as well as people from all over the Pacific Northwest.
Downtown Sounds in Downtown Bellingham
July 9th ~ MarchFourth Marching Band July 16th ~ The Prime Time Band July 23rd ~ Polecat July 30th ~ Publish the Quest August 6th ~ Voyager
Downtown Art Walk July 11th ~ All over downtown Bellingham
“It’s very well attended. The five big concerts hold about 600 people or so each and they usually sell out. The chamber music is a smaller venue but that’s another several hundred. I’d say we get about 4,000 annually.” Another city favourite in the summer is the Downtown Sounds summer free concert series entering its 10th year. From July 9 to Aug. 6 on the 1300 block of Bay Street, popular local bands will play a variety of music every Wednesday night with different groups every week. A beverage garden will be provided by Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro and Spark Museum of Electrical Innovation. Also, happening at the same time is the Fairhaven Steampunk Festival Mr. Flip’s Carnival of Wonders & Curiosities on July 19, a unique exhibition celebrating Steampunk science-fiction literary culture and featuring live entertainment, food and vendors.
There are plenty more things to do, eat and see in both Fairhaven and “old” Bellingham, especially in the summertime — from cycling along the boardwalk to shopping in family-owned boutique stores to grabbing a bite and drink at some of the finest brew-pubs anywhere. Tickets for the Bellingham Festival of Music can be purchased via the website at www.bellinghamfestival.org/tickets, or by calling 360-605-6146. For more information about other events in the area, visit fairhaven.com and downtownbham.wordpress.com.
BOOKS New & Used
•
GIFTS
Cool & Unique
•
CANDY Great Selection
•
CARDS
and much more!
1200-1206 11th St. Bellingham, WA • Historic Fairhaven Villagebooks.com • 360.671.2626 • Open Daily!
NOW OPEN
Redeem for 10% off When You Spend $30 or More . Cajun Creole . Weekend Brunch . Patio Seating . Happy Hour 4-7pm . Closed Mondays
IN
FAIRHAVEN
1300 Bay Street 360.752.2968
Olive oil & vinegar tasting room Sample over 60 of the world’s freshest, single varietal extra virgin olive oils, flavored and gourmet oils & balsamic vinegars from Modena, Italy! Come taste our selection of Artisan sea salts, custom spice blends, local honeys & gourmet bulk pastas too! Located in the Historic Fairhaven Village 1208 11th street Bellingham, WA 98225
360-392-8838
www.drizzletastingroom.com
Retreat
Recharge
Renew
Dine with us att Bellingham WA
(360) 756-1005
thechrysalisinn.com
FAT PIE