Cocoa's selection: art exhibitions, seafood and improvised crime stories

Bellingham Sea Festival

Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, October 6, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Zuanich Point Park and Fisherman's Pavilion, 2600 N. Harbor Loop Drive

This sea-to-table soiree is one of the most anticipated—and delicious—festivals of the fall. SeaFeast strikes a careful balance of culture, history, and cuisine, celebrating history and tradition as well as today's harborscape. There's plenty to see and do all weekend long, from performances to panel discussions to a fish market. But I'm not lying: The food is usually the main attraction.

This year's SeaFeast includes musical performances, a pinball tournament, environmental exhibits, a digital planetarium by the nonprofit Whiteswan Environmental, and a variety of educational and informational booths. As for food, visitors can enjoy a variety of food vendors, a beer garden, and even a traditional Lummi Nation salmon barbecue. Admission to SeaFeast is free, but tickets are required for select events and activities. Info: bellinghamseafeast.org.

'Wait'

3rd–6th October, FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave.

Bellingham dancer Pamela Kuntz has a talent for translating difficult-to-express human experiences into poignant, often moving dance performances. Her next show, “Waiting,” seems to be no exception. The dance/theater piece was created not only by Kuntz, but also by Alona Christman, Vanessa Daines and Kate Stevenson, as well as 10 community members ranging in age from 12 to 75. These women have one special thing in common: For them, “waiting certainly isn't doing nothing.”

“Waiting” celebrates both the mundane and the thrill of the unknown, with performers exploring through movement the many obstacles, emotions and complexities inherent in anticipation. The result is a “wildly imaginative landscape filled with humor, sadness, nature, flying, water fountains and wrestling… all in one dance piece.” Info: kuntzandco.org.

'Hellingham'

Fridays and Saturdays through November 2, The Upfront Theatre, 203 Prospect St.

A name like “Hellingham” may sound intimidating, but fear not: The Upfront Theatre's Halloween show is more silly than scary. This improvised crime theater has become a community tradition – in part because each show is different. The actors are inspired by the characters created by the audience, and no one except the improviser knows the fate of the characters.

Overall, the show is a wonderful mix of spooky atmosphere and hilarious melodrama, so if you want to experience the October spirit without actually being scared, Hellingham is the best of both worlds. Shows run all month long, with two additional special performances on October 31. Info: theupfront.com.

Opening reception “Color and Line: An Exploration by Three NW Artists”

3-5 p.m. Saturday, October 5, Cordata Gallery, 465 W. Stuart Road

Syre Gallery's fall exhibition celebrates the basic elements of art: color and line. But while these elements are ubiquitous in 2D works, the three featured artists – Johannes Kunst, David Syre and Renee Noelle Cheesman – take very different approaches. Comprising paintings, drawings and even a site-specific installation, Color and Line is a layered yet cohesive dialogue between three exceptional local talents.

The exhibition will be on view through January 25, 2025, but the best time to see it is this Saturday. The opening reception is a chance to get a first look at the work, enjoy refreshments and perhaps meet other local art lovers. But if you can't make it to the opening, the Syre Gallery is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. Information: cordatagallery.com.

Skagit River Poetry Festival 2024

3–5 October, La Conner

Whether you're an aspiring poet or an avid reader (or both), the Skagit River Poetry Festival is one of the region's most unmissable literary events. For three days, visitors can engage with internationally renowned poets such as Ellen Bass, Chen Chen and Robert Wrigley during various workshops and readings. The event is made possible by the Skagit River Poetry Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to support Skagit County's high literary standards through access to the arts.

And if that weren't enough, the Skagit River Poetry Foundation offers several year-round initiatives beyond the festival. These include the Poets in Schools program, which sends commissioned professional, published poets for five-day residencies in 200 classrooms in Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties. All proceeds benefit this work, so by participating you are not only supporting the arts, but also the foundation's mission to “promote lifelong literacy and cultural diversity through poetry.” Information: skagitriverpoetry.org.

Below you will find a selection of events submitted by CDN readers. Click here to add yours.

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