"The impression given by Naomi Moon Siegel is that she is serenading the constellations. There’s an imagery inherent to her music that is greater than the calculus of the notes, much in the same way a certain collection of stars become meaningful in the context of their astronomical shape and name and story."
- Dave Sumner, Best of 2019 Jazz on Bandcamp

Trombonist, composer and educator Naomi Moon Siegel has "crafted a truly unique aesthetic, combining elements of straightahead, fusion and modern jazz with world-music flavors in a way that sounds entirely of the 21st century" (JAZZIZ). A recipient of the Montana Arts Council Artist Innovation Award, Chamber Music America Performance Plus Grant, and Earshot Jazz Golden Ear Award, she has released two albums as a bandleader to critical acclaim.

The Naomi Moon Siegel Ensemble formed in 2016 after the release of Siegel’s critically acclaimed album Shoebox View to present the album’s compositions in live performance. Playing Siegel’s original music, the band employs deep grooves, soaring melodies, fantastical soundscapes, creative interplay, and improvisation investigating themes of grief, isolation, and connection amidst climate change.

Lineup: Naomi Siegel (trombone); Marina Albero (piano); Ray Larsen (trumpet); Andy Coe (guitar); Kelsey Mines (bass); Chris Icasiano (drums)

Cost: $20 general, $10 students
Purchase advance tickets here

Website: jazzcenterofbellingham.org/events, www.naomimoonsiegel.com

Cindy Minkler (Lakota Sioux) graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a B.A. in Music Education (K-12) and Piano Performance. Since then, she’s been an educator, graduation speaker, freelance pianist, piano teacher, and performer.

In the 90’s, Cindy was seen on the hit dramedy television show “Northern Exposure.” In 2003 she was invited to perform at the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco where she featured her original composition, “Battle of the Little Big Horn.”

Cindy performed and won an award at the 2009 West Coast American Indian Music Awards Show. She recently finished her studies in music therapy at Western Michigan University. When covid-19 clears she plans on continuing music therapy programs at schools to enhance learning by improving attention and social skills, managing anxiety and promoting emotional expression. Minkler produced two of her original piano CD’s, “Chronological Growth” and “Holdin’ Me Up.”

This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted.

“Dmitri Matheny is a jazz treasure. The lyrical Matheny has impressive chops, but it’s his warmth and soulfulness that win you over.”
—All Music Guide

Acclaimed for his warm tone, soaring lyricism and masterful technique, American flugelhornist Dmitri Matheny has been lauded as “one of the most emotionally expressive improvisers of his generation” (International Review of Music). An honors graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Dmitri Matheny vaulted onto the jazz scene in the 1990s as the protégé of jazz legend Art Farmer.

Since then he has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal international following, touring extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, traveling to 19 countries. With over 100 recordings to his credit, Dmitri Matheny has released 12 albums as a leader. The San Francisco Chronicle calls Matheny “one of the jazz world’s most talented horn players.”

Lineup: Dmitri Matheny (flugelhorn); Michael Brockman (sax); Bill Anschell (piano); Phil Sparks (bass); Mark Ivester (drums)

Cost: $20 general, $10 students
Purchase advance tickets here

Website: jazzcenterofbellingham.org/events, www.dmitrimatheny.com

Whatcom County’s Keith Carpenter and Lynne Givler have been playing and harmonizing together for over 40 years. With Keith on guitar and mandolin and Lynne on bass, their original tunes are full of laughter, love, and stories taken from everyday life about not so ordinary people.

They are thrilled to share the stage with friends and musical inspirations, Greg Scott and Leslie Eliel. Leslie and Greg are singer-songwriters from Seattle, WA. They write individually as well as collaboratively. Known for their close vocal blend, their songs span acoustic styles from country and Americana to swing and pop, supported by Scott’s groove-driven guitar accompaniment. Their set will include tenderhearted love songs, incisive observations on life, and plain old goofy humor.

This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted

Calling all Bellingham music supporters! This concert coming up in November is one you won’t want to miss.

Some of Bellingham’s favorite musicians, and a few you may not have heard of, are coming together to raise funds for guitarist Michael Longenecker. Michael has been a long time musician in Bellingham, and we want to show him love and support as he enters into a new phase of his life following a recent medical diagnosis. Come enjoy some great music by several local musicians and show support to Michael, a treasure to our community and the Bellingham music scene.

Performances by:

• Michael Longenecker

• Beverly Hoback

• Karen Reitz

• JP Falcon Grady

• Free Harmony

• Guitars and Gratitude

Cost: FREE with all donations going to Michael’s fund

Cayley Schmid and Aaron Guest met at the Bellingham Farmers Market in
2009. Desperately jealous of each other’s busking success, they
neutralized the competition and started a band together. This was the
beginning of a decade-long musical partnership that descended into
marriage. After the retirement of their band, Polecat, in 2020, Aaron and
Cayley suddenly found themselves musically unsupervised by their
bandmates for the first time. Together they play instrumental Celtic music
on fiddle and piano. Tunes range from lively reels and jigs to sweeping airs
and waltzes, and drawing from Scottish, Cape Breton, and Irish traditions. 

This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted.

A series of readings and music from “Big Jam Stories”, an original historical fiction by Mark Nichols, featuring guest readers and musicians, including singer Julie Lewis. 

The story of a little boy living on big jam in the years before the ancient log jam/crossing was “cleared” (1877), and before the first steam-powered river ferries passed into what is now referred to as the nooksack river below ferndale.

Mark performed chapter one at the Firehouse earlier this year and it was great! People encouraged him to do more of the story, so here he is doing one chapter at a time. Each evening he is going to tell five or six intimate fables about little boy and the big jam and its ‘creachers’. They will sing some songs, take a break and then have more music, and maybe even a little dancing.

This will be an eight evening series, each evening is a unique part of The Big Jam Stories epic. Save the dates below to attend all eight evenings.

Friday Sept. 6 - Origin stories of Big Jam
Saturday Sept. 7   - Life at Big Jam
Thursday Sept. 12 - Alone at Big Jam
Thursday Sept. 19 - The all-night dance
Thursday Oct. 24 - The trial
Friday Nov. 1 - Under the jam
Thursday Nov. 21 - The finale 
Friday Nov. 22 - Wrap up & discussion

Cost: Donation and pay-what-you-will at the door

DUE TO BAND MEMBER ILLNESS THIS SHOW WILL BE RESCHEDULED

The Interpreters' band members include original members Russell Harris Jr Keyboards, Jarrett "AJ" Dorsey lll Bass Guitar, and Evan Holmstrom on Drums. This trio formed out of post 2020 garage sessions exploring and interpreting black soul and other instrumental music originating from cities and neighborhoods of the 60's, 70 "s and beyond. The song list is growing, but the a la cart offering presently includes cover songs and originals. One with the flavor of jazz fusion and a romantic bosinova inspired by a visit to Havana.

This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted

On October 27, Gail Pettis returns with Blake Angelos piano, Jeff Johnson bass, and Jud Sherwood drums.

Then for the season finale on November 24th, join Greta Matassa and her quartet for a reprise of her concert earlier this year.

Advance Tickets here or at the door.

$20 general, $10 students, and free for Jazz Project members.

PURCHASE 5 or MORE ART OF JAZZ TICKETS FOR $5 DISCOUNT

Award winning songwriter Steven Webb and his band The Great Mad Swirl will be performing an eclectic mix of acoustic soul / reggae and Americana that you don’t wanna miss .

Joining Steve will be Kevin Cowden on keys and piano along with Christopher Nunn doing a special opening performance. Please join us for this joyful evening of collaboration and music.

Christopher Nunn is a Pacific Northwest singer/songwriter, guitarist, and viola player. He grew up among the driftwood and saltwater on Lummi Island where a supportive and loving community encouraged him toward the arts. By age 21 his viola had taken him to Carnegie Hall, where he performed with the late Charlie Haden, opening for Ornette Coleman.

After returning from the east coast, he formed a rock band in Bellingham, WA, called Crow Magnet, playing original music rooted in a rich vein of American styles including folk, country, and rhythm & blues. As a viola player, Christopher is also inspired by classical, old-time/traditional, and world music. His music comfortably fuzes these realms and delivers an authentic, soulful sound with an emotional honesty that lives in the present. Christopher currently performs solo versions of these and other songs.

Cost: Donations gladly accepted at the door

A series of readings and music from “Big Jam Stories”, an original historical fiction by Mark Nichols, featuring guest readers and musicians, including singer Julie Lewis. 

The story of a little boy living on big jam in the years before the ancient log jam/crossing was “cleared” (1877), and before the first steam-powered river ferries passed into what is now referred to as the nooksack river below ferndale.

Mark performed chapter one at the Firehouse earlier this year and it was great! People encouraged him to do more of the story, so here he is doing one chapter at a time. Each evening he is going to tell five or six intimate fables about little boy and the big jam and its ‘creachers’. They will sing some songs, take a break and then have more music, and maybe even a little dancing.

This will be an eight evening series, each evening is a unique part of The Big Jam Stories epic. Save the dates below to attend all eight evenings.

Friday Sept. 6 - Origin stories of Big Jam
Saturday Sept. 7   - Life at Big Jam
Thursday Sept. 12 - Alone at Big Jam
Thursday Sept. 19 - The all-night dance
Thursday Oct. 24 - The trial
Friday Nov. 1 - Under the jam
Thursday Nov. 21 - The finale 
Friday Nov. 22 - Wrap up & discussion

Cost: Donation and pay-what-you-will at the door

A saxophonist with an expressive sound rooted in Jazz tradition, a label owner tirelessly documenting unsung Jazz heroes, one of Canada’s most important Jazz impresarios, the hardest-working man in Jazz business – Cory Weeds is all of these things, and much more.

Lineup: Cory Weeds (saxophone); tbd

Cost: $20 general, $10 students
Purchase advance tickets here

Website: jazzcenterofbellingham.org/events, www.coryweeds.com

Deborah Dewey is renowned as an electrifying performer and beloved teacher. Critics have noted the “sparkling passage work,” “warm operatic lyricism,” “thoughtful interpretation,” and “sense of dramatic urgency” in her playing. Praised for her sensitive musicianship and technical mastery, she won the KMS Resident Artist Competition, the William C Byrd Young Artist Competition, the Woolsey Hall Concerto Competition and the Northeastern United States MTNA Competition, in addition to numerous local and regional competitions throughout her years of study with Margaret Ott, Theodore Lettvin, Donald Currier and Charles Fisk. She was a finalist in the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, the University of Maryland International Piano Competition and the MTNA National Competition.

Deborah has given countless solo recitals throughout the United States and in London, Mexico City and Thailand. She was concerto soloist with the Oakland Symphony, Flint Symphony, Spokane Symphony Orchestra, Yale Philharmonia, Peter Britt Festival Orchestra, Sammamish Symphony, and Central Oregon Symphony, among others. She has appeared at the Seattle Chamber Music Festival, the Methow Chamber Music Festival, the Mostly Nordic Chamber Music Series and the Russian Chamber Music Foundation Series. Her performances have been broadcast on National Public Radio in Connecticut, Michigan, California and Washington. Four-hand recitals in Mexico City with Fernando García Torres, at both Palacio de Bellas Artes and Colegio de San Idelfonso, received effusive critical praise. She has given duo-recitals with Elfa Rún Kristinsdóttir, Toby Saks, Cordelia Wikarski-Miedel, the Soni Ventorum Wind Quintet and Charles Fisk. With pianist Lisa Bergman, she formed the celebrated four-hand duo, VENTIDITA, and with Bergman and Natalya Ageyeva, the dazzling six-hand trio THIRTYFINGERS, captivating audiences throughout Washington State.

Devoted to the development of young musicians, she has been on the piano faculties at the University of Washington, Whitworth University, the Cornish Institute and the Yale School of Music. She is currently in great demand as a private and master teacher, competition judge, lecturer, and performer. Deborah resides in Seattle, Washington

She will be performing works by Debussy, Samuel Barber, and Rachmaninoff.

This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted

Pianist, vocalist, and composer Dawn Clement is a distinguished force in modern creative music. Over two decades, she has upheld jazz traditions while pioneering new sonic explorations. Clement shines as a collaborator and is highly in demand as a teaching and performing artist. She has previously performed with jazz luminaries including Jane Ira Bloom, Ron Miles, Matt Wilson, Rene Marie, and Julian Priester. Dawn recorded with säje on their GRAMMY-nominated debut album, and has toured with the ensemble in the U.S. and Japan. Dawn has been busy with several of her own projects including a trio with guitarist Steve Kovalcheck and bassist Jon Hamar (9/6/24). Her recordings highlight her versatility, from jazz piano trio mastery to avant-garde improvisation and indie-influenced songwriting. Clement is currently Associate Professor of Jazz and American Improvised Music at Metropolitan State University of Denver and Artistic Director of the Centrum Jazz Workshop.

Lineup: Dawn Clement (piano/vocals); Mark Taylor (alto); Steve Kovalcheck (guitar); Michael Glynn (bass); Dru Heller (drums)

Cost: $20 general, $10 students
Purchase advance tickets here

Website: jazzcenterofbellingham.org/events, https://dawnclement.com

Enjoy an afternoon with multi-award winning jazz songwriter Cheryl Hodge (Best Jazz Song, Hollywood Music In Media Awards, winner of GRINDIE, etc.) Former Berklee College of Music faculty and international recording artist Cheryl Hodge discloses her writing processes and a few of the stories behind the songs on October 7th.

Website:  https://cherylhodge.com

This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted.

Flagship Romance is an unforgettable alternative folk duo known for their breathtaking vocal harmonies, inspired songwriting, dynamic live show, and a remarkable on and off-stage chemistry that will leave you with the feeling that you made two new best friends. Married singers-songwriters Shawn Fisher and Jordyn Jackson effortlessly fuse technical precision in their impeccably tight vocal blend with an invigorating sense of emotional abandon in their energetic live persona. Performing each show as if it could be their last, this duo will have you questioning how their larger-than-life sound can come from just two voices and an acoustic guitar.

Traveling over 200,000 miles since their musical inception, the duo has amassed an engaged grassroots following. A testament to Fisher and Jackson’s close relationship with their supporters, Flagship Romance has released four critically acclaimed full-length albums, 100% funded by their enthusiastic fanbase. To date, their multiple crowdfunding efforts, including the duo’s most recent campaign for their forthcoming self-titled double album, have raised a combined total of over $175,000. Currently based in Louisville, KY, Flagship Romance has begun releasing a consistent string of singles from the double album, produced by GRAMMY award winning producer Lee Miles.

Purchase advance tickets here

Website: www.flagshipromance.com

Simon Llewelyn Evans is an Australian singer-songwriter who has also recorded and performed under the band name "draw mountains There". Called “a case apart. A special phenomenon” by Rootstime magazine in Belgium, his debut album was number 2 on the folk music charts in Australia. 

Evans’ work explores sexuality, loss, death, spirituality and the slow subtle world of relationship. Having spent most of his life in Australia and the Fiji Islands, he recently moved to Bellingham with his wife and is finding new inspiration in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. He is currently touring to share his newly released album, Something Real. 

This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted.

Websites: Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, Facebook

Brian Cunningham & Christopher Woitach Quartet

Joining the duo guitarists are Jeff Johnson on bass and Jud Sherwood on drums.

On October 27, Gail Pettis returns with Blake Angelos piano, Jeff Johnson bass, and Jud Sherwood drums.

Then for the season finale on November 24th, join Greta Matassa and her quartet for a reprise of her concert earlier this year.

Advance Tickets here or at the door.

$20 general, $10 students, and free for Jazz Project members.

PURCHASE 5 or MORE ART OF JAZZ TICKETS FOR $5 DISCOUNT

Geof Morgan is celebrating his 75th birthday with a special evening of mostly newer original songs at the Firehouse.

As a singer and songwriter, Geof spent 10 years in Nashville in the 70’s which continues to influence his folk-country guitar playing and vocal style.

He will be joined for the evening on vocal harmonies by the amazing Marie Eaton and the stunning guitar artistry of Nina Gerber. There will also be a few special surprise guests.

Geof’s songs speak of love, aging, family secrets, little league, social justice, New England, and 40 years living in the stunning Northwest.

Cost: $25.00

Purchase advance tickets here

Itamar's music holds a depth and sensitivity that touches listeners deeply. It blends the delicateness of Middle Eastern music, the freedom found in jazz and the passion of flamenco, creating a unique sound all his own.

Recipient of the 2014 ACUM Prize for Special Achievement in Jazz and the prestigious 2014 Landau Prize, Itamar Erez is an internationally renowned composer and guitarist who has shared the stage with such musicians as Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Tomatito, Avishai Cohen, JeanLouis Matinier, Zohar Fresco, and others. 

Itamar has released Six albums to date, including "Desert Song" (2006) and "Hommage" (2010) with the Adama Ensemble, "New Dawn" (2013) with percussionist Yshai Afterman and special guest Antonio Serrano on harmonica, and "Mi Alegria" (2019). "May Song," was released in October 2022 and features music written during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Migrant Voices”, Itamar’s 6th album was released in 2024. It is an collaboration album with Hamin Honari (Iranian-Canadian percussionist). This unique project blends diverse cultural influences, highlighting the spontaneous interplay between guitar and percussion.

Lineup: Itamar Erez (piano, guitar); John Nicholson (sax); Jeff Gammon (bass); Kevin Romain (drums)

Cost: $20 general, $10 students
Purchase advance tickets here

Website: jazzcenterofbellingham.org/events, www.itamarerez.com

Vibrant original songs performed with rich vocals and masterful instrumentation, Cabin Fever NW has wide crossover appeal for fans of bluegrass, singer-songwriter, Americana, country, pop and gospel. 

No matter who you are, it’s likely that you’ve experienced cabin fever. You’ve been stuck somewhere for way too long. Walls have been built that you'd like to knock down. You need to get out, you need a change, you need something good to happen. 

Dianne Bochsler's musical career began by singing duets and playing guitar with her father. She adopted an important piece of his life philosophy: happiness is playing a guitar and singing with friends. Her love of the stage took her all the way from upstate New York to Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. When she saw the music scene in the Pacific Northwest, she realized she had to be part of it. She followed her heart's desire and jumped into the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, where she found a bottomless well of inspiration. 

Tara Caldwell’s musical roots rise from the mountains and prairies of Alberta and the folk traditions of the labor movement. An accomplished singer and songwriter, Tara finds inspiration in the brighter spots as well as the darker corners of human experience. As a two-year-old child, she "imprinted" with the banjo and has been following it around ever since. When Tara and Dianne met at their children’s preschool, they discovered their near-perfect sibilant harmony and immediately grew ambitious about performing, recording, and living out their musical dreams together. 

This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted.

Website: cabinfevernw.com

September 21st is the annual World Gratitude Day and we’ll be expressing our gratitude for our favorite local venue: The FireHouse! Guitars and Gratitude will be hosting an evening of acoustic music from some of Bellingham’s finest talent, check out the line-up!

Different performers every half hour or so. Come on in, have some food and drink, enjoy the music and the venue. We’re getting our gratitude on! Join us!

This day aims to remind us of the importance of expressing gestures of thanks and appreciation. Understandably, sometimes we can get caught up in our busy lives and neglect to show how grateful we are for the people around us. Many people believe that once you commit a simple act of kindness for someone, you don’t need to manifest that kind of kindness repeatedly. But if you do, it makes the world a better place. After all, it’s your world, and you have to live in it!

No cover charge, all donations go to The FireHouse.

Whatcom Million Trees Project Sound Bath Benefit

Ticket proceeds benefit Whatcom Million Trees Project and the commitment to protect and plant one million trees in key locations throughout Whatcom County. Learn more about the vision, progress and and how to support this quest here: whatcommilliontrees.org

For your maximum comfort please a yoga mat, plenty of padding, a blanket and a small pillow to create your cozy “nest to rest.” Seated, chair or reclined meditation welcome.

Max: 55 humans. Pre-registration appreciated!

Doors open 30 minutes before

Cost: $35 ticket, $40 at the door

Website: mysticheartbeats.com

A series of readings and music from “Big Jam Stories”, an original historical fiction by Mark Nichols, featuring guest readers and musicians, including singer Julie Lewis. 

The story of a little boy living on big jam in the years before the ancient log jam/crossing was “cleared” (1877), and before the first steam-powered river ferries passed into what is now referred to as the nooksack river below ferndale.

Mark performed chapter one at the Firehouse earlier this year and it was great! People encouraged him to do more of the story, so here he is doing one chapter at a time. Each evening he is going to tell five or six intimate fables about little boy and the big jam and its ‘creachers’. They will sing some songs, take a break and then have more music, and maybe even a little dancing.

This will be an eight evening series, each evening is a unique part of The Big Jam Stories epic. Save the dates below to attend all eight evenings.

Friday Sept. 6 - Origin stories of Big Jam
Saturday Sept. 7   - Life at Big Jam
Thursday Sept. 12 - Alone at Big Jam
Thursday Sept. 19 - The all-night dance
Thursday Oct. 24 - The trial
Friday Nov. 1 - Under the jam
Thursday Nov. 21 - The finale 
Friday Nov. 22 - Wrap up & discussion

Cost: Donation and pay-what-you-will at the door

Cuarto Sueño (Fourth Dream) captivates their audiences with live performances of high energy flamenco guitar, modern Latin jazz, and creative arrangements of familiar classics. Influenced by a range of pioneers such as Al Di Meola and Paco de Lucia, to Jaco Pastorius and Chick Corea, Cuarto Sueño delivers an exciting and accessible sound to listeners of all tastes. 

Cuarto Sueño is an acoustic jazz quartet comprised of BJ Block and Jacob Seyer (guitars), Tom Anastasio (bass) and Steve Jones (percussion).  

Cost: $20
Purchase advance tickets here

A series of readings and music from “Big Jam Stories”, an original historical fiction by Mark Nichols, featuring guest readers and musicians, including singer Julie Lewis. 

The story of a little boy living on big jam in the years before the ancient log jam/crossing was “cleared” (1877), and before the first steam-powered river ferries passed into what is now referred to as the nooksack river below ferndale.

Mark performed chapter one at the Firehouse earlier this year and it was great! People encouraged him to do more of the story, so here he is doing one chapter at a time. Each evening he is going to tell five or six intimate fables about little boy and the big jam and its ‘creachers’. They will sing some songs, take a break and then have more music, and maybe even a little dancing.

This will be an eight evening series, each evening is a unique part of The Big Jam Stories epic. Save the dates below to attend all eight evenings.

Friday Sept. 6 - Origin stories of Big Jam
Saturday Sept. 7   - Life at Big Jam
Thursday Sept. 12 - Alone at Big Jam
Thursday Sept. 19 - The all-night dance
Thursday Oct. 24 - The trial
Friday Nov. 1 - Under the jam
Thursday Nov. 21 - The finale 
Friday Nov. 22 - Wrap up & discussion

Cost: Donation and pay-what-you-will at the door

In Motion, led by saxophonist Steve Treseler and trumpeter Kevin Woods, performs forward-thinking original jazz with a nod to the piano-less groups of Ornette Coleman, Dewey Redman, and Lee Konitz.

The chord-less make-up of the group allows the band the freedom to stretch harmonically and melodically, while maintaining an emphasis on rhythmic interaction and improvised counterpoint. Treseler and Woods seem to communicate telepathically, with a great sense of élan, musical curiosity, and excitement.

Lineup: Kevin Woods (trumpet); Steve Tressler (sax); King Dahl (bass); Jerry Steinhilber (drums)

Cost: $20 general, $10 students
Purchase advance tickets here

Website: jazzcenterofbellingham.org/events, www.kevinwoodsjazz.com/in-motion

The name Dry Martini is an homage to the alto saxophonist Paul Desmond, who famously remarked that he wanted to sound like a dry martini. 

It also acknowledges the band's friends and mentors, saxophonist Brent Jensen and guitarist Jamie Findlay, whose 2001 and 2021 CDs are titled "The Sound of A Dry Martini" and "More Sounds of A Dry Martini", respectively.

Mike Knutson started playing alto sax in high school and college. After a hiatus of many years, he has again taken up the sax, reflecting his lifetime love of jazz. 

Michael Newlight started on guitar in high school. In the '70s, he performed throughout the Northwest as half of the folk duo "Judith & Michael." Later, he and his nasty black Les Paul Custom guitar fronted the short-lived Bellingham rock band Secret Lives. Then came solo performances here and there as blues musician Mike Leo. At last, following this restless many-decade journey through folk, blues, and rock, he has arrived at relaxed domesticity, bossa nova, and cool jazz.

Steve Webber-Plank began his initial percussion journey in 1956 at a So Cal music store with weekly lessons and he worked his way thru high school playing Sat night Two Step & Polka gigs in a country Italian pizzeria and road house. His real love was Afro-Cuban Caribbean rhythms popular at the time and he bonded with the Bossa Nova tunes introduced in the late ‘50’s.  Big Band greats like Benny Goodman and his Carnegie Hall performance played a role in his love for rhythm, with the early Be-bop and later smooth jazz era of the mid-century music scene. He’s pleased to partner with Bellingham’s Dry Martini and share the Love.

This event is not ticketed. However, cash donations of appreciation are gladly accepted.

Website: drymartinimusic.com

A series of readings and music from “Big Jam Stories”, an original historical fiction by Mark Nichols, featuring guest readers and musicians, including singer Julie Lewis. 

The story of a little boy living on big jam in the years before the ancient log jam/crossing was “cleared” (1877), and before the first steam-powered river ferries passed into what is now referred to as the nooksack river below ferndale.

Mark performed chapter one at the Firehouse earlier this year and it was great! People encouraged him to do more of the story, so here he is doing one chapter at a time. Each evening he is going to tell five or six intimate fables about little boy and the big jam and its ‘creachers’. They will sing some songs, take a break and then have more music, and maybe even a little dancing.

This will be an eight evening series, each evening is a unique part of The Big Jam Stories epic. Save the dates below to attend all eight evenings.

Friday Sept. 6 - Origin stories of Big Jam
Saturday Sept. 7   - Life at Big Jam
Thursday Sept. 12 - Alone at Big Jam
Thursday Sept. 19 - The all-night dance
Thursday Oct. 24 - The trial
Friday Nov. 1 - Under the jam
Thursday Nov. 21 - The finale 
Friday Nov. 22 - Wrap up & discussion

Cost: Donation and pay-what-you-will at the door

A series of readings and music from “Big Jam Stories”, an original historical fiction by Mark Nichols, featuring guest readers and musicians, including singer Julie Lewis. 

The story of a little boy living on big jam in the years before the ancient log jam/crossing was “cleared” (1877), and before the first steam-powered river ferries passed into what is now referred to as the nooksack river below ferndale.

Mark performed chapter one at the Firehouse earlier this year and it was great! People encouraged him to do more of the story, so here he is doing one chapter at a time. Each evening he is going to tell five or six intimate fables about little boy and the big jam and its ‘creachers’. They will sing some songs, take a break and then have more music, and maybe even a little dancing.

This will be an eight evening series, each evening is a unique part of The Big Jam Stories epic. Save the dates below for more to come!

Friday Sept. 6 - Origin stories of Big Jam
Saturday Sept. 7   - Life at Big Jam
Thursday Sept. 12 - Alone at Big Jam
Thursday Sept. 19 - The all-night dance
Thursday Oct. 24 - The trial
Friday Nov. 1 - Under the jam
Thursday Nov. 21 - The finale 
Friday Nov. 22 - Wrap up & discussion

Cost: Donation and pay-what-you-will at the door