Good morning, Bellingham. This is your Wednesday update from The Hamster Wheel.

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

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Returning to its home lot in Bellingham for the fourth year, Shoestring Circus is back with an all-new show! Under the circus tent, a new adventure takes shape with brand new artists and original acts. The intimate setting keeps the action close and this year’s show brings absurd, imaginative storytelling into a Dreamland world.

This show run has sold out every season, so save your seats today!

Kicking off tomorrow, April 30, the CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival returns for its 10th anniversary, bringing four days of films, panels, and gatherings to downtown Bellingham. Over the past decade, Cascadia has grown into a nationally recognized festival dedicated to films directed by women, with more than 300 directors and films featured. This year’s program reflects that trajectory, with a mix of short and feature films from around the world, alongside conversations about storytelling, craft, and the current state of the industry.

The schedule moves between screenings at the Pickford Film Center, panel discussions and workshops, and a series of community events. Opening night centers on the film Tenor: My Name Is Pati, followed by an after party. From there, the festival settles into a steady rhythm of screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and public panels, including discussions on sound design and film distribution.

Alongside the films, there is a couple free events. Look for the script studio on Sunday, and panel discussions at New Prospect Theatre on Saturday. The festival closes Sunday evening with its final screenings and a No Host Wrap Party. Check out the 2026 festival program, and snag passes to attend.

If you can sneak away from work a little early today, April 29, there’s a fascinating sounding lecture by professor and author Geoffrey Turnovsky entitled Permanent Ink: Why We Still Love Print in the Digital Age, being held at Western’s Wilson Reading Room at 4:00 pm. It’s free, and open to the public.

Geoffrey looks at how different technologies have shaped the way people record and share information, from handwriting to the printing press and now digital systems. The focus is on what print still offers in the age of AI and digital overload.

“Geoffrey Turnovsky is professor of French at the University of Washington. His teaching and research focus on the cultural history of early modern France and Europe, and the history of print, books, authorship, and reading. He is the author of Reading Typographically: Immersed in Print in Early Modern France.“

Traffic Alert: On Monday, WSDOT closed my favorite summertime back-route to Lake Samish when they closed Old Samish Road to through traffic near Chuckanut Creek. This closure expected to last through the end of the year.

The work is part of a Washington State Department of Transportation project to remove barriers to fish migration along Chuckanut Creek, tied to a broader set of improvements around Lake Samish.

LOCAL READS

Guemes Island beached carcasses identified as crab bait foxes
By River Martinez · The Front
About 25 skinned fox carcasses that washed ashore on Guemes Island were traced to out-of-state animals used as crab bait and lost overboard, according to the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office. River reports that officials do not expect charges, though the incident has unsettled residents and raised questions about disposal practices. Read more →

· · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Blessing of the Fleet to honor lost fishers during 42nd memorial
By Gary Dunster · The Northern Light
Blaine will host its 42nd annual Blessing of the Fleet on May 3 at the harbor, continuing a tradition that honors fishers lost at sea since the early 1900s. Gary reports that the ceremony includes reading 42 names, ringing a ship’s bell, and placing a memorial wreath into the water. Read more →

CIVIC CORNER

Thursday
Mark Stremler town hall, 6:30 pm, Lynden library

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Wednesday
Galbraith Mountain - Oly Spur: The only thing better than being on a beautiful trail is knowing you helped build and maintain it. Join WMBC in maintaining Galbraith trails. Register

Friday
Elk Flats: Hike through the forest to complete an annual site visit while removing invasive species to support native habitat along the South Fork of the Nooksack River. Register

Saturday
Big Rock Garden Park: Join the city for spring cleanup on National Garden Meditation Day! They will be cleaning sculptures, removing invasive plants, and mulching. Register
Maple Creek Reach: Join Whatcom Land Trust and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association for a day removing invasive Scotch broom. Register

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Blaine High School Theatre
Legally Blonde The Musical (theatre) | Thurs-Sun

WWU Performing Arts Center
Dance in Concert (dance) | Thurs-Sat

WWU Performing Arts Center
An Introduction to Devised Theater with the coldharts (theatre) | Fri

BAAY
Seussical JR (theatre) | Fri-Sun

New Prospect Theatre
Veil of Secrets (burlesque) | Fri, Sat

WWU Performing Arts Center
The coldharts present: Edgar Allan (theatre) | Sat

FireHouse Arts & Events Center
An Evening of Improv (improv) | Sat

iDiOM Theatre
All Our Tragic (theatre) | Sat, Sun

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Revolution Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Foundations: Hip Hop, House, Shuffle - Lost Giants Cider Co. - Fri 6 pm
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 7:30 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Belly Dance - Karate Church - Sun 1 pm
Open Floor Conscious Dance - Bellingham Fitness - Sunday 10:30 am

Catch Meinhardt Merry at Stones Throw tonight, April 29 from 6 to 8 pm. The local duo draws on roots in Whatcom County, blending folk, jazz, and light rock across a mix of original songs and reworked covers. The event is free and open to all ages.

Cat Positive leads a local indie and pop punk lineup at The Shakedown tonight, June 5, joined by The Wyrds and Bellflower. Doors open at 8 pm, with music at 8:30 pm.

Norbert Rodenkirchen performs Medieval Echoes at Heiner Theater on Wednesday, April 29 at 7:30 pm. Presented by Whatcom Community College’s Arts, Humanities and Languages Department, the free concert features solo flute music drawn from medieval traditions, including works by Notker Balbulus and Guillaume de Machaut alongside anonymous lais and early dances.

Honey Ruckus, Pete Keating, and Renslow Trestle share a three-act bill at Honey Moon Mead and Cider on Thursday, April 30 from 8 to 10 pm. Honey Ruckus brings a mix of bluegrass, Americana, and folk, with original songs alongside less common covers, including selections from a recent ten-song release. Pete Keating and Renslow Trestle focus on original material rooted in early American blues, folk, and jazz traditions, drawing from artists like The Carter Family and Etta James.

North Sound Flower Cooperative Market, Ohio Street Work Studios – A 9 am to noon weekly flower market featuring locally grown seasonal blooms from regional farms, open to both floral professionals and the public.

Cub Scout Pack 4003 Information Night, Explorations Academy – A 6:30 to 7:30 pm introductory meeting for families with K-5 youth to learn about Cub Scouts, meet leaders, and hear about activities and program structure at the new Pack 4003. Info

Roots of Empathy Virtual Open House, Online – A 12:30 to 1:30 pm informational session led by local program staff covering the empathy-based program proven to reduce bullying in schools and improve pro-social behaviors like helping, sharing and inclusion., with presentation and Q&A. Register here

Bids, Brews, and Bites, Wander Brewing – A 6 to 8 pm community fundraiser featuring a silent auction, vegan food from Sammies Vegan, drinks for purchase, and opportunities to support Elf Sanctuary.

Wednesday Music & Trivia →

Community Impact Night, Backcountry Essentials – A free event from 6 to 8 pm centered on connecting with local nonprofits and community organizations in the Bellingham area.

Chuckanut Radio Hour featuring Dane Bahr, Firehouse Arts and Events Center – A 7 to 8:30 pm live literary radio-style event with a reading from Bahr’s novel The Dead Ringer and a musical performance by Louis Ledford. Tickets

Chef Renee Erickson Author Talk and Book Signing, Hela Provisions – A 5:30 to 8 pm event featuring an author talk from 6 to 6:30 pm, followed by a book signing, with wine and a snack plate inspired by recipes from Sunlight and Breadcrumbs. Tickets

Thursday Music & Trivia →

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