WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The new year is upon us, and while we can’t speak for the rest of you, the crew at MyBellinghamNow and Pacific Northwest Media Group has resolved to read more books, check out more local art and see more live music in 2025.
That’s right. If you missed the news, Cascade Radio Group has rebranded as Pacific Northwest Media Group.
If reading more books made your list of New Year’s resolutions, renowned author Ashley Sweeney will be at Village Books in Fairhaven on Saturday, Jan. 4 signing copies of her new novel The Irish Girl.
It’s the story of a feisty thirteen-year-old forced to leave her family in western Ireland and cross the Atlantic for greener pastures. She’s met with anti-Catholic discrimination as she continues her journey west from New York to Chicago and then on to Colorado. The Irish Girl is a rich saga of family heritage that fans of historical fiction will love,
Ashley Sweeney is the winner of the Nancy Pearl Book Award along with over a dozen other literary awards. So, if this novel piques your interest, or if you just want to peruse the aisles looking for a new book to read, head down to Village Books.
The Ashely Sweeney book signing runs from 10 a.m. to noon. Go to villagebooks.com for all the details.
Christmas has come and gone but there’s still time to deck the halls at Deck the Old City Hall in Bellingham. The Whatcom Museum’s Old City Hall has been transformed into a holiday wonderland with trees, garlands and wreaths. Admission is by donation and your last chance to check it out is Sunday, Jan. 5.
While you’re down there, you can pop over to the Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher Building to take in some amazing local art. Under the Inspiration Tree: Celebrating the Works of Thomas Wood runs through March 2, 2025. The exhibit showcases the work of one of Bellingham’s most dynamic artists. Wood’s work includes etchings, paintings and pastels that explore the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Under the Inspiration Tree will likely leave you wanting more. So, don’t forget about Bugs in a Bowl at the i.e. Gallery in Edison. It’s an exploration of Thomas Wood’s etchings that focus on the absurdity and humor of the world. Running until Jan. 26, Bugs in Bowl offers viewers another great opportunity to experience the work of a great local artist who passed away in 2022.
Our featured live show this week is at the Shakedown. Bellingham’s own Energy Pyramid will rock the stage with their doomy prog rock cacophony on Saturday night. Fans of everything from surf rock to thrash metal will no doubt have their sonic cravings sated.
You’ll want to arrive early because opening for Energy Pyramid are hardcore-metal crossover wizards Witch Agony (Aberdeen) and death rockers Gallowmaker (Bellingham). The show starts at 9 p.m. Get your tickets at shakedownbellingham.com.
