‘Exit the King’
7:30 p.m. Feb. 20–22, 23–28 and March 1, 6–7
Idiom Theater, 1417 Cornwall Ave.
In Ionesco’s classic play (as interpreted by the Idiom), King Bérenger refuses to step away from his throne. This is despite the fact that he’s 400 years old and his kingdom is crumbling around him. His court must bear witness to unraveling; meanwhile, the King himself “struggles to reconcile his crumbling authority with his own mortality.”
Put bluntly, “Exit the King” is a critique on power and its absurdities — and yes, it’s every bit as relevant today as it was when first staged in 1962. The production, per the Idiom’s website, is “a mirror reflecting the universal struggle of letting go,” challenging audiences to look inward, face our fears, and ultimately, “[laugh] at the absurdity of it all.” Info: idiomtheater.org.
‘The Time of Cherries’
7:30 p.m. Feb. 20–22, Feb. 27–March 1
WinkWink Boutique event space, 1302 Commercial St.
“Exit the King” isn’t the only play with political themes in Bellingham this weekend. Remember that time when the Parisian working class seized power and then established a government of their own? No? Well, the Unsubdued Theatre Collective is about to remind you.
“The Time of Cherries,” is an original historical drama set in late 19th-century France, but the show’s themes are blisteringly relevant today. Its plot follows four characters all the way from the start of the Paris Commune in March 1871, all the way to the Commune’s “tragic and bloody end” in May. Info: unsubduedtheatre.org.
Poetry Pop-Up
5:30–9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20
Various locations, downtown Bellingham
You might not have heard of the Salish Sea Poetry Festival before, but that’s about to change. The up-and-coming organization is debuting its first-ever “poetry crawl” on Feb. 20 with four locations in downtown Bellingham, all conveniently located on State Street.
But the point of the Poetry Pop-Up isn’t just to hang out and enjoy other people’s poems. The Poetry Pop-Up “connects poets and poetry groups with each other and the community.” Each venue’s poets represent a different literary journal or writing group — so if you’ve been searching for a literary community in Whatcom County, here’s your chance to get connected.
This month’s crawl begins at Honey Moon at 5:30 p.m., then moves to L&L Libations at 7 p.m., Ramble Tamble at 8 p.m. and closes at 9 p.m. at 20th Century Bowl. Info: thepoetrydepartment.wordpress.com.
Celebrating the Winner and Finalists of the Nancy Pearl Book Award
6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21
Village Books, 1200 11th St.
The Nancy Pearl Book Award is a big deal in Pacific Northwestern writers’ circles — and in 2025, the contest will enter its 21st year. The award recognizes recently published works from members of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association (PNWA), spanning three categories: memoir, genre fiction and literary/mainstream fiction. On Feb. 21, the community is invited to celebrate finalists from the latter category at — where else? — Village Books.
This year’s winner in the mainstream/genre fiction category is Rebecca Holbrook, a poet/novelist/banjo player whose first novel, “Omie’s Well,” “captures the rich flavor of the south, its humor, the strength of its people, and the challenges a changing world brings to their doorstep.” Holbrook, along with finalists Irma Fritz (“When There Was No Moon”) and Alle C. Hall (“As Far as You Can Go Before You Have to Come Back”) will be honored at the event. Make sure to reserve seats (and maybe pick up a copy of their books) in advance. Info: villagebooks.com.
New York Dog Film Festival
7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23
Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. 1st St., Mount Vernon
Last year the Pickford Film Center introduced me to the (adorable) concept of a cat film festival. As an equal-opportunity animal lover, I’m thrilled to learn the same event exists for dogs. Don’t take my word for it: Experience the cuteness for yourself by watching the 2025 New York Dog Festival, screening Feb. 23 at the Lincoln Theatre.
So what is a dog film festival? It’s exactly what it sounds like: “a collection of short films celebrating the love between dogs, their people, and the animal welfare groups that bring them together.” Ten percent of ticket sales will benefit Saving Pets One at a Time (SPOT), a nonprofit that finds forever homes for pups in Skagit County. Info: lincolntheatre.org.
Not-Creepy Gathering for People Who Want to Fall in Love
6–8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22
WinkWink Boutique event space, 1302 Commercial St.
From Hype the Homies at Kulshan to Friends with PowerPoints and Wild Buffalo, I was delighted by all the real-life dating events that popped up around Bellingham before Valentine’s Day. But if you missed your chance to attend them, you have another chance to meet your match on Feb. 22 as part of the “Not-Creepy Gathering for People Who Want to Fall in Love.” The premise is simple: “Are you a nice person who just wants to meet another nice person? This event is for you!”
This structured event is ultimately about “not about scrolling and swiping and making snap judgements based solely on physical appearance.” Expect a mix of group and one-on-one activities, and even writing exercises. (Make sure to bring a notebook!) The event is hosted in collaboration with WinkWink, and tickets are offered on a sliding-scale basis. Importantly, participants of all sexualities are welcome. Info: thenotcreepygathering.com.
The following is a selection of events submitted by CDN readers. Click here to add yours.
For questions, ideas and feedback, email cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com.
Before heading out to attend in-person happenings, check with individual venues to make sure the event is still taking place as scheduled.
The A-List appears weekly. To submit an event for consideration, email calendar@cascadiadaily.com.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
