🎭 The A-List Encore 05/22/26

I try to connect feature stories in CDN’s Living section to a broader societal theme or trend, told through a community-centric lens. Loneliness might not be a “trend,” per se, but it’s certainly a frequent topic of discussion in 2026.

Humans are more connected than ever before, but as the paradox goes, living your life behind a screen (combined with a frankly terrifying news cycle) is a recipe for isolation. The Los Angeles Times even declared Gen Z to be “the loneliest generation of them all” — but Bellingham’s young people seem to be taking tangible steps to combat that reputation.

In 2026, nearly every source I interview references the necessity of finding and maintaining physical, meaningful community. It helps that Bellingham is a uniquely sized city: not overwhelmingly populated, yet large enough to allow for many different niches to flourish.

These kinds of conversations inspired a new series, In Real Life, which chronicles the various ways people in Bellingham find belonging offline in a disconnected time.

Interests like birdwatching, book clubs and even games like Dungeons & Dragons foster a sense of identity, while also introducing people with different life experiences. One of my favorite anecdotes from the series debut involved a nonbinary, 20-something tattoo artist who befriended an elderly white man from Florida over mutual love for birds.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, writing about IRL communities made me reflect on where I find my own sense of belonging. This time last year, I wrote about the closure of BBay Running, whose weekly pub runs introduced me to many of the people I’m closest to today.

My colleague Jaya Flanary is an avid bowler; you can read her 2023 series about Bellingham’s bowling community here. Reporter Annie Todd has celebrated engagements, weddings and births alongside her book club, and reporter Owen Racer frequents tennis courts around town (whose weekend crew of regulars are “refreshingly diverse”).

Do you have an IRL hobby or community that provides a sense of belonging? I’d love to hear about it. Email me at [email protected] with ideas.

There’s a lot to look forward to in Bellingham this weekend, namely Habitat for Humanity’s Trashion Show (Saturday, May 16), Blaine Spring Block Party, Bellingham Chamber Music Society concert and a miniature version of the Whatcom Artist Studio Tour (May 16–17).

It also goes without saying that Ski to Sea is nearly upon us, and as usual, the CDN staff are hard at work bringing you pre-race coverage (plus the usual day-of live asset). I’ve written a guide to this year’s Fairhaven Festival, available here. Instead of the usual street festival, expect pop-up events throughout the village, including a three-day block party at Stones Throw Brewery (kicking off Friday, May 23).

Remarkably, there are still limited tickets available for the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra’s season closer, “Fireworks: An American Celebration” (Sunday, May 31 at Mount Baker Theatre). If you couldn’t make Yo-Yo Ma’s (very sold-out) appearance last month, make sure to get this performance on your calendar.

Looking into June, Setting Sun Circle (formerly Children of the Setting Sun) is organizing an Indigenous Art Festival to coincide with the usual downtown Bellingham First Friday event. Check back later in the month for a more detailed story on what to expect, plus updates on what Setting Sun Circle has in store for its new building.

Speaking of upcoming previews: The Shoestring Circus is back for a multi-weekend run starting May 29. While the traveling company is based here in Bellingham, its performers are world-class — and I have it on good authority that this year's show is more ambitious than ever. Check back next week for a teaser of what to expect in 2026.

Reporter Annie Todd is reading "A Pattern Language,” recommended by one of her sources for CDN’s Sea Change series. In Todd’s words, the book “outlines how we can design houses, towns, cities and regions to enhance community connection and that all urban design comes from a language of patterns.”

Reporter Owen Racer recently read “Slammers,” a New Yorker piece about New Orleans’ car-crash conspiracy. Racer describes it as a “dizzying tale about yucky lawyers, a massive intentional car-crash conspiracy and why the city's streets are littered with billboards for personal injury attorneys.”

Editor Jaya Flanary is listening to Anna Konkle’s “The Sane One,” written by one of the creators of the Hulu show “Pen15.” She discovered it through a recent Rolling Stone article and noted that it’s a great read for children of separated parents.

I recently read Nobel Prize-winning author Olga Tokarczuk’s “House of Day, House of Night,” a “constellation novel” of interweaving stories set in a remote Polish village. On a similarly surreal note, “The Disappointment.”