8th annual Bellingham Electronic Arts Festival set for May 5-8

Now in its eighth year, the 2011 Bellingham Electronic Arts Festival will take place from May 5-8 in various venues throughout downtown Bellingham and at Western Washington University.

The festival will kick off Thursday, May 5, at 6 p.m. with a reception and performance in the WWU Viking Union Gallery. In addition to the performance, patrons will enjoy an installation showcasing works by visual/sound artists Doug Haire (Seattle) and Gary Pennock (New York).

Among the highlights on Friday, May 6, will be a concert featuring theremin master Lydia Kavina (Russia/UK), Kranky-label ambient electronica artist Loscil (Vancouver), and New Your percussionist Melanie Sehman at 7 p.m. in the PAC Concert Hall.

Other live events on Friday include a late night DJ dance party at Rumors (1119 Railroad Ave.) and a show with local artists at 10 p.m. at Jinx Art Space, at 306 Flora St.

The schedule for Saturday, May 7, features electronic pioneer Richard Lainhart (New York), the interactive electroacoustic trio “Soundproof” (Bay area, Seattle), and a music/dance collaboration between local choreographers and several composers of electronic miniatures performing at 2 p.m. show in the PAC Concert Hall.

Saturday evening’s show is a Boogie Universal curated event in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room headlined by Colorado’s energetic VibeSquad.

The last show of the weekend will feature the critically acclaimed Seattle/New York-based Cuong Vu Trio headlining an electroacoustic jazz concert on Sunday, May 8, at 8 p.m. in the PAC Concert Hall.

Each afternoon will include lectures, panels and workshops with various artists and specialists; check the BEAF website at www.beaf.org in the coming weeks for the schedule and location of these events. Artist links are also included on the website.

For more information, visit www.beaf.org or email info@bellinghamelectronicartsfestival.com.