Fox Theater Spokane
Hot This Week!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009

For the last time this year, it's First Friday.

First Friday, the monthly arts-and-entertainment event in downtown Spokane, is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and includes more than 35 venues featuring local artists, musicians and in some cases, discounted merchandise. The Fernwell Building at 505 West Riverside will feature the remarkable artwork of abstract expressionist Edward W. Gilmore along with live musical stylings of the Tim Nodland Jazz Experience, wine tasting by Latah Creek Winery and appetizers by Ferrante's. Whitestone Winery, at 111 S. Cedar, presents live music by Garrin Hertel, Abby Crawford and Dayan Kai, as well as the artwork of Irene Dahl. Pottery Place Plus Gallery, at 602 N. Washington, has handcrafted artisan jewelry from the Spokane Jewelers' Guild and classical guitar by John Watson. For a complete list of events, go to www.downtownspokane.net.

Read to the beat of "Different Drummers."

Lyle Hatcher and Don Caron, authors of the true-to-life, heartwarming novel "Different Drummers," will appear for a book signing at Ferrante's Marketplace Cafe, at 4516 S. Regal, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. "Different Drummers" tells the story of 10-year-old boy who crossed paths with a wheelchair-bound boy who suffered from muscular dystrophy and fostered a friendship that makes for a memorable tale. A portion of the proceeds from Saturday's book signing will go toward the Muscular Dystrophy Association, in Spokane.

It's an elegant way to spend the holidays.

The Spokane Symphony Associates' Christmas Tree Elegance is under way at the Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane, with a host of activities planned through Dec. 12. From 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. today, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 2-4, a holiday luncheon and style show is held in the Grand Pennington Ballroom. On Friday, a gala dinner dance is planned from 6 p.m. to midnight, following by a Saturday morning MobiusKids Santa Breakfast from 8-10 a.m. in the Grand Pennington Ballroom. An Eckart and Friends reception, featuring Symphony conductor Eckart Preu, is planned from 7-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, and a holiday hat luncheon and boutique fashions show is planned for 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7. Of course, the elegant Christmas trees themselves will be on display through Dec. 12, with raffle tickets on sale through that date. Many of the events require reservations, so for more information, please go to www.spokanesymphonyassoc.org.

Haven't bought tickets to Larry The Cable Guy? Git-R-Done this Thursday.

Larry The Cable Guy is going to Git-R-Done at the Spokane Arena at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. If you haven't bought tickets to see one of most popular comedians on tour right now, you might want to do so this Thursday, Dec. 3. From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. that day, reserve-seat tickets are available for only $20 each, down from the regular price of $43.75 each. The one-day-only price is good for tickets bought at the Spokane Arena box office and through Tickets West at www.ticketswest.com and 800-325-SEAT.

Picture your pet with Santa.

Pool World has teamed up with the Spokane Humane Society to offer pet photos with Santa Claus, Saturday, Dec. 5 at Pool World's Valley location, 13524 E. Sprague,(between Target and Shopko). The photos are no charge, but they are asking for donations to the humane society. You can also sample meats and other food prepared on Traeger grills, and donate to Toys for Tots. The event is Pool World's 18th annual Warehouse Sale. Go to www.poolworld.biz.

O Holy Night, the Irish Tenor is shining brightly.

Famous Irish tenor Ronan Tynan will join the Spokane Symphony for three Holiday Pops performances Friday through Sunday, Dec. 4 to Dec. 6 at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox. The Friday and Saturday night shows start at 8 p.m., and the Sunday matinee starts at 2 p.m., with Resident Conductor Morihiko Nakahara leading all three performances. Tynan, who gained international fame as a member of the Irish Tenors and is known by many for his unforgettable performances of "Amazing Grace" and "Ave Maria" at President Ronald Reagan's funeral and his moving rendition of "God Bless America" at Yankee Stadium. At Holiday Pops, he'll be singing a selection of holiday favorites ranging from "O Holy Night" to "Winter Wonderland." Tickets are $27 to $54 for the Saturday concert and $27 to $39 for the Friday and Sunday shows. For tickets, go to the Spokane Symphony ticket office, at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, or call the box office at 509-624-1200. Tickets are also available at www.ticketswest.com or 800-325-SEAT.

Forecast calls for White Christmas on the silver screen.

Dreaming of a White Christmas? The Advocates of the Bing Crosby Theater are making that dream come true with the Fourth Annual Bing Crosby Holiday Film Festival, starting at noon Friday, Dec. 4. The free-to-the-public event features presentations by Crosby's niece Carolyn Schneider and nephew Howard Crosby, who will share stories about their Uncle Bing, arguably the most famous Spokane native. Events include "Holiday Inn" at noon, "Road To Zanzibar" at 2:30 p.m., Schneider's presentation at 5 p.m., Howard Crosby's talk at 7 p.m., and the showing of "White Christmas" at 7:30 p.m. The event is free, but donations will be accepted. For more information, call 509-842-8664, 509-993-1732 or 509-467-0157.

Take your little princesses to see "A Little Princess."

The Lake City Playhouse, at 1320 E. Garden in Coeur d'Alene, will bring back the musical "A Little Princess" opening at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3. This heartwarming musical tells the story of a little girl who had everything, lost everything and persevered in the end. Lake City produced "A Little Princess" just three years ago, but it brought back the musical as an inspiring story during these trying economic times. The musical runs Thursdays through Sundays through Dec. 20, with evening performances starting at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. Tickets are $10 to $16. For more information, call 208-667-1323.

Bulldogs can play more than basketball.

The Gonzaga University Symphony Orchestra will host Spokane Symphony concertmaster Mateusz Wolski at the its December Concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7 at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox. Conducted by Kevin Hekmatpanah, the program will feature Wolski performing Paganini's First Violin Concerto with the Gonzaga Symphony orchestra and will play Beethoven's Egmont Overture, Verdi's Grand March from Aida, and others. Tickets are $9, or $7 for adults and non-Gonzaga students. Current Gonzaga students can attend free of charge. For tickets, call 509-624-1200 or go to the Martin Woldson Theater box office, at 1001 W. Sprague.

They'll take this Wurlitzer for a whirl once again.

John Ledwon, a nationally renowned organist and the featured organist at the El Capitan Theater in Los Angeles, will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at the Spokane First Nazarene Church, at 9400 N. Country Home Blvd. on Spokane's North Side. The 95-year-old Wurlitzer Theater Organ at First Nazarene recently has been renovated, and this will be the first performance since it was restored. The concert is open to the public and free of charge, but a free-will offering will be taken. For more information, contact Roger Long at 509-777-4609 or longfam@my.whitworth.edu.

America - the band, not the country - is sold out.

Northern Quest Resort and Casino has sold out the Sunday, Dec. 6 concert featuring the band America. Upcoming shows at Northern Quest for which tickets are still available include The Osmond Brothers, on Dec. 20; the Boogie Wonder Band, on Jan. 2; and Clint Black, on Jan. 10. For more information on those shows, look under the entertainment tab at www.northernquest.com.

The High Five from thesomshow.com by Isamu Jordan

Del The Funky Homosapien - The bizarre leader of the Hieroglyphics crew, Del The Funky Homosapien, is coming back to Spokane with his patented extraterrestrial flow in a special Som Show Presents affair with cohorts Bukue One, Bad Penmanship and Bela Union, at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at The Blvd., 230 W. Riverside. Cost: $15 in advance, $18 at the door; all ages welcome.

KYRS Benefit - The Som Show and Platform Booking are combining forces to help raise money for Spokane's volunteer-powered non-commercial radio station KYRS Thin Air Community Radio, with a benefit show featuring a local all-star lineup that includes the country rockin' Silver Treason, folk-rocksters Le Train Train Quitidien, hot-rockers Space Opera 77, jazz by the Don Goodwin Trio and special guest DJ Deseure, rockin' the turntables. The action happens at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, at Caterina Winery, 905 N. Washington. Cost: $5 suggested donation.

(Ugly) Christmas Sweater Concert - It's in your closet somewhere, and now is the time to bust that ugly Christmas sweater in all of its anti-awesome glory for the ugly-implied Christmas Sweater Concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, at The Blvd., 230 W. Riverside Ave. Cost: $5; 18-and-older welcome.

Hatebreed - Grammy-nominated metalcore quintet Hatebreed is touring in support of its brand new release, "For The Lions," so expect a lot of black t-shirts and facial piercings to be swarming the mosh pit when Hatebreed arrives with Cannibal Corpse, Unearth, Born of Osiris, and Hate Eternal at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, at The Knitting Factory Concert House, 919 W. Sprague. Cost: $22.

Dimebag Darrell Tribute Show - Local metal bands are coming together to pay respects to the life of the late metal hero at The Dimebag Darrell Tribute show with Bestige, LS Diablo, Pulseless, and Natural Selection at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at The Cretin Hop, 1317 N. Howard. Cost: $5; all ages welcome.

For music events, mp3s, artist profiles, multimedia and more, visit thesomshow.com.

Reel in tickets to this show right away.

Reel Big Fish, the ska punk band best known for its 1997 hit "Sell Out," is coming to the Knitting Factory Concert House on Thursday, Jan. 7, with opening acts Suburban Legends and One Pin Short. Tickets are $17.50 and $19, and they go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4. For tickets, go to www.ticketswest.com or 800-325-SEAT.

Don't toy around and miss this train show.

The Evergreen Railroad Modeler's First Annual Toy & Train Show will chug into the Mirabeau Park Hotel, at 1100 N. Sullivan in Spokane Valley, from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. The event features dozens of vendors selling toys, gifts, Christmas decor and of course, all kinds of model trains. Admission is $5; children 12 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.

Make this Christmas a vintage one.

A Vintage Christmas holiday gift and craft show is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, Dec. 4-6, at Northtown Mall. The event is near the Santa Claus chair, by Sears, and includes quality handmade and vintage finds, as well as unique gifts for all people of all ages. A Vintage Christmas will be open from 5-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2, but a coupon for free admission is available at www.avintagechristmas.com.

Madeleine's brings Christmas back to the Crescent.

Madeleine's Cafe and Patisserie is bringing Christmas back to the Crescent. Starting Sunday, Dec. 6, and following each Sunday through the holiday season, the cafe will host festivities from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. featuring live music, special treats for children, a chance to meet St. Nicholas, and, of course, a buffet breakfast. For more information, call 509-624-2253.

NAME THAT FLICK.

"Randy lay there like a slug. It was his only defense."

Name the movie that line appeared in to receive a $35 gift certificate to Peters & Sons Florist, 512 E Pacific Ave in the University District. Send your best guess and your phone number to info@entertainmentspokane.com. The winner will be selected at random from correct entries and will be announced in next week's e-newsletter. The deadline for entries is noon on Friday, Dec. 4.

Last Week's Winner: Judi Sposito is on Team Winner!

Last week's movie quote was, "Well, the wolf's out of the bag now." Sposito correctly guessed that it was from the 2009 blockbuster "New Moon," in theaters now, and won a $50 gift certificate to the Rockwood Clinic Aesthetic Institute.

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Entertainment Spokane! is a weekly e-mail featuring all kinds of upcoming entertainment options throughout our area. Music. Stage. Theatre. Dance. Shows. Visual Arts. Clubs. Restaurants. Shopping. Community Events and more.

If it’s entertaining, you’ll see it in Entertainment Spokane!

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