December

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by: Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living / in Datebook, Spokane CDA Living

ART

December 4, December 19: Spokane Poetry Slam and BootSlam

Spokane Poetry Slam is competitive performance poetry at its Northwest finest. Every first and third week of the month spoken word warriors battle for Inland Empire supremacy, and a $50 Grand Prize. Each poem is judged by five members of the audience and, after two rounds of poetry, whichever poet has the highest cumulative score is declared the winner. Bootslam, at Boots Bakery, is held on the first Sunday of each month, while Spokane Poetry Slam, held at the Bartlett, is held on the third Monday of each month. Boots Bakery and Lounge, 24 W. Main Ave. The Bartlett, 228 W. Sprague Ave. spokanepoetryslam.org.

December 9: ArtWalk

Every second Friday of the month, April-December, stroll through beautiful Downtown Coeur d’Alene and enjoy local and nationally acclaimed artists. Visit supporting galleries, shops, restaurants and businesses. A free family-friendly event. From 5-8 p.m. Coeur d’Alene. artsincda.org.

Through January 8: My Spokane: A Vintage Look at Spokane Through the Screenprints of Chris Bovey

The Museum is thrilled to present Spokane artist Chris Bovey’s first-ever Museum exhibit, 25 of his prints with photographs of personal, special places. Photographs of the prints’ subject matter are from the Charles Libby Collection in the Joel E. Ferris Research Library and Archive. In the exhibit, each print and photo will be accompanied by a label with a brief story about why Chris chose the image, what each place means to him, and to Spokane. Museum of Arts and Culture. 2316 W. First Ave. (509) 456-3931, northwestmuseum.org or themac@northwestmuseum.org.

Through January 1: Linda Hyatt Cancel—Paintings of Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area

Whether rendering the glacial valleys of Northeast Washington, the barren hills of Central Idaho, the pastures and forests of the South Carolina Upstate or the marshes of the Carolina low country, Linda Cancel’s tonalism finds its voice in the effects of atmosphere on the horizon. Linda will be creating works that represent the beauty and mystery of the 130 mile lake formed by the Grand Coulee Dam as a collection of paintings for the Artist-in-Residence program for Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Museum of Arts and Culture. 2316 W. First Ave. (509) 456-3931, northwestmuseum.org.

Through January 6: Lost Egypt

Using hands-on challenges, authentic artifacts, and guidance from real archaeologists, Lost Egypt shows how modern science and technology can reveal the mysteries of Egypt, its culture, and its people. Visitors will discover a real human mummy, animal mummies, as well as scans, forensic facial reconstructions, and—for the first time ever – life-size rapid prototypes, displaying the mummy in various stages of “unwrapping.” Museum of Arts and Culture. 2316 W. First Ave. (509) 456-3931, northwestmuseum.org.

MUSIC

December 6: Gonzaga Symphony with Cellist Amit Peled

From the United States to Europe to the Middle East and Asia, Israeli cellist Amit Peled, voted by Musical America as one of the most Influential Music Professionals of 2015, is acclaimed as one of the most exciting instrumentalists on the concert stage today. At 6’5” tall, Peled started life as a basketball player and was called “larger than life” when he enveloped his cello and “Jacqueline du Pré in a farmer’s body.” Peled often surprises audiences with the ways he breaks down barriers between performers and the public, making classical music more accessible to wider audiences. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

December 10-11: Whitworth University Christmas Festival Concert

Whitworth’s Christmas Festival Concerts will be presented by more than 100 student performers including members of the Whitworth Choir, the Whitworth Women’s Choir, and the Whitworth Men’s Chorus, as well as student-instrumentalists and student-narrators.The concert theme will be elevated through choral works, readings, and traditional carols for audience and choirs. Presented seamlessly and without pause or interruption, the ever-popular concert will be concluded in candlelight. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

December 17-18:

Spokane Symphony Superpops 3: Celebrate Holiday Pops

Morihiko Nakahara is creating the perfect blend of festive tradition, holiday fun and a dash of something special to celebrate the holiday season. This heart-warming performance will include all the magical moments you love plus a variety of new seasonal treats that will add sugar and spice to the mix. The revitalized Holiday Pops will feature the Spokane Symphony Chorale and the Spokane Area Youth Choirs performing with the Spokane Symphony, delighting the young and the young-at-heart. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

December 31: Spokane Symphony New Year’s Eve: Beethoven’s Ninth

The Spokane Symphony and Chorale will say goodbye to 2016 with a performance of Beethoven’s magnificent Ninth Symphony, joining revelers around the world in what is fast becoming an international tradition. Since Eckart Preu introduced the custom from his native Germany a few years ago, it has become an exciting part of the holiday festivities in Spokane. Beethoven’s masterpiece, sometimes called the “symphony of symphonies,” is considered by many to be the best and most joyous piece of music ever written. You won’t want to delay getting your tickets to this family-friendly, frequently sold-out event. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

January 13: Spokane Symphony Intersect: The Baltics – Independence at the Fore of Russi

A new series for the 2016-17 season, INTERSECT (formerly Symphony with a Splash) is an evolution of the best parts of their adventurous programming infused with the collaborative innovation audiences have grown to love. They’ll be presenting music, art and culture in way that will enhance your concert experience. Partnering with local chefs, bartenders and cultural arts groups—this concert series will be an intersection of the best of what Spokane has to offer. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

EVENTS

December 16-17: Cirque Dreams HoliDaze

Cirque Dreams lights up the 2016 holiday season with its critically acclaimed holiday stage extravaganza. Be amazed by this holiday spectacle with 300 costumes, 20 acts and 30 artists from every corner of the globe. Witness snowmen, penguins, angels, reindeer, toy soldiers, gingerbread men, ornaments and of course Santa; with soaring acrobatics, gravity defying feats, elaborate production numbers, imaginative costumes, illusions and more. The show also celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with singers, original music and seasonal favorites all performed in a winter wonderland of amazement. INB Performing Arts Center. 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

December 31: New Year’s Eve Party with Bozzi Media!

The Bozzi Media team will be ringing in the New Year in unforgettable ways at the former Marquee Lounge in Downtown Spokane. Event and ticket information can be found on the Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living magazine Facebook page, as well as at bozzimedia.com. You can also call (509) 533-5350 or email events@bozzimedia.com.

December 31: Puttin’ On the Ritz

“Puttin’ On The Ritz,” Spokane’s premiere New Year’s Eve Gala at the Historic Davenport Hotel, begins with a fabulous red carpet experience in the Hall of Doges and Pennington Ballroom. The gala follows the traditional performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox. New this year, a three-course dinner, including salad and dessert, is served at 9 p.m. Dance to the music of the acclaimed 20-piece Master Class Big Band with selections spanning from Christina Aguilera, Frank Sinatra, Big Band era to Uptown Funk. Songstress Madeline McNeil will mix high art with low grit during band breaks. A celebratory glass of champagne and festive party favors will help toast in the new year. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

THEATRE

Through December 18: Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings

At first Francis, Jinx, Smudge and Sparky aren’t sure why they’ve returned to Earth for another posthumous performance, but a phone call from the heavenly Rosemary Clooney lets them know that they’re needed to put a little harmony into a discordant world. Sprinkled among the Christmas offerings are audience favorites like their riotous three minute and eleven second version of The Ed Sullivan Show—this time featuring the Rockettes, the Chipmunks and The Vienna Boys Choir, and a Plaid Caribbean Christmas which puts the “Day-O” in Excelsis. Spokane Civic Theatre. 1020 N. Howard St. (509) 325-2507. For tickets: (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

Through December 24: All is Calm

In 1914, at the Western Front, out of the violence comes a silence, then a song. A German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Stille Nacht.” Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music, and peace. A remarkable true experience, told in the words and songs of the men who lived it. We are thrilled to make this special story an annual Inland Northwest tradition. The Modern Theatre—Spokane. 174 S. Howard St. themoderntheatre.org.

December 2-18: ’Twas the Night Before Christmas

A mouse is stirring—because Santa missed his house last year. Don’t miss this joyful tribute to the holiday season filled with schemes, confrontations, mistaken identities, bravery, and all things naughty and nice. This journey of a mouse, an elf, and a spunky little girl who just won’t take no for an answer is an exciting one your children will love. The Modern Theatre—Coeur d’Alene. 1320 E. Garden Ave. themoderntheatre.org.

December 3-11: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Christmastime is back, by popular demand. The over-commercialization of Christmas has Charlie Brown quite depressed. When Lucy suggests he direct the annual Christmas play, he finds that Linus, Sally, and the rest are more interested in music and dancing than in rehearsing. Eventually the gang pulls it off and everyone learns the true meaning of Christmas. Spokane Civic Theatre. 1020 N. Howard St. (509) 325-2507. For tickets: (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

December 9-11: The Eight: Reindeer Monologues

A dark, dark Christmas comedy. Scandal erupts at the North Pole when one of Santa’s eight tiny reindeer accuses him of sexual harassment. As mass media descends upon the event, the other members of the sleigh team demand to share their perspectives, and a horrific tale of corruption and perversion emerges, which seems to implicate everyone from the littlest elf to the tainted Saint himself. With each deer’s confession, the truth behind the shocking allegations becomes clearer and clearer… and murkier and murkier. WARNING: The Eight is a sometimes shocking R-rated satire with a deadly serious message about sexual harassment and the abuse of power by widely beloved authorities. Stage Left Theatre. 108 W. 1st Ave. spokanestageleft.org.

December 9-18: The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge

This comedy takes place a year after Scrooge’s transformation. He is back to his old ways and is suing Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future for breaking and entering, kidnapping, slander and the intentional infliction of emotional distress. Scrooge represents himself in court. One by one witnesses are presented, and the judge announces his verdict. Spokane Civic Theatre. 1020 N. Howard St. (509) 325-2507. For tickets: (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

December 23-24: It’s A Wonderful Life: A Radio Play

It’s a re-creation of a 1940s radio program, it’s a stage production . . . It’s a Wonderful Life. This unique way to experience the beloved story of George Bailey’s journey from hopelessness to peace during a very long and magical Christmas Eve is a joint production of Friends Of the Bing and Spokane Civic Theatre. A cast from Spokane Civic Theatre will do double duty as they bring the teeming world of Bedford Falls to life on stage while they also play actors putting on a radio play, in Joe Landry’s clever mash up of Depression era radio and the beloved Frank Capra film. Spokane Civic Theatre. 1020 N. Howard St. (509) 325-2507. For tickets: (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

January 5-8: The Gin Game

The Gin Game, by D.L. Coburn, is a moving portrait of two feisty senior citizens, Weller Martin and Fonsia Dorsey, who meet in a nursing home and begin an epic gin rummy game that is by turns funny, rowdy, and ultimately quite poignant. Spokane Civic Theatre veterans Kathie Doyle-Lipe and Ed Bryan give no-holds-barred performances in this little gem of a play. Spokane Civic Theatre. 1020 N. Howard St. (509) 325-2507. For tickets: (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

January 6-22: A New Brain

With its existential questions and probing narrative, this is an energetic, sardonic, often comical musical about a composer during a medical emergency. Relentless humor and cynicism are used to promote a very serious and often sad inquiry into key human questions. What do we make of our time here? What do we make of our abilities? The Modern Theatre—Coeur d’Alene. 1320 E. Garden Ave. themoderntheatre.org.

January 12-15: Pippin

Pippin is a high-flying, death-defying hit Broadway musical. Full of extraordinary acrobatics, wondrous magical feats and soaring songs from the composer of Wicked, Pippin will lift you up and leave you smiling. This unforgettable new production is the winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival. Come experience Pippin, one young man’s journey to be extraordinary. INB Performing Arts Center. 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

January 13-29: Disgraced

Winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize. Pakistani American Amir is living the American Dream. A successful New York lawyer, he enjoys a comfortable life with his American wife, a talented artist influenced by Islamic imagery. But when his Muslim heritage is questioned, his life begins to unravel and a celebratory dinner with friends leads to a fiery debate on prejudice, identity and faith. This show is for mature audiences and contains profanity and physical violence. Stage Left Theatre. 108 W. 1st Ave. spokanestageleft.org

SPORTS

December 2: Spokane Chiefs vs Kelowna Rockets