January 2017

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

ART

January 6, February 3: First Friday

Enjoy visual arts, musical presentations, sample local foods, get acquainted with local performing artists and more at this monthly event sponsored by the Downtown Spokane Partnership. On the first Friday of each month, participating galleries, museums, boutiques and more host a city-wide open house with refreshments and entertainment. First Friday is free and open to the public. Downtown Spokane. downtownspokane.org.

January 16, February 5, February 20: 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.

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 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.

Opening February 11: Titans of the Ice Age: Mammoths and Mastodons

Explore the world of mammoths and mastodons in an 8,500 square foot traveling exhibition from The Field Museum of Chicago, Illinois. This exhibition taps into the spirit of scientific exploration, discovery, and curiosity with a specimen and media rich display. This is the only exhibition created on the topic that is truly international in scope, featuring a slate of world-renowned scientists and their breakthrough findings on Pleistocene mega fauna. Original artistic creations including environmental murals, life-sized replications, and soundscapes immerse visitors in Earth’s diverse ecosystems, both past and present. Collection pieces from the museum will accompany the exhibition with an unveiling of a mammoth-sized Pleistocene display in the museum’s group entry, created by artist Peter Thomas. Museum of Arts and Culture. 2316 W. First Ave. (509) 456-3931, northwestmuseum.org.

MUSIC

January 12: Wylie & the Wild West Show

Wylie Gustafson is an American original. The gifted singer, songwriter, rancher, horseman and the world-famous Yahoo! yodeler leads the band for a captivating presentation of original and traditional music. Chateau Rive at the Flour Mill. 621 W. Mallon. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

January 13: Spokane Symphony Intersect: The Baltics—Independence at the Fore of Russia

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.

January 21-22: Spokane Symphony Classics: American Voices

Celebrate America’s vibrant musical voice. Joplin infuses German opera with ragtime, Ellington entwines complex melodies and rhythms to create a musical tour of Harlem, and Gershwin uses a rich blues to evoke the impressions of an American in Paris. Barber’s rhythmic vitality captures the spirit of a literary farce, while Adams’s “foxtrot for orchestra” portrays Chairman Mao dancing with his mistress. Prokofiev’s lyrical and virtuosic concerto rounds out the program. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

January 28: Spokane Symphony Superpops: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is on a mission, one it has pursued for more than 23 years: to celebrate and revitalize jazz and swing music—America’s original musical art form. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, named after an autograph by blues legend Albert Collins, has appeared in concert venues across the world and sold millions of records, and had their music appear in hundreds of movies and television shows. Through it all, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy continues its decades long mission and brings joy to audiences around the world. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

January 28: Sawyer Brown

Founded in 1981, Sawyer Brown celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Over the course of those years the band played more than 4,000 shows worldwide. Sawyer Brown prides itself on composing songs that represent the small moments in life, capturing their audience’s feelings of everyday life. The band’s signature song “Some Girls Do” represents the moment a man realizes he’s found the woman for him. Some of their hit songs include “The Dirt Road,” “The Walk,” “Drive Me Wild,” and “Thank God For You.” Northern Quest Casino. 100 N. Hayford Rd. Airway Heights. northernquest.com.

January 29: Spokane String Quartet: Incomparable Beethoven

The Spokane String Quartet presents a double dose of Beethoven. Concertgoers will hear both Piano Sonata No. 9 in E Major and the composer’s arrangement of the same work for string quartet in the key of F Major. Rounding out the program is a piano quintet by Shostakovich written by the Beethoven Quartet. Guest pianist Karen Savage is on the faculty at Washington State University and is a frequent duo-piano performer with her husband Jeffrey as “88 Squared.” Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

February 9: Roots and Boots

The Roots and Boots tour is comprised of three outstanding country music stars. Sammy Kershaw brings his pure country sound and revolutionary hits to the stage and allows the audience to take a step back in time. Celebrating 25 successful years of recording and producing country music, Aaron Tippin will bring his chart-topping, influential songs to the stage. Tippin was discovered in a Nashville night club in 1990 and within his first few years as an artist, he placed numerous No. 1 hits and chart-toppers. Terri Clark joins these two dynamic musicians with her distinctive female voice and impressive guitar skills. Northern Quest Casino. 100 N. Hayford Rd. Airway Heights. northernquest.com.

February 11-12: Spokane Symphony Classics: Tchaikovsky and Shakespeare

Tchaikovsky drew inspiration from Shakespearean tragedies to create a pair of masterpieces. “Hamlet” captures the tension and conflict of the play, using powerful orchestration and dramatic contrasts. “Romeo and Juliet” pairs a brutally dramatic theme with his achingly beautiful love theme. Joshua Roman reprises his acclaimed performance of Bates’s Cello Concerto that blends classical lyricism with blues, jazz elements, and techno rhythms. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

EVENTS

January 13-14: Wrangler Roughstock Rodeo

Fixin’ to take over the Spokane Arena, it’s the Wrangler Roughstock Rodeo presented by The General Store. Two huge nights of the roughest and toughest cowboys in the country taking on the meanest, nastiest and snarliest beasts around, this is one must-see event in January. New this year will be Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding and everyone’s favorite Bull Riding. Y’all should check out the action. Spokane Arena. 720 W. Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

January 19-22: Spokane Jewish Cultural Film Festival

Since the mid-2000s, the Spokane Jewish Cultural Film Festival has brought international films to Spokane that share Jewish life and culture with the community. They continue this year with three films that offer fascinating glimpses into the diversity of Jewish experiences in Israel and around the world. Hemmingson Center at Gonzaga University. 702 E. Desmet Ave.

January 27-29: Monster Jam Triple Threat Series

Monster Jam Triple Threat Series featuring the AMSOIL Series is a points-based format that showcases the best lineup of Monster Jam vehicles that deliver what fans want to see most . . . more trucks, more racing, more freestyle, more donuts, more wheelies, more action. The Central and West tour tests the versatility of the athletes as they go head-to-head in seven different competitions driving three different vehicles—Monster Jam trucks, Monster Jam Speedsters and Monster Jam ATVs. These athletes battle for points in challenging racing and freestyle events that push themselves and their machines to the limit. Spokane Arena. 720 W. Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

February 4: Symphonic Film at the Fox: Phantom of the Opera

Don’t miss this season’s Symphonic Film at The Fox, the 1925 classic flick Phantom of the Opera. Watch the great Lon Chaney, Sr. in one of his most memorable roles while the Spokane Symphony performs the soundtrack live. They will be joined by pianist Rick Friend, performing his own musical score to accompany the digitally restored version of the film. This rendition of the literary classic remains most famous for Chaney’s ghastly, self-devised make-up, which was kept under wraps until the film’s premiere. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

February 8: National Geographic Live: Brian Skerry—Ocean Soul

In the last 50 years, 90 percent of the big fish in the ocean have disappeared. More than 100 million sharks are taken annually and species of whales and sea turtles are on the brink of extinction. In his trademark presentation, Skerry showcases his stunning photography and describes his adventurous life in a gripping portrait of the ocean as a place of beauty and mystery, a place in trouble, and ultimately, a place of hope that will rebound with the proper attention and care. INB Performing Arts Center. 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

February 14: Balletboyz

Since its formation in 2001, BalletBoyz have sought to excite, enlighten, and expand dance audiences. The Company has quickly established itself as one of the most cheekily original and innovative forces in modern dance: revolutionizing traditional programming formats, commissioning new works, collaborating with a wide range of cutting edge talents and building a large following through its television broadcasts. Bringing together composers, artists, designers, filmmakers and photographers, BalletBoyz aims to integrate a wide range of artistic elements in every performance. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

February 16-19: Cirque du Soleil: Ovo

Ovo, meaning “egg” in Portuguese, is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It is love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye—and the feeling is mutual. The cast of Ovo is comprised of 50 performing artists from 12 countries specializing in many acrobatic acts. Spokane Arena. 720 W. Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

THEATRE

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.

January 27-February 19: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is one of the most lauded and beloved Broadway plays of recent years. Vanya and his adopted sister Sonia live a quiet life in the Pennsylvania farmhouse where they grew up, but their peace is disturbed when their movie star sister Masha returns unannounced with her twenty-something boy toy, Spike. A weekend of rivalry, regret, and raucousness begins. Spokane Civic Theatre. 1020 N. Howard St. (509) 325-2507. For tickets: (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

February 4-5: Annie

The world’s best-loved musical returns in time-honored form. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin and choreographed by Liza Gennaro, this production of Annie will be a brand new incarnation of the iconic original. Featuring book and score by Tony Award®-winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, ANNIE includes such unforgettable songs as “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You,” plus the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.” INB Performing Arts Center. 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

February 10-26: The Flick

In a run-down movie theater in central Massachusetts, three underpaid employees mop the floors and attend to one of the last 35 millimeter film projectors in the state. This Pulitzer Prize winner is a hilarious and heart-rending cry for authenticity in a fast-changing world. The Modern Theatre—Coeur d’Alene. 1320 E. Garden Ave. themoderntheatre.org.

February 10-March 5: A Little Night Music

Sondheim’s romantic waltz featuring his popular song “Send in the Clowns,” A Little Night Music explores the tangled web of affairs centered around traveling actress Desirée Armfeldt and the men who love her: Fredrik Egerman and the Count Carl-Magnus Malcom. Both men—as well as their jealous and suspicious wives—agree to join Desirée and her family for a weekend in the country. With everyone in one place, infinite possibilities of new romances and second chances bring endless surprises. Spokane Civic Theatre. 1020 N. Howard St. (509) 325-2507. For tickets: (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

SPORTS

January 7: Spokane Chiefs vs Kootenay Ice