ART

March 3, April 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.

March 5, March 20, April 5, April 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 May 7: 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. This exhibition taps into the spirit of scientific exploration, discovery, and curiosity with a specimen and media rich display. This exhibition 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, 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

March 4: Spokane Symphony Superpops: Altan

No Irish traditional band in the last dozen years has had a wider impact on audiences and music lovers throughout the world than Altan. Now they will play their signature Irish sound in concert with the Spokane Symphony just in time to set the mood for St. Patrick’s Day. With their exquisitely produced award-winning recordings, ranging dynamically from the most sensitive and touching old Irish songs all the way to hard-hitting reels and jigs, and with their heartwarming, dynamic live performances, Altan have moved audiences from Donegal to Tokyo to Seattle. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

March 5: Elton John and His Band: Wonderful Crazy Night Tour 2017

Elton John & His Band return to Spokane for one performance at the Spokane Arena on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 8 p.m. as part of a 12-city concert tour that will feature iconic hits and classic album tracks from throughout his incredible five-decade career, as well as selected tracks from his latest release, Wonderful Crazy Night. One of the most successful artists on the road today, Elton and his band perform a concert you will never forget: the entire audience singing along to much-loved classic songs such as “Your Song,” “Rocket Man,” “Bennie and the Jets,” “Philadelphia Freedom,” “Crocodile Rock,” “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” and many more. Spokane Arena. 720 W. Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

March 5: Spokane String Quartet: Fugue for 4 

The Spokane String Quartet presents works by Mozart, Hovhaness and Beethoven that celebrate the fugue. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

March 6: Gonzaga Symphony With Young Artist Winners

The Gonzaga Symphony will perform a selection of works featuring this year’s winners of the Young Artist Concerto/Aria Competition. Soloists’ program will be determined once the competition winners have been announced. The orchestra will conclude the program with Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 in E minor.  Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

March 10: Adrian Legg

Adrian Legg is an English guitar player who has been called “impossible to categorize.” He plays custom guitars that are a hybrid of electric and acoustic, and his fingerstyle picking technique has been acknowledged by the readers of Guitar Player who voted Legg the “best acoustic fingerstyle” player four years in a row. Chateau Rive at the Flour Mill. 621 W. Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

March 11: Bluegrass in the City

A special one-night bluegrass concert boasting a dynamic lineup of bluegrass and Americana bands: Spokane’s beloved Brown’s Mountain Boys, soul-stirring Lucas Brookbank Brown and energetic all-girl trio No Going Back Band. The Palomino Club. 6425 N. Lidgerwood St. spokanepalomino.com.

March 15: Journey, with Asia

Journey is one of the most popular American rock bands of all time, creating some of the best-known songs in modern music, with iconic hits such as “Any Way You Want It,” “Lights,” “Faithfully,” “Wheel In The Sky,” “Separate Ways,” “Only the Young,” “Open Arms,” “Lovin, Touchin’, Squeezin’,” “Who’s Crying Now,” and the seminal “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which is the top-selling digital catalog track in history. Legendary British Band Asia will join Journey on this tour. Spokane Arena. 720 W. Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

March 16: Chris Botti

From the age of 12, Chris Botti knew he would be a career trumpeter after hearing the sounds of Miles Davis. A successful musical career is an understatement for the type of impact Chris Botti has made on the industry. Botti played with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Joni Mitchell at the beginning of his career, followed in the 90s with Paul Simon for an extended period of time and later with Sting. Northern Quest Casino. 100 N. Hayford Rd. Airway Heights. northernquest.com.

March 17: Eric Church

EMI Nashville recording artist Eric Church will bring the Holdin’ My Own Tour to the Spokane Arena on March 17. For the first time ever, there will be no support act on this tour. Eric Church and his band will play two full sets with an intermission in between. Spokane Arena. 720 W. Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

March 23: Great White and Slaughter

Dating back to the late 1970s in Los Angeles, Great White started their journey to stardom playing small shows throughout Southern California. Fast forward to the late 1980s with a few band member changes and record label switches in between, Great White hit the mainstream with the release of their album Once Bitten in 1987. This album included hits “Rock Me” and “Save Your Love.” Northern Quest Casino. 100 N. Hayford Rd. Airway Heights. northernquest.com.

March 25-26: Spokane Symphony Classics: The Russian Soul

Glinka’s Kamarinskaya pioneered the symphonic arrangement of Russian folk tunes. In his Violin Concerto, the virtuosity of the soloist sparkles against a lyrical backdrop; an exquisite slow movement gives way to a folk-inspired finale that serves up a dazzling array of pyrotechnics. Shostakovich’s Ninth is thoroughly engaging, an endless comedy of musical wit. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

March 30: Davina and the Vagabonds

Davina Sowers and the Vagabonds have created a stir on the national music scene with their high-energy live shows, level A musicianship, sharp-dressed professionalism, and Sowers’s commanding stage presence. With influences ranging from Fats Domino and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Aretha Franklin and Tom Waits, the band is converting audiences one show at a time, from Vancouver to Miami and across Europe. Chateau Rive at the Flour Mill. 621 W. Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

April 1: Black Violin

Fox Presents Black Violin, a string duo performing a blend of classical, hip-hop, rock, R&B, and bluegrass music. Black Violin features Wil Baptiste on viola and Kev Marcus on violin. They will be accompanied by their incredible band, featuring ace turntable whiz DJ SPS and a drummer. Named one of the hottest bands at SXSW in 2013, Black Violin was invited to perform at Bonnaroo and returned to SXSW this year to standing-room-only crowds. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

April 15: Survivor and Loverboy

Survivor is back on the road, taking their legendary sound to cities and fans across the United States. With a new lead vocalist, 22-year-old Nashville resident Cameron Barton, audiences will again be rocking out to “Eye Of The Tiger,” “Burning Heat,” “I Can’t Hold Back,” “High On You,” and many other major hits. Joining Survivor will be another staple of 80s rock and roll, Loverboy. Northern Quest Casino. 100 N. Hayford Rd. Airway Heights. northernquest.com.

EVENTS

March 11: St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Each year on the Saturday prior to St. Patrick’s Day, The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick put together one of the most fun and entertaining parades in the region. Using proceeds from the parade, the Friendly Sons’ passion for this event extends beyond the parade route each year when they provide donations to several area nonprofit organizations to support the community. This annual parade is one event in Spokane that is open for total community involvement. Regardless of race, creed or color, everyone has just that wee bit of Irish that comes out in full spirit; whether you’re a dyed-in-the-wool Irish person or just Irish-for-the-day, this is one event you won’t want to miss. Downtown Spokane. Noon.

March 15: Nat Geo Live! Hilaree O’Neill—Point of No Return

On one of mountaineering’s most dangerous journeys, a 5-person team of National Geographic explorers, photographers, and filmmakers traveled 300-plus miles overland, across tiger reserves, into plunging gorges, and through remote cultural areas, in an effort to reach and ascend Hkakabo Razi. The goal: to determine once and for all if the mountain summit was Southeast Asia’s highest point. What unfolded was a harrowing expedition that pushed the group to the brink mentally and physically. INB Performing Arts Center. 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

March 19: Lewis Black

Known worldwide for his outrageously funny views on life, Lewis Black has been speaking his mind to audiences for more than 30 years. Black hit the comedic main scene in 1996 when he was asked to put together a segment for Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” where he would rant for three minutes on anything that was bothering him at that time. This segment, later named “Back in Black,” catapulted his career and remains the longest-standing segment on “The Daily Show.” Northern Quest Casino. 100 N. Hayford Rd. Airway Heights. northernquest.com.

March 29: Alton Brown Live: Eat Your Science

Alton Brown has a knack for mixing together a perfect base of science, music and food into two hours of pure entertainment. Critics and fans alike have raved about the interactive components of Brown’s shows. He promises “plenty of new therapy-inducing opportunities during our audience participation segments. I don’t want to give too much away, but this time we’re going to play a little game while we’re at it. Plus, you’ll see things I’ve never been allowed to do on TV.” He’s also contemplating more sophisticated protective gear for folks in the first few rows . . . just in case things get messy . . . again. INB Performing Arts Center. 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

March 31, April 1: Comedy Night at the Inn

Friday night’s headliner will be Grant Lyon, featured on Comics Unleashed and The Bob & Tom Radio Show. This show will also feature Carmen Morales. On Saturday, David Nickerson, who has appeared on Comedy Central and Howard Stern’s Killers of Comedy, will entertain audiences. Aaron Woodall will also appear. The Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn. 506 W. Appleway Ave. Coeur d’Alene. For tickets, please call (208) 765-3200.

THEATRE

Through 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.

March 3-19: Emma

Historian and playwright Howard Zinn dramatizes the life of Emma Goldman, the anarchist, feminist, and free-spirited thinker who was exiled from the United States because of her outspoken views, including her opposition to World War I. With his wit and unique ability to illuminate history from below, Zinn reveals the life of this remarkable woman. The play will be of immense interest to feminists, American historians, and people interested in the long history of resistance and protest in the United States. Stage Left Theatre. 108 W. First Ave. spokanestageleft.org.

March 17-April 9: Holding On ~ Letting Go

Holding on ~ Letting Go is an honest, humorous and heartrending look at a family forced to come to terms with end-of-life. It is also a love story of Bobby and Lee, legendary NCAA basketball coaches, who now must face the toughest challenge of all. This is the last in Bryan’s cycle of plays on end-of-life, which include Vesta and Dusk, both of which also premiered in the Firth J. Chew Studio Theatre. Spokane Civic Theatre. 1020 N. Howard St. (509) 325-2507. For tickets: (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

March 22-23: Mamma Mia. Farewell Tour

Mamma Mia. is the ultimate feel-good show that has audiences coming back again and again to relive the thrill. Now it’s your turn to have the time of your life at this smash-hit musical that combines ABBA’s greatest hits, including “Dancing Queen,” “S.O.S.,” “Super Trouper,” “Take A Chance on Me” and “The Winner Takes It All,” with an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. Whether it’s your first visit or your fourteenth, see the show that has the whole world coming back for more, because every time feels like the first time at Mamma Mia. INB Performing Arts Center. 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

March 31-April 23: Noises Off!

Called the funniest farce ever written, Noises Off! presents a manic menagerie as a cast of traveling actors rehearsing a flop called Nothing’s On. Slamming doors, on and offstage intrigue, and frequent mishaps make up the plot of this hilarious and classically comic play. Spokane Civic Theatre. 1020 N. Howard St. (509) 325-2507. For tickets: (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.