ART

May 5, June 2: 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.

May 7, May 15, June 4, June 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

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, 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

May 13-June 24: “Beautiful Stuff”

“Beautiful Stuff” is a group art show with works by Mariah Boyle, Louise Kodis, Deb Sheldon and Karen Mobley. An artist “snack and chat” from 3-6 p.m. on May 13 will start the show. 29th Avenue Artworks. 3128 E. 29th Ave. (509) 534-7959

Opening June 9: Z Nation: Behind the Camera

This summer the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture becomes a working television production studio and a celebration of the dozens of local artists behind the hit Syfy TV series Z Nation. Museum visitors will be able to watch scenes being shot for Season Four of Z Nation, using the galleries as sound stages and the grounds as set locations, and learn how a real television series is made. In addition to getting a glimpse behind the scenes, visitors will also learn more about the local crew members who have taken their passion and talent for art and turned it into careers in filmmaking. Plus, signature props and costumes from the show, amazing special make-up effects and masks, interactive displays about the process and tools of film production, along with the history of Z Nation and zombie lore. Museum of Arts and Culture. 2316 W. First Ave. (509) 456-3931, northwestmuseum.org

Opening June 10: Melissa Cole & Ric Gendron

Artists Ric Gendron and Melissa S. Cole have very different styles but are each influenced by cultures in which storytelling is an integral part of everyday life: Gendron, Native American; Cole, Asian Indian. The tales these artists tell on canvas pulsate with color and energy and are infused with a magical realism in their depictions of people, animals, and environments. The exhibit, Life | Stories, includes twenty works by each artist as well as collaborative pieces that weave together the artists’ expressive styles on single canvases. Museum of Arts and Culture. 2316 W. First Ave. (509) 456-3931, northwestmuseum.org

June 30-July 2: 4th Annual Art on the Blacktop Festival

29th Avenue Artworks will take over the parking lot and inside the gallery with artist booths showing a variety of art, from ceramics, jewelry, paintings, sculpture, repurposed art and more. They also have a great food truck, so stay for lunch. This is a family friendly event. 29th Avenue Artworks. 3128 E. 29th Ave. (509) 534-7959

MUSIC

May 6-7: Spokane Symphony Classics: The Power of the Human Voice

The human voice is perhaps the most powerful of all instruments, expressing the deepest passions, joys and sorrows of our souls. Rachmaninoff wept at the sheer beauty of Shakespeare’s sublime “Serenade to Music” set to Vaughan Williams’s transcendent music. Verdi applied opera technique to the sacred text, filling it with soaring melodies, lush orchestration and music that perfectly conveys the text’s dramatic intensity. The result is his greatest opera and an icon of Western music. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

May 9-10: Spokane Symphony Chamber Soiree 3: May Celebration

Immerse yourself in the old world charm of the Davenport Hotel while enjoying an outstanding assortment of baroque, classical and contemporary chamber music performed by ensembles of the musicians of the Spokane Symphony. Relax at a table with wine and small bites, or take a seat in the gallery of the distinguished Marie Antoinette Ballroom. This is the final event of the Spokane Symphony 2016-2017 Season. The Davenport Hotel. 10 S. Post St. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

May 12: Spokane Symphony Performs the Music of Led Zeppelin

Bridging the gulf between rock n’ roll and classical music, the Spokane Symphony performs The Music of Led Zeppelin. Amplified by a full rock band and accompanied by singer Randy Jackson’s screaming vocals, creator Brent Havens guest conducts the ensemble as they capture Led Zeppelin’s “sheer blast and power,” riff for riff while churning out new musical colors. Delivering a note-for-note interpretation, vocalist Randy Jackson (lead singer of the rock band Zebra), shrieks brilliantly, more than capturing the spirit of legendary Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant. The band reproduces what Led Zeppelin did on the albums, verbatim, while the orchestra behind them gives the music a richness and a whole different sense of power. The concert features 18 Zeppelin tunes, including “Stairway to Heaven,” “Heartbreaker,” “Black Dog” and “Immigrant Song.” Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

May 13: Everclear, Vertical Horizon, and Fastball

Everclear is back and better than ever. With a heavier, darker sound, the band released its current album Black Is The New Black in 2015, consisting of songs that play to the true-life stories of the band stemming from lead singer, guitarist, co-founder and songwriter, Art Alexakis. Vertical Horizon joins Everclear, with its original lead singer and songwriter, Matt Scannell. Fastball, a trio out of Austin, Texas, hit the charts with their breakout album All The Pain Money Can Buy (1998). With hit songs on the album such as “The Way,” “Out Of My Head” and “Fire Escape,” in a short six months the album reached platinum. Northern Quest Casino. 100 N. Hayford Rd. Airway Heights. northernquest.com

May 18: Tim McGraw and Faith Hill: Soul2Soul The World Tour 2017

Grammy award-winning superstars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have announced “Soul2Soul The World Tour 2017” which features a stop at the Spokane Arena on Thursday, May 18. Special guest Chris Lane will open for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill in Spokane. Spokane Arena. 720 W. Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

May 21: Spokane Youth Symphony:Insights

Featuring the four orchestras of the Spokane Youth Symphony: Spokane Youth Symphony Orchestra (Dr. Philip Baldwin, conductor), Spokane Youth Philharmonic (Dr. Roberta Bottelli, conductor), Spokane Youth Sinfonietta (Ms. Heather Montgomery, conductor), and Spokane Youth Strings (Dr. John Marshall, conductor) will perform. The 2017 Concerto Competition Winners will be featured at this concert. In addition, Carl Maria von Weber’s Der Freischutz Overture will be performed by be performed by the Spokane Youth Philharmonic, Spokane Youth Sinfonietta and Spokane Youth Strings. Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

June 7: Def Leppard, with Special Guests Poison and Tesla

Fresh off winning their fan-voted Classic Rock Magazine Album of the Year award, Def Leppard announce they will return to the road this spring for a three-month run across North America. The tour also marks the first time in more than five years that Poison will tour with all original members, including Bret Michaels, CC DeVille, Bobby Dall, and Rikki Rockett. Poison has sold more than 40 million records and is set to perform some of its greatest hits, including “Nothin’ but a Good Time,” “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” “Talk Dirty to Me,” “Unskinny Bop,” and “Something to Believe In.” Spokane Arena. 720 W. Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

June 7: David Lindley

Multi-instrumentalist David Lindley performs music that redefines the word “eclectic.” Lindley, well known for his many years as the featured accompanist with Jackson Browne, and leader of his own band El Rayo-X, has long championed the concept of world music. Lindley incorporates an incredible array of stringed instruments including but not limited to Kona and Weissenborn Hawaiian lap steel guitar, Turkish saz and chumbus, Middle Eastern oud, and Irish bouzouki. The eye-poppingly clad “Mr. Dave’s” uncanny vocal mimicry and demented sense of humor make his onstage banter a highlight of the show. At his expansive and eclectic live performances David Lindley consistently gives a unique concert experience. Chateau Rive. 621 Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

June 18: Alice Cooper

Best known for his grand horror-themed theatrics on stage, Alice Cooper is still rocking and shocking audiences across the world. With major albums such as School’s Out, Billion Dollar Babies and Muscle of Love, the Alice Cooper band has been a staple in American hard rock for more than four decades. Alice Cooper released his first solo album in 1975, Welcome to My Nightmare, and started the legendary, groundbreaking theatrical “Welcome to My Nightmare” concert tour. Cooper’s solo career skyrocketed after his album release and tour in the late 1970s, with hits such as “You and Me,” and even bigger and more elaborate concert tours. Alice Cooper continues to rattle stages across the globe, playing more than 80 concerts per year. Northern Quest Casino. 100 N. Hayford Rd. Airway Heights. northernquest.com

June 23: Paul Simon

During his distinguished career, Paul Simon has been the recipient of many honors and awards including 12 Grammy Awards, three of which (Bridge Over Troubled Water, Still Crazy After All These Years and Graceland) were albums of the year. In 2003, he was given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as half of the duo Simon and Garfunkel. He is a member of The Songwriters Hall of Fame, a recipient of their Johnny Mercer Award and is in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Simon and Garfunkel and as a solo artist. His song “Mrs. Robinson” from the motion picture The Graduate was named in the top ten of The American Film Institute’s 100 Years 100 Songs. Spokane Arena. 720 W. Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

EVENTS

May 4: Tosh.Show on Campus

Daniel Tosh will host and perform an evening of standup comedy featuring writers and comedians from his Comedy Central show “Tosh.0” on Thursday, May 4 at the Star Theater. Spokane Arena. 720 W. Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

May 5: Terry Fator

As the winner of America’s Got Talent in 2007, Terry Fator went from performing at schools and fairs to headlining his own show on the Las Vegas Strip. His outstanding cast of hilarious characters take his show to a laugh-out-loud level. The most famous of his characters is Winston the Impersonating Turtle, who was with him when won America’s Got Talent and takes the credit for that impressive accomplishment. Northern Quest Casino. 100 N. Hayford Rd. Airway Heights. northernquest.com

May 12: GSI’s Good Morning Greater Spokane—Economic Update

The first half of the year is almost over. How did the major economic areas within Washington (Puget Sound, Spokane, Tri-Cities and Wenatchee) fare during this time period compared to each other, the Northwest and the United States? What influence are oil and the dollar having on the economy? Who are the potential winners and losers as related to oil and the dollar? What is the outlook for Federal Reserve actions and interest rates? This session will provide information to help answer these questions and how they may affect your business. The session will begin with a review of year-to-date economic growth before transitioning into a discussion of factors to watch for the next twelve months. The session will wrap up with some insights into potential Federal Reserve action and the implications for interest rates over the next twelve months. DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center. 322 N. Spokane Falls Ct. greaterspokane.org

May 16: Catalyst’s 3rd Tuesday Networking Event

Catalyst, Bozzi Media, Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living magazine, and sponsored by Bruce Van Cott of Country Financial, Third Tuesdays have become one of the region’s most thriving and vital business networking events. Enjoy appetizers provided by Taste Cafe while making connections to grow your business, service and marketing brand. Attendance is free with your registration on Eventbrite.com. 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., Chateau Rive at the Flour Mill, 621 W. Mallon Ave. Stay connected via Facebook.

June 1: Margaret Cho

Actress, comedian, activist, and musician are only a few of the words used to describe the many talents of Margaret Cho. Born and raised in San Francisco during the late 1960s and into the 1970s, her experiences growing up surrounded by hippies, drag queens and ex-druggies shaped her individuality and desire to share her unique humor with those around her. Northern Quest Casino. 100 N. Hayford Rd. Airway Heights. northernquest.com

June 7: David Blaine Live

Live Nation presents David Blaine, described by Howard Stern as the greatest magician who ever lived, live in Spokane. Blaine single-handedly redefined magic after producing and directing his original television special Street Magic when he was just twenty-three, which Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller called “the best TV magic special ever done.” The New York Times noted that Blaine has “taken a craft that’s been around for hundreds of years and done something unique and fresh with it,” while The New Yorker claimed “he saved magic.” Fox Theatre. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com.

June 7: Greater Spokane Incorporated’s 32nd Annual AGORA Awards

AGORA Awards is the region’s premier business awards ceremony that celebrates and recognizes business excellence. This is a chance for the public and Greater Spokane Incorporated to congratulate each of the businesses for the important role they play in the community and for contributing to the region’s economic growth. Visit the winner’s page to view these outstanding businesses. Spokane Convention Center—Centennial Ballrooms. 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. greaterspokane.org

THEATRE

Through May 7: Arcadia

Arcadia moves back and forth between 1809 and the present at the elegant estate owned by the Coverly family. The 1809 scenes reveal a household in transition. As the Arcadian landscape is being transformed into picturesque Gothic gardens, complete with a hermitage, 13-year-old Lady Thomasina and her tutor delve into intellectual and romantic issues. Present day scenes depict the Coverly descendants and two competing scholars who are researching a possible scandal at the estate in 1809 involving Lord Byron. This brilliant play moves smoothly between the centuries and explores the nature of truth and time, the difference between classical and romantic temperaments, and the disruptive influence of sex on our life orbits, the attraction Newton left out. Stage Left Theatre. 108 W. 1st Ave. spokanestageleft.org

May 11-14: Cinderella

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella  is the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of The Sound of Music and South Pacific that’s delighting audiences with its contemporary take on the classic tale. This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all the moments you love—the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more—plus some surprising new twists. Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” in this hilarious and romantic Broadway experience for anyone who’s ever had a wish, a dream . . . or a really great pair of shoes. INB Performing Arts Center. 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

Through May 21: The Taming of the Shrew

Bianca has many admirers, but is forbidden by her father to marry until her shrewish sister, Katharina, is betrothed. Enter Petruchio—a man challenged by Bianca’s suitors to tame Katharina. Will Petruchio succeed in his mission and even find love along the way? Find out in this much-loved comedy by William Shakespeare. Spokane Civic Theatre. 1020 N. Howard St. (509) 325-2507. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

May 19-June 11: Kiss Me, Kate

Combine Cole Porter’s music and lyrics with Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew to get one of Broadway’s most endearing shows, Kiss Me, Kate. When the egotistical performer Fred Graham is reunited with his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi in the leading roles of Taming of the Shrew, the drama off stage leads to pandemonium on stage. Mistaken identity, gangsters, and a colorful cast of characters add up to a hilarious musical comedy filled with beloved Broadway standards “Too Darn Hot,” “I Hate Men,” “Brush Up Your Shakespeare.” Spokane Civic Theatre. 1020 N. Howard St. (509) 325-2507. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

HEALTH

May 7: 41st Annual Bloomsday Run

A 12 kilometer (7.46 mile) race through downtown and west Spokane, Bloomsday is one of the nation’s largest road races.  After more than three decades, Bloomsday has worked its way into the fabric of life in the Inland Northwest. For most residents, it’s impossible to imagine spring in Spokane without Bloomsday. This event starts at 9 a.m.  All runners, walkers, wheelchairs, assisted wheelchairs and strollers are welcome to participate. Downtown Spokane. bloomsdayrun.org

May 12: Glow for Hunger Kids’ Run

Glow for Hunger was created by Northwest Harvest to help fight hunger locally in the Inland Northwest. Every $25 registration will provide 100 meals for local children and families in need Join us at this event to do your part in fighting hunger, make a difference while making memories. Joe Albi Stadium. 4918 Wellesley Ave. nsplit.com

May 21: Windermere Marathon and Half Marathon

Now produced by Negative Split, the Windermere Marathon can continue to grow and be a staple of the Pacific Northwest for many years to come. This race will feature a scenic, flat and fast course, long-sleeve technical shirts, spinning medals and a long-stemmed rose for all finishers, as well as an awesome finish-line party. windermeremarathon.com

SPORTS

May 12: Spokane Empire vs Arizona Rattlers

Spokane Arena. 720 W. Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

May 26: Spokane Empire vs Colorado Crush

Spokane Arena. 720 W. Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com

June 3: Spokane Empire vs Arizona Rattlers

Spokane Arena. 720 W. Mallon Ave. (800) 325-SEAT or ticketswest.com