“Sperm! The Musical” is on the way to the Panida Theatre in Sandpoint.  No, I don't think this is a joke. It's an original musical comedy set in that most romantic of settings, a sperm bank. It's about “sperm radiation therapy, and killer mutant sperm monsters,” or, to put it more directly, about a couple named Willy and Delouise Johnson who are having trouble conceiving. It's written by Sandpoint playwright Ben Olson with music by Brian Hibbard and directed by Andrew Sorg. If it's anywhere near as entertaining as Olson's press release, this show could be a hoot. One example: “Brian's songs are so catchy, you'd hum them all day if they weren't written about sperm”/Jim Kershner, SR. More here. (2005 AP file photo for illustrative purposes: Colombians dressed as sperm cross a main avenue during a campaign promoting condom use in Catholic country)

Question: “Sperm! The Musical”? “Urinetown”? Is there any topic that's verboten for a musical?

Arpie: Joan Baez played a concert at the Panida in Sandpoint tonight. She did not deny that she was at Farragut thirty eight years ago. Tonight’s show was amazing. A living legend, still hitting the high notes. She had the sold out crowd of aging hippies wrapped around her finger. She ended the night leading us all in Amazing Grace. The Panida never sounded sweeter.

Question: Who is your favorite folk singer?