Do You Hear What I Hear? Sounds Of Christmas Are Everywhere

One of the best things about the Christmas season is the music. No other time of year has the richness and variety of sound of this month - and you can find it in every church, every concert hall, on every street corner around town.

Well, not every street corner, but you get the idea. There’s a lot.

Here’s a sampling, along with some of the other things you can find to occupy your time this weekend.

Music, music, music

When it comes to music, the folks at St. John’s Cathedral know how to do it right. The Cathedral and the Arts will present a free concert titled “Christmas Crackers - An Olde English Family Celebration” at 4 p.m. Sunday at the South Hill church.

A sterling line-up of actors (Bruce Arnold, Homer Mason and Dorothy Darby Smith, among them) will present seasonal prose and poetry. Holiday music will be performed by the Gonzaga University Choir, the Ensemble of the Spokane Area Children’s Choir, St. John’s Cathedral Choir and more.

The concert will last about an hour. No tickets are required, but seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors open at 2:30 p.m.

The Sweet Adelines will bring harmony to your afternoon at 2 p.m. Sunday at The Met. Special guests include the Eastern Washington University Chamber Choir, the First Presbyterian Intermediate Children’s Choir and five specialty quartets.

Tickets are $8; children under 12 get in for free. For more information on tickets, call 466-7784 or 448-9328. You can get them at the door or by calling 325-SEAT.

The 560th Air Force Band will perform in “A Christmas Family Concert” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Ferris High School auditorium - a chance to hear the incredible talent and versatility of a military band.

The holiday memories performance will include vocal and instrumental arrangements of traditional favorites. The origins of this band, stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, dates to 1942 when it was activated in Alabama.

The concert is free, but you’ll need a ticket. Pick them up at the Chamber of Commerce office at 1020 W. Riverside. Seating is limited.

Dan Maher, host of KPBX’s “Inland Folk” radio show, will perform his own brand of folk music at 8 p.m. Saturday at Hale’s Ales Brewery, 5634 E. Commerce.

Maher is nearly finished with his third album and is well known in Spokane for his vast repertoire. Admission for his show is $8 in advance. Get tickets at Street Music, 117 N. Howard, or by calling 535-1868.

There’s more music next week. Here are some highlights:

Gonzaga University will present its second annual Festival of Wind Music at 8 p.m. Monday at The Met. Tickets are $8 and $5 at the door.

Allegro’s Music in Historic Homes is at 5, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Tuesday at Reid House, 2315 W. First, in Browne’s Addition. This event includes a short concert of period music, a tour of the home and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $12.50; call 455-6865.

The Decolores Handbell Choir will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Spokane Valley Methodist Church, 10422 E. Main. Leslie Stratton-Norris will be a guest harpist. Admission is free.

The Whitworth College Choir will present its annual Christmas Festival concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church. Admission is $8. Call 325-SEAT.

Great shopping

Looking for something different for a special gift? Be sure to hit the Spokane Art School’s Yuletide 1995 this weekend for a one-of-a-kind present.

Admission is free, and you’ll find the wares of 40 artists from throughout the Northwest - everything from origami to fused glass.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The art school is located at 920 N. Howard.

The Corbin Art Center is holding its 20th Annual Juried Fine Arts and Crafts Christmas Sale also this weekend, at 507 W. Seventh.

You’ll find an array of high-quality, handcrafted items from more than 70 artists. Admission is free. The hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Something different

Spokane Public Radio and Silver Collector Auctions are holding their eighth annual KPBX Holiday Auction tonight from 5:30 to 10 at 204 E. Augusta.

The evening features live music by Riversong, hors d’oeuvres and beverages and both live and silent auctions with everything from vintage wines to art work to getaway trips.

Admission is $5 and advance tickets are available at KPBX, 2319 N. Monroe. For more information, call 328-5729.

A Christmas cornucopia

The town of Metaline Falls goes Christmas crazy this weekend with its annual Christmas Arts Festival Deck the Falls.

Metaline Falls, recognized as one of the 100 best small arts towns in America, is proud of its arts tradition. The community gets together at 10 a.m. Saturday to deck main street with an enchanting Christmas display. At the end of the day, they celebrate with a grand lighting ceremony.

Both Saturday and Sunday will be filled with music, chestnuts roasting, craft lessons and three performances of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The festivities run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Call 446-4108 for more information.

Gonzaga University is staging a musical version of “Aladdin” in Russell Theatre with 18 adults and five child actors. Curtain is tonight at 7:30, Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Admission is $3, children are $1 with a can of food. Call 328-4220, ext. 3153 for more information.

Northwoods Performing Arts presents A Christmas Eve Spirit, or All in a Night’s Work a dinner show. The event starts at 6 p.m. at Newport High School tonight and Saturday and at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Swackhammer’s Cafe Rio. Both events are $16. Call (208) 448-2430 for ticket information.

Miscellaneous fun

The Coeur d’Alene resort begins four Holiday Cooking Classes this Saturday with a demonstration of holiday deserts from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Shops at the Resort Plaza. The following classes are each Saturday at the same time, on different subjects. It’s free.

Silver Spurs international folk dance youth group is holding its Annual Winter Dance Concert at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Lewis and Clark High School auditorium. You’ll see everything from the lindy hop to Tex-Mex dances and more.

Admission for seniors and students is $2.50, for adults $4 and for families $10. Tickets are available at the door.

Artist Donald Clegg opens an exhibit at 1527 W. 13th today, noon through 9 p.m. His landscapes and still lifes in oils and watercolors will be shown through the weekend - from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Spokane author Kathy Finley will autograph her recently published book, “Dear God: Prayers for Families with Children,” at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Children’s Corner Bookshop in RiverPark Square.

, DataTimes