Why Not Take In An Art Show While You’re Out Christmas Shopping
It’s a great weekend for art.
You can find two quality art shows and sales in the region, both sure to satisfy your cravings for interesting purchases or simple viewing pleasure.
The first and largest is the all-media exhibition Spokane Sampler at the Cheney Cowles Museum. Traditionally an invitational, this year’s Sampler was organized for the first time from a formal juried competition.
Almost 200 Spokane County artists with 436 works entered slides and original artwork. The resulting show is a myriad of works from oils to ceramics to computer prints - and everything in between. Among the exhibit’s most distinctive pieces are a family totem pole and a table made of rifles. For the more traditional, there are landscapes and still lifes aplenty.
The exhibit opens with a public reception honoring the artists from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. The exhibit runs through Jan. 21 during regular museum hours. Participating artists Steve Adams, Kathleen Cavender, John Lewis and Kay O’Rourke will talk about their work at a public slide lecture Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
More than 40 local artists have contributed their work to the Pend Oreille Arts Council’s ninth annual “Holiday Fun & Fantasy Art Show” beginning with an opening reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Panhandle State Bank in Sandpoint.
A variety of mediums will be displayed, all with the holiday theme in mind. Much of the work is for sale. The display will continue through Jan. 2 in the bank gallery, open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Admission is free.
Your chance to dance
You’ll have two opportunities for A Night of Soulful Moods, Music, Dinner and Dance this weekend - one upscale, one economy.
Tonight, at 7:30, jazz and blues musician Lindell Reason will entertain in the lounge of The Riverside Room at 311 W. Riverside. Dinner and a DJ take over later. You pay $20 for the whole night or $10 for entertainment and dance only. Call 747-7821 for tickets.
On Saturday, you get much the same thing - minus the dinner and Reason. Still, DJ Sir Charles will spin the best R&B, jazz, blues and dance music from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. This takes place at the Shed Comedy Club on Division, from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Cost is $5 at the door.
More music
The Occasional String Band, a.k.a. Balding Men with Day Jobs, are holding a tape-release party to celebrate the completion of its first cassette tape recording. And guess what? You can buy the tape at the party!
The group, which plays a mix of bluegrass, swing, country and jazz, doesn’t fit in the formal Spokane bar-band can. They’ve played together for years, long enough to develop a humorous and sarcastic camaraderie.
The music starts at 9 p.m. at the El Toreador Restaurant, 336 W. Riverside. There’s no cover charge.
Feel like a drive? Those of you who don’t live in Lewiston can trek down there this weekend for a 3 p.m. concert of the Washington Idaho Symphony at Lewiston High School.
In “The Gift of Music,” the orchestra will perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 and Debussy’s “Afternoon of a Faun.” The program will end with the orchestra and chorale performing traditional Christmas carols arranged by John Rutter.
Tickets prices are $10, $5 for college students and children (one child is admitted free with each paying adult). Tickets are available at the door. The concert will be repeated at 8 p.m. Monday at Gladish Auditorium in Pullman.
On stage
If you liked “A Fine and Pleasant Misery” - the one-man show based on humor writer Patrick F. McManus’ work - don’t miss “Misery II: McManus in Love” tonight and Saturday.
Actor Tim Behrens is the one-man cast who plays 15 “characters,” including a bat, a bear, a bicycle and a strange assortment of humans.
Curtain is 7:30 p.m. both nights at The Met. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for ages 16 and younger. Call 325-SEAT ahead of time, or get them at the door.
Dance Theatre Northwest presents “The Toy Shelf” at 2 p.m. Saturday at The Met. This original production combines dance, song and drama in a seasonal tale. Tickets are $5 for children, students and seniors. Adults pay $8. Call 922-3023 for tickets.
Holly Eve, Sandpoint’s traditional first event of the holiday season, begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Panida Theater. This 15-year tradition combines great food, the latest fashions and both silent and audible auctions for your money.
Donated items to the auction include vacation packages to Hawaii, England and Mexico, dining and theater tickets, recreation and sports options, jewelry and more. A silent auction of fine art donated by local artists will be ongoing throughout the event.
The $17.50 tickets are available at Eve’s Leaves, B.J.’s Games and Books and Panhandle State Bank. For more information, call (208) 263-0712.
Later next week
Soprano Sharon Daggett will perform for Opera Buffs of Spokane at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Rockwood Retirement Center, 2900 E. 25th.
The program will include selections from Handel and Mozart. In addition, the Monday Musical Madrigals will sing Christmas carols. Holiday cookies, eggnog and caroling will following.
It’s free.
The Spokane Folklore Society invites the public to its monthly Jam Night Contradance from 8 to 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Woman’s Club, 1428 W. Ninth.
The stage is open to all interested musicians and dance callers who are feeling daring. All levels are welcome. There is pre-jam rehearsal for shy musicians. Call 624-3360 for more information on that.
Admission to the dance is $3, except for those participating in the music-making or calling. Couples, singles and beginners are welcome. All Spokane Folklore dances are alcohol-, smoke- and drug-free.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Getting out You can pile into the car where it’s warm and toasty and drive through the Creek at Qualchan looking at beautiful lights. Or, experience Christmas displays in a more old-fashioned way: by strolling up and down the streets of a decorated neighborhood, if not singing, at least humming carols. Bundle up with mittens and hats. There are plenty of places made for walking. One of our favorites is Glass and Courtland, on the edge of the north hill just west of Ash.