Before The Weather Turns Chilly, Expose Yourself To Art

Fri., Oct. 6, 1995

Anne Windishar

Need an art fix? There’s a virtual feast for your eyes today with the Visual Arts Tour of Spokane, a cooperative program in which Spokane galleries open their doors for free.

Almost two dozen galleries are open for the tour, from 5 to 9 p.m. in the hopes of acquainting Spokane with the high quality and great variety of visual art in town. It’s a self-guided tour; you may attend as many or as few as you wish.

The media range from quilts (Chase Gallery at City Hall) to pottery (Eugenia Stowe Gallery, YWCA) to watercolors (Douglas Gallery, 121 S. Wall). You’ll find global folk art, collage paintings and color litho prints.

The Spokane Transit Authority is making it easy for you. Bus transportation to selected galleries is $1. Tickets are available in advance at the Bus Shop, buses depart from the Spokane Art School between 5:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

For a complete list of participating galleries, call 625-6050.

Break out the parka

If the temperature hasn’t gotten you in the mood, the calendar certainly will. The third annual Spokane Ski and Winter Recreation Show runs today through Sunday with a preview of the 1995-96 ski season.

This show provides answers to all your questions. Which resorts have the best trails for your experience? Where are the newest lifts? The best dining? If you want information about which manufacturers offer the latest water repellent fabrics, or if you really need a pair of “fat boys,” the experts at the show can help.

More than 55 exhibitors will be on hand, representing resorts, retail shops, manufacturers and winter sports groups. Outrageous Air, comprised of five of the country’s best freestyle skiers, will perform state-of-the-art ski acrobatics and comedy - inside the Spokane Convention Center.

Hours are 5 to 9 tonight, 10 a.m.p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $4 and $3 for students. Children under 7 are admitted free.

More German beer

Did you miss Odessa’s German celebration last month? A smaller but equally proud Octoberfest tradition will be celebrated by the German-American Society of Spokane today and Saturday at the Deutsches Haus, 25 W. Third.

The entertainment includes dancing, tonight and Saturday, upstairs to the music of Sylvia and the Fjordsong Band and downstairs to the Norm Seeberger Band. The festivities begin at 7 p.m. both nights.

German food and imported German beer and wine will be available for reasonable prices. Admission is $8 (you must be over 21 to attend). You can make reservations in advance by calling 747-0004.

Bring your VISA

More than 300 exhibitors from Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming are setting up shop at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds for the 20th Fall Antique and Collectors Sale this weekend.

It’s the largest indoor antique sale in the Inland Northwest, and you’re invited to spend lots of money there, or just look around. There’s plenty of furniture, glassware, coins, books and more. You can also bring your own collectibles to be evaluated by experts.

Admission is $3.50, children 12 and under are free. The hours are 4-9 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Music miscellaneous

Local entertainer Danny Smith hosts a show filled with music and laughter at the Cutter Theatre in Metaline Falls at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and again at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Smith accompanies himself on guitar and plays music ranging from classic rock to country. Also performing are bluegrass artists Heather and Knute Tonga and Shirley and Lee Look.

The performances are scheduled to complement the Lions Club excursion train rides also taking place this weekend. Tickets for any of the shows are $5 and may be reserved by calling (509) 446-4108, or at the door.

The Gonzaga University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Russell Theatre in Gonzaga’s Administration Building. The event is free and open to the public.

Book signing

Humor columnist Bill Hall will sign copies of his new WSU Press book, “Frank Church, D.C. & Me,” today from noon-2 p.m. at the Students Book Corporation in Pullman and from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Book People in Moscow.

Hall served as press secretary to Idaho’s then-U.S. Sen. Frank Church during the mid-1970s. Hall is editorial page editor at the Lewiston Morning Tribune in Idaho.

Next week

Don’t miss The U.S. Air Force Band of the Rockies when it plays at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Shadle Park High School. Not only does this enormously talented band offer entertainment for all, but it will feature Spokane native Owen Fahey when he plays Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” on piano.

Tickets are free, but you must get them in advance. Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Air Force Tickets, 2929 W. Monroe, Spokane, WA 99205.

Ellen Goodman, who received the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary in 1980 for her nationally syndicated At Large column, will discuss “Value Judgments” at Gonzaga University at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Martin Centre Pavilion.

General admission is $15 (bleacher seating); patron seating is $25 (floor seating and reception). Goodman has been with the Boston Globe since 1967.

Cheney Cowles Museum kicks off its Behind the Red, White and Blue: Posters, Propaganda and Pride exhibition with a gala opening Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the museum.

The exhibit utilizes 35 World War II posters to demonstrate the use of graphic arts to illustrate the nation’s homefront participation in the war effort. A second part of the exhibit is “Yes, In My Back Yard,” an exhibit that addresses the history, role and effects of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Eastern Washington.

The opening reception costs $8 per person or $15 per couple. It will include a live big band, food appropriate to the period, costumes and a theatrical performance featuring a visit from Harry Truman.

For more information, call 456-3932.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Getting out Those wanting the experience of spending an autumn Saturday afternoon watching gridiron action can head to north Spokane and see Whitworth College play Simon Fraser Saturday. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. and it’s Homecoming, so there’s sure to be a crowd of cheering alums. Don’t expect a slick production. Football games at this school are more of an oldfashioned experience. Admission’s $5, $3 for seniors and alumni, $2 for kids. Here’s a comfort hint: Take two lap robes and plan to sit on one; the benches get cold even on a sunny October afternoon.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Getting out Those wanting the experience of spending an autumn Saturday afternoon watching gridiron action can head to north Spokane and see Whitworth College play Simon Fraser Saturday. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. and it’s Homecoming, so there’s sure to be a crowd of cheering alums. Don’t expect a slick production. Football games at this school are more of an oldfashioned experience. Admission’s $5, $3 for seniors and alumni, $2 for kids. Here’s a comfort hint: Take two lap robes and plan to sit on one; the benches get cold even on a sunny October afternoon.