Country, Comedy, Rock Headline Fair Entertainment
After producing a lineup of mostly country acts last year, organizers of the Spokane Interstate Fair have diversified the music this year in the Grandstand Arena.
The Spokane Interstate Fair opens today and runs through Sept. 15.
This fair’s entertainment troupe features comedian extraordinaire Gallagher, master of musical parody Weird Al Yankovic, the tributary Creedence Clearwater Revisited and musical relics Mark Lindsay, the Kingsmen and the Shirelles.
Of course, country acts are still part of this year’s lineup. Country stars of the moment Toby Keith and Tracy Lawrence perform in the Grandstand Arena on Monday and Wednesday nights, respectively.
For many people the fair isn’t just about music. Music is merely used to whip up excitement for the main event - the PRCA Rodeo, which stomps into the Grandstand Arena on Thursday and continues through Sept. 15.
With the exception of the Gallagher concert, all events in the Grandstand Arena are free with paid fair admission.
Entertainment isn’t just reserved for the Arena. Various variety acts will be milling about the grounds throughout the 10-day affair.
Comedians include Ned Kelly and Dana Smith. Kelly will present his “Kinetic Comedy Show” from the South Stage at 1 p.m. and the Grove Stage at 6 p.m. daily. Smith will engage in his comic variety show today through Monday at noon, 2 and 4 p.m. on the South Stage.
Master magician Terry Godfrey will conduct his wizardry five times daily from the South Stage and the Kids Stage. Hypnotist Steve Bayner will work his magic from the South Stage Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
There will be music from Washboard Willie, the Ron Lloyd Band and Spokane’s own Elvis impersonator. Lloyd performs on the South Stage daily. Washboard Willie appears daily on the Grove Stage. And Elvis will be on the East Stage for the entire fair.
For kids, the Dangerous Dinos (Barney meets the Muppets), Tiny the Clown and Chester the Mouse (in the vein of “Sesame Street”) will be on the Kids and Grove stages all during the fair.
Gallagher
Gallagher, no stranger to the fair, has been garnering yucks since the late ‘70s.
The entertainer, who performs tonight, is known to get dirty during his performances, both figuratively and literally. Some of this material is better suited to adult audiences. But the kiddies really appreciate his juvenile stunts, such as the “Sledge-O-Matic.” This is an act where Gallagher obliterates all kinds of fruits and vegetables with a sledgehammer, showering the first couple of rows with assorted pulp.
Gallagher performs tonight at 7. Tickets are $15 and that includes admission into the fair.
Toby Keith
Toby Keith is a relative newcomer to the country scene. He arrived in 1994 with a hit album called “Boomtown.” He recently followed his smash debut with another strong-selling country album, “Blue Moon.” Keith’s hits include “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” and “Wish I Didn’t Know.”
Keith plays the Grandstand Arena Monday at 8 p.m.
The Kingsmen
During its reign, the Kingsmen was primarily known as the band that turned “Louie, Louie” into a smash hit. More importantly, the Kingsmen along with a handful of other Northwest bands like the Sonics, helped shape the garage rock genre. The band will join Mark Lindsay, of Paul Revere and the Raiders fame, and the Shirelles at Saturday’s Oldies Concert in the Grandstand Arena.
Creedence Clearwater Revisited
This isn’t quite Creedence Clearwater Revival. But it isn’t quite a tribute band. Only two original members are in this group, bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug “Cosmo” Clifford. Founders John and Tom Fogerty are missing from the lineup. But Cook and Clifford contend that the band doesn’t really miss raspy singer John Fogerty. Revival singer John Tristao is purportedly a dead ringer for Fogerty. Creedence Clearwater Revisited plays the Grandstand Arena Sunday.
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