CenterStage branches out with emphasis on variety

CenterStage has ambitious plans that go way beyond dinner theater. This downtown venue on West First Avenue will host a variety of concerts and events in addition to its previously announced season of dinner shows.

Here’s what CenterStage has planned:

“ Spokane String Quartet – This classical ensemble group will hold three “Dinner Classics Concerts” on Oct. 24, Dec. 8 and March 20.

“ Destination Sundays – The popular world music series, featuring music and food from various cultures, will continue with a nine-concert series beginning Sept. 12 with a Russian group called Moscow Nights. Other upcoming concerts: Warren Chang Music Ensemble (China), Oct. 17; Khac Chi (Vietnam), Nov. 21; Pangeo (Greece), Dec. 5; Gansango Mandinka Music Trio (West Africa), Jan. 23; Bakra Bata (Caribbean), Feb. 13; Celtic Nots, March 13; Children of the Revolution (Mediterranean), April 17; and Grupo Condor (South American), May 15.

“ Ballroom Dancing Showcase – With instructors from Simply Dance and The Dancing Place, Sept. 19.

“ Comedy Wednesdays – Ella’s Supper Club (renamed from the UpStage Supper Club) on the third floor will host comedy nights on Wednesdays, beginning with Steve Kerry and Dan Cummins on Sept. 29, 8 p.m. ($7 cover charge).

“ Flicker Fest Spokane – An experimental film festival featuring short films you won’t see anywhere else, Oct. 10, 3 and 6 p.m.

“ The Worst Midnight Movie Series Ever – Movies so bad they’re entertaining, beginning with “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes,” Oct. 9; “Chopper Chicks from Zombie Town,” Oct. 16; “Bride of the Monster,” Oct. 23; “Squirm,” Oct. 30 ($3 each).

For tickets or information call 747-8243.

Clearly, the threat of eviction is not daunting CenterStage. The building’s landlords want to declare the current lease invalid. Leslie Ann Grove of CenterStage said the eviction case is still crawling through the litigation process.

“But we think we’re going to be here,” she said.

More dinner options

Also, CenterStage is adding extras and upgrades to the food selections for its first dinner-theater show of the season, “Quilters,” opening for previews Sept. 16.

The regular dinner entrees include a choice of Wagon Train Mixed Grill (venison flank steak with succotash and venison-rabbit sausage), Oven-Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes and succotash, or Vegetarian Mixed Grill (grilled zucchini and eggplant) with succotash.

However, for an extra charge, you can upgrade to New York steak, New York steak and lobster, seafood trinity linguine or a fresh catch of the day. You can also add appetizers including Creole Crabcakes, Scallops Mornay or Tri-color Bruschetta.

Call 747-8243 for tickets and meal options.

‘Lilia’ and the Welches

The Interplayers Ensemble will dedicate its auditorium to co-founders Bob and Joan Welch on Sept. 26.

The ceremony will be the highlight of an afternoon gala which will include a performance of “Lilia,” a one-woman play written by and starring Libby Skala, a New York actress.

“Lilia” is a celebration of the life of Lilia Skala, the author’s grandmother, a famous Austrian actress who fled the Nazis and went on to receive an Oscar nomination for “Lilies of the Field.” She was in many TV shows and movies, including “Eleanor and Franklin,” “Charly,” “Ship of Fools” and “Flashdance.”

The New York Times said this about “Lilia”: “Libby Skala is magnetic in a part that clearly means the world to her.”

The afternoon will include a champagne reception at 1 p.m., the performance of “Lilia” at 2 p.m., then the dedication ceremony and open house. Tickets are $50, and go on sale to the general public through the Interplayers box office on Wednesday by calling 455-PLAY. Tickets are already available for subscribers.

Libby Skala will appear with the Welches in “Painting Churches,” which opens for previews on Sept. 9 and closes on Sept. 25, the day before the dedication.

‘Dracula’ in dance

Ballet Spokane will open its second year as a professional company with “Dracula,” an adaptation of the famous Bram Stoker story with a score by Philip Feeney.

There will be two performances, Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 31 at 2 p.m., both at Valley Performing Arts Center, 821 S. Sullivan Road. Tickets will be available through TicketsWest outlets (325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).

Symphony volunteers

Spokane will be crawling with symphony volunteers from Sept. 17 to 18 for “Mountains, Music or More: A Workshop for Orchestra Volunteers,” a regional workshop of the American Symphony Orchestra League.

Volunteers from around the Northwest will converge on the Davenport Hotel for this meeting. They’ll get tours of the Fox Theater and tickets to the Sept. 17 Spokane Symphony concert.