Spotlight : Movie finishes filming in Spokane
The filming of “The Diamond Dog Caper” (aka “Diamond Dog”) wrapped up in Spokane at the beginning of the month.
This family caper movie starring French Stewart (“Third Rock from the Sun”) and Garrett Morris (“Saturday Night Live”) is in post-production at Spokane’s North by Northwest, the company’s Juan Mas says, and is tentatively scheduled for a 2008 release.
Meanwhile, the prospects don’t look great for the flamboyantly titled “Oy Vey My Son is Gay” project, which at one time was scheduled to film in Spokane later in July.
The producers have so far failed to sign a contract with North by Northwest, so Mas said the company is looking at other possible projects for the rest of the summer.
A long list of stars, including Liza Minnelli, Jason Alexander, Paul Sorvino and Lainie Kazan, were supposedly tied to “Oy Vey,” which was described by its producer as a “Birdcage”-style comedy.
New Old Chautauqua
The wildly entertaining throwback genre known as New Vaudeville comes to the Bing Crosby Theater with a show called “Vaudeville Extravaganza” on Thursday at 7 p.m.
The New Old Chautauqua troupe, featuring juggling, magic, acrobatics, poetry and comedy, will play the Bing as a benefit for KYRS-FM (Thin Air Community Radio, 92.3/89.9).
The show will include Ivan Karamazov (of Flying Karamazov Brothers fame), Baby Gramps, Nanda, Faith Petric, Shoehorn, The Planets, Land Fill Harmonics, Spike & Boom-Boom, Dream Science Circus Acrobats, Stephen Bent, Haute Trash Fashions, David Clay, Petra and Alexandria.
The house band is, of course, the Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band/Orchestra.
Sound like fun? Get your general admission tickets for $14 ($10 for those under 12 or over 65, or with disabilities) through TicketsWest outlets (509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).
Bluegrass alert
Bluegrass fans should mark their calendars for the Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival at Waterfront Park in Medical Lake Aug. 10 through 12.
In its sixth year, this event has evolved into one of the top bluegrass festivals in the region. More than a dozen bands will play over the three days, with headliners including The Infamous Stringdusters, one of the nation’s hottest young bands, on Aug. 11 at 3:30 p.m. and again at 9 p.m.; and The Seldom Scene, a legendary bluegrass outfit, on Aug. 12 at 3:30 p.m.
Aug. 10 is Community Night, with free admission. Tickets for the rest of the festival are $25 for a two-day pass or $15 for a one-day pass, if purchased before Aug. 10. Tickets at the gate will be $30 and $18.
Advance tickets are available through TicketsWest.
Mozart reminder
Time to get your champagne cooled and your picnic baskets ready.
“Mozart on a Summer’s Eve,” Spokane’s traditional midsummer celebration of moonlight, marigolds and Mozart, is scheduled at Manito Park on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The concert is held on the lawn next to Duncan Gardens and the musical theme is, fittingly enough, gardens. This is one of Spokane’s most thoroughly enjoyable musical traditions.
Tickets are $25 per person with table seating, $10 for lawn seating, through TicketsWest. For more info, go to www.nwbachfest.com.
The Fox gets technical
The Fox Theater has hired Brian Ritter as its technical director.
Ritter has been the technical director of the Bing Crosby Theater, just a block away, for the past 18 years. He’s well-regarded for his talents in both sound and lighting design.
Billy Bob’s on the way
Billy Bob Thornton has been tentatively booked into the Big Easy Concert House for a show Aug. 28.
Yup, he’s a roots rocker and songwriter as well as noted actor. He plays drums and sings. His new CD, titled “Beautiful Door,” is coming out July 24.