Keberle to step down as SJO leader
Dan Keberle has resigned as the leader of the Spokane Jazz Orchestra, although he will stay on the job through next June.
Why? Because after 15 years, it’s just time to step down, said Keberle.
“The organization has never been stronger and in better shape,” said Keberle, who also is the director of jazz studies at Whitworth University. “I’m very happy with the way everything has gone, but I’ve just been doing it a long time.
“Also, I have a new baby, a 1-year-old. But even before that, I was starting to run out of steam.”
Under his leadership, the SJO has been the region’s premier jazz performance group, with a full concert season and a roster of guest artists that has included Diana Krall, Diane Schuur and Gunther Schuller.
What’s next? The SJO has begun a search for a new music director. We’ll let you know when they have an announcement to make.
Cummins bounced
Dan Cummins, the Millwood comic who made into the 24-person semifinals of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” was bounced out of the 12-person finals earlier this month.
Here’s what he said about the experience on his MySpace blog: “I gave it a shot, and met some new friends. Could be a LOT worse!
“I did jokes I liked. Maybe they aren’t for everyone, but, I think they’re funny, and I’m glad some other people liked them, too.”
Loose on Palouse
The second annual Artists Loose on the Palouse Arts and Crafts Fair takes place Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at On Sacred Grounds, 12212 E. Palouse Highway in Valleyford.
It will include more than two dozen artists and crafters, plus live music and entertainment on Saturday.
And there will be another unlikely highlight …
‘Wife Swap’ filming
The ABC reality show “Wife Swap” will film “background footage” at the Artists Loose in the Palouse event on Saturday.
Elaine Rising, who runs On Sacred Grounds, the coffee-art-specialty shop that sponsors the event, said the producers told her that one of their subjects – a house-husband this time, not a wife – makes pottery and wanted to exhibit his work. A crew will film him and the entire country-arts-fair scene.
Rising said the producers didn’t tell her who the man was or where he was from. Apparently it’s a “Wife Swap” secret.
Cathedral concerts
Accomplished organist Laura Ellis of the University of Florida-Gainesville will present a free organ recital today at 4 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 12th Avenue and Grand Boulevard.
She will play works by Bach, Stirling, Prizeman and Bennett. A free-will offering will be taken; everybody is welcome.
Ellis also performed the carillon concert last Thursday, which leads to this reminder: The 2008 Summer Carillon Series at the cathedral continues on Thursday, and again next Sunday and July 24, all at 7 p.m. Just bring a lawn chair to the cathedral grounds and enjoy the ringing sounds of the carillon.
These carillon concerts are one of the little-known summer pleasures of Spokane.
Sitar concert
Spokane is not exactly the sitar capital of the world, but on Aug. 1, the Unity Church of Truth will be ringing with Indian sounds.
The father-son duo Mishras will perform a sitar concert at 7 p.m. at the church at 29th Avenue and Bernard Street. Tickets will be $10 at the door.
Local art on TV
Here’s an opportunity for local visual artists and musicians: Community-Minded TV, the Spokane group that provides programming for Comcast’s community-access cable channel 14, wants artists and musicians to submit samples of their work for Artist Showcase segments which will air at various times throughout the day.
Participants should live within 100 miles of Spokane. For details on how to submit your work, contact Jill Johnson at (509) 444-3381 or jillj@community-minded.org.