NPR’s Williams, Simon to appear
Two big names on National Public Radio will be appearing in separate events this fall in our region:
• Juan Williams, NPR’s highly respected political correspondent and Fox News analyst, will deliver a lecture on Oct. 2, 7 p.m., at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, titled “The Latest From Washington: An Insider’s View.”
If you want to get an up-to-the-minute insight into the campaigns, this is the event for you.
Williams’ talk is the Idaho Humanities Council’s Fifth Annual Northern Idaho Distinguished Humanities Lecture. Tickets are $45, and benefactor tickets are $100, available by calling the IHC at (888) 345-5346.
• Scott Simon – the best radio host on earth, in Spotlight’s opinion – will be coming to Spokane Community College’s Lair Auditorium, Oct. 28, 7 p.m.
Simon is the host of NPR’s Weekend Edition and is a seasoned reporter, essayist and author.
The best thing about Simon’s appearance: It’s free. Seating is open so you might want to get there early.
Incomparable Marcus Roberts
Here’s another reminder to jazz fans – and fans of any music performed to the highest standards – that Marcus Roberts is coming to the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox on Oct. 18.
Roberts is a true American treasure. His roots are in classical music, gospel and jazz. He broke onto the jazz scene as the pianist for Wynton Marsalis. After he went solo in the early 1990s, three of his albums have made it to No. 1 on the jazz charts.
He is an unparalleled interpreter of the jazz giants who came before, with a particular affinity for George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Thelonius Monk and Scott Joplin. His trio – which includes Jason Marsalis on drums – will play a program titled “Rhythm and Romance” at the Fox.
What I’m trying to ask is this: If one of the world’s best jazz pianists comes to town, do you really want to miss it? Tickets are $15-$30 and are now on sale through the Fox box office, (509) 624-1200, or TicketsWest outlets (509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).
Tribute to Elliott Carter
Speaking of musical treasures, the University of Idaho and Washington State University will perform tribute concerts to two-time Pulitzer-winning American composer Elliott Carter later this fall.
These concerts are in celebration of Carter’s 100th birthday, which is coming in a few months.
The concerts are:
• Sept. 30, 8 p.m., Bryan Hall, WSU, Pullman – Featuring the WSU Orchestra and a number of soloists. Free admission.
• Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m., Recital Hall, Lionel Hampton School of Music, UI, Moscow, Idaho – Featuring a range of solo performers and ensembles. Admission $5 at the door, $3 for seniors and students.
Leonard Garrison, UI music professor, says that anyone who attends these performances “will realize they’re hearing music by the greatest living American composer.”
Way off-Broadway offers three plays
The Way off-Broadway Theatre Group will present an evening of three short plays titled “3:1,” in several performances this week.
The group, made up of Gonzaga University theater alums, students and teachers, will perform “The Siren Song of Stephen Jay Gould,” by Benjamin Bettenbender; “The Right to Remain,” by Melanie Marnich; and “Helen at Risk,” by Dana Yeaton.
Performances are Thursday, 7 p.m. at Gonzaga Prep, 1224 E. Euclid, and Friday, 6:30 p.m., Saturday, 7 p.m., and Sept. 21, 4 p.m., at the Empyrean Coffee House, 154 S. Madison.
General admission is $7, $5 for students. Call (509) 280-8358 to reserve tickets. Brian Russo, GU theater prof, is the artistic director.