Martin’s banjo tour makes stop at The Fox
Here’s big news for the banjo-centric among us, as well as the comedy-centric: Steve Martin’s banjo tour is coming to the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox on Nov. 2.
Martin, best known as a comedian, actor and director, is also a top-notch banjo player. He recently released an album called “The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo” which went straight to the top of Billboard’s bluegrass charts.
All of the songs were written by Martin, and the album features guest contributions from Dolly Parton, Vince Gill and Earl Scruggs.
No, they won’t be here. For this tour, Martin will be backed by the Steep Canyon Rangers, a top national bluegrass act.
The focus will be on banjo, but Martin will probably manage to get plenty of laughs between songs.
Tickets will be $37, $52 and $68 and will go on sale Aug. 25 through TicketsWest outlets (509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).
This will be part of the Fox’s fall series, the rest of which will be announced later this month.
Steep Canyon Rangers
Speaking of the Steep Canyon Rangers, they happen to be in the Inland Northwest today for an unrelated event: The Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival in Medical Lake.
This North Carolina quintet is scheduled to take the stage this afternoon at 4:15 p.m. You can buy tickets at the gate for $22, good for all day. A full lineup of performances begins at 11 a.m., culminating in the Steep Canyon Rangers set.
It all takes place at Medical Lake’s Waterfront Park, at the south end of Medical Lake. Go to www.bluewatersbluegrass.org for a complete schedule. The pickin’ actually began on Friday.
The rise of Troy
Troy Nickerson has been named resident director of the Spokane Civic Theatre.
This is a well-deserved, if largely honorary, title. Nickerson has been one of the Civic’s busiest and best directors for nearly two decades.
He’ll be directing two Civic shows this upcoming season: “Curtains” and “Escanaba in Da Moonlight.”
Executive artistic director Yvonne A.K. Johnson awarded this honor at the Civic’s Annual Endowment Dinner last month.
Bill Stanley retires
Bill Stanley has been a stalwart of KSPS-7 almost from its founding. For 40 years, beginning when he was fresh out of the Washington State University, Stanley has been a KSPS producer, director, program manager and, for many years, station manager.
On Aug. 31, he’ll retire from the only place he has ever worked. He said that KSPS has been far more than a job – it was the “valuable and treasured cause of my life.”
Don’t get the idea that Stanley will disappear from your TV screens, however. He’ll simply be making the transition from staff member to volunteer.
He will remain the affable and informative host of “Saturday Night Cinema.” You’ll also see him during membership campaigns.
By the way, his retirement is connected with an overall downsizing at KSPS, brought about by a variety of revenue woes.
The Terriers reunion
The Terriers, a folk group from Washington State University in the 1960s, will reunite for a benefit performance for the Spokane Guilds’ School on Aug. 26 at the Bing Crosby Theater.
Dave Vik, Jerry Altig and Jerry Thomas will get back together for the event. They’ll be joined by The Original Caste, a Canadian group which had a 1970 hit with “One Tin Soldier.”
Tickets are available at the Davenport Hotel’s main desk or by calling the Spokane Guilds’ School, (509) 326-1651.
USAF band
The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West will perform a concert in Riverfront Park’s Lilac Bowl, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m.
This nationally known band is based at Travis Air Force Base in California and is led by Major Keith Bland. The band will play a mix of patriotic music, marches and traditional band repertoire.
No need to worry about getting tickets: The concert is free. Just show up for an evening of music on the lawn.