Marlowe lands mobster role in locally filmed ‘Big Bang’

The Spokane-filmed Antonio Banderas movie, “The Big Bang,” doesn’t just have Hollywood names (Sam Elliott), rap stars (Snoop Dogg) and up-and-coming Brits (Sienna Guillory).

It also has some local talent in the cast. In fact, Spotlight has just learned that one of Spokane’s favorite actors, William Marlowe, is playing a Russian mobster named something like Mr. Skinny Fedyedev.

Mr. Skinny meets a particularly sticky end in the movie. He dies covered with hot steaming borscht.

Da. That’s right. You might say the guy gets beet to death.

Roaming the earth?

We’ve received notice of a press conference on Monday with the cryptic message “They’re coming back … ”

To the Spokane Arena, that is.

The Arena folks are not saying exactly what the show is, but since the invitation shows a scaly reptilian eye and the tag line “65 million and three years in the making,” we’re taking a wild guess: Could it be “Walking With Dinosaurs?”

This show, featuring life-sized walking dinosaurs, sold out five performances – nearly 40,000 tickets – during a summer 2007 visit to the Arena.

Stay tuned to find out if we guessed right.

Smothers Brothers

Here’s a new show booked into the INB Performing Arts Center: The Smothers Brothers, Jan. 30, 8 p.m.

Tom and Dick Smothers have made several visits to Spokane, including appearances with the Spokane Symphony in 1996 and 2005. This time, they’ll be on their own.

The Yo-Yo Man may also make an appearance, since the Yo-Yo Man is actually Tommy.

Tickets are $49, $39 and $29, through TicketsWest outlets (800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).

World AIDS Day event

The Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave., will host a World AIDS Day event on Dec. 1, beginning at 6 p.m.

The event will include musical entertainment from local high school and college groups and a silent auction.

Admission is free, but donations to the Spokane AIDS Network food bank are welcome.

The event will conclude with a candlelight vigil. For more information, call (509) 455-8993.

Barats-Bereta onstage

Luke Barats and Joe Bereta, possibly the two funniest people in Spokane, will make a rare live comedy appearance on Dec. 17, 8 p.m. at the Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave.

We say “rare,” because these two have built a national following with hilarious and wildly popular YouTube videos. Most of their fans have probably never seen them live on stage.

They’ll perform a sketch comedy show called “Barats and Bereta: Manhood.”

This is a one-night-only show and reservations are highly recommended. Call the Blue Door at (509) 747-7045.

Heidi Newfield canceled

Heidi Newfield, former singer for the country band Trick Pony, has canceled her Dec. 10 show at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox.

The show was originally scheduled for Aug. 11, then postponed and now canceled altogether. For the second time, the promoters cited “unforeseen scheduling conflicts.”

Those who purchased tickets online or over the phone will have a refund posted to their credit cards.

Those who purchased them from an outlet should bring the tickets back for a refund or mail them to TicketsWest, attn. Heidi Newfield Refunds, 720 W. Mallon Ave., Spokane, WA 99201.

Eckart at Elegance

Christmas Tree Elegance, the annual Christmas tree display and raffle sponsored by the Spokane Symphony Associates, runs from Dec. 1 through Dec. 12 at the Davenport Hotel.

As always, it will feature a number of special events, style shows and a big Gala Dinner Dance on Dec. 4.

This year, the schedule also includes a noteworthy musical event: “An Evening With Eckart and Friends,” Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. Symphony musical director Eckart Preu will perform on piano with a string quartet.

Tickets for the concert will be $10 at the door, at the Davenport’s Isabella Ballroom.

For a full Christmas Tree Elegance schedule, call (509) 458-8733 or go to www.spokane symphonyassoc.org.

‘Babes in Toyland’

Looking for something fun to do with the kids this holiday season? You may not be able to do much better than catching the classic “Babes in Toyland,” the Spokane Children’s Theatre’s holiday musical.

It features Dennis Craig, Tim Campbell, Mary Miller and Brandon White.

The show opens Friday and runs through Dec. 13 at Spokane Community College’s Lair Auditorium, 1810 N. Greene St.

Call TicketsWest for times and tickets, or go to www.spokanechildrens theatre.org.