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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Arena lands ‘Star Wars’ spectacle

The Spokane Arena is inviting the media to a surprise announcement Monday at noon about an upcoming special event.

The tease line: “Invited to a special announcement, you are …”

Sounds almost … Yoda-like.

There may be a reason for that. “Star Wars in Concert,” an arena multimedia spectacle with a full symphony orchestra, has popped up on the TicketsWest Web site for two shows at the Spokane Arena, June 19 at 2 and 7 p.m.

Tickets will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. through TicketsWest outlets (800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).

This mega-show features film clips from the “Star Wars” series matched with live performances of John Williams’ memorable orchestral themes.

“Star Wars In Concert” has been playing arenas from London to Los Angeles.

We can’t be certain that this is, in fact, the show that will be announced Monday. But point that way, the indications do.

Melissa refunds?

When the producers of “Little House on the Prairie, The Musical” first announced that star Melissa Gilbert would miss all six Spokane performances, they weren’t offering refunds.

Yet some disappointed Gilbert fans soon made their feelings quite clear and the producers relented and allowed refunds.

It turned out to be only a “very small number,” according to WestCoast Entertainment, which booked the show. When I attended on opening night, it was obvious that most ticketholders headed to the “Prairie” anyway, Melissa or no Melissa. After all, the show’s real star was Laura Ingalls Wilder.

The 5 Browns return

The 5 Browns, a sibling classical piano quintet, are heading back to Spokane for a show with the Spokane Symphony, May 14, 8 p.m. at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox.

They wowed a big and enthusiastic Spokane crowd in 2008. They’re a couple of years older now, but you can expect plenty of youthful musical energy. They’re still (mostly) in their 20s.

Expect the Fox stage to be crowded with five grand pianos, a full orchestra and a big, big sound.

Tickets range from $14 to $48, through TicketsWest.

Best Fest and brew

The Spokane Symphony has kicked off ticket sales for its expanded beginning-of-summer fundraising series, The Best Fest.

Like last year, this festival features various beverages served outdoors under a tent, along with orchestral music. This year, it also offers hot dogs and ice cream.

The series includes a “Best of the Classics” concert on June 18, 7 p.m.; a “Best of Music From Stage and Screen” on June 19, 7 p.m.; and “A Patriotic Salute to the 100th Anniversary of Father’s Day” on June 20, 4 p.m., all at The Fox.

Tickets are available for all three concerts, and also for the related “tasting” events in the Fox parking lot before each concert: wine-tasting on June 18, beer-tasting on June 19, and ice cream and hot dogs on June 20. Call (509) 624-1200 or TicketsWest outlets.

By the way, symphony subscribers might want take advantage of an especially good deal: If they renew their subscriber tickets before April 15, they can get tickets for any of these concerts for $10, a huge savings. Some of these tickets run $33 at the top end.

Note that you’ll need to buy tickets to the tasting events separately.

Maestro brew

By the way, we got a chance last week to sample this year’s Maestro Brew, brewed to music director Eckart Preu’s specifications, which will be showcased at Best Fest.

Gage Stromberg of Coeur d’Alene Brewing Co. and the Steam Plant Grill called it a cross between a refreshing pilsner and a heartier, maltier Scottish ale.

We quaffed a few pints with Preu, who said he wanted to it to be a combination of the German beers of his home country and the microbrews of the Northwest.

You can buy a pint now at the Steam Plant and at the Fox lobby bar.

Dodson’s adds gallery

Dodson’s, one of Spokane’s venerable jewelry stores, has added a fine-arts gallery to a portion of its store at 516 W. Riverside Ave.

Store president Penn Fix said the gallery will focus on local and regional artists.

First up: Twisp photographer Dennis Kirkland, who uses a macro lens to create stunning “abstract landscapes from stones” and Spokane oil painter Charlie Palmer.

Their works are already on display, but the official coming out party for the gallery will be May 7, during First Friday.

“Art and jewelry go hand in hand,” said Fix via e-mail. “My great-grandfather George R. Dodson first opened this business with this combination. So we are going back to our roots.”

Extreme Earth Day event

Speaking of art, here’s an intriguing Earth Day art event: “Cacophony, a symphony in RE:use,” involving five pianos destined for the landfill.

Local sculptor and Spokane Falls Community College art instructor Bernadette Vielbig has planned what she calls an “Extreme Art Event” involving these pianos on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Spokane’s Earth Day celebration, on Main Avenue between Division and Browne streets.

She said the work will be constructed onsite that morning with help from a number of students, and will be “playable by the public” – but not exactly in the traditional manner.

You’ll just have to see it – and hear it – for yourself. The event is free and open to the public.

You can even take home a piece of a piano, while supplies last.

Northwest Boychoir

Seattle’s Northwest Boychoir will perform on April 22, 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 127 E. 12th Ave.

It’s one of the Northwest’s premier youth choirs, on tour through the region.

The 70-member group will perform Bernstein’s “Chicester Psalms,” Rutter’s “Gloria” and other classical works.

A freewill donation will be accepted to benefit Crosswalk.