Broadway bound? ‘Big shout-out’ gives Spokane hope
We still don’t know if Spokane will be the actual setting for Martin McDonagh’s new play, “A Behanding in Spokane,” which opens for previews on Broadway on Feb. 15.
But one of the stars, Anthony Mackie (“The Hurt Locker”), made it sound like Spokane will certainly play some role.
When talking about the play on NBC’s “Today” show, he turned to the camera at one point and said, “Big shout-out to Washington and Spokane!”
Sounds promising. Meanwhile, we learned a few more details of the plot from the show’s official Web site, which is now up:
“Carmichael (Christopher Walken) has been searching for his missing left hand for over a quarter of a century. Enter two bickering lovebirds (Anthony Mackie and Zoe Kazan) with a hand to sell, and a hotel clerk (Sam Rockwell) with an aversion to gunfire, and we’re set for a hilarious rollercoaster of love, hate, desperation and hope.”
Beating the TAO drum
“TAO: The Martial Art of Drumming” visits the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox on Monday, 7:30 p.m., with a spectacular evening of traditional Japanese culture – with a modern twist.
It combines taiko drumming with precision choreography, colorful costumes and what the group calls “the art of the warrior.”
The stars of TAO live and train in the mountains of Japan and have already played hundreds of shows in their home country, but this is their first U.S. tour.
Spokane will be only their fifth date on this tour, which will eventually take them to L.A., Boston and beyond.
Tickets range from $22 to $37, through TicketsWest outlets (800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com) or the Fox box office (509-624-1200).
‘The Badge’
Locally produced TV shows are an increasingly rare breed, but KXLY-4 has launched a new one called “The Badge,” which is all about crime prevention and law enforcement.
Producer Aki Peterson has been working with the FBI, the Border Patrol and local law enforcement agencies to produce this monthly show.
Viewers learn about things like detecting counterfeit bills, avoiding Internet scams and ATM safety.
The show debuted in January. The next installment will air Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. on KXLY.
It will be repeated several times through the month, and can also be seen on KXLY’s auxiliary channel, KXMN, which is digital channel 4.2 or channel 29 on Comcast cable.
A ‘Wizard’ of a contest
Here’s a perfect opportunity for someone who has, let’s say, a Lollipop Guild costume stashed in the attic.
The Spokane Symphony is holding a costume contest on Feb. 13, 2 p.m., at River Park Square. Wear your best “Wizard of Oz” costume and, if you win, you’ll snag two free tickets to the symphony’s “Oz With Orchestra.”
The SuperPops concert consists of a showing of the restored “Wizard of Oz,” with the full Spokane Symphony playing the score.
“Oz With Orchestra” will have two performances, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox. Tickets are on sale through TicketsWest and the Fox box office.
Classical notes
Check out these upcoming classical events:
• The Spokane String Quartet, “Three Centuries of Chamber Music,” today, 3 p.m., Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave., tickets $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students, at the door.
• Spokane Youth Symphony, “A Musical Legacy,” Feb. 7, 4 p.m., Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for youth, at the door.
Professional Grade
John Grade, renowned Seattle sculptor and maker of spectacular environmental installations, will be in Spokane this week as part of the Visiting Artist Lecture Series.
One of Grade’s works, “Seeps of Winter,” will soon be reinstalled at the base of a glacier in the Cascades. He often works with natural, biodegradable materials that are transformed by the environment, resulting in second- and third-stage versions of the work.
If you want to find out how he does this, you can catch his talks at three locations:
• Spokane Falls Community College’s SUB, lounges A and B, 3410 Fort George Wright Drive, Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.
• Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture’s Auditorium, 2316 W. First Ave., Wednesday, 7 p.m.
• Eastern Washington University, Art Department Auditorium, Cheney campus, Thursday, noon.
All events are free and open to the public.