Spotlight: WSU moms will get chance to see Clarkson
In keeping with tradition, Washington State University is bringing a Big Name to Pullman for Mom’s Weekend. Following in the footsteps of Elton John, Jay Leno and Colbie Caillat is the first American Idol, Kelly Clarkson.
Clarkson will perform at the Beasley Performing Arts Center on April 15. Tickets are on sale now through TicketsWest, www.ticketswest.com or (800) 325-SEAT. Cost is $59.50, with a discount for WSU students, faculty and staff.
A Texas native, Clarkson rocketed into the spotlight after winning “American Idol” in 2002. Since then, she’s released five albums, selling 24 million copies along the way. She also has two Grammy awards to her name, both in 2005 – one for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (for “Since U Been Gone”) and Best Pop Vocal Album (for “Breakaway”). Her latest record is 2011’s “Stronger.”
MAC extends exhibit
If you thought you were running out of time to catch the “Seeing Impressionism: Europe, America and the Northwest” exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Culture, good news. The show has been extended through March 31. The show features works by Degas, Glackens, Pissarro, Renior, among others. Visit www.northwestmuseum.org for details.
Speaking of the MAC, the museum will hold screenings of the documentary film “Green Fire” in the Eric A. Johnston Auditorium at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. March 10.
The film centers on famed conservationist Aldo Leopold, and was produced in partnership by the Aldo Leopold Foundation, the Center for Humans and Nature, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Leopold’s daughter Estella Leopold, a professor emeritus of biology at the University of Washington, will discuss her father and his work during a talk beginning at 3:30, and will be on hand afterward during a no-host reception.
The film and lecture are part of the Smithsonian exhibit “Dig It! The Secrets of Soil” going on through Sept. 22.
Regular museum admission rates – $7 adults, $5 seniors/students – will apply.
Musicfest deadline looms
Young musicians, dancers, band directors and instructors are reminded that time is running out to submit entries for 2012’s Musicfest Northwest, May 13-18 in Spokane.
Entry forms must be postmarked March 1. Forms are available for download at www.musicfestnorthwest.org.
The festival, now in its 67th year, aims to encourage young people in their study of music and the arts. Each year, more than 1,000 young performers participate in a series of competitions.
GU’s latest ‘Project’
Gonzaga University’s Stage Reader’s Theater will present “The Laramie Project” beginning Thursday in the Magnuson Theater on campus.
The play, by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project, is based on a series of interviews conducted in Laramie, Wyo., after gay college student Matthew Shepard was murdered in 1998. Since its premiere in Denver in 2000, “The Laramie Project” has been performed at theaters across the globe, by high school and college students, community theater troupes and professional companies.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Admission is $2 at the door.
Fan favorites
The audience votes have been counted. And the winners of this year’s Spokane International Film Festival Audience Awards are:
• Best Feature: “Crime After Crime” (Yoav Potash, USA);
• Best Short Film: “Mobile” (Verena Fells, Germany); and
• Best of the NW: “ ’63 Comet” (Jason McKee, USA).