Taking part has never meant more
It’s a time of transition.
Summer is turning to fall – despite this blast of glorious heat. Area theaters are ramping up for their new seasons. The performing arts are revving their engines, and the outdoor summer festivals soon will give way to raucous arena shows.
Meanwhile, Spokane’s music community is shaken by the death of one of their own. Much has been said about Isamu Jordan. Both Shawn Vestal and I have written in the pages the follow about his life and his loss and what it might mean. I don’t have much more to add at this point, other than to say that Som was a gracious and gregarious soul, a rock-solid music journalist and a heck of a guy. He is deeply missed.
But, Som would be the first to tell us to not give up on the scene. To go out, see art, hear music, support the artists you love.
There are plenty of things to see, to do and to experience.
Opera Coeur d’Alene this weekend presents “Rigoletto,” Guiseppe Verdi’s classic opera of love and tragedy. The production, directed by Metropolitan Opera veteran Aaron St. Clair Nicholson, features local favorite Dawn Wolski; Raul Mélo, who has sung at the Met; and Mark Walters, who will play the title role in “Don Giovanni” for Seattle Opera next year.
For fans of Christian rock, MercyMe is at the Spokane County Interstate Fair today. In their almost-20-year career, MercyMe has sold millions of records, won numerous awards, and found crossover success with the single “I Can Only Imagine.”
Coeur d’Alene gets arty tonight with the Second Friday ArtWalk. Don’t miss Harold Balazs and Mel McCuddin’s show at Art Spirit. Both men, in their 80s, are creating works well worth seeing.
Carolyn Lamberson
Features editor
On Twitter: @clamberson