Decking the concert halls
If you need a break from Christmas shopping or want to duck out for a breather while your family is in town, local music venues are going to be pretty busy in December. We’ve compiled a diverse selection of live music choices – some holiday-related, some not – to last you through the end of the year.
Nov. 25 – Denver-based singer-songwriter Joel Ansett hits the stage at the Bartlett, 228 W. Sprague Ave. He recently released his debut album, titled “The Nature of Us,” which was financed via crowdsourcing. Moscow’s Eric Engerbretson will serve as opener. Tickets are $7 in advance at www.thebartlettspokane.com.
Dec. 1 – The Bartlett continues its monthly Northwest of Nashville series with a holiday-themed concert showcasing local country, bluegrass and roots musicians. Hosted by Spokane songwriter Jenny Anne Mannan, the evening will feature Dry and Dusty, Kevin Morgan and Prairie War. Tickets are $10 in advance through the Bartlett’s website.
Dec. 2 – “Sounds of the Holidays” is a rousing collection of Christmas tunes and singalongs as performed by the Spokane Accordion Ensemble. At St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 316 E. 24th Ave. Admission is $10
Dec. 3 – Poison’s Bret Michaels headlines Wreck the Halls, a concert featuring several ’80s and ’90s pop metal acts. Alongside Michaels are Warrant, Jack Russell’s Great White, L.A. Guns, Ratt and Dokken. The show kicks off at 3:30 p.m. at the Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave., and tickets are $39-$59 through TicketsWest. The Portland-based group Pigs on the Wing are dedicated to recreating the music of “Dark Side of the Moon”-era Pink Floyd, and they’ll be performing at the Knitting Factory, 919 W. Sprague Ave. Local bands Dawn of Life and Quarter Monkey are the scheduled openers. Tickets are $14 at www.sp.knittingfactory.com.
Dec. 4 – Another nostalgia act, Paperback Writer is a musical tour through the career of the Fab Four, from the height of Beatlemania to the band’s breakup in 1970. At Northern Quest Resort & Casino, 100 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights; tickets start at $27.50 at www.northernquest.com. Wild Child is an indie folk-pop seven piece based out of Austin, Texas, and the band will perform at the Bartlett with fellow Texan Walter Lukens. Tickets are $15; purchase at www.thebartlettspokane.com.
Dec. 5 – Kyle Gass is best known as Jack Black’s other half in the comedy rock duo Tenacious D, and his namesake band will hit the Big Dipper, 171 S. Washington St. The rock quintet is described as “a rollicking gentlemanly ensemble,” and they’ll be joined by local bands Hey! Is for Horses and Supervillain. $12 advance tickets can be purchased at www.thekylegassband.com, otherwise admission is $15 at the door.
Dec. 6 – Country fans, take note. Local radio station the Mountain (93.7 FM) will be hosting a Jingle Ball at the Bing, featuring performances from Maddie and Tae, Josh Turner and Thompson Square. Tickets are $13.50 through TicketsWest, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Wishing Star Foundation. Music starts at 6:45 p.m.
Dec. 8 – The Northwest Bach Festival’s latest batch of Connoisseur Concerts runs through Dec. 11 in various locations in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. Cellist Zuill Bailey, the festival’s artistic director, and a small group of musicians will perform selections by the likes of Chopin, Brahms, Stravinsky and Rachmaninov. For a list of concert locations and to purchase tickets, visit www.nwbachfest.com.
Dec. 9 – Yet another tribute act, The Led Zeppelin Experience, is bringing a whole lotta love to the Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. Formerly known as No Quarter and hailing from Seattle, the band recreates the looks and sounds of the influential ’70s rockers. Tickets start at $25 through TicketsWest. Producer and musician Porter Robinson and French DJ Madeon are taking their textured electronica to the Knitting Factory stage. The collaborators are on tour following the recent release of their successful dance single, “Shelter.” Their show at the Knitting Factory is sold out.
Dec. 10 – The Spokane Jazz Orchesta brings its Christmas concert to the Bing, featuring vocalist Kelley Johnson and a showcase performance of Duke Ellington’s “Nutcracker Suite.” At the Fox Theater, 1001 W. Sprague Ave., Whitworth University will stage its evening of Christmas music, with the school’s various choral groups and a collection of haunting holiday tunes. You can also see a matinee performance on Dec. 11. Tickets for both events are on sale through TicketsWest.
Dec. 11 – Put on your boogie shoes for KC and the Sunshine Band at Northern Quest. The group, founded by frontman and songwriter Harry Casey, is one of the most successful of the disco era, with such No. 1 hits as “Get Down Tonight,” “That’s the Way (I Like It)” and “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty.” Tickets run $55-$85 through www.northernquest.com. Affiniti is a trio that pays tribute to traditional Celtic music, and its Christmas concert blends holiday tunes from Ireland and abroad. They’ll be performing at the Bing; general admission tickets are $22 through TicketsWest.
Dec. 14 – Brad Robins, Casey Elliott and Bradley Quinn Lever are better known as Gentri, three tenor vocalists based out of Utah who specialize in complex vocal harmonies over lush orchestral arrangements. The so-called “gentlemen trio” will also perform at the Bing; tickets run $29-$39 and are now on sale through TicketsWest.
Dec. 15 – Chris Tomlin is one of the most successful contemporary Christian musicians working today, and he’ll be performing a collection of Christmas worship songs at the INB Performing Arts Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. British worship musician Matt Redman will serve as opener. Tickets are $35-$75 through TicketsWest outlets. Put on your ugliest, scratchiest wool Christmas sweater and head down to the Big Dipper for the Itchy Christmas Sweater Party, featuring performances by local bands Itchy Kitty, Dark White Light and the Hallows. $7 at the door.
Dec. 16 – Bluesman Robert Cray and his celebrated band hit the Bing, where he last performed in 2014. Tickets start at $30 and are available through TicketsWest. The third annual Bartlett Christmas Special is delivering yuletide spirit on Dec. 16 and 17, with original and traditional Christmas songs by local musicians. Scheduled performers include Mama Doll, Lavoy, Windoe and Water Monster. Tickets for each night are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Guitarist Sammy Eubanks headlines a free “Blue Christmas” concert at the Knitting Factory, and he’ll be supported by Spokane Dan and the Blues Blazers and Brisket Blues Revue. The music starts at 8 p.m.; 21 and older only. And September Mourning, a hard rock band whose work spills over into a series of graphic novels, take over the Big Dipper with Mercy Brown and Elephant Gun Riot. Admission is $12.
Dec. 17 – The Spokane Symphony’s next SuperPops concert will be a holiday extravaganza, with the a full orchestra, the symphony’s chorale and the Spokane Area Youth Choir performing a program of Christmas favorites. Showtimes are 8 p.m. on Dec. 17 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 18. Tickets for these Fox Theater concerts start at $28 and can be purchased through (509) 624-1200 or
Dec. 23 – The Bartlett’s ongoing Round collaborations continue with a night of live music, storytelling, visual art and spoken word performances. The series’ 24th lineup includes neo-country group Silver Treason, singer-songwriter Lucas Brookbank Brown, slam poet Zack Graham and artist Derrick Freeland. Advance tickets are $5 at www.thebartlettspokane.com.
Dec. 30 – Be honest: You’ve already seen Disney’s “Frozen” a million times and know all the songs by heart. You’re the target audience, then, for the “Frozen” singalong party at the Bing. This interactive screening features actors, including local singer Nicole Lewis as Elsa, portraying the film’s characters. Advance tickets through www.friendsofthebing.org are $15 for kids 12 and younger and $20 for adults. Showtimes are 2 p.m. on Dec. 30 and 31.
Dec. 31 – Best known for the hits “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong,” ’90s funk rockers the Spin Doctors perform at Northern Quest. The band hits the stage at 10:30 p.m., and tickets are just $25. The Spokane Symphony’s New Years celebration bid adieu to 2016 with a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth at the Fox Theater; $16-$28 through the Fox’s box office. Cave Singers return to the Bartlett to ring in 2017. The Seattle trio has become a regular presence in Spokane, and the group is still touring behind its latest album, “Banshee.” Tickets are $20 at www.thebartlettspokane.com; 21 and older only.