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“Sound of Metal” opens and closes with tight close-ups on Riz Ahmed, the actor whose performance carries this story of a drummer going deaf. It’s a small film made larger by Ahmed’s ability to take something so interior – hearing loss – and make it so visible and so palpable.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has canceled countless events this year, event organizers have made their creativity clear, either figuring out how to present events virtually or rework them so they can continue safely in person. And the holiday season is no different. This month, dozens of holiday traditions have been reinvented.

The holidays will feel a bit different this year, but some traditions cannot be thwarted – like our annual viewing of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Though your gatherings might be smaller than usual, there are a ton of family-friendly viewing options on streaming and a growing number of ways to make them a virtual group experience.

On Thursday, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at WSU announced the recipients of the Black Lives Matter Artist Grants. Each of the 20 winners will receive $2,500 to “fund the creation of art that communicates the voices, experiences and artistic expression of social justice efforts in response to systemic racism,” per a news release. 

"Every day's a prize, and sometimes you'll find an answer in the sky," is a line from Elton John "An Answer in the Sky." Cami Bradley, aka Carmen Jane, can relate to John's deep cut since she found her answer in the sky with the help of director Ellen Picken. After listening to Bradley's single, "Numb," Picken envisioned The Spokesman-Review clocktower.

Gary Oldman stars as the colorful, alcoholic co-writer of “Citizen Kane” in “Mank” (2020, R), directed by David Fincher from his father’s screenplay. Shot in black and white, this portrait of classic Hollywood also stars Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies, Charles Dance as William Randolph Hearst and Tom Burke as Orson Welles. (Netflix)

Part of the reason most virtual concerts have fallen flat is due to lack of interaction. An essential element of shows is the give and take between the recording artist and the audience. Jim Brickman understands how important it is to engage with fans. The pop/new age solo pianist will perform Friday from his Cleveland home studio.

Spokane Arts announced its third and final round of Spokane Arts Grants Awards for the year, with nine local artists and organizations receiving a total of $41,827 from the nonprofit arts advocacy group. The nine proposals from a pool of 28 will use the monies to fund projects in literature, dance, education, painting, therapeutic arts, storytelling and music.

From casting call to final dress, the University of Idaho’s upcoming production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” from Friday-Dec. 13 has been organized entirely over Zoom. Adapted by MFA playwriting candidate Kendra Phillips, the holiday classic will be presented in semi-staged readers theater-style with lighting, special effects and costuming. 

Chicago alt-rock group the Smashing Pumpkins have been making music in one form or another for more than three decades. The band’s makeup has seen a lot of turnover throughout that time, and, after years apart, 2018 saw the majority of the Smashing Pumpkins’ original lineup back in the studio together.

Festival of Trees – Vote on a display of Christmas trees, through Dec. 19 in the Center windows adjacent to the Colfax Library on the Whitman County Library Facebook page or whitco.lib.wa.us. Tree winner and prize to be announced on Dec. 22. Colfax Library, 102 S. Main St., Colfax. Free. (509) 397-4366.

After being postponed from a September release, the “Beyond Light” expansion to “Destiny 2” was launched on Nov. 10. The 2017 game has seen many updates, but this one brought it over to the new Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 and added a slew of new content.

"Jersey Boys," which was originally scheduled as part of the 2019-20 STCU Best of Broadway season, has been postponed until Feb. 11-13, 2022. Those with tickets for the original dates should keep their tickets. Previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new dates. Ticketholders will receive an email with more information.

If you build it, they will come. That's basically what Matt Meyer says. The director of entertainment at the Spokane Arena and the First Interstate Center for the Arts recently had a revelatory conversation with a booking agent. Meyer told the agent about how he is scouting for a 3,000-capacity, general-admission venue.

When chatting with Flaming Lips singer-songwriter Wayne Coyne in September about the band's then upcoming date at Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox in March, Coyne's pal, Miley Cyrus, entered the conversation. Cyrus, 28, veered in another direction after befriending the Flaming Lips in 2014.

“Hillbilly Elegy” (2020, R), based on the bestselling memoir by J.D. Vance, stars Gabriel Basso as a Yale law student drawn back to his Northern Kentucky home by his meth-addict mother (Amy Adams). Haley Bennett, Frieda Pinto and Glenn Close also star, and Ron Howard directs. (Netflix)

Susan Moss Bourne lives in the country outside Kingston, Idaho, where she spends much of her time hiking and gathering lichen, moss, antlers, pine cones and flowers for handmade wreaths. For the last three years, she has been making wreaths to use, sell, donate, gift and inspire.

In 10 minutes of music that’s as fresh and energizing as the album’s central symbol, Spokane hip-hop artist Jango explores themes of togetherness, isolation and pride versus fear in his latest release, “Espresso and Shine.” Navigating dizzy and deep soundscapes sculpted by executive producer Benn Suede, Jango (born Elijah Kilborn) muses.

“Astro’s Playroom” comes installed on every PlayStation 5, and at first glance you might mistake it for a demo or even a tutorial to introduce you to the DualSense controller. While “Astro’s Playroom” succeeds in that regard, the delightful 3D platformer is much more than simply a technical showcase: It’s a must-play.