Carolyn Lamberson

The past couple of years have been all about expansion for the Northwest Bach Festival. Last year, for instance, festival organizers scheduled performances in a shopping mall, in a small North Side event center, and in intimate historic buildings. They added a film series as well.

Call it old school meets new school. The Spokane Symphony, the seven-decades-old institution, and Terrain, the 8-year-old arts upstart, are collaborating on a new project this month, “Uncharted Territory.”

David Armstrong, a lecturer in Gonzaga University’s English department, has won the 2014 New American Fiction Prize for his story collection “Reiterations.” His first story collection, “Going Anywhere,” was published in November after winning the 2013 Leapfrog Fiction Contest. He’ll read some of his work on Wednesday evening as part of the Beacon Hill Reading Series. Also on the bill are poet John Whalen and nonfiction writer Nicole Sheets. The reading will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hagan Foundation Center for the Humanities in the library at Spokane Community College, 1810 N. Greene St.

First things first. There is a lot of swearing in “Reasons to be Pretty” at the Modern Theater in Spokane. A lot. But “Reasons to be Pretty” is more than an f-bomb fest. Neil LaBute’s Tony-nominated play is an interesting look at Big Issues. Self-image. Objectification of women. Loyalty. Love. Hate. Denial. There’s yelling and violence. And ultimately, a hopeful ending.

Willow Springs, the literary magazine of Eastern Washington University, has announced its spring issue. Issue No. 75 features poetry by former Washington poet laureate Kathleen Flenniken, Colin Pope, Alex Chertok and Dana Levin, among others. There’s fiction by J. Robert Lennon, author of seven novels and two short story collections; Robert Lopez, author of “ Kamby Bolongo Mean River;” and Lucas Southworth, whose short story collection “Everyone Here Has a Gun” was released in 2013. The issue also includes interviews with author and journalist William T. Vollman and poet and author Cate Marvin.

Spokane artist James LaVigne is among the artists featured in a show this month at the Agora Gallery in New York City. “Elemental Realms” will run Feb. 10-March 3 at the gallery, which is located in the Chelsea art district of Manhattan. His piece, “Abstract 11” is oil painted on canvas in bright shade of orange, blue and purple.

“Reasons to Be Pretty” often is considered entry-level Neil LaBute. It’s the first of his plays to run on Broadway – and earned three Tony nominations. It’s considered a fairly accessible work. Still, it’s not Frank Capra. It’s full of sharp elbows and sharper tongues. “Reasons to Be Pretty” features an opening segment that New York Times reviewer Ben Brantley called a “firestorm of abuse and invective, hot enough to scald the hide off a thick-skinned man.”

“Reasons to Be Pretty” often is considered entry-level Neil LaBute. It’s the first of his plays to run on Broadway – and earned three Tony nominations. It’s considered a fairly accessible work. Still, it’s not Frank Capra. It’s full of sharp elbows and sharper tongues. “Reasons to Be Pretty” features an opening segment that New York Times reviewer Ben Brantley called a “firestorm of abuse and invective, hot enough to scald the hide off a thick-skinned man.”

In a magical place known as Stateline, Idaho, a boy lives in a small house with his mother and father. Or at least he does until the day his mother leaves, abandoning her family to live in the woods with a sasquatch named Mr. Krantz.

Humanities Washington is hosting a talk Wednesday to discuss the Charlie Hebdo attacks, the role of cartoonists in society and related issues. “Killer Cartoons: Is the Pen Mightier Than the Sword?” is the subject of a Think & Drink program at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Lindaman’s Gourmet Bistro. The panel will include former Spokesman-Review cartoonist Milt Priggee and David Fenner, who retired from the University of Washington in 2007 as the assistant vice provost for International Education. He lectures extensively about Islam. Shann Ferch, a Gonzaga University professor and author, will moderate the free event.

This year, the Spokane County Library District’s selection for the Big Read is a classic – “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London. In February, the library will host or sponsor a number of events related to the book.