Carolyn Lamberson

Used to be, October would roll around and you could count on one thing: the Fall Visual Arts Tour. And you certainly can count on it again this year, as galleries and alternative spaces downtown and beyond open their doors to a wide array of art.

Used to be, October would roll around and you could count on one thing: the Fall Visual Arts Tour. And you certainly can count on it again this year, as galleries and alternative spaces downtown and beyond open their doors to a wide array of art.

Most people know Shann Ray Ferch as a writer of short stories. His 2011 collection “American Masculine,” won praise all over the place for its stories that are “less centered on landscapes and overarching narrative, and more closely focused on relatives drawing blood with words, fists, or mere looks,” as a review on the A.V. Club noted. They also know him as a Gonzaga University professor who teaches leadership and forgiveness studies. He’s also, we’re told, the guy you probably don’t want to go up against in a pickup basketball game.

Famed Santa Fe artist comes to Spokane

Since Bill Gaither decided to make music his life back in 1967, he’s become a driving force in contemporary gospel music. Many of the more than 700 songs he’s co-written with his wife of 52 years, Gloria, have gone on to be among the most cherished in the Christian hymnal. “Let’s Just Praise the Lord.” “The King is Coming.” “Because He Lives.”

Dan Butterworth will not be traveling far to make an appearance in the first event in the 2014-15 Gonzaga University Visiting Writers Series on Wednesday. Butterworth, writer of poetry, fiction and nonfiction, will just need to stroll across campus – he’s a professor in the GU English department.

Perhaps you read last week about the discovery of one of two British ships that disappeared in the 1840s while searching for the fabled Northwest Passage. It was a significant find for at least two Spokane writers – one of whom is a relative of the expedition’s leader, Rear Adm. John Franklin, the other who has a new book of historical fiction that touches on Franklin’s early years.

The numbers associated with Elton John’s career are staggering. He’s sold more than 300 million records, recorded more than 30 albums and had more than 50 Top 40 singles. Seven straight albums hit No. 1. During a five-decade career – one that’s still going strong – he’s earned six Grammy Awards and has a Tony, an Oscar, a Golden Globe and Kennedy Center Honors. His re-recording of his 1973 hit “Candle in the Wind” – released after he performed it for Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997 – went on to sell 33 million copies, and is by most accounts the second best-selling single of all time, behind only Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.”

The numbers associated with Elton John’s career are staggering. He’s sold more than 300 million records, recorded more than 30 albums and had more than 50 Top 40 singles. Seven straight albums hit No. 1. During a five-decade career – one that’s still going strong – he’s earned six Grammy Awards and has a Tony, an Oscar, a Golden Globe and Kennedy Center Honors. His re-recording of his 1973 hit “Candle in the Wind” – released after he performed it for Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997 – went on to sell 33 million copies, and is by most accounts the second best-selling single of all time, behind only Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.”

Jennifer Nettles found enormous success with the country group Sugarland. Enormous success. Grammy Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music Association Awards. Collaborations with everyone from Bon Jovi to Elmo. Gold and platinum recordings.

Jennifer Nettles found enormous success with the country group Sugarland. Enormous success. Grammy Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music Association Awards. Collaborations with everyone from Bon Jovi to Elmo. Gold and platinum recordings.

Jonathan Jackson is not a country singer. He just plays one on TV.