Ed Condran

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A&E >  Entertainment

Chatting with Louis C.K: A look back at the controversial comic on the comeback trail

UPDATED: Thu., Oct. 7, 2021

Comics often mine material from their lives. When Louis C.K. was accused of sexual misconduct in 2017 for masturbating in front of female writers and comics, I had a flashback to an interview with the controversial comic.

A&E >  Entertainment

Is Universal Studios vacation in store for Liberty Lake kid, 7, and his family on ‘Military Kids Have Talent’ today?

UPDATED: Thu., Oct. 7, 2021

The next stop for Liberty Lake's Kramer family might be Orlando. Thanks to their son Jack Kramer's dancing skills, the Kramers will be awarded a free family vacation to Universal Studios if their son is one of the winners of "Military Kids Have Talent."

A&E >  Entertainment

New Kids on the Block announce June 6 date at Spokane Arena with Rick Astley, Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue

UPDATED: Wed., Oct. 6, 2021

New Kids on the Block will return to Spokane Arena on June 6 while on its MixTape Tour 2022. The veteran Boston quintet will hit the road once again with its peers and pals from the 1980s – rappers Salt-N-Pepa and pop acts Rick Astley and En Vogue.

News >  Features

Dad Daze: From my cradle to their grave

UPDATED: Sun., Oct. 3, 2021

A parent's responsibility never ends. Even though my daughter Jillian, 22, is off my payroll living and working in Manhattan, I'm aware that she still has needs only a parent can meet. I've always wanted the best for my children and to never burden my two sons and two daughters.

A&E >  Entertainment

Black Label Society’s Zakk Wylde: ‘I love the coffee in Spokane’

Sat., Oct. 2, 2021

Zakk Wylde is holding a vintage copy of Guitar Player magazine with Rolling Stones icon Keith Richards on the cover. "It says '16 years' since that's how long the Stones were around at that time (1978)," Wylde said while calling from Southern California.

A&E >  Entertainment

Self-dubbed finest comic from Ferris High to make his debut at Spokane Comedy Club

UPDATED: Thu., Sept. 30, 2021

Ryan McComb is certain that he is the finest comedian to ever graduate from Ferris High. "I believe that's true," McComb said. "I can't think of any comics who ever graduated from Ferris." The Chase Middle School alum also believes he might be the funniest guy from the South Hill.

A&E >  Entertainment

A Doobie Brother’s homecoming as his band plays Spokane Arena

UPDATED: Sat., Oct. 2, 2021

It's fitting that "Liberte," the latest album by the Doobie Brothers, will enter the world Friday, which coincides with the long-of-tooth band's concert at the Spokane Arena. There's symmetry to the release since guitarist-vocalist Patrick Simmons' life started locally.

A&E >  Entertainment

Steven Van Zandt talks ‘The Sopranos’ and ‘The Many Saints of Newark’

UPDATED: Thu., Sept. 30, 2021

Expectations for "The Sopranos" prequel film "The Many Saints of Newark" are high among fans and those who were part of the legendary show, which changed the course of TV history. Steven Van Zandt, who portrayed Tony Soprano's consigliere Silvio Dante, is looking forward to the release.

A&E >  Entertainment

Coeur d’Alene Resort autumn activities include Golfoberfest and Whiskey Barrel Weekend

UPDATED: Sun., Sept. 26, 2021

The vibe at Coeur D'Alene Resort is considerably different than it was a year ago. The pandemic plagued the popular destination since groups from other parts of the country and the world didn't visit during the summer of 2020.

News >  Features

Dad Daze: Playing favorites is not the way of the Condrans

UPDATED: Sun., Sept. 26, 2021

"Set the tone" was the mantra of Butch, my son Milo's first ice hockey coach. Milo took the motto to heart during his early years under Butch. After Milo scored the first goal in four of seven games, my friend Capri said, "No wonder Milo is your favorite kid."

A&E >  Entertainment

Durand Jones & the Indications to make their Spokane debut at Pavilion at Riverfront

Sat., Sept. 25, 2021

The hardwood seemed to be in Durand Jones' future. His father, David Jones, was a renowned basketball player who was on a prominent Louisiana High School team that featured future NBA star John "Hot Rod" Williams.

A&E >  Entertainment

Sellouts and busts: Fans are fickle when choosing concerts during COVID-19

UPDATED: Fri., Sept. 24, 2021

Concerts have returned, but some of the audience has not. COVID-19 is still having an impact on live entertainment. The results have been mixed thanks to the ever-present pandemic. Some events are selling well, such as Louis C.K.’s comedy show in October.

A&E >  Entertainment

Smells like a classic album: Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ changed the sonic game 30 years ago

UPDATED: Fri., Sept. 24, 2021

Exceeding the hype in the music industry is rare. Weeks before Nirvana's "Nevermind" dropped on Sept. 24, 1991, the buzz was ubiquitous. "Are you familiar with the Nirvana album?" Courtney Love asked me just before "Nevermind" was released. 

A&E >  Entertainment

Ari Shaffir, controversial comic who ripped Kobe Bryant, returns to Spokane

UPDATED: Thu., Sept. 23, 2021

No wonder Ari Shaffir's favorite comedian is Sam Kinison. Shaffir lets it all hang out and doesn't care what anyone thinks. Shortly after NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant died along with his daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash in 2020, Shaffir posted a shocking video.

A&E >  Entertainment

Music roundup: Darius Rucker, Old Dominion, Porter Robinson, My Morning Jacket and Durand Jones

UPDATED: Fri., Sept. 24, 2021

It's not surprising that Darius Rucker's concert at Northern Quest is sold out. Rucker made a smooth transition from the pop-rock of Hootie and the Blowfish to moving country tunes. It doesn't take much for Hootie hits such as "Hold My Hand" and "Let Her Cry" to go country.

A&E >  Entertainment

Is Sept. 24, 1991, the greatest day in music history?

UPDATED: Tue., Sept. 21, 2021

The internet was in its infancy, and cellphones weren't ubiquitous in 1991, which seems like the Paleolithic era, at least to my children. But 30 years ago this week marks the anniversary of some groundbreaking music releases.

A&E >  Entertainment

Review: KISS is worth more than a deuce as iconic band rocks the Gorge for final time

UPDATED: Mon., Sept. 20, 2021

The final KISS concert ever, according to vocalist-bassist Gene Simmons, at the Gorge on Saturday night will be memorable for the 20,000 fans, which spanned from toddlers to folks who approached octogenarian status. 

News >  Features

Dad Daze: A catastrophe as Jane’s beloved cat Soo Soo passes away

UPDATED: Sun., Sept. 19, 2021

The tears were warm and relentless. Jane's flushed face was flooded for 15 minutes after discovering the lifeless body of her beloved cat, Soo Soo, prone by her dresser. His passing wasn't a surprise since Jane's best friend was losing weight and mobility.

A&E >  Entertainment

Review: A Mick Jones-less Foreigner 2.0 rocks a packed Northern Quest

UPDATED: Fri., Sept. 17, 2021

During a recent chat with Gene Simmons, I asked the KISS icon if his legendary band could continue after he retires. Simmons revealed that there are plans for a KISS 2.0 when he hangs up his bass. Well, Simmons, 72, has been beat to the punch.

A&E >  Entertainment

Review: Vince Neil delivers Motley Crue hits at Spokane County Interstate Fair

UPDATED: Thu., Sept. 16, 2021

It was a shot at those writing bogus articles from the Spokane County Interstate Fair stage from Vince Neil on Wednesday night. There have been recent rumors that Neil's Motley Crue bandmates reached out to vocalist John Corabi to replace the band's longtime singer for its 2022 tour.

A&E >  Entertainment

A KISS farewell: Gene Simmons talks the Gorge, KISS 2.0 and COVID-19: ‘Wear a mask’

UPDATED: Sat., Sept. 18, 2021

There is no rocker quite like Gene Simmons. The KISS vocalist-bassist is refreshingly candid, often amusing and perhaps the most business-minded musician ever. When Simmons, 72, isn't coming up with concepts like the KISS coffin, he's on tour and planning the future.

A&E >  Entertainment

Come to Papa for an evening of family comedy at the Bing

UPDATED: Thu., Sept. 16, 2021

The irony of Tom Papa's tour tag, "The Family Reunion," is that the veteran comic, who will perform Friday at the Bing Crosby Theater, has been sequestered with his wife and two daughters for more than a year-and-a-half. "The material I get from them is endless and hilarious," Papa said.

A&E >  Entertainment

Will north Spokane’s Rogue be crowned ‘America’s Top Dog’?

UPDATED: Thu., Sept. 16, 2021

When Rogue was a puppy, it was evident that Kayla Murfin's mutt was at the head of the doggie class. Whenever Murfin, a veterinary technician, returned to her north Spokane home, she discovered that Rogue was a canine Houdini.

News >  Family

Dad Daze: How sharing as a parent makes an indelible impact

UPDATED: Sun., Sept. 12, 2021

Sharing facets of your life and the look in your child's eyes when discovering what a parent presents is beyond gratifying. The subject was bandied about when a friend revealed that he's taking his 10-year-old son to watch KISS this Saturday at the Gorge.

News

Millwood veteran recalls saving lives during 9/11 attack of the Pentagon

UPDATED: Fri., Sept. 10, 2021

Millwood's Jerry Warren recounts his experience surviving and saving people's lives during the attack on the Pentagon 20-years ago.