Ed Condran

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A&E >  Entertainment

Lone Emily Wolfe proves to be an ‘Outlier’ with new album

UPDATED: Thu., July 1, 2021

If it's about the company you keep, Emily Wolfe is in good hands. It's not surprising that after a spin of the emerging singer-songwriter-guitarist's new album "Outlier" that Wolfe comes off as a bit of a badass. 

A&E >  Music

Spokane Symphony receives federal Shuttered Venue Operators Grant

UPDATED: Thu., July 1, 2021

Resurrection Bay is where Jeff vom Saal was vacationing when he received word that his Spokane Symphony Society finally received its Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. It couldn't have been more appropriate since the symphony is rising.

News >  Family

Dad Daze: Youngest daughter has found her own drummers to follow

UPDATED: Sun., June 27, 2021

Nature or nurture is a question that's been asked ad nauseum throughout the ages. The subject was bandied about when discussing the return of concerts and musical taste. My children and I were discussing what recording artists we're looking forward to experiencing live.

News >  Travel

‘Pure glee and joy’: Exotic vacations are back, and LGBTQ+ travelers are leading the way

Sat., June 26, 2021

The murky green water off the coast of Provincetown is cool, but so is the rest of the popular destination for the LGBTQ+ community. Rainbow flags wave in the pleasant ocean breeze as guests frequent quaint bars and restaurants.

A&E >  Entertainment

Clean comic John Crist jokes about the absurdities of life

UPDATED: Thu., June 24, 2021

Comic John Crist isn't married and doesn't have children, but he nails parents at their most absurd when cheering or jeering their kids on at sporting events courtesy of his YouTube clip at youtube.com/watch?v=HurkqYAQYJ4.

A&E >  Entertainment

Modest Mouse returns with cool, strange ‘The Golden Casket’

UPDATED: Thu., June 24, 2021

Prolific is not an adjective that precedes Modest Mouse. The alt-rock band's seventh album in 30 years drops Friday. "The Golden Casket," the group's long-awaited release, is quirky, brooding and angst-ridden.

A&E >  Entertainment

‘We’re still standing’: How the Spokane Comedy Club survived the challenges of the pandemic

UPDATED: Fri., June 25, 2021

Even though it was the last night of relative normalcy in Spokane, the weird vibe at the Spokane Comedy Club 15 months ago was tangible. Veteran comic Gabriel Rutledge was about to perform before about 100 fans.

A&E >  Entertainment

A look back: Green Day amps it up in Peaceful Valley basement in early 1990s

UPDATED: Thu., June 24, 2021

Before Green Day exploded through the stratosphere in 1994 courtesy of its breakthrough album, "Dookie," the trio was slated to perform on Oct. 10, 1992, at the tiny downtown club Pompeii. 

News >  Features

Dad Daze: Hats off to Spokane’s Sonora Smart Dodd, the Mother of Father’s Day

UPDATED: Sun., June 20, 2021

The Craftsman-style bungalow at 603 Arthur St. is a nice, stylish home, but it doesn’t stand out until you check out the plaque in front of the 108-year-old structure. The monument declares that it was once the residence of Sonora Smart Dodd, a local artist, poet and philanthropist.

A&E >  Music

A look back: Black Sabbath makes its Spokane debut at the Coliseum in 1972

UPDATED: Thu., June 17, 2021

No major rock band played Spokane more than Black Sabbath from 1970-1980. The godfathers of metal and sludge rock performed in the Lilac City five times during that period. That’s not shocking, though.

A&E >  Entertainment

‘Funny That Way’ is an eye-opening look at transgender comic Julia Scotti

UPDATED: Thu., June 17, 2021

"Funny That Way" is a moving, revelatory documentary about comic Julia Scotti's journey in the world of comedy and humanity. Scotti was Rick Scotti a generation ago. The transgender humorist's marriage ended, and she lost custody to her children.

A&E >  Entertainment

‘It’s my addiction’: Ian Roussel of ‘Full Custom Garage’ and an array of cars highlight Spokane Speed and Custom Show

UPDATED: Fri., June 18, 2021

Ian Roussel is cooler than you think. Ministry's "Jesus Built My Hot Rod" blasts away in the background while Roussel crafts cars at his Mojave Desert home. "It fits since I'm kind of like a punk rock guy," Roussel said.

A&E >  Entertainment

Enjoy satisfying Japanese Breakfast and ‘Jubilee’

UPDATED: Thu., June 17, 2021

When music and South Korea are mentioned, the cottage industry known as BTS is the typical response. However, Seoul native Michelle Zauner, aka Japanese Breakfast, who grew up in the Pacific Northwest, is making a big impact in entertainment.

A&E >  Entertainment

Observational New York comic Gianmarco Soresi makes his Spokane debut

UPDATED: Thu., June 17, 2021

Gianmarco Soresi sounds like someone hosting an Italian cooking show rather than a comic, and he is primarily Jewish. "When people see me, it's as if they've been fooled," Soresi said. "After they see me perform, it's as if I'm actually Joshua Rubinstein."

A&E >  Entertainment

Delayed COVID-19 federal aid has some Spokane venue owners anxious about reopening

UPDATED: Mon., June 14, 2021

Shuttered Venues Operator grants have been delayed, which impacts a number of local venues. They are waiting on help from Congress so they can start to rehire staff, plan shows and take the next steps to reopening. 

News >  Features

Dad Daze: Don’t hesitate, vaccinate – doctor’s and my children’s orders

UPDATED: Mon., June 14, 2021

There is nothing like a deadline. I always love it when time is running out. A rush of adrenaline courses through my veins be it I'm playing a basketball game, writing a story or even catching a flight.

A&E >  Entertainment

‘I wanted to show a world of purity’: GU soccer player turned director’s ‘Nando’ premieres at Tribeca

UPDATED: Sun., June 13, 2021

Ferris alum Alec Cutter's short film "Nando" premieres at New York's Tribeca Film Festival. The work, which is about a Brazilian boy who lives in a hardscrabble neighborhood across from Rio's soccer stadium, is a compelling, hopeful project.

A&E >  Entertainment

No trash talk from Garbage drummer Butch Vig, who discusses new album, Nirvana and other icons

UPDATED: Thu., June 10, 2021

Butch Vig is one of the most humble icons in music. The drummer from Garbage, which is releasing its latest album, "No Gods, No Masters," on Friday, produced Nirvana's "Nevermind," which altered the musical and pop culture landscape.

A&E >  Entertainment

Love in the time of COVID-19 from Danny Elfman, the man behind Oingo Boingo, ‘Simpsons’ theme

UPDATED: Thu., June 10, 2021

"Love in the Time of Covid" is one of the most compelling and inventive songs of the pandemic. The quirky tune is accompanied by a visually stimulating video, but that shouldn't be surprising since the song was crafted by Danny Elfman.

News >  Family

Dad Daze: Parenting courtesy of HBO’s ‘Mare of Easttown’

Sun., June 6, 2021

The high soap quotient of HBO's "Mare of Easttown" couldn't help but garner attention. It's understandable since the residents of a fictitious Philadelphia suburb have been impacted with more afflictions and setbacks than Job.

A&E >  Entertainment

10 great gay songs from Sleater-Kinney, the Smiths, George Michael and more

UPDATED: Thu., June 3, 2021

There are so many great gay tunes that are either love songs or cuts that are loud about being proud. The following list of 10 includes tracks that range from relatively unknown to gay bangers.

A&E >  Entertainment

Alonzo Bodden talks COVID-19 vaccines, face masks and NBA fans ahead of Spokane Comedy Club dates

UPDATED: Fri., June 4, 2021

Comic Alonzo Bodden laughed when recalling his initial Spokane experience. "I was on a casino tour about 20 years ago. I went all through Washington like I was looking for Sasquatch."

A&E >  Entertainment

Jason Mewes chats about Kevin Smith, George Carlin and Alanis Morissette

UPDATED: Thu., June 3, 2021

Jason Mewes, who will perform Saturday at the Spokane Comedy Club, talks about working with his pal filmmaker Kevin Smith and what he would be doing if he never met his friend.

A&E >  Entertainment

Recording artists are straight up about being gay

UPDATED: Thu., June 3, 2021

A generation ago, Michael Stipe was reluctant to come out of the closet, but R.E.M.'s vocalist, Melissa Etheridge and K.D. Lang and a number of influential recording artists revealed their sexual orientation during the early 1990s.

A&E >  Dining

Full steam ahead for Jerry Dicker’s latest addition to the entertainment district

UPDATED: Tue., June 1, 2021

It’s cinematic when the graffiti-covered freight trains roll past the iconic Steam Plant. During an overcast morning, the familiar brick structure with cars cruising through the city on rails with wheels squeaking smacks of “Rocky.”