Symphony, Pianist Zeltser To Perform Rarely Heard Works

Following are selected entertainment events around the region this week. For a complete schedule of events, see What’s On list on page 12.

Classical tunes: Moldavian-born, Russian-trained, U.S.-resident piano virtuoso Mark Zeltser will join the Spokane Symphony Orchestra in two infrequently performed works, Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Stravinsky’s “Capriccio,” tonight at the Opera House. Conductor Fabio Mechetti will open the program with Mozart’s Symphony No. 34 and close with Tchaikovsky’s much-loved “Romeo and Juliet.”

The concert begins at 8. Pre-concert lecture by Verne Windham at 7. Reserved seat tickets range from $12 to $27 and are available at the symphony ticket office, 624-1200, and G&B.

At the museum: Accomplished guitarist James Reid will feature the works of Alan Hirsh, John Dowland, Hector Ayala, Andrew York and many others at his Cheney Cowles Museum concert on Monday.

In his program, the guitarist adeptly balances pieces by contemporary American composers with classical ones.

Reid, founder of the Northwest Guitar Festival, has recorded three CDs in the past four years “Evocation,” “Elegant Guitar” and “Guitar Lullabies.”

The concert starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door.

An intimate concert: Guitarist and Rounder recording artist Bob Brozman bills himself as “the king of the national guitar.”

You can decide for yourself at his Thursday concert at Street Music, 117 N. Howard.

With a flock of guitars, including slide guitars, mandolins and ukuleles, Brozman will dive into several lush guitar styles, from Hawaiian and Caribbean to jazz and Delta blues.

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available at Street Music, 117 N. Howard. It’s $12 at the door.

It’s a party: Who said Spokane doesn’t celebrate Mardi Gras? In honor of the festive holiday, the Davenport Hotel will play host of The Taste of Spokane and Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Ball on Tuesday.

The Taste happens from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and features food from local restaurants - Salty’s at the Falls, Hobart’s, Longhorn Barbecue and many others. Admission to the food fair is $3. Food items cost $1.

The ball follows dinner, at 8:30 p.m. Portland blues kings Yo & de Cats will crank out their brand of “voodoo boogie dance music.” Tickets for the ball are $10 in advance at the Davenport Hotel or at Century 21-Randock offices on Tuesday and $20 at the door.

Focus on the Irish: Celtic music will spill out the door of Espresso Delizioso, 706 N. Monroe, on Sunday.

The occasion?

Celtic harpist Laurie Rasmussen, proficient in Irish and Scottish strains of the music, will give a free concert at 8:30 p.m. at the coffeehouse.

Rasmussen lives in Missoula, and has just released her debut album, “The Dawning of the Day.” She’ll tour the West Coast over the next few months, supporting her CD.

More acrobatics: If you missed the two performances by the Imperial Chinese Acrobats at The Met a few weeks ago, then don’t pass up the opportunity to see the Parade of Dynasties at the Panida Theater in Sandpoint tonight at 8.

The show marries three classic and exotic Chinese art forms, such as song, dance and acrobatics. All performers were handpicked from throughout China.

The parade’s various scenes are augmented by beautifully ornate costumes and authentic set designs.

General admission tickets are $12.50, $10 for Pend Oreille Arts Council members, $7 for kids 18 and under.

, DataTimes