You Can Be Here Or You Can Do Here

Wed., July 5, 2000

Andrea Palpant

A familiar line heard around the Inland Northwest this time of year, especially by its young people, is this: “Spokane’s lame. There’s nothing to do.”

Young people, especially those in their early 20s, often feel frustrated by the lack of culture and the number of fun, healthful activities available to them after 10 p.m.

Those young people who have spent any time in bigger cities can really get annoyed at Spokane’s limited options because they have something to compare them with. In Seattle and San Francisco, for instance, you can go out at 11 at night and have countless cafes to choose from. They stay open into the morning hours. You can walk the streets and breathe in night life - the lights, music, faces, the beat and movement of a city alive in the dark.

So exactly what is there to do on Friday night in Spokane if you’re a 20-something person wishing you lived somewhere a bit more exciting? Well, you can sit around and complain about the limited entertainment options, but that only adds more “drag” to the situation.

Why not respond with active, constructive contributions? Engage the culture that does exist. Attend the Met’s Wednesday night showings of foreign/independent films. You come away with a wider vision of the world because you are seeing stories from different cultures. The films cost $4 to $5, and it’s money well-spent. Or you can drive with a friend to find new local cafes, such as The Shop at the base of the hill on Perry. It’s a remodeled car shop featuring funky art. Or try the Blue Spark at Howard and First for live Celtic music and open-mike performances on Mondays; on Thursdays at the Moon Time Cafe in Coeur d’Alene, you can hear acoustic and blues music.

Explore new developments such as Steam Plant Square in downtown Spokane. And check out the Live After 5 events on July 27, Aug. 24 and Oct. 6. The streets of downtown Spokane will boast a variety of musical performances and open art galleries.

It’s a win-win situation: You support the local economy, augment local arts and culture and ultimately enjoy life for yourself by partaking in community. After all, a city is only what its people make of it. To paraphrase an overused famous line: “Ask not what your community can do for you but what you can do for your community.”

You want your city to have more personality? Put yourself out there and bring your own life and energy to the streets of Spokane and Coeur d’Alene.

Local journalism is essential.

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