Imagine That, Right Here In River City

“When we all think of Spokane’s big three events, we think of Bloomsday, Hoopfest and the City Cup,” says John Wenglewski, the man behind the Cup.

Unless you’re a cave-dweller, you’re probably familiar with - and maybe even have participated in - the first two events. But the City Cup?

Starting today, some 750 cue-wielding players of all abilities will compete in the American Poolplayers Association City Cup Championship, Spokane’s biggest pool tournament.

Players from 102 Spokane County teams will compete for more than $60,000 and one of seven invites to the national tourney in Las Vegas in August.

“It is really exciting competition,” says Wenglewski, APA’s local operator and tournament producer. “The teams are competing hard. There’s a lot on the line for them.”

Shannon Armstrong didn’t even know how to play pool when she joined the league about seven years ago.

She’s since made it to the Vegas showdown twice - both times while pregnant.

And guess what? She’s pregnant again this year.

“It might inhibit a few shots you really need to reach for,” Armstrong says of the pregnancy. “But it keeps you down longer” to steady your aim.

Armstrong met her husband, Don, when they ended up on the same team together. This year, the Reardan couple is hoping to make it to Vegas together.

“It’s something we both like to do together,” Don Armstrong says. “Everybody likes to win, so there’s a lot of stress, especially when it comes down to the last matches.

Spectators are welcome during the Spokane tournament, which runs through June 25. Even if you’re not a league player, you can sign up for open-play games during the competition.

The City Cup starts at 6 p.m. tonight at the Season Ticket sports bar, 1221 N. Howard. Games resume Saturday morning, with Too Slim & The Taildraggers playing from 2 to 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, games start at 11 a.m.

Matches continue for the next three weekends, with The Perrones playing from 2-4:30 p.m. June 10 and Cary Fly & Friends performing from 2 to 4:30 p.m. June 17.

The finals start at 11 a.m. June 25.

Spectators must be at least 21. All events are free.

Will it be around next year?

Six months after the doors closed on Spokane’s only jazz nightclub, another one has opened.

The Shilo Inn, 923 E. Third, will host live jazz Thursdays and Fridays.

“We’ve been searching for another place to move the jazz scene,” promoter Gary Edighoffer says. “We developed quite a jazz community here.”

The new club’s opening has been promised and anticipated since Hobart’s in Cavanaughs Fourth Avenue Hotel closed on New Year’s Eve.

New management has taken over the Shilo’s restaurant and lounge.

There will be no cover charge for tonight’s grand-opening show, featuring Rich Luna and Sons from 7 to 11 p.m. Next week, the Arnie Carruthers Quartet plays from 8 p.m.-midnight on Thursday and 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday. Cover charge will be $5.

Raunch-rock

If you’re still in a funk because Tommy Holfiller had to cancel its Met show last March, buck up.

The self-proclaimed “great white pimps and world-famous nymphs” will be here tonight — and with a new CD, no less.

The Seattle-area hard-rockers, who brought sex-crazed boys everywhere “Nymphomercial,” are back with “The Hole Story.”

I don’t think you need me to explain that these guys have a theme going here (and it ain’t the church social).

The music starts at 9:30 p.m. at Outback Jack’s, 321 W. Sprague. Fly Real opens the show. Cover is $5.

Club-hopping

* Comedian Keith Stubbs performs tonight and Saturday at Laugh’s at The Ram, 908 N. Howard. Shows start at 8:30 p.m. and cost $6.

* BeeCraft plays at 9 p.m. tonight at Mootsy’s, 406 W. Sprague. Cover is $5.

* Rising Lion plays at 9 p.m. Saturday at Ichabod’s North, 1827 N. Division. Cover is $5.

* The Trailer Park Girls play from 7-9 p.m. tonight at the South Hill Starbucks, 2525 E. 29th.

* Coeur d’Alene band Moments of Clarity plays Saturday at the Panida Theater in Sandpoint. Melefluent opens the show. Music starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $8.

* Bluesman Paul Brasch performs tonight at 8 p.m. at the Wine Cellar, 313 Sherman in Coeur d’Alene. On Saturday, Pat Coast & The Blue Lite Special play. There’s no cover charge.